I shake my head and grab a swimsuit, shorts, and a tank to change into. Harlow heads to her room to change and Meredith takes over my bathroom.nbsp;
After I’m dressed, Perry follows me downstairs to make breakfast.nbsp;
My dad sits in his chair drinking his coffee and reading the newspaper. I told him once that he could get the newspaper on his iPad and he looked at me like I just killed all his hopes and dreams.
“You girls going out today?” he asks, not bothering to look up from behind the newspaper.nbsp;
“Yeah, to the beach,” I say, pulling out the carton of eggs. “Are you hungry?” I ask.
“Yeah, what are you making?” he asks.nbsp;
“I was going to do omelets.”
“That sounds good.”
I pull my phone from my pocket and turn my music on so that it’s not completely quiet while I make breakfast.nbsp;
I make an omelet for me and the girls, my dad, and my mom.
“That smells delicious,” my mom says, coming down the stairs, the girls behind her. Everybody greedily grabs a plate. My mom sits down at the kitchen table and we all join her, even Dad who reluctantly puts down his newspaper.
“Willa, I wanted to remind you,” my mom begins, “you have a doctor’s appointment at the hospital Tuesday. I took off to take you.”
I nod—I haven’t forgotten. I’m down to the monthly checks right now, and while everything has been looking good I still can’t help but worry. I’m not sure the fear will ever go away, especially with knowing it’s inevitable that this kidney fails too. I know I have to live in the moment, and right now everything is great, but sometimes I can’t help but go to that dark place.
“Maybe we can get lunch together while we’re out?” she suggests. “Harlow, you can come too if you want.”
“Sounds good to me,” I agree, and Harlow nods, her mouth full of food.
We finish breakfast and the girls and I clean up. Once everything is clean I send Jasper a text letting him know Meredith and my sister are coming—and I hint that it’d be much appreciated if he invited a friend so Meredith is occupied.nbsp;
Since it’s still early, I rope the girls into helping me clean my room since most of the mess is their cause.
Meredith grumbles the whole time, as per usual. I’m used to her whining at this point that once she starts I tune her out.nbsp;
Harlow turns on some music while we clean—and you guessed it, it’s her K-pop boys. The songs are catchy, and I’m afraid she’s going to suck me fully down the rabbit hole.
Once my room is clean, Meredith insists on redoing her makeup.
“You do realize we’re going to be outside. In the sun. Where it’s hot. And you sweat,” I deadpan.
She rolls her eyes. “That doesn’t mean I can’t attempt to look my best. Plus, have you ever heard of the word waterproof?”
With a swish of her hips she disappears into my bathroom once more while I shake my head.
Harlow flops onto my bed and Perry joins her. He looks up at me with his big brown eyes, giving me a sad look. He’s already figured out that we’re leaving and he wants us to stay or take him with us.nbsp;
“Sorry, Perry, you have to stay here today. I’ll take you for ice cream tomorrow.”
He perks up at that, wagging his tongue.nbsp;
Out of the corner of my eye I see movement and jump. Calming back down, I mutter, “It’s your stupid cat,” to Harlow.
“Aw, Webber, come here. Did you miss Mommy?” Harlow coos at the cat as he sneaks into my room, looking this way and that like he’s being followed.
Weirdest cat ever.
She picks up the cat, who glares at Perry. Perry just pants and wags his tail, not at all bothered by the mutant cat.