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Hope

New York City Feels strange to be back again I’vecity, but I love row up in a luxury condo in Soho The view is a but s, and I can see the Hudson River, dyed green in celebration of St Patrick’s Day One thing I always loved about New York were the parades I gave it all up to move out west to work for the University of Arizona, much to the dismay of my parents No more posh lifestyles for arden and fountain in the middle of the courtyard It’s like my own personal heaven Quiet Peaceful Not the hustle and bustle of New York

“Hope, you okay in there?” ”

Rollingto get some work done before this afternoon”

Of all the tiet married, she had to pick the busiest tiain, it’s not her fault I’m so crammed ork It wouldn’t be so bad if I wasn’t one of her bridesh I just have to suck it up for a couple of days and then I can get back to Arizona

My bedroom door opens and my mother walks in, already dressed in her black Gucci pantsuit for tonight Her platinuh in an updo and her makeup is perfect like always With all the fa, all ofout on the tohile all the kids go out for the bachelor and bachelorette parties She always feels the need to ood when family is in town They all like to i they’ve accoed to do in life was snag a wealthy husband My father is a well sought-after lawyer, but he worked his ass off for the ot my work ethic from him

My mother comes over to my desk and picks up the fraether and are the sae There was a tis changed She met her fiancé here in New York and I had ain until life got in the way

“I reraduation” She sets the photo down and I glance over at it Hallie and I look so ht ere twins We both have long, blonde hair, green eyes, and stand at five feet seven inches The only difference is she has perfectly straight hair and mine has a natural wave

“So ed since then,” I say, my voice low I didn’t realize I said it out loud until I hear my mother snort

“It has All of your friends are ht now”

Here we go I’ve only been home for one day and she’s already started on the “when are you going to get married and have kids” rant I focus back on et hing, she sits down on my bed and I swivel around in my desk chair to face her “I chose a career, Mom Most parents would be thrilled about that”

“I a randbabies and I really want to be a grandray”

Pursing my lips, I stare at her as if she’s lost her mind “You look like you’re thirty, Mom You’ll be ninety years old before you actually look old and gray I have plenty of time”

She shrugs and looks over at the outfit I’ht for the bachelorette party It consists of a white bridesreen tutu to wear over reen tennis shoes, and a green glitter purse Hallie definitely went all out The tutu is kind of cute

“Hallie dropped all of that off last night,” ust “A little tacky if you ask me”

That makes me smile “It’s Hallie, Mom She’s always been quirky and fun I wouldn’t expect anything less from her”