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The gurgle of the pot’s sweet brew signals there’s enough to pourout of the cabinet, sweep the pot out of the strea the pot back to collect my next two cups’ worth

I’ to my lips when my mom screams bloody murder

I drop the cup, bobbling it betweenit onto the counter so it doesn’t shatter Hot liquid burns my skin, but I wipe it off onroom

“What? What is it?” I yell, looking frantically froain while she peers out the front ith her hands at her face

“You left the can at the street!” she shrieks,my chin jerk back into my chest

Jesus Christ, not another garbage eency! I can’t take another one

“You can’t leave the can out overnight, Carly! You have to bring it in! Betty’s going to be by any et a citation!”

“I don’t understand even fifty percent of what you just said, Mom”

“Go get the can! Now! Bring it in the garage!”

My head feels like it’s going to explode, I’e I swear to God, I’, seal it up, and wait for the driver to coet me next Thursday at five, just so I don’t have to live another minute of this drama

“Carly!”

“I’the garbage walk of shae, up with the overhead door, and down the driveway, I trudge on angry steps toward that assholecan

But I only get two steps forward before a golf cart co stop in front of my mom’s driveway

A little old lady hite hair and a perm squints toward me from the driver’s seat “You’re late!”

This must be hard-ass Betty

“I know Sorry,” I say, though my attitude pretty plainly says I’ goat Continuing down the driveway, I get to the end and grab the can by the handle, dragging it back up toward the garage “I’m new to the rules”

“Where’s Stella?” she snaps

“Inside the house,” I say sharply, stopping inher trash out for a little while because she was, you know, injured” My voice is thick with all sorts of Old lady, fuck you