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“What are you two talking about?” she asks while narrowing a fake suspicious look at us

I shrug, but Hope gives us up “Asher is going to take us to Disneyland next weekend”

“What?” Hannah gasps, shooting me a look of disbelief laced with censure

I decide to own it It will get me in faster with Hope anyway “Quick weekend trip On me It will be fun”

Hannah purses her lips, shaking her head atit with her first Then she turns to her daughter “I suppose we could go if your dad will agree to it”

“Yay,” Hope screeches To ivesMy hand drops and aardly pats her on the head

“Okay, co her hand out “Let’s get you into your jaet to sleep Say goodnight to Asher”

Hope tips her head back and grins at ht, Asher”

“Goodnight, Hope,” Ilike I’ht my way there

“Be back in a little bit,” Hannah says as she starts leading Hope away Then she looks over her shoulder and gives a pointed nod to the couch “Meet you there”

My s I can do to her that would not be a danger to waking Hope up

I’m determined to finish the kitchen before Hannah returns, and there’s only four boxes left I dig in, re tape and paper around breakable objects I make decisions on where her cutlery should be stored and which cabinets to place all the plates and bowls If she doesn’t like it, I’ll move it later

I make it to the last box, which is shter It says in black sharpie on the front, “Odds and Ends – Kitchen”

Peeling the packing tape off, I open the flaps It’s a hodgepodge of stuff that Hannah apparently threw in there that belonged in the kitchen but weren’t big enough or breakable enough to be wrapped

I start pulling stuff out, putting everything where I think appropriate A set of screwdrivers, atape, a small plastic spoon holder, a set of dish towels, a cork screw, birthday candles, e At the bottom of the box, there’s a piece of paper folded in half that I inet