Smart Girls Think Twice Read Online Free PDF Page A

gotten half a million hits per month. Advertisers are clamoring for our attention.”
    “You know about Leena’s website, right?” Emma said to their mom. “She and her partner started it last fall as a place for women to learn how to increase their self-esteem. They offer all kinds of help—from blogs to message boards to tips from guest speakers. They have sections for all age groups and ethnic groups. The website has really become a big deal in a short period of time.”
    Leena grinned. “Who knew empowering women would be so popular?”
    Maxie wasn’t impressed. “I don’t see what any of that has to do with your wedding. At least I can count on Sue Ellen to do the right thing? Right, honey?”
    “Huh?” Sue Ellen looked up from the pair of sundresses she had in her hands. “Which color do you like better? This one?” She held a cherry red one in front of her. “Or this.” She switched to a lemon yellow one.
    “The yellow,” Maxie said. “And I was just telling your sisters how you’ll do the right thing and have your father give you away.”
    “I, uh . . .” Sue Ellen looked around as if searching for an escape route. “I think I’m gonna barf.”
    She ran for the bathroom.
    “Maybe you shouldn’t pressure Sue Ellen right now,” Emma told her mom. “She’s already under a lot of stress.”
    “Is she okay? I’m supposed to leave now to meet Donny’s mother so we can go over some last-minute things about the wedding and bridal shower,” Maxie said.
    “Then you’d better go.”
    “Okay.” Maxie grabbed her seashell-covered purse. “But we’ll continue this conversation when I get back.”
    “Not if I can help it,” Leena muttered as their mom left.
    “I won’t be here when Mom gets back,” Emma said. “I’m moving into a studio apartment in town tonight.”
    “Chicken.”
    “Absolutely,” Emma readily admitted. “Do you think Sue Ellen is really okay?” The sounds coming from the bathroom were not pleasant ones.
    “She’s fine. She’s just pregnant.”
    “ Pregnant? ” Sue Ellen a mother? Emma couldn’t quite wrap her mind around that image.
    Her big sister had never even taken care of a pet let alone an infant. “Does Mom know?”
    “No, and you’re not gonna tell her.”
    “Of course not. You’re sure Sue Ellen is okay?”
    “She’s just peachy.”
    “Why didn’t she tell me?”
    “She had to tell her fiance first.”
    “How’s he taking the news?”
    “The same way Sue Ellen is. They’re both totally, almost obnoxiously thrilled.”
    “Who’s obnoxious?” a pale Sue Ellen asked as she plopped onto the living room couch.
    “Emma knows you’ve got a bun in the oven,” Leena replied.
    Sue Ellen frowned. “You know I can’t bake. Except for cupcakes. Donny taught me. Ohhh.”
    Emma could almost see the lightbulb go on over her oldest sister’s head. “You mean she knows I’m pregnant. Why did you tell her?” Sue Ellen smacked Leena’s arm. “I wanted to do that myself.”
    “I told Emma because she was worried about you puking in the john.”
    “It’s morning sickness. The doctor says it will pass. Otherwise I’m healthy and so is the baby,” Sue Ellen said.
    “How far along are you?” Emma asked.
    “Four months. I was afraid that I’d already reached my expiration date. Or that my eggs had.
    You know, you two aren’t getting any younger either. Neither are your eggs.”
    Emma ignored that comment. “When are you going to tell Mom?”
    “I haven’t decided yet. Maybe after Donny and I have left on our honeymoon. I could leave her a letter. Or a card. A ‘Congrats, you’re gonna be a granny’ card. Do they sell those?”
    “I have no idea,” Emma said, still struggling to picture her oldest sister raising a baby.
    “They should. Maybe I should design one. I could probably make a bundle on it.”
    “The only bundle you should be focusing on is the one you’re gonna be delivering in five more months,” Leena said.
    “Do you