Thirty-One and a Half Regrets Read Online Free PDF Page B

our house. But he’s been working all this overtime to try and save enough money to move us into a bigger house before the baby’s born.” A lopsided grin lifted her mouth, her eyes shiny with tears. “Especially since it’s a girl.”
    Heidi Joy was going to move. I wasn’t sure why that surprised me. It was probably the most logical decision they’d made in the few months I’d known them. I’d miss our chats, but I had to push my selfishness aside. “A girl! How wonderful! I know how badly you wanted a little girl.” I forced myself to sound happy. “Have you found a new place yet?”
    “No. But we’re looking at a few options in a couple of days. The baby’s due in three weeks.”
    “Well, that’s wonderful news. And if I can help at all, just let me know.”
    “Thanks, Rose. I’ll miss you.”
    “Well, it’s not like you’re leaving Henryetta, is it? We’ll still see each other.”
    “Yeah.” But she sounded sad. We both knew it wouldn’t be the same.
    The boys ran off the porch. “Mommy! Let’s go trick-or-treating!”
    I grabbed her arm and squeezed. “It will all work out, Heidi Joy. I promise.”
    She nodded then herded her boys into a group, forcing the bigger ones to hold hands with the little ones. I climbed in my truck and watched them walk down the street, a lump in my throat.
    Change was the way of the world. Only it never seemed to work in my favor.
    I shook my head, irritated with my wallowing. I had more blessings I could count. I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself.
    Ashley was waiting at her front door dressed as a pink princess.
    “Muffy!” she shouted as we walked up, Muffy still trying to shake off her costume. “You’re so cute!”
    At least somebody appreciated her costume.
    Muffy jumped into her arms and licked her face, making the little girl giggle.
    “Hello there, princess. Have you seen my favorite niece, Ashley?”
    Giggles erupted. “It’s me , Aunt Rose!”
    “Oh, my goodness! It is you!”
    “And I’m your only niece.”
    “When’d you get so smart?”
    She put her hand on her hip and cocked her head. “I’m in kindergarten now.”
    “Well, no wonder then.”
    Violet was in the kitchen trying to get Mikey stuffed into a dragon costume. She twisted her head to look at me. “I thought you’d be here by now.”
    “I was dressing Muffy.”
    She just gave me a look.
    I put a hand on my hip. “Well, she can’t go trick-or-treating without a costume.”
    Her mouth pursed. “Hmm.”
    “Daddy’s here!” Ashley shouted, running from the room.
    Violet made an ugly face. “Yippee.”
    A few moments later, Violet’s estranged husband walked into the room with Ashley on his hip, Muffy trotting behind them. He set his daughter down on the floor, laughing. “I stumbled upon this beautiful princess and her valiant mosquito.”
    “Muffy’s not a mosquito, Daddy,” she giggled. “She’s a bee.”
    He bowed low, sweeping his hand wide. “Excuse my mistake, my royal insect. No insult intended.”
    Ashley covered her mouth, still giggling.
    “I heard there was a fire-breathing dragon in the bowels of the kitchen, and as the princess’s knight in shining armor, it’s my duty to save her from the beast.”
    “I don’t know about fire breathing,” Violet muttered. “But he’s passing enough gas that we could light his farts on fire. I have no idea what on earth your mother feeds him for lunch, but I wish she’d stop.”
    “Violet!” I hissed.
    Mike shot her a glare and snatched up Mikey. “I’m not afraid to wrestle a dragon,” he laughed as he carried the toddler into the living room, Ashley trailing behind. Muffy gave me a long look then ran after them.
    Traitor.
    “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, Violet Mae Gardner Beauregard, but you stop it right now!” I whisper-shouted.
    Her eyes flew open in shock.
    “I don’t care how angry you are at Mike. You be nice to him in front of your children, and you sure as tarnation should