Chapter 27: [23] Permission Granted

(Olivia)

It’s obvious that Aunt Naomi and my cousins, Rachel and Denise, have arrived at my house. Aunt Naomi, in her usual bubbly, loud voice, greets my mother and father downstairs –and I can hear every single word she’s saying.

I don’t need to picture what Rachel is wearing –it’s probably something way too extravagant for a trip to her cousin’s house, not that an overdone outfit has ever bothered her. Denise is probably hanging onto her mother’s leg –not literally- begging for a snack or something. I slam the cover of my math book down over the equation I didn’t finish. I roll my eyes.

“Olivia!” My mom calls.

“I’m coming!” I yell back, dragging myself off my bed to chip my way out of my room and down the stairs.

“Look who’s here,” mom says, smiling.

Aunt Naomi smiles brightly at me and lets out a coarse laugh. “Olive, baby,” she says, embracing me, “How are you, darling?”

“I’m great,” I say, “How are you?”