Chapter 8
ShannonThe sight of myself well-dressed and well-coiffed compelled one more quick gander in the mirror. I leaned in to check my teeth, then smoothed my lightweight cotton dress. Its alternating melon and strawberry stripes added to the summery feel of the outfit. That’s why I’d snapped it up at the discount department store.
A thumping on the bathroom door hurried me along. I turned on the water for a few seconds as if I needed to wash my hands, then promptly turned it off and opened the door.
“Mommy! Let’s go out by the pool. We have popsicles,” Olivia yelled.
Out of delays, I took my daughter’s hand and walked out of the bathroom through Jeff and Taryn’s mudroom to the patio. Some of the guests at my ex’s Labor Day barbecue sported neatly pressed shorts, but most of the wom
