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The following morning, Ivy woke with the sun, stretching in bed. She was thankful that Poppy had taken charge of clean-up last night and pressed or shamed her cousins into service. With youthful energy and enthusiasm, they turned on music and made quick work of the task. Ivy had heard them upstairs in the attic rooms talking and laughing until the wee hours, but she didn’t mind the sounds of happiness. Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time this weekend.
Her family’s dynamics were shifting and changing, from the younger nieces and nephews growing older and becoming independent to Shelly’s marriage and their parents’ pending departure. With her parents leasing out their home, having this house to serve as a gathering place for her extended family meant even more to Ivy.
Through
