“Mom, this is Lyra. Coach Simmons wants to hold a team meeting after school for about thirty minutes, so I’m going to take the late bus home. If that is fine, can you call her and leave a message so she knows I did call and ask your permission? If that’s not fine, can you call her and tell her? Love you.”
Leah’s answering machine delivered her flesh and blood’s message five minutes after Leah left her morning staff meeting. The energy burst from the coffee she consumed only two hours prior had dissipated. Now to get her charged up, Leah popped wasabi peas to keep herself energized. Patricia had gotten her hooked on them, and Leah kept a stash at the office and in the car.
“Hi, lovely. I’m calling to see if you want to get together for lunch. I have a two o’clock meeting at The Charlotte
