Lucy hustled downstairs with her backpack slung over her shoulder.
"Morning," bellowed her father, before taking a long drag from his coffee mug.
"Morning dad," she replied, grabbing a muffin from the counter.
"You excited for your trip?" he asked.
"Yup, Brea is picking me up in a minute."
"Things are getting pretty serious between you two huh?"
"Umm we're actually kinda taking it slow," she replied, taking a bite from her muffin.
Lucy heard a horn honk from the driveway, signaling Brea's arrival.
"Well have fun," smiled her dad.
"Tell mom bye for me," called Lucy without even thinking.
She was halfway down the driveway by the time she realized what she had done. Her mother had been having one of her prolonged episodes and had shut herself in her room. Given the current situation
