Sometimes I forget that Gracie is too young to understand money. She treats the book store in the mall like it’s the same thing as the library, and I have to convince her that she can only get two books, and we can come back for more in a few weeks.
Convincing her may have required bribes in the form of a milkshake, but I wanted one too, so I couldn’t really complain. With Gracie placated, I lead her over to the dress shop.
As soon as Madison saw our milkshakes, she says, “absolutely not. Those milkshakes can not get near my dresses.” She sounds stern, but she’s laughing. She sets Gracie up at a small table near the front of the store then leads me to the back.
I put my milkshake on the table next to Gracie’s and follow Madison.
“I was almost worried I’d misplaced my trust in you when
