8
Elise spat toothpaste into the sink. After a quick smile in the mirror to check how white her teeth were, she went to the bathroom door, and turned off the light. On the landing, she caught her mom on her way upstairs. “Night.”
She waited for her mom to make it all the way up, hugged her goodnight and walked to Rachel’s room. She stopped short of entering, turning back. “Thanks for choosing here. I think this might be just what we both need.”
“What about Lake Tahoe?” Her mom leaned on a wall.
“It’s nice there, for sure, but this is lovely in a different way.” She caught her mom’s blown kiss and pocketed it, as was their ritual. “Goodnight. Sleep tight.”
“Oh, I will on that memory foam mattress.”
After closing the door quietly, Elise switched off the light. Still able to see the out
