Chapter Four
“Mama, if you try one more time to get that blender down, I’ll have to ground you.” Zoe reached for the Vitamix in which Nicola Bellini made her daily doctor-recommended smoothies. Her mother stayed close to home these days, but she still hated admitting any kind of limitation. It was a game they played; Mama tried to do something she couldn’t, Zoe helped her, Mama played the martyr.
“Ridiculous,” snorted her mother as she sank back down into her favorite kitchen chair. Her fluffy white cat Athena jumped onto her lap and curled up. “My poor mother tried that and it didn’t work. I ran off and got pregnant.”
“Okay then. Please make sure to use protection, Mama. We can’t handle any more kids in this family.”
Her mother laughed until she coughed, while Zoe quickly put together
