⛵☺ ¢hᗩPTeᖇ ❶ “ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ, ᴀᴍʏ.” I say to my adopted mom as I walked downstairs. “Oh, hey hon. You want pancakes?” Amy says. “Ummmmmmmmmmmm sure. Can I have eggs and bacon and tea, too?” Amy gives me a look. “What?” I say, “I wanna be in shape for my first day today.” “Mhm, okay,” Amy says, “You have your suitcases ready?” I nod rapidly as I sip my hot Lemon Throat Coat tea. Amy’s daughter Jade comes down into the kitchen dressed up in a frilly short dress and black platform heels. She’s even wearing makeup, which she NEVER wears. I look down at my outfit, an oversized green sweater with a white tank top underneath, Jean shorts, Nike socks, and Birkenstocks and blush. “Ooh, you look pretty, Jade,” Amy’s husband Karsen marches down the stairs and sits down at the kitchen island, reading today’s newspaper. “Where you going, Jade??” I ask with a mouthful of toast. “Ohhhh, riiight. Sorry, Chani. Forgot about the dance school thing. Umm, I…uh, so Tony invited me to go to a new movie at the theater and Aaliyah, Vicki, Amelia Rae, Robert, Doug, and Wyatt are all coming with us.” Jade explains. “Ooh, fun! Plus, I’ll see you at Thanksgiving. And Christmas. It’s fine.” I say. “You ready, hon?” Amy asks. I nod and Jade, Amy, Karsen and I embrace in a big bear hug. “I’ll miss you guys so much.” I sniff.