Chapter 4
Four
Twenty-Five Years Earlier
“Can Bronwyn come?” Eight-year-old Mo Quinn looked at his mom and did his best to be adorable.
His mom’s face fell. “Sweetheart, I wish she could, but I don’t know . . .”
“Her parents aren’t even going to be home.”
“Where will they be?”
“New York. They travel a lot.”
“Yes, they do.” She sounded sad. “I would have her here in a heartbeat, but . . .”
Mo was willing to beg. He wouldn’t do it for just anyone, but for Bronwyn, he’d do anything. He wanted her at his birthday party. “Can we at least try?”
“I’ll talk to your father.”
That was the best he could hope for. “Thank you, Mama.”
“You’re welcome. Now go find Cal and do something outside.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He tried to find his cousin. He ran over to Cal’s house and knocked on the door, but no one answered. Meredith was spending the day shadowing the town dentist because she was weird that way.
He rode his bike to Papa and Granny Quinn’s house. Granny and Aunt Minnie were getting ready to go into town, so one quick phone call to his mama later, he joined them.
“What’s got you so down today?” Granny asked as they made the drive into town.
Mo shrugged.
“That wasn’t an answer, young man.”
Mo looked out the window. “I want Bronwyn to come to my birthday party.”
“I see.” Somehow, when Granny said that, Mo believed she really did. Granny was old but smart. And she was nice. But she didn’t put up with nonsense.
“Did you send her an invitation?” Granny waved at someone as they drove by.
“Mama said we could, but she said Bronwyn’s parents might not let her come.”
“Your mama’s smart.”
“She is.”
“Why do you want her to come to your party so much? Are there going to be any other girls there?”
So maybe Granny wasn’t quite as smart as Mo had thought. “She’s my best friend, Granny. Of course I want her there. And Meredith will be there. Besides, Bronwyn’s not like other girls.”
“She isn’t?”
“No.”
“What’s different about her?”
Mo stared at Granny for a few seconds. He had to think of how to say it. “She’s not annoying. Most girls are.”
“I see.”
Mo looked at Granny and caught a weird look on her face.
“Well, it’s completely understandable why you’d want her at your party,” she said. “Maybe her parents will say yes. And if not, I might have to make a phone call or two.”
Three days later, Bronwyn ran up to Mo. “My mom and dad said they didn’t care if I came to your party, but your mom will have to come pick me up and take me back home since they won’t be home. Do you think she would?”
Mo didn’t have to think about it. “Yes!”