Read Pretty Pink Ribbons for Free Online Page B

No matter what life throws at me, no matter where it takes me, right here and right now I am happy, and that’s really all I can ask for.

“MIA?” I NUDGE HER shoulder lightly, not wanting to startle her. “Mia?” She squirms in her seat before lazily blinking her eyes.
    “Hmmm?” Sitting up, she stretches her arms and yawns. Her once silky hair is matted and plastered against the side of her head. She rubs a hand along the back of her neck. The past two days have really taken a toll on her. The same night we arrived in St. Louis, the moving van showed up, and the next morning my new furniture arrived. Needless to say, we’ve spent nearly every waking moment since then hauling boxes into the house, unpacking them, and putting all my stuff away. I fussed and argued with Benny and Mia, telling them that the boxes could wait, but Mia insisted that the house be in perfect living order before she leaves to go back home. I wish I could say that I’m as exhausted as Mia, but they wouldn’t let me lift a finger even after my reassurance that I’m no longer bound by post-surgery heavy lifting restrictions.
    So here I am, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, itching to do something, and Mia is so spent that she can barely keep her eyes open. “Mia, go to bed. You’re exhausted and you need some extra sleep.” She moans, lifting her hand as though it takes every ounce of strength she has.
    She looks at her watch. “But it’s only seven.”
    “Who cares what time it is? Go to bed and get some rest. I’ll wake you up in the morning and we’ll go out for biscuits and gravy.” I’m certain the promise of biscuits and gravy for breakfast will do it. Mia is a biscuit and gravy addict, and how in the hell she is able to eat as much of it as she does and still keep her movie star figure is beyond me.
    “Deal.” She pushes up from the couch and stumbles down the hall to my room. That’s the only downfall to these shotgun houses . . . they’re small. Mia offered to sleep on the couch while she’s here, but I was having none of it. I offered to share my bed and we’ve spent the past few nights cuddled up next to each other.
    Sliding from the couch, I walk out the front door and take a seat on the porch. My eyes drift to the blanket of stars in the sky and I stare at them in wonder. My mom used to tell me that I could wish on any star any time I wanted, but if I ever saw a shooting star I could make two wishes. I couldn’t begin to tell you how many wishes I’ve made on these stars over the years. Some of them have come true, others not so much. But it’s still fun to believe.
    I search for the North Star, and out of nowhere a shooting star darts across the sky. I squeeze my eyes shut. I don’t even have to think about what my two wishes will be. There are only two things I want in life, and as fun as it is to close my eyes and hope, I know that it will take more than a little bit of effort on my part to help make these wishes come true.
    Standing up, I dust off my butt. I hustle inside and leave a quick note for Mia that I’ll be right back. Grabbing my keys and purse, I head back out, double-checking that the door is locked. “I was wondering how long it would take you.” Benny’s deep voice startles me and I spin around, my purse clutched tight against my chest.
    “You scared the heck out of me.” He chuckles, stepping down from his porch, hands buried in his pockets.
    “I saw you out here a minute ago. You always did like looking at the stars.” It shouldn’t surprise me that he remembers. “How many wishes did you make?”
    I look down, embarrassed. “Two,” I whisper. The grass crunches under the weight of Benny’s shoes, and I watch as his black boots stop in front of me. His warm hand cups my chin and he lifts my face.
    “We all make wishes, Laney. We all hope and dream and pray, so don’t be ashamed.” I nod. Benny has been through so much in his life, much more than I’ve been through, and I