Trouble Follows

Ch. 10

Mercedes woke up Saturday morning feeling exhilarated. They were going shopping to pick out furniture!

She leapt out of bed and hurried to make it before going to her bathroom. She used the loo before washing and brushing her teeth. Then she went to her closet for clothes.

She grabbed grey sweatpants and a blue cheer hoodie from State. She dressed quickly and flew downstairs to eat. Marcy, Marcus, Marionette, the Evanses and Mrs. Gonzales were already there. "Good morning!"

"Good morning." They responded.

"Aren't you excited, Marce?"

Marcy lifted a brow. "I don't do excitement."

"Come on. You can't tell me those vouchers aren't burning a hole in your pocketbook."

"Fire. Oh how I wish I were in your warm embrace." She sipped her coffee.

Mercedes poured some for herself. "Droll. You'll see. The rush of finding the right item, the electric feel of a good bargain, the hum of knowing what would go for what piece. You'll get excited."

"Over furniture." Marcy set her cup down hard and rolled her eyes.

"Daddy, make her enjoy this."

"Can't you feign excitement, Sweetpea?" Marcus asked from behind his paper.

"No." Marcy picked up the cup again. "This is a necessary evil and it's only under duress that I'm going atall."

"You promised to help decorate." Mercedes said smugly. "You can't back out now."

"I should just let Britt pick out whatever she wants."

"You want Brittany S. Pierce picking out the colors for your living room?"

Sam accidentally snorted his coffee.

Marcy grimaced. "La love her, no!"

Mercedes laughed. "Then come on! Hurry up and eat so we can go. You still have to pick up Mrs. C."

"I know." Marcy's mouth twisted before she pecked at her food.

Unlike her, Mercedes was hungry. It might have been because she was eating meat again but she had a full appetite. But she still dealt with portion control. She knew how much it mattered when it came to meals.

Mercedes ate everything she put on her plate. Marcy left most of her eggs and all of her bacon. She had half of a piece of toast left. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. Let's go." Marcy wiped her mouth and stood up.

Mercedes didn't believe her but she'd bug her later. She hopped up, too and kissed Marcus' cheek. "Bye!"

The room's occupants waved them off as they left with Mary.

They went outside and got in Travis. Marcy drove around the corner and beeped the horn.

The front door opened and Maddie ran out. "Hi!"

"Hey." Mercedes rolled down the window. "You're still here?"

"My ride to riding isn't coming for another ten minutes." She shrugged. "It's so exciting for you guys today! You're going to pick out furniture!"

Finally! Someone excited! "Yes! I wish you could go with us."

"I'll be by to visit on multiple occasions. I'll see it then."

Mercedes pinched her cheek. "Yes, you will! We'll go shopping every day!"

"Yay!"

Jeanette strolled from the house. "Go back inside, Maddie. Remember to tell Mrs. Grayson to take you straight to the hospital for your hours. Mikey will pick you up later."