My mom walked through the patio doors a few minutes after we’d wiped our final tears away. “Good morning, girls,” she singsonged. She was fully dressed, coiffed, and looking like she’d been awake for hours. She came over and kissed me on my cheek, bringing her face close to mine and gazing at me with a smile on her face for a good ten seconds. Her powdery, floral scent wafted all around me. I couldn’t help but smile back at her, my mood lifting just a little more. “What?” I asked. “You!” she said, pinching my cheek. “You bring joy to my day. And you’re so gorgeous, even with bedhead.” She
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