A week later:
Miranda and Jessie were regular visitors over at the Carter house. Sometimes Jessie even got to go over to the Littrells's house when Nick was going over. It was now the fourth of July weekend, and the Littrells were gonna have a large neighborhood party. Jessica couldn't wait. Brian had said his cousins were gonna be there, too. Anyway, Miranda was standing in the kitchen at this very moment, making a potato salad for the party tommorow. Jessie was sitting at the table, eating her lunch. "Mommy, do I have to wear a dress tommorow?" she asked with a mouth full of hot dog.
"What have I told you about talking with your mouth full?" Miranda scolded gently.
"Sorry, Mommy," Jessie said, without the food in her mouth.
"Good girl. And no, you don't have to wear a dress tommorow." Miranda laughed.
"YEA!" Jessie said, jumping up and down in her seat. Miranda just kept laughing.
"Now finish eating," Miranda said, turning back to the salad.
The next day:
'"Mommy, are you ready yet?" Jessie impatienly asked her mother.
"ALmost sweetie. Can you find me my white shoes please?" Miranda asked from the bathroom.
"Yes Mommy," Jessica said obdiently.
"Thank you sweetheart," Miranda said as Jessica handed her the white sandals after Miranda got out of the bathroom.
"Welcome, Mommy," Jess smiled. "Now can we go?" she asked, jumping up and down.
"Yes," Miranda laughed. They walked over to the Littrells's house. Jackie greeted them at the door.
"Hi you two!" Jackie grinned. "EVerybody's in the backyard."
"OK," Jessica said, running to find her buddies. Miranda laughed and shook her head.
"How are you?" se asked.
"great!" Jackie replied. "You?"
"So much better since Dave left and I got the divorce," Miranda replied honestly.
"That's great," Jackie smiled. "Mm, that potato salad smells great! Lets go put it in the kitchen."
"Ok." she said, following Jackie to the large kitchen. "It's my grandma's recipie," Miranda said, a forlorn look in her eyes.
"Like I said, smells delicious," Jackie grinned. "Let's go outside," she suggested.
"Ok," Miranda said.
Meanwhile:
Brian was chasing Jessica and Nick around as they played tag. Jessica accidentaly ran into a tall kid with dark hair. "Sorry." she blushed.
"It's ok," he laughed. "I'm Kevin, Brian's cousin."
"I'm Jessica. Brian and Nick's best friend." she smiled. Suddenly she noticed Brian coming after her. "UH-oh, gotta go!" Jess laughed, running away. Brian caught up to her, and they both fell back on the grass, laughing. Nick waddled over to them and sat down in the grass next to them.
"DINNER!" Harold called out. Brian, Nick, and Jess immediately jumped up and ran over to the food.