“Heh. Not by choice, but…” The girl dragged off there, though, deciding to take the compliment. Given what had happened earlier, the praise was certainly welcome.

In either case, Karen changed the subject to question, “Hey, uh, what time are we starting things anyway?”

“Twenty minutes!” cried the adult. Karen glanced at a nearby clock- it was eleven in the morning now. When she laid down it must’ve been almost two PM….

Her attention was taken away when her mother put a hand on her head and ruffled her hair, “Are you excited about your big, special day?”

“Uh, yeah, I guess.” Karen did have to admit afterward, “Sorry if I’m kind of unenthusiastic. It’s been a weird morning.”

Dillion piped in to give his take, by teasing, “Mostly just because she’s been acting weird herself.”

“Hey, shut up!” shot back Karen with a bit of a grin herself.