“Come on, Pippi, lazy girl. You need to go outside,” Dot said, picking up the dog who grumbled but then settled her head on Dot’s shoulder. “We’ll leave at eleven.”
At brunch, Harper held Pippi on her lap in the tote bag and fed her bits of waffle. She’d recently asked a favor from a cousin who worked as a psychologist in Brooklyn to have Pippi designated as a companion dog. That way she could take her anywhere. It was just a harmless little lie, she’d told herself, hoping the negative karma wouldn’t be too harsh when it came.
“We’re lucky to be alive,” Mary said. “Jake said that sudden weather like that can happen this time of year.”
“I’ll never forget being up there and feeling so helpless.” Dot held her coffee mug with both hands. “Especially when all the lights went out. It was so eerie.”
“And I will never mix allergy medicine and margaritas again, that’s for sure. It’s like I roofied myself.” The color was slowly coming back to Harper’s face.
“That’s a good lesson for all of us, Harp,” Dot said.
The Crew continued to rehash the night, and by the end of breakfast, they were finally laughing about what happened.
After paying the check, Dot said, “Oh no. No, no, no, no, no.”
“What?” Mary asked, then looked in the direction Dot was facing, and there were the Cedar Falls queens having breakfast. They had no choice but to walk by their table on their way out.
“Oh gosh. I’m going to have to apologize again,” Harper said. She stood up and pushed her chair back under the table then walked to the other table.
“Hi, Maddy, right?” Harper said smiling shyly.
Maddy jumped as if Harper was going to throw up on her again.
“I’m terribly sorry about last night. I will happily pay for the dry cleaning of your outfit.”
“Are you kidding me? I threw it away. It was ruined.”
“I’ll reimburse you. I can Venmo.” Dot and Mary arrived to stand just a step behind Harper.
“Why don’t we just pretend it never happened. Disgusting.”
Harper felt like she’d been slapped in the face. She’d not gotten sick on purpose. And she felt terrible about what happened. Sensing tension, Pippi started to scramble out of her tote bag. Harper gently pushed her down so that only her head was showing out of the top.
“Oh, okay.” She was at a loss for words.
“By the way, dogs aren’t allowed in here,” Marissa said, raising her eyebrows at Pippi.
“Oh, she’s a companion dog,” Harper said a little defensively. “I even have a certificate.”
“Not surprised you need a companion—perhaps you should get someone who can prevent you from getting plastered,” Maddy said.
“Let’s go, Harp. Again, we’re very sorry. It wasn’t intentional,” Dot said. She tried to think of something else to say but was too stunned by their rudeness. It was so unlike anything she’d experienced in Cedar Falls.
Maddy wasn’t done. “It figures. City girl can’t hold her corn dog, and won’t be able to hold her new man either. Tommy isn’t a long-term prospect. Take it from Marissa.” Marissa scowled at the memory of being dumped in high school by one of the cutest boys in town.
Dot steeled herself. “We’re leaving.” She grabbed Harper’s hand and led her to the door.
Mary followed them but before exiting, turned on her heel, and then marched back over to Maddy’s table.
“Hey, Maddy,” Mary said, a bite in her voice.
“What?”
“I was just thinking. Your name suits you.”
“Oh... thanks?”
“Let me ask, are you seeing anyone?”