It was now the next morning, July 2nd. Beli had went to bed later than usual, which she was always opposed to doing.

But at 7 AM, she got an unexpected phone call.

"Ugh... Jessie..." she said, half awake. She grabbed her phone and answered the call.

"What do you want?" the Indian woman said, completely drowsy and annoyed.

"You awake yet, Bel?" she replied.

"I am now. Probably off balance too."

"Ah, so you're up then. I was just calling to tell you my plans for Monday."

The Indian woman paused, wondering what was happening on that day.

"Monday? What about Monday?" she asked, unaware of what made that day so special.

"Monday is the 4th of July, aka Independence Day, aka Monday Funday. I made plans and I invited you to come over. We're having a pool party and a barbeque."

"Jess, I appreciate the thought, but I'm not interested in it. I have a busy schedule next week and won't be able to attend."

"Damn, I'm sorry. Will you still be able to hang out with us this weekend?" the blonde MILF asked.

"Of course. I always make sure to clear my schedule for that. Anything for my friends."

"Good. And I wanted to let you know that Lola's going to be in town this week, so she'll finally be able to attend lady's night."

Lola? Oh...

"Okay." Beli said, not sounding too enthusiastic about it.

"Anyways, I'm gonna let you go. Sorry I woke you up and fucked up your balance or whatever."

"No, it's fine. I'll talk you you later." the Indian woman stated, sounding remorseful for scolding her friend.

"Later, Bel."

They both hung up. Jessie was having a good time making plans for their Summer. She was writing many things down, mostly activities for the rest of the month.

"Let's see... Have a party, hang out with Lola as much as possible, have a day with Tiffany, bang some guys just like the good old days... What else can I do?"

She then lit a cigarette, taking a deep puff. Of course, more coughs began.

"Shit! This again?" she exclaimed, still bothered by not being able to smoke without coughing up a storm.

"Maybe I do need to quit." she said, looking at the thing that she had been addicted to since she was a teenager. Everyone always told her that she needed to quit, but she didn't want to. Cigarettes were the only thing keeping her calm for most of her life.

Right when she was contemplating her addiction, the phone began to ring. She picked it up, not paying attention to who was calling her.

"Hello?" she answered, still puffing on the cigarette.

"Hey, Mom." a familiar, somewhat innocent girl's voice greeted.

Oh shit, I'd better put this out.

"Oh, Tiffany. What a nice surprise. How are you, Sweetheart?" Jessie said, putting the cigarette out as quickly as possible.

"I'm doing great. Been LOVING my new job at CC General. I didn't know working in a hospital could be so productive and fun. Though, the only thing that ruins it is when someone dies of cancer. That's not a pretty sight. It's sad, really."

"That's uh- cough that's great to hear." she said, accidentally letting out a cough. Of course, being experienced in the medical field, Tiffany knew what the sound of that cough was.

"Um, are you smoking by any chance?" the blonde nurse asked.

"Uh no, no. Why do you ask?" she replied, acting suspicious.

"I dunno. You just coughed in mid-sentence, so that would explain a thing or two."

Yep, she's caught me.

"Yeah, alright. I was smoking, but right before you called, I put that shit out. I'm trying so hard to stop but, it's just so addicting."

"Mom, you've been smoking them for as long as I can remember. You haven't quit yet? Are you really trying to stop this time?" Tiffany asked, hoping that her mother was being truthful for once.

"Yes, and I'm trying even harder than I ever did. Me and the girls were hanging out last night and I started having a coughing attack. Aiko said something that kind of woke something in me. She said that I'm not getting any younger."

"That's great to hear. I just hope you mean it this time. Gosh, I haven't spoken to Ms. Yumi that much since I graduated college. How has she been?"

"Ms. Yumi actually likes to be called Ms. Chainz now, but she's doing great. She's got her life back on track, thanks to the internet."

Tiffany was so happy to hear about that. She always respected her teacher, even after she quit working at Glenberry.

"So, how's my step-son been? Is he being a good boy?" the blonde MILF asked, referring to an old friend.

"Oh shut up! We're not even engaged yet." her daughter teased.

"Still, it's nice to think about. But how is he doing?"

"Well, he's been doing alright lately, though I am noticing a slight change in him. I hope it's nothing serious." she said, admitting to some slight issues.

"Really? Damn, well I hope he's alright. Oh, and by the way, you and him are invited to my 4th of July party on Monday."

"Oh really? Nice. We'll definitely be able to make it. I'm off on that day so it works out perfectly."

The blonde MILF was happy about that. Having a party with her friends and daughter would definitely be a good time.

"Well, I have to get going. Audrey invited me to have lunch with her. She's been acting pretty weird lately. It's probably because of that thing she went through a few weeks ago. She's probably just trying to cope, as it was a pretty messed up situation."

"Ah, alright. Talk to you later, Tiffany! Hey, if you have anything fun planned for the rest of the Summer, consider inviting me. I'm trying to enjoy it while I can and quality time with my daughter is on my to-do list."

"Alright, will do. Peace!" she said, hanging up.

Jessie looked in the trash can, debating on whether or not she wanted to dig that cigarette out and relight it.

"No." she said, killing her cravings. She knew that they would eventually kill her.

You're not getting any younger, you know?

She then got back to making her list of plans. So little time, so many things to do.