30
"How much is that calculator setting her back?" I implore, but Angela just grabs my arm.
"You're missing the point. I accept the crazy gifts Bella gets me because she told me that before she suffered the three-day burn, she dreamed about one thing. All she ever wanted in life was to be a mom. And she'll never have that now." She zips up her jacket. "I love her enough to let her have her fun. I accept the crazy gifts she gets me because I want her to be happy."
I feel like an even a bigger dick than before. "Oh." I frown and unbuckle my seatbelt.
"Yeah. Maybe she took the position so she could pretend that Alice and I are her daughters. It's not like we have a good female influence, and now she gets to experience having two kids. She gets one perfect, smart, and beautiful daughter." She points to herself with a smile. "And an ungrateful brat with Alice."
I snort. "So what do I do?"
"You're going to have to grovel." She giggles and looks around. "There's a florist up the strip; we'll start there."
The flower shop is only the beginning of what will be an epic apology, according to Angela.
We make a few stops, and by the time we stumble through the front door, my feet are killing me, and my bank account has taken a small hit.
There's a note on the counter telling us that dinner is ready and in the oven, keeping warm. It smells heavenly, and my stomach rumbles because we never did stop for ice cream.
Angela's sad to see that Bella isn't waiting for her but makes sure I have everything we bought before sitting down to get her homework done.
She pulls out the blasted calculator and shows me how it shines in the sunlight.
"It's pretty."
"I know, isn't it?" She quirks an eyebrow. "Now stop stalling."
"I'm not."
She rolls her eyes and wishes me good luck before turning to her books.