A Good Yarn Page 0,80

expect or want to be paid, and Courtney, too, refused any monetary compensation. Bethanne was grateful for their generosity, and since she was just getting this operation underway, every cent she could, she invested in the business.

"School starts in two weeks," Annie reminded her.

Bethanne closed the trunk. "I know." She could've done without that reminder. School was looming, and she'd truly be on her own with the business then. She could probably get help with the actual parties, but she'd have to complete the preparations herself. Still, all the work was worth it; giving Andrew a check so he could attend football camp had been the highlight of her summer. Nothing could diminish the sense of pride and accomplishment she'd felt.

"Andrew will be totally engrossed in football, so you won't be able to rely on him," Annie went on, oblivious to everything else.

As much as possible Bethanne would book parties around her son's games. She wanted to attend every one she could.

"And I'm on the swim team again."

"When did that happen?" Bethanne kept her voice carefully neutral. She'd been disappointed when her daughter dropped out of the swim team, and she was delighted that Annie had rejoined it. Yes, it did seem that the old Annie was back. According to Grant, the harassment against Tiffany had ceased. Painful as this period had been, Annie appeared to be past it.

"I called the coach and he said he'd welcome me back, but I have a lot of time to put in if I'm going to catch up with the other girls."

This was why Annie had been gone so much recently, Bethanne realized. Her daughter hadn't informed her about the swim team, and Bethanne didn't really understand why. Maybe Annie had wanted to wait, make sure it all worked out.

"I think swimming is a good idea," Bethanne said.

"What are you going to do?" her daughter asked. "When we're back in school and doing all our extracurricular stuff?"

"I'm thinking about it."

"How many parties have you got booked for September?"

"Annie, please," Bethanne cried. "I have to leave now if we're going to pick up Courtney, otherwise we'll be late."

"Mom, you need a plan."

"We can talk about it on the way," she said, hurrying inside for her purse and car keys. She didn't miss Annie's exasperated expression.

Annie was already in the front seat and buckled up by the time Bethanne returned.

"Well?" Annie demanded as Bethanne backed out of the driveway.

"I'll hire someone."

"Who?"

"Courtney." The girl was trustworthy and a natural with kids, and she seemed to have more free time than her own children did. Bethanne would insist on paying her.

Annie and Courtney had become good friends, just as she'd hoped. She had no idea what they talked about, but it wasn't unusual for them to spend two and three hours at a stretch in Annie's bedroom. Bethanne would've guessed they didn't have much in common, but apparently she was wrong.

"Courtney!" Annie exploded right on cue. "I was afraid you'd say that."

"Is something wrong with Courtney?" she asked mildly, reviewing her party list. Food, dishes, decorations, costumes...Eventually, she'd like to upgrade to a party van, too. She'd need the extra space, plus she could have her logo and phone number painted on the side.

"Mom," Annie continued, "you can't hire Courtney."

"Why not?" Bethanne asked, stopping for a red light.

"It isn't fair to her! This is her senior year and she's in a new school. She wants to join the yearbook staff. Did you know she was chosen to be yearbook editor at her high school in Chicago?"

Annie said this in awe. Bethanne suspected that her daughter was less impressed by the fact that Courtney was yearbook editor than by her willingness to walk away from the honor for her family's sake.

"Courtney came to Seattle and she doesn't know anyone," Annie went on.

"She knows you and Andrew," Bethanne countered.

"Andrew is so self-absorbed he isn't going to be much help to her," Annie said with a dismissive gesture. "Mom, if you ask Courtney, I know she'll say yes, so you can't ask her. It would be completely unfair. Courtney needs a chance to make friends, and to do that she needs time. Besides - " she gave an exasperated sigh " - she's already off on the wrong foot."

"What do you mean?" The light changed, and Bethanne drove through the intersection.

"Didn't you hear?" Annie cried as if this were a disaster of catastrophic proportions. "Courtney registered for classes without talking to me and it's awful. She signed up for all