Hell's Belles by Megan Sparks

“As a matter of fact, he was. Icing cupcakes, brewing tea, and counting money! He’s very, very busy. Rosie Lee’s is a huge success!”
    Mum lifted an eyebrow skeptically. “Is that so?”
    â€œYes! It’s the most popular place in town.”
    â€œThe most popular place in Liberty Heights, Illinois?” Mum rolled her eyes and gave a condescending chuckle. “The point is, your father has no common sense, and the fact that he’s agreed to let you play roller derby is just further proof of it.”
    That was it. Annie couldn’t take any more. “Gotta go, Mum,” she said.
    â€œWhat?” Mum looked surprised. “Why?”
    â€œWell, you know us roller derby girls,” said Annie, rolling her eyes. “I’ve got a meeting with my parole officer.”
    Mum’s mouth dropped opened, but before she could say anything, Annie ended the call.
    It wasn’t until the screen was blank and she’d closed the computer that her tears began to fall. How could her mum be so unkind? So self-important and judgmental?
    As she limped back to the living room, Annie felt a stab of pain.
    But it wasn’t her ankle — it was the realization that any fantasies she’d been harboring about her parents getting back together had just been blown to bits.

    Annie visited Dr. Borden on Friday afternoon and was told that the swelling in her ankle had gone down enough that she could remove the boot. It was still too sore to walk on, though, so she’d be relying on the crutches a bit longer.
    â€œWhat about the Halloween bout?” she asked, her voice so hopeful it almost sounded desperate.
    Dr. Borden frowned. “Still can’t say for sure. It looks promising, but I don’t want to make a definite decision just yet. We’ll have another look at in a week.”
    Annie decided to take a glass-half-full approach and consider that good news. After all, he hadn’t said no.
    â€œBy the way,” said Dr. Borden, as Annie’s dad handed her the crutches. “I told my kids about the bout. They can’t wait to go!”
    â€œThat’s great!” said Annie. “I’ll save them some extra pieces of candy.”
    â€œBetter not do that,” said the doctor, winking. “My wife’s a dentist!”
    In the hallway, Annie waved to the nurse, Martha. “Coming to the bout?”
    â€œWouldn’t miss it!”
    â€œSounds like this is shaping up to be a real event,” Dad observed as they exited the emergency room.
    â€œYeah,” said Annie, struggling to remain optimistic. “I only hope I’ll get to be a part of it.”

The next morning, Dad woke Annie early to help him bake more Halloween treats. As Lexie had predicted, many people in the neighborhood had begun placing orders for baked goodies to serve at their costume parties and post-trick-or-treating get-togethers. Word of Dad’s talents had spread and business was beginning to pick up.
    Lexie had also come over to Rosie Lee’s and was using washable paints to decorate the shop windows with ghosts, goblins, and skeletons.
    Finally, Dad slid the last batch of cupcakes into the oven and took off his apron.
    â€œThose are the last two dozen,” he announced. “Mrs. Helmsford will be in to pick them up at noon. She wants them frosted to look like miniature mummy heads.” He gave Annie a sideways glance. “And speaking of mummies . . . I spoke to your mother last night.”
    Annie cringed. She’d been expecting this conversation.
    â€œShe tells me you were snippy with her when you Skyped.”
    There was no point in denying it, so Annie just shrugged. “Guilty as charged,” she said with a sigh.
    â€œLook, Beanie. I know things are complicated between Mum and me, but she’s your mother. And that means you treat her with respect.”
    â€œOkay,” said Annie, nodding. Then she drew a deep