Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have) by Sarah Mlynowski

asked. “Good to know.”
    “So, what do you think?” Dean asked. “Vi’s house, party of three?”
    The kitten opened her big green eyes and licked her right paw.
    “I’m in if you are,” I said, already madly in love.
    “All right,” Vi said. She pointed at the kitten. “You can hang out with us. But you’re going to have to behave. No skipping school.”
    I made kissy faces.
    “What should we name her?” Vi asked.
    “‘We could call her Tiger,’” I sang. “‘But there’s no bite in her. Tiger! Kittens would frighten her. . . .’”
    Vi rubbed her temples. “Please. No show tunes. And she is a kitten. Let’s call her Zelda.”
    “Creepy,” I said.
    “What about Donut?” Dean asked.
    Vi snorted. “Where did that come from?”
    “I like donuts.”
    “You like the food or the name?” I asked.
    “Both.”
    “Me too,” I said.
    Vi lifted her up and carried her to the kitchen. “Come with Mommy, Donut. Welcome to chateau Vi.”
    “We promise not to take you lingerie shopping,” I said.
    “Or discuss our urinary tract infections.”
    “TMI,” Dean groaned.
    “Not mine, dumbass. My mother’s. Anyway. Donut, we promise not to make you pay bills.”
    “Or leave you alone,” I added. “Ever.”
    Vi filled a bowl with water. “Although you will have to be alone when we’re at school.”
    “Right,” I said, laughing. One day away and I’d forgotten it existed.
    The doorbell rang. “Hudson!” I ran to the hallway and called, throwing open the door, “You are the best! Thank you!”
    He stayed on the porch, smiling at me. “Does that mean you’re keeping her?”
    “Of course. How could we not? She had me at meow. Come in. Donut wants to say hi.”
    “Donut?”
    “Your brother’s idea.”
    “Don’t you know by now never to listen to my brother?”
    “I heard that!” Dean yelled.
    “We gotta go!” Hudson yelled back.
    “You’re not staying?” I asked, disappointed.
    He shrugged. “Can’t. Another time.”
    “Oh, okay. Thanks again,” I said. I kind of wanted to give him a hug, but then I thought it might be weird. I didn’t want him to think I was throwing myself at him. I’m sure he had enough girls who actually were throwing themselves at him.
    Screw it. He just brought me a kitten; I was giving him a hug. “Thank you,” I said into his collar. I felt his arms tighten around me. He smelled like new leather. I pulled away. “New jacket?” I asked.
    He blinked. “Yeah.”
    “Looks expensive,” I said, putting my hand on my hip. “Coming from work?”
    He smiled again.
    Dean appeared beside me. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
    “Whatever,” Vi said. She was cradling Donut in her arms.
    Hudson reached out and tickled under Donut’s chin. “Hey, Donut, you’ve got a new home now. Be a good girl.” Then he tickled under Vi’s chin. “You too, Vi.”
    Vi fake purred.
    Dean headed out the door. “All right, ladies, we’d love to sit and purr with you all night, but . . . actually we wouldn’t.”
    “See you at school,” Hudson said before following Dean to the car.
    “Ach, that place,” I said. “I guess we’ll have to go tomorrow.”
    Vi linked her free arm through mine as I waved good-bye to the boys. “I’m sure [email protected] would be happy to email again if you want to skip.”
    “My dad,” I said, “what a giver.”

number four
bought a hot tub
    MY REAL DAD’S SCARY EMAIL (FROM HIS NEW REAL ADDRESS) TO FAKE SUZANNE
    From: Jake Berman
    Date: Sun, 25 Jan, 7:03 a.m.
    To: Suzanne Caldwell
    Subject: Checking In
     
    Suzanne,
    Hope all is well. Spoke to April last night and she seems happy. She praised your cooking, too—thanks for taking such good care of my princess. I wasn’t thrilled with this plan, but it seems to be working out. Am in Chicago for the next week, but always reachable via email or cell.
    Best, Jake
     
    Sent From BlackBerry
    NERVOUS NELLY
    “Should I