CHAPTER 21 Lucy Friday afternoon, I was helping a customer choose between a red shirt with a green apple on the front of it and a green shirt with a red apple on it, when I saw someone familiar out of the corner of my eye. I didn’t just see her, I said to myself. That can’t be. I didn’t just see my mother walk in, did I? Seconds later, she skittered over to me in high-heeled sandals, black capri pants, and a smooth blue sleeveless blouse. She was totally coordinated, head to toe, as usual. Despite being confused by her arrival, I reached out and gave her a big hug, which felt good. “Lucyloo,” she said, giving me a warm squeeze. “I’ve missed you so much.” “I didn’t know you were coming,” I said, cringing at her using my nickname in front of other people. “Why didn’t you call?” “It was a last-minute decision early this morning. I was driving down Lyndale when it suddenly hit me,” she said. “What hit you? Another car?” My mom’s driving record is not exactly blemish-free.
