A Million Little Things (Mischief Bay, #3)

Her mother raised her eyebrows. “Paper plates?”

“They’re biodegradable. I got the good ones.”

Jen also got the point. She didn’t like paper plates. She didn’t like loud parties and dogs running through her house. Or at least she hadn’t. Part of getting better was learning to let go. It had taken her a while but she’d finally figured out that when she stopped trying to control the world, she had a whole lot less anxiety.

Oh, it hadn’t gone away. There were still nights she woke up from a dead sleep with her heart pounding and the horrible sensation of being unable to breathe. But those events were more and more rare. Every day she practiced her coping skills. She took care of herself, had her quiet mind time and took her meds. Sometimes it really did take a village to get through life.

Kirk and Steven carried the table outside. Her mom put down a plastic tablecloth, then set out the paper plates. Jen got the platter of raw hamburgers from the refrigerator and took it outside.

“We have meat,” her husband called. “Meat because we are men.” He took the tray, then kissed her. “And women.”

Desire sat in the shade with Zoe and Miguel. Lucas walked by carrying Jack fireman style. Her son shrieked with laughter.

“Careful,” Jen said with a tilt of her head. “Someone might be trying to steal your girlfriend.”

“Miguel’s too into Pam,” Lucas said without looking. “We all know it.”

They did. The older couple, while discreet, was obviously taking things to the next level. Not that she wanted to know what that meant. Let Steven deal with the whole old people having sex if he was so concerned. And speaking of her brother, things were going well with Zoe. Her mom had calmed down and accepted what seemed to be the inevitable.

They were all in a good place, she thought happily. Kirk was loving his job and she was dealing with it. They were making love regularly now. It was as if that one explosive moment had broken through whatever had been keeping them from each other.

She returned to the kitchen to get the hot dogs. Steven followed her.

“Jen, can I ask you a favor?”

“Sure.” She handed him the hot dogs, then went into the pantry to collect the buns. When she stepped back into the kitchen, her brother had put down the plate. His expression was serious.

“What? What’s wrong? Are you sick? Is everything okay with the baby?”

“Relax. You sound like Mom.”

“There are worse things. What is it?”

“I want some help.” He glanced over his shoulder. “You can’t say anything, but I want to get Zoe a ring.” His grin turned sheepish. “An engagement ring.”

“What?” Her voice echoed through the kitchen. She lowered it to whisper, “Sorry. You’re going to propose?”

“I am.”

She flung herself at him. “Good for you. That’s so great. Yes, of course I’ll come with you. She’s going to want to wait until after the baby’s born to get married. Just so you know.”

“You’ve talked about it?”

“No, but it’s a girl thing.” She hung on to him. “My little brother getting married. You’re so grown-up.”

“Thanks.” He looked at her. “You can’t tell anyone. I mean it. Except Kirk. Promise?”

“I swear.”

“Good.” He grinned. “I’m really happy.”

“Me, too.”

He took the hot dogs and buns out onto the patio. Jen did a little dance in her kitchen. When she turned she saw Jack smiling at her. He gestured to the refrigerator. She dropped to a crouch.

“Hey, little man. Are you thirsty? What would you like? Use your words, please.”

Because that was what all the articles said. To ask for words. So she did, a dozen times a day, all to no avail.

Jack pointed to the refrigerator again, then smiled at her. “Milk, Mommy. Peas.”

She dropped onto her butt and stared at him. Her brain replayed the statement. He’d said milk. He’d said Mommy! He’d said please. At least she was pretty sure it was please and not peas.

She wanted to grab him close and hug him and scream to the world: My son spoke to me! Only the voice in her head said not to make a big deal of it.

So she smiled and stood. “Milk it is.”

She poured milk into a sippy cup and handed it to him.

“Tank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Together they walked out of the kitchen and joined the party.

*





           A Million Little Things

    Susan Mallery

    Reader’s Guide





Questions for Discussion

Note: The questions themselves contain spoilers,

so you should wait until you’ve finished the book to read them.

          The three heroines—Zoe, Jen and Pam—have three distinct story lines, but they impact each other. Talk first about each heroine’s character arc, and then discuss the points at which they intersect. How do the events of one character’s life change the events of another’s? Which story created the most emotion in you? Why?

     Why do you think Jen was so convinced there was something wrong with her son? Did you applaud her efforts to get him help, or did you think she should have done something different? Did your feelings change throughout the course of the story?

     Do you think the relationship between Zoe and Jen was a friendship of equals? Why or why not? What about the friendship between Zoe and Pam?

     Did your feelings about Pam change because of how she behaved after she found out that Zoe was pregnant? What made you understand why she felt the way she did, if anything? What do you think made her come around?

     Toward the end of the book, Pam says of her son Steven, “I can’t protect him from everything.” How was this theme illustrated in the story? Did you recognize any other themes as you read?

     Discuss the line between protective and overprotective. How did the characters cross that line? Have you ever gone too far when trying to protect the people you love?