1 Early Sunday morning, Madelyne sang out, "Mom, are you up? Happy Mother's Day!"
2 With a sigh, Madelyne's mother, Erica, climbed out of bed. Madelyne sang a Happy Mother's Day song to the tune of "Happy Birthday to You," which was followed by Alyssa's teenage voice telling Madelyne to tone it down.
3 "What are we having for breakfast?" was Carter's greeting in the kitchen. Erica noticed that no one had made breakfast for her.
4 "Cold cereal," Erica replied with a sigh. Why hadn't she at least bought some delicious pastries for breakfast? As much as the effort to give herself a special day would have bothered her, seeing that the kids weren't making any effort was worse. Furthermore, she didn't like cold cereal. She missed her husband, Scott, and felt resentful that he was off serving our country in the military instead of spending Mother's Day with her.
5 She and the children rushed around getting ready for church. Oddly, Madelyne was acting a lot happier than normal, practically giddy. It was highly irritating.
6 At the car, Erica discovered a corsage box in her seat. "What's this?" Surprised, she opened the door and reached for the box. In it was a white orchid.
7 "Put it on! Put it on!" Madelyne exclaimed, dancing around.
8 Carter climbed into the back seat as if nothing unusual had happened. A little grin played on his face.
9 "Did you do this?" Erica asked. She pinned the flower to her shoulder and got in the car.
10 "I think an angel must have left it for you," Madelyne said with exaggerated care from the backseat.
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