Page 12 of Bone’s Choice

I already knew where this was going.

“Your son’s name is Bone?”

Ma smiled.

I sighed. “Road name.”

“Oh.” Hazel nodded slowly. “Okay. Because I was about to have several questions for you, Pink.”

I looked at Ma. “Pink?”

She lifted her chin. “You know I like when people call me that.”

“Why?”

Hazel answered before Ma could. “Because that’s her name.”

“That’s not her name.”

“It is now.”

I stared at my mother. She had pink streaks in her hair. Her nails were pink. The woman had owned more pink shit in my lifetime than any person reasonably should. Still. “We still doing this?”

“Don’t start,” Ma warned.

Hazel glanced between us. “Do people not call you Pink?”

“They do, but my son, who also picked his name, doesn’t like it.”

I groaned.

Hazel laughed again. I had a feeling that sound was going to become a problem.

“So you’re the new neighbor.” I nodded toward the house.

“That’s me.”

“Just get in?”

“Yesterday.”

“Yesterday!” Ma repeated. “And she’s already my favorite.”

I looked at my mother. “She’s been in Wisconsin for a day.”

“And?”

“That’s all it takes to replace me?”

“You’ve had years to secure your position.”

Hazel covered her mouth with her hand.

“Don’t encourage her,” I warned.

“I haven’t said anything.” She raised her hands in surrender.

“You’re laughing.”