Brooke whistled as she turned on the oven light. “Perfect.” She pulled the delicately browned rolls from the oven and brushed the tops with butter. “You smell amazing.” Because she felt like being fancy, she sprinkled the rolls with sesame seeds.

She just finished setting the table when Mom came into the apartment. “Where’s your grandma?”

“On the phone in the hall. She talks a lot, and her friend talks more.” Brooke could hardly keep the delight from her voice. She didn’t want to alert Mom before the deal was done.

Grandma smiled as she put the phone down and whispered to Brooke. “She say yes.”

Exploding with joy, Brooke threw her arms high. “Yes! Yes! She said yes!”

“Mother?” Mom looked to Grandma, who shrugged. “What have you done?”

“You wanted me to exercise. Grandma’s friend said I can come ride her pony. It’s perfect. I’ll have to walk six blocks and then ride. Isn’t that perfect?”

Mom tilted her head back to look at the ceiling before she poured a glass of orange Italian sparkling water and took her seat at the table. “I’ll think about it.”

“And I’ll eat just like the doctor said. Pass the brussels sprouts, please.”