Lessons of a Lowcountry Summer Read Free Page B

foreign estrogen in your body.”
    â€œIs there anything else I can do?”
    â€œYes. I always tell women with endometriosis who come in to see me to avoid drinking milk, juice, or bottled water that comes in plastic containers. Look for glass bottles instead.”
    â€œWhy not plastic?”
    â€œPlastics are considered to be endo-disruptors, and it is suspected that the chemical additives in plastic containers can leach into liquids and foods. You don’t have to concern yourself with tampons or sanitary napkins, which are bleached white with chlorine, because you shouldn’t see your period for the next four months. But, if you do have breakthrough bleeding, then make certain you use unbleached, unscented, nondeodorant cotton pads that are available at many health food stores.”
    â€œHow can I thank you, Lana?”
    Reaching across the table, Lana grasped Hope’s hands. “By marrying Kendall and making me godmother to your children.”
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    Sitting in the middle of her bed that night, Hope cradled a cordless telephone under her chin. She sighed audibly. Why couldn’t her sister be happy about KC’s proposal? At thirty-eight and thirty-five respectively, Hope and Marissa were too old for sibling rivalry, but Marissa always bragged about being married before Hope. “Have you forgotten that we’ve been seeing each other exclusively for three years? It’s time we commit to a future together.”
    There was a prolonged silence before Marissa spoke. “You’re right. It is time you married and give Mama a few more grandchildren. Congratulations.”
    â€œThank you, Little Sis,” Hope said, using her nickname for Marissa. “Don’t tell Mama or Daddy until I make it official.”
    â€œI won’t. I don’t mean to change the subject, but remember we’re still planning the cookout for Daddy’s retirement.”
    â€œHave you set the date?”
    â€œThe Saturday of the Memorial Day weekend.”
    â€œGood.” She was scheduled to meet with the radio program manager two days before.
    â€œAre you bringing KC?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œThen I’ll add his name to the list.”
    Hope spoke to her sister for another ten minutes, laughing as Marissa gave her an update on her six-year-old twin sons, who apparently had embarked on a mission to make their mother lose her celebrated temper on a regular basis.
    â€œLast night I told Trey that as soon as school is out I’m taking the weekends off. I don’t intend to shop for food or do laundry. I’m going to leave the house early Saturday morning, and not come back until Sunday evening. After a few weekends of having to forage for food, clean socks and underwear, they’ll get themselves together.”
    â€œThat sounds wild.”
    â€œI am wild, Big Sis. Thanks to you, I’ve become a pit bull in a skirt with dreams that go beyond being a wife and a mother. I’ve made up my mind to go back to school and get my degree.”
    At that moment Hope wished she could be with Marissa. Her sister had dropped out of college to become a stay-at-home wife and mother.
    â€œ ‘Give all to love; obey thy heart.’ ”
    Marissa chuckled softly. “Ralph Waldo Emerson. What I truly like is Maya Angelou’s, ‘All God’s children need traveling shoes.’ ”
    â€œYou still know your poets.” Hope could imagine her sister’s dimpled smile.
    â€œKnow and love them. That’s one of the reasons why I’ve decided to get my butt back in school.”
    â€œWe’ll talk about everything when I come for Daddy’s cookout.”
    That said, Hope rang off and replaced the receiver in its cradle. Sinking down to the mattress, she stared up at the ceiling’s plasterwork design. She had decided to accept Kendall’s proposal, become his wife, complete the recommended four months of hormone therapy, and then