Mallory

Mallory was showered, dressed and ready to hike by 7:30 am.  Her mother shuffled through the house in slippers, groggily making coffee, when suddenly she jerked in alarm. 

“Mallory.  Why are you up and ready so early?  Have you found another job?”

“No,” said Mallory, munching on a piece of toast slathered with peanut butter.

“Well, honey don’t get offended, but why are you awake and looking so alert?”  Her mother struggled to open up a coffee filter. 

Mallory shrugged, licked peanut butter off her fingers and said, “I’m going hiking.”

Her mother stopped trying to make coffee and stared at Mallory in alarm.

“Hiking?  You never go hiking.  What about bears?  Are...

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