Olivia gestured toward the calendar on the wall as she wiped dry a saucepan.

“Katie, do you see what I see?”

Katie rinsed a serving dish and put it in the rack.

“Duh, a calendar.”

“Yes,” Olivia persisted, “but what does that tell you?”

“That in two days the month of March will be over.”

“And then?” Olivia raised her eyebrows.

“I bet you’re thinking about April Fool’s Day and cooking up some mischief.” Katie rolled her eyes.

“Mayyybe,” Olivia admitted. “Do you remember that trick Harper played on me last year?”

Katie nodded. “How could I forget? You were excitedly opening layer after layer of paper, and then finally coming to a note that said, ‘April Fool!” She giggled. “It was a good joke and-

“I’ve got it all figured out,” Olivia interupted. “I have quite a few of those chocolates from my birthday. Harper loves chocolate. I’ll take several, make a little hollow in them, and stuff a surprise. Coarse salt, or red pepper, or maybe some garlic.” She laughed out loud.

Katie frowned. “That’s just wasting good candy.”

“Well, why not? It’ll be fun to see Harper’s face when she bites into them. She won’t have a clue until its too late!”

******************************************

Mom entered the kitchen just as the children finished the dishes. “I’ve just talked to Aunt Aubrey,” she told them. “She’s coming for a visit on the first of April. I hope you’ll be extra nice to her. She’s getting over a serious case of Pneumonia and she’s not very strong.”

“Ooh!” Katie sucked in her breath. “I’m sorry she got sick but it will be nice to have her here. I’ll think of some way to welcome her when she comes.”

“I will too.” Olivia smiled. “I’ll put some flowers and a card in the spare room so she’ll see it right away.”

Mom smiled. “I know she’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness.”