LITMIR.BIZ

      Let me explain. Earlier this month, after probably an hour’s worth of very lengthy safety instructions on how to properly operate a lawn mower, my dad finally let me try it out. I started the mower perfectly, and went on to mow a nice straight line. I must say, I was pretty proud of myself. All that changed, though, when Rachel’s mom drove by and Rachel stuck her head out of the car window. I just let go of the mower for a split second to wave to her when the thing went crazy and took off across the lawn, kind of zigzagging right toward my mother’s brand-new car. I tore off across the yard after it like a maniac. Lunging forward, I almost had it in my grasp when suddenly I felt my foot roll over my soccer ball. As I flew through the air, it felt like everything was going in slow motion. Then, with a sudden smack, I landed face-first into my mother’s flower garden, which was planted a long the edge of the driveway. As I pried my face from the dirt, the sound of the slicing mower blades and the roaring motor became almost deafening. I whipped my head around, horrified, to see that out-of-control-beast-of-a-mower heading straight for me. If you ever had a moment when you saw your life flashing before your eyes, I’m sure you can relate, because, this was my moment. Suddenly, I felt two arms locking under mine, pulling me out of the flower patch. Just as I managed to twist my head around to see that it was Rachel who was rescuing me from certain death, the sound of high-pitched, ear-splitting screams drew my attention back to the garden, and to my mother, who, at that very moment, had returned home from her run just in time to see the charging-beast-of-a-mower, which was obviously possessed, smash viciously into her brand-new, gleaming, candy-apple-red Toyota Prius.

      So to recap, the last time I attempted to use a lawn mower I:

      So, I’m sure you can understand why I can’t believe that Rachel, who witnessed this entire horrific event, could even say the word lawn mower in my presence, let alone suggest that we start a lawn-mowing service!

      “Oh, yeah …” she says, biting her lip, “Sorry … how could I forget?”

      “A lawn-mowing service, I mean, seriously?” I roll my eyes.

      “I think we need some fresh air,” Rachel says, looking out the window. “Hey, Mom is teaching a yoga class in the backyard. Maybe we should join in. Might help us clear our minds.”

      I look out the window at all the ladies dressed in their lululemon yoga gear, all perfectly positioned in neat rows, doing their best attempts at downward-facing dog. I have a lululemon hoodie, which I totally love. I got it at a yard sale last September for five bucks. What a deal!

      “Hannah, listen!” Rachel demands, pointing at her radio. “Turn it up!”

      “That’s right!” the announcer booms. “I’m looking at a big pile of front-row tickets to see Josh Taylor live in concert! Every day from now until December we’ll be giving them away. Just listen for Josh’s latest number one hit, ‘Heart Attack.’ When you hear it, start dialling. The tenth caller on the line who can correctly answer the daily Josh Taylor trivia question will win two front-row tickets to see Josh live in concert right here in Glen Haven! So fans, start brushing up on your Josh trivia!”

      “Josh trivia! We know Josh trivia. We know everything about Josh Taylor!” I squeal.

      “We do, we’re his biggest fans!” Rachel adds excitedly.

      “Yeah, we don’t need a plan! We can win the tickets!” I yell, jumping in the air.

      “Operation Win Tickets!” she yells back, jumping beside me.

      Just then, Rachel’s older brother, Nate, pokes his head in the door.

      “Hey losers!” he says, in his surfer-dude accent. “Wanna turn that down?”