The Butterfly Affect

If Brett has to believe in magic to get a pet companion - or two - she will. Of course she'd rather do it the normal way: by asking. Which of course she's tried. Over and over again. And continually failed. But she always comes back to try again. Like today. Already scanned the area for alligators, too, and is relieved to report none. Now, if only Mom will cooperate.

So far the woman's first brunch martini has slid down without resistance, so Brett knows after one or two more, her mother may very well be in a cheery enough mood to agree. To something, even if it's just another ant farm.

The house keeper is always talking about ants made of fire, but she told Brett they don't seem to have any in their yard. She's also told the girl about Texas scorpions, and best thing about both of those pets? They'd be free.