Durinda's Dangers (11 page)

"We got rid of the Wicket," Georgia said.

"At least for now," Jackie added.

"We solved our little refrigeration problem," Marcia said.

"As well as the romantic problems of Carl the talking refrigerator and robot Betty," Petal said.

"With a little help from Pete," Rebecca corrected.

"Ah, Pete." Zinnia sighed. "I wish we could have gone to live with the Petes."

We all sighed as we thought of what that would have been like, but we did understand it wasn't possible.

"At least we made Mandy feel good with the card we gave her," Zinnia said. "It's always nice for people to get things."

"And at least," Jackie said, "we finally confided in Will about what's been going on here."

We all sighed, thinking of Will.

It had been so nice having him there.

But in a way, it was nice just being us again.

"I found my power and gift in January," Annie said.

"And I found mine in February," Durinda said.

"Say," Marcia said, light dawning in her eyes, "does anyone else see a pattern forming here?"

"How do you mean?" Annie asked.

Annie looked a bit angry. We thought it probably bothered Annie when one of us figured out something smart about something before she did. We also thought it was probably a good thing that Annie didn't have Durinda's power to freeze Marcia where she sat.

"Well," Marcia said, "we'd already agreed that there was one pattern: we Eights are getting our powers and gifts in order of when we were born. Right?"

Seven heads nodded.

"But it could also be alphabetical order," Rebecca said.

"Same difference," Marcia said.

"It doesn't have to go on that way, though," Zinnia pointed out. "Just because it's been that way so far, it doesn't mean it won't change."

Poor Zinnia. She was still upset by the idea of always being last and was hoping for a reprieve. But of course she was wrong. Of course it wouldn't change.

"But here's a second pattern," Marcia announced. "As Annie says, she got her power and gift in January, now Durinda has gotten hers in February—"

"That means we each get our own month!" Jackie cried, cutting her off. "Each of us Eights gets her very own month in which she'll find her own power and gift!"

"Hmm," Georgia said, "I wonder which one of us will be next..."

We all looked at Georgia. The idea of Georgia getting her turn in March seemed like it could be a scary one. Spring suddenly seemed too close and March too soon.

"Then I really will be last!" Zinnia cried, only her cry wasn't a happy one like Jackie's had been. It was a sad cry, complete with a tear. "In order to get my day in the sun, I'll have to wait until stinking August!"

"There, there." Annie put her arm around Zinnia's shoulders.

"But it isn't fair!" Zinnia cried.

"What in our lives is?" Annie said gently. "And, anyway, haven't you ever heard about saving the best for last?"

Zinnia's tears dried like dew on the grass that's been kissed by the sun.

"Do you mean it?" Zinnia asked. "You really believe that?"

"Oh, yes," Annie said, proving she was still our smart girl. "And your month, I just have a feeling, is going to be a doozy."

Zinnia smiled so bright then, even if it hadn't still been night, even if it were daytime and the sun hung in the sky, that sun could never have been as bright as Zinnia's smile.

Then we crowded around Zinnia, all hugging one another so close we were like a giant sunflower; it was impossible to tell where one girl ended and the next began or who was hugging whom.

"And so," Durinda said, and that's when we realized she was at our center, at least for now, "our story continues..."