“I’d be happy to treat,” I said. “You don’t have to pay me back, Pip.”
We waited in line for a long time, but it was worth it. After one cool, sweet bite of my mint chip sundae, I didn’t even mind that Pip had dripped strawberry ice cream on the white T-shirt she’d borrowed from me this morning.
We strolled around the fair while we ate. At the Busy Bee stand, I bought Grandie a jar of her favorite, Tupelo honey. And at a booth called Smell the Flowers, I got a lavender sachet that Aunt Doris could hang from her truck’s rearview mirror. We stopped under a rainbow canopy to watch a woman make beautiful threads on an old-fashioned spinning wheel. Rain selected a bunch for us to make each other new bracelets.
For a while we listened to a man play the small, handmade musical instruments he’d made. I spent the rest of my money on three bamboo flutes and we tried blowing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” as we returned to Everyday Cakes. It came out sounding more like “Mary Had a Big Screeching Cat.”
Back at our booth, Aunt Doris was cleaning crumbs off the counter. “You’re not supposed to be here!” I exclaimed. “I thought you were staying with Gr—I mean, Aunt Esperanza.”
Aunt Doris shook her head. “Poor Espy spent all morning worrying about you. So I finally agreed to come back here in case you needed me.”
I almost wished Old Cone Hat still hated me. “Do you think I should go back to Chuckling Goose now?” I asked.
“No, Espy would be angry if she knew I’d told you she’d been anxious. But for the rest of the afternoon, I’d like you to stay at our booth. Business is finally slowing down, anyway. Perrin, Nell, and Winnie went off to check out the craft stands. If you think you three can handle things, Bernie, Fancy, and I will visit with some of our old friends before it’s time to pack up. We won’t go far.”
For a while we didn’t have any customers. I think the heat had finally sent fairgoers looking for shade and rest. Rain, Pip, and I tried playing “Mary Had a Little Lamb” a few more times, but we couldn’t get through it without screeching with laughter.
“Looks like we might finally have some takers,” said Rain as three girls headed toward us.
“Ugh,” Pip moaned. “It’s so hot. I don’t feel very well.”
She did seem awfully pale. “The Aunts have a jug of ice water inside the booth. Maybe you should have a drink and lie down in there for a while,” I suggested.
Pip pressed a hand against her forehead. “Okay.” She moaned again and backed under the canopy.
The three girls we’d seen stopped to whisper to one another. They were so skinny, they looked like they could use some cake.
“Come on over,” I called. “We’ve still got a few slices left.”
The girls studied me for a moment before they walked up to the counter.
“Hi, can I take your order?” I asked.
“Duh,” said the shortest and skinniest, waving her fingers in my face. They looked like they could use some soap and water.
“Shut up, Precious Ruby!” the tallest one snapped. “We came to say hello to our friend, Pip.” I couldn’t tell if her hair was dirty blond or just dirty, but her ponytail was pulled so tight, it made her face look lizard-like.
“Well, I came for cake, not friendship,” announced the middle girl, swiping a fingertip over the last piece of chocolate cake. She stuck it into her mouth, which was as wide as a sock puppet’s. When she did, I noticed a dark, circular bruise on the inside of her arm. It was like the ones I’d seen on Pip.
“Mind your manners, Precious Emerald,” Diamond snapped, “or you’ll get a nickel.”
I swallowed hard, remembering the rhyme Mother Goose had told me.
Diamond, emerald, ruby, beware!
Of the sparkly sisters you’ll meet at the fair!
“Pip’s not feeling very well,” I said.
“I’m sure she’ll feel better when she sees us,” said Diamond, smirking at me. “Hey Pip!” she yelled.
Pip looked as if she were in pain as she dragged herself to the counter. “Hi,” she said in a flat voice. She and Precious Diamond, the lizard girl, stared at each other, and not in a friendly way.
“Um, do you go to school here?” I asked.
“We’re just visiting,” said Diamond. “Our aunt brought us.”
“So how did you know Pip?”
“None of your business, nosey pants!”
“My name is Trixie,” I said.
“Who cares?” Princess Ruby whined. “I want cake now!”
“Sure, I’ll get you a piece,” I offered.
“Not you, I want Pixie to get it.” Ruby poked a finger at Rain.
Rain and I exchanged glances. I’d forgotten I was wearing a disguise. With her red hair and freckles, I guess Rain looked more like me than me.
“How did you know Pixie’s name?” I asked.
“Our aunt told us what she looks like.” Diamond smirked at Rain. “Hair like rusty springs and skin like oatmeal with raisins.”
“Precious Diamond, that’s rude!” scolded Emerald.
“Shut your trap, Precious Emerald! She knows I was just joking. Right, Pixie?”
“Um, sure,” said Rain. She slid a slice of angel food cake across the table.
“I wanted snickerdoodle!” Ruby cried.
“Sorry, we’re out of it,” Rain told her. “We’re out of practically everything.”
“Oops, you earned a nickel!” Ruby pinched the underside of Rain’s arm.
“Ouch!” Rain squealed.
“Hey, leave her alone!” I yelled.
Diamond smirked. “Oh, boo-hoo, poor Pixie! Our aunt told us you were tough, but I guess she was wrong.” She thumped her fist on the counter. “Hurry up and get me a slice of caramel crunch cake.”
“And a marshmallow fluff cake for me,” Emerald added.
Rain bit her lip and pushed two more plates across the counter.
“That will be three dollars,” said Pip hoarsely. She was in charge of our two money jars, one for bills and one for coins.
“We’re not finished, friend,” Diamond sneered. “We want three more slices.”
“You must really love cake,” I said.
“Our aunt said to eat all we want, as long as we keep Pixie busy,” Ruby mumbled as crumbs fell from her mouth.
“Precious Ruby, shut your cake hole!” ordered Diamond.
“Diamond, Emerald, and Ruby—you’re all named after jewels,” said Rain, filling their plates again.
“That’s right, and our names all rhyme,” said Precious Emerald proudly.
Rain squinted. “Diamond, Ruby, and Pearl?”
“No! Precious rhymes with Precious and Precious, you dumbette!” sneered Precious Diamond. “Our aunt told us.”
Underneath my black wig, I could feel my real hair twisting and curling like angry snakes. Sweat began sliding down my face, dripping makeup into my eyes. There was only one person I knew who really couldn’t rhyme, but the last time I’d seen her she’d been shattered into little pieces on the floor of her horrible underground cave.
“I may have something that belongs to your aunt,” I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. Carefully, I eased the hard, sharp piece that had once been Raveneece’s eye out of my pocket. “Do you recognize this?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Ye Olde Messengers
I waved the eye under their noses. The three Preciouses grabbed for it at once.
“I want it!”
“Give it to me!”
“No, me!”
“Finders keepers,” I said, holding it up like a powerful charm. “Be careful or this could happen to you.”
“Oh, I don’t think we have anything to worry about. Our aunt has something of yours, too.” Precious Diamond and her sisters began cackling like a coop of crazy chickens. “You’ll be begging for us to trade with you very soon.”
I felt a curl spring onto my forehead. Makeup dripped off my nose. Not very long ago, Raveneece had stolen Destiny. It
was one of the worst times of my life.
Suddenly I realized the Preciouses had stopped laughing.
“You . . . you’re getting cinnamon hair and freckles,” Precious Ruby said, pointing at my face. “You’re starting to look like Pixie.” She looked back and forth between Rain and me.
Braver than brave, I told myself. I pulled off my wig, flung it on the counter and shouted:
“I’m the real Pixie Piper,
So you’d better watch out
Or I’ll freeze your faces
In a permanent pout
“Tell your aunt to desist
Or when cake you eat
Your tongues will shrivel
So nothing tastes sweet.”
“Nothing? Not even cake? Ever again?” cried Precious Ruby.
“Never, ever again,” I answered.
“Our aunt didn’t tell us you could do that,” said Emerald. But all three sisters began backing away.
“Wait a minute! If you’re Pixie Piper, then who’s she?” Precious Diamond pointed at Rain.
“None of your busin—”
Rain interrupted me. “I’m Rain, and if you don’t get going, I’ll send my friends Thunder and Lightning after you.” Her voice was eerily quiet, like the calm before a storm.
Emerald and Ruby turned to go. But Diamond cracked a smile. “You should be more careful about choosing your friends, Rain. Being one of Pixie’s can be dangerous.”
I grabbed Rain’s hand.
“Come on, sisters, let’s go!” Diamond ordered.
“Wait, you haven’t paid,” said Pip.
“You’re the ones who are going to pay,” yelled Precious Diamond. But she and her sisters were already running.
For a moment Pip, Rain, and I were speechless. Although the strange girls were gone, I think we all felt as if our trouble was just beginning.
“I can’t believe they’re your friends, Pip,” I said finally.
“It’s not like I had a lot of kids to choose from,” she grumbled. “Besides, they’re not as bad as they sound.”
“Oh yeah?” I grabbed her wrist and turned her arm over. “Aren’t they the ones who gave you these nickels?”
Pip yanked her arm back. “It’s just their way of kidding around.”
“Yeah, ha-ha,” I muttered.
“Hey, what’s that?” exclaimed Rain.
I looked up and saw something strange coming across the village green. Was it running or flying? I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
As it got closer, I realized the thing was actually two things, one of them galloping, the other flapping.
Destiny and Thomas!
I ran out of the booth, opening my arms. Destiny flew straight into them, nearly knocking me over. She was honking frantically and her feathers were all ruffled. Thomas halted a few feet away, tossing his head and stomping the grass.
My heart was pounding like horse hooves, too. “Something must have happened at the farm!” I yelled.
Thomas snorted and lowered his neck. I grabbed his mane and pulled myself onto his back. Destiny settled in front of me.
“Rain! Pip! Get Aunt Doris!” I shouted. “Tell her to meet me at Chuckling Goose!”
I let Thomas choose our route. At the edge of town, he picked his way carefully through the woods, weaving around trees and crossing over a little brook. But once we got to the open meadow, he thundered across it. He didn’t stop until we’d reached the farmyard.
I gave him a quick kiss on the neck and slid off. The moment I put Destiny on the ground, she headed to the potager, honking for me to follow. My little goose was braver than brave. I tried to be, too.
Still, I was unprepared for what I found in the garden. Aunt Esperanza was sprawled out in the strawberry patch. La Blanca was standing guard, making small worried honks. I almost didn’t recognize my grandie. From the first day I’d met her, she’d been formidable. But now her eyes were closed and her arms were flung out as if she’d been surprised. Her thin white hair was slipping out of its little bun. And her cone hat was gone.
“Grandie!” I cried, dropping down beside her. Gently, I lifted her head into my lap. With two fingertips I felt her throat. There was a pulse, which meant she was alive, but she didn’t open her eyes. I wondered if the heat had been too much for her—if that was the reason she wasn’t wearing her cone hat. I wanted to get her some water, but I was afraid to leave her.
“I shouldn’t have gone to the fair.” Two tears dripped down my cheeks and plopped onto hers. Her lips moved. I put my ear closer to her mouth so I could hear.
“Pitchy?” she murmured. Her voice was garbled and throaty, but I knew she was saying my name.
“Yes! Yes, it’s me!”
“Guh.”
I think she was trying to say “good.” I had to get her inside, out of the heat, but I needed help.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before I saw a flash of light. Or maybe you’d call it a twinkle. At first I thought the heat was affecting me, too. But in another moment, I saw a faint outline of a person. Quickly it grew brighter and steadier—and Aunt Doris appeared.
“The others are on the way,” she said. “Let’s get Espy inside.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Ye Olde Doctor’s Orders
Winnie’s mom, Dr. Winston, came to examine Grandie. She’d been a Goose Girl long before she went to medical school. Now she took care of all the residents of Chuckling Goose.
After promising not to make a peep, Winnie and I were allowed to stay in a corner of the small, neat room while Dr. Winston examined Espy. “She’s very warm. We’ll need to cool her down,” she told us. “Winnie, please find a fan. Wyatt should be able to help you with that. And Pixie, please bring a pitcher of cool water and ice chips.”
Out in the hallway, Winnie gave me a quick hug. “Once I told you that trouble will always find its way,” she whispered, “but here’s the other thing about trouble—it’s never as strong as kindness.”
“Er, okay. Thanks.” I hugged her back and headed downstairs. Kindness is stronger than trouble? I wondered. What could that mean?
Dr. Winston was holding Espy’s wrist when Winnie and I returned with the things she’d asked for.
“Her pulse is slow,” she said. “It should improve when we get her cooled down. But she’s also got a bump on her head and some black-and-blue marks on her arms and neck, as though someone grabbed her.”
Winnie gasped. “But who would do that to her, Mom?”
“I—I think whoever it was also took her hat,” I said before Dr. Winston could reply.
“It was stolen?” Dr. Winston looked shocked.
All of a sudden it was hard for me to speak. Grandie had loved that hat so much. Seeing her without it was awful. “She wasn’t wearing it when I found her,” I whispered.
“I can’t imagine who would want it,” said Winnie.
But I could.
“Let’s wait until she’s strong enough to tell us herself,” Dr. Winston murmured, placing a cool, wet cloth across Grandie’s forehead. “Please freshen this every twenty minutes for the next two hours. You can also press an ice chip against her lips to moisten them.”
“Okay, Mom,” said Winnie. I could tell she was used to being her mother’s assistant.
“Good.” Dr. Winston placed a hand on my shoulder. “Pixie, come with me for a moment.”
Out in the hall, she spoke in a whisper. “I know you’re worried about the hat, honey, but Espy should improve in a few days. When she does, we can find out what happened and try to get it back.”
“It belonged to Mother Goose,” I said. “Do you think it had special powers?”
Dr. Winston raised her eyes as if the answer were floating somewhere above her. “I don’t know about powers, but that hat has a long history. To Espy it was almost sacred.”
I swallowed. “What if she can’t get better without it?”
Dr. Winston took my hand. “But she will. Espy’s been waiting a long tim
e for you. She’s not going anywhere.” She gave me a big, encouraging smile. “I’m going to talk to the Aunts before I leave. I’ll be back to check on her tomorrow.”
Before I went back to my grandmother’s room, I let myself cry a little. I was ashamed of all the mean things I’d thought about her since I’d arrived at Chuckling Goose. And there was something else. Even after I knew that hat had belonged to Mother Goose, I’d made fun of it. With all my heart, I wished I could take back my words.
At dinner we drooped around the table like flowers in need of water. Without Grandie to boss us around, everyone seemed to be distracted.
“Attention please, kiddos,” said Aunt Doris, emphasizing her words with a loud gum crack. “While Aunt Esperanza is recovering, we’re going to have to work harder than ever. We’ve got to keep things going or she’ll be furious at us.”
We Goose Girls sat up taller. Gray, River, and Wyatt elbowed each other into doing the same. Aunt Fancy lifted her sweet, fluffy head. Aunt Bernie adjusted her eyeglasses.
“Espy did ten times as much work as anyone else around here,” Aunt Doris continued. “In addition to the wishing cakes, you apprentices will have to help with the everyday cakes. That’s how we earn our dough.” She chuckled at her own joke. “Boys, you’ll need to continue with your regular chores and help in the kitchen, too.”
We all gaped at Aunt Doris.
“But we’ve never had boys in the kitchen!” protested Aunt Bernie.
“What would Esperanza say?” Aunt Fancy gasped, putting a hand over her heart.
“Nobody’s a better helper than Gray!” I burst out. “He’s smart, careful, and he can keep a secret.”
“River always helps in the kitchen at home,” Rain added.
Pip grinned at her brother. “I’ll be in charge of teaching Wyatt.”
“No-o-o-o!” Wyatt grabbed his head with both hands, making everyone laugh.
“I think Espy would say it’s a good idea,” declared Aunt Doris. “Chuckling Goose Farm is going modern!”
After dinner the Aunts sat with Grandie. I tried to visit, but they shooed me away. “You don’t need to worry, Pixie,” Aunt Fancy said kindly. “We’re taking good care of her.”
Pixie Piper and the Matter of the Batter Page 13