by Ahmet Zappa
Me! Me! Tessa heard the thoughts of the kitten she’d cuddled the day before coming from one of the cages. Gently, she scooped her out from a pile of snuggling cats. “I’ll call you Snuggles!” she said.
Lizzie showed her how to hold Snuggles in the crook of one arm and tip the tiny bottle by her mouth so she would start to drink. Then she took her own kitten and sat next to Tessa.
Tessa smiled as Snuggles drank. Mmmmm, the tiny creature thought. Tessa could have sat there all day, holding and looking at Snuggles. But she reminded herself that she was on Wishworld for a reason. She had to find out Lizzie’s wish.
“So,” she said softly, trying not to disturb Snuggles, “it must be really hard moving around so much.”
For Tessa herself, it would be near impossible to leave the farm. Her family had owned the land for generations. Every starnight, she’d look up at the sky, find her great-grandparents’ and her great-great-grandparents’ stars twinkling down at her, and know they were pleased.
Tessa knew that after she graduated and finished her Wishworld duties, she’d go back to Solar Springs. She wasn’t so sure about Gemma, who liked to be more in the center of things. But at least Gemma would always have a place to call home.
“Do you have sisters or brothers? Or both?” Tessa asked Lizzie.
Lizzie shook her head. “It’s just my parents and me—and my dog, Fiona, of course.” She smiled. “She’s almost like a sister! We’ve basically grown up together. I don’t remember a time she wasn’t with us.”
Tessa smiled back. That was nice, and it sounded like Lizzie had a strong family. But maybe she wanted roots, just one place to call home.
Maybe Lizzie’s wish was to stay right there in Hillsboro.
“Do you wish you weren’t moving?”
Lizzie shrugged. “No, I’m really okay with it. And it’s necessary for my family. It’s all part of my parents’ jobs.”
Tessa mentally crossed that off the wish list.
Lizzie looked at Tessa a little anxiously. “Don’t get me wrong. Hillsboro is a great place. I’m sure you’ll like it here. I’ve made a ton of friends.”
“Oh!” Tessa straightened. Maybe the wish had to do with friendship.
Snuggles looked at her questioningly, so Tessa relaxed a bit and waited for the kitten to get comfortable.
“I bet you wish you could make tons of friends at your new school.”
“I think I will. Making friends has always been pretty easy for me. You know,” Lizzie said with a laugh. “I’ve had lots of practice.”
Okay, so making friends wasn’t the wish, either.
“Would you want your friends to throw you a good-bye party?” Tessa asked.
“They already have,” Lizzie told her, “the last day of school.” She stood and carefully put her kitten back in the cage. “Let’s walk some dogs now.”
For the rest of the morning, Tessa and Lizzie worked together. They walked Tiny and a dog named Oliver. They watched over more dogs at the dog run and took some visitors around the shelter. Lizzie was welcoming and courteous to everyone, and Tessa could see she did indeed make friends quickly.
In fact, Tessa felt like she and Lizzie were becoming friends. That was nice. But between taking care of the animals and talking, Tessa kept forgetting about her mission. So just to be on the safe side, she set her Star-Zap on reminder mode, to go off every Wishworld hour.
When it went off at lunchtime, Tessa asked, “Do you wish you were moving to a different place?”
“No,” said Lizzie. “We’re going to Australia, and I’m curious about it. I’ve never been there before.”
When the alarm buzzed an hour after that, while they were cleaning litter boxes, Tessa asked, “Do you wish you could finish the summer program here?”
“Not really,” Lizzie said. “Of course I’ll miss the animals, but I’m planning to volunteer at an Australian shelter, too.” She looked at Tessa curiously. “You sure like to ask a lot of questions.”
Tessa blushed.
“Star apolo—I mean, I’m sorry if you think I’m a busybody. It’s just time is running out…I mean, you’ll be leaving soon and I have so many questions about moving and making friends.”
The afternoon passed, with Tessa asking more questions and getting no real answers. At five o’clock Penny said, “That’s it, girls. The shelter is closing.”
Then she put her arm around Lizzie. “Thank you so much for all your help. Make sure you stay in touch. You have our shelter e-mail, my personal e-mail, and all our addresses?”
Lizzie nodded, a little teary. “My mom’s outside waiting. I’d better go.”
No! Tessa thought. You can’t leave. But then she realized she had to go, too. Together, the two girls walked through the door. “Are you sure you can’t come back tomorrow?” Tessa asked.
“Yes, I’m sure,” Lizzie said. “There’s too much to do. I have to run errands. Pack. We’re leaving the day after.” Then she smiled. “Hey, come home with me for dinner! And this way, you can keep asking me questions.”
“That would be great!” said Tessa, pretending to text her mom as they stood outside. The sky was overcast, and the air felt damp and warm.
Down the path, Lizzie’s mom was waiting in the car. “This is Tessa,” Lizzie said. “She’s new here, and I just invited her to dinner.”
Lizzie’s mom frowned. “Honey, our house is almost all packed up, and you need to take care of so many things!”
Tessa stepped closer to the car. Remembering how Wishling adults liked to be addressed, she said, “Hi, Mrs.—” Tessa paused, realizing she didn’t even know Lizzie’s last name.
“Bennett,” said Lizzie.
“Mrs. Bennett,” Tessa continued. “I can be a big help. I should come for dinner.”
“You can be a big help,” Mrs. Bennett said slowly. “You should come for dinner.” She glanced across the street. “Is there a new bakery around here? I smell chocolate éclairs, just like I had growing up.”
“That’s great!” said Lizzie. “It will be nice to have company while I pack.”
Tessa breathed a sigh of relief. At least now she would have more time with her Wisher. Still, she’d been on Wishworld two days already, and there was lots left to do. Besides figuring out the wish, she still had to help make it come true!
Lizzie’s house was bare yet full. All the furniture was pushed to the side, the tables cleared of any odds and ends and knickknacks. The walls and counters were bare, too. But boxes littered the floor, and Tessa had to move in a zigzag just to walk from room to room.
She was following Lizzie into the living room when she heard the click-clack of nails against the hardwood floor. Suddenly, a small shape hurled itself at Lizzie.
“Fiona!” cried Lizzie, squatting on the floor to hug the little dog close.
Tessa sat down next to her and oohed. “She’s so tiny!”
“She’s a miniature dachshund,” Lizzie said.
“Bless you,” said Tessa, thinking Lizzie had sneezed. Tessa smiled, relieved she’d remembered the Wishworld response.
“No.” Lizzie laughed. “She’s a miniature dachshund! That’s her breed!”
Tessa laughed, too, leaning closer to pat Fiona’s tummy when she rolled over. The dog’s whole body wriggled with joy.
The girls took Fiona for a walk, then packed Lizzie’s books and games. “Let’s leave the stuffed animals,” Lizzie said. “I want to sleep with them tonight.”
Mrs. Bennett, who had dropped off the girls and then gone to pick up Mr. Bennett and dinner, returned.
“I’m sorry you’re not getting a home-cooked meal, but our kitchen is in boxes,” Mr. Bennett said, carrying in drinks and paper cups. He was very tall, with the same reddish hair as Lizzie, and the same warm smile.
“No, no,” said Tessa. “This is all fine.” But she did feel a little disappointed. The kitchen was big and spacious, and for a starmin she daydreamed about learning to bake the Wishling way—right on Wishw
orld. But that would have to wait for another mission—if she ever completed this one!
“I just have sandwiches,” Mrs. Bennett warned Tessa. “Nothing fancy. I hope that’s okay.”
Tessa took a big bite of one sandwich, which wasn’t really a sandwich at all. It looked more like a long stuffed tube—a “wrap,” she’d heard Mrs. Bennett call it before handing one to Lizzie. Specifically, a Caesar salad wrap.
Tessa had been afraid she’d actually have to make a grab for Lizzie’s sandwich in order to eat. Why else would it be called a “seize her” salad? But it turned out there were enough sandwiches for everyone.
“This is delicious,” Tessa told Mrs. Bennett enthusiastically.
Lizzie’s mom beamed. “It is very nice to have you here, Tessa. Why don’t you sleep over, too? It would be nice for Lizzie to have a friend close by. We all could use a little extra support right now.” She reached out to squeeze Lizzie’s hand.
“Moving isn’t easy for any of us,” Mr. Bennett added. “But these are the choices we’ve made, and I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone other than you two.”
Lizzie nodded seriously, squeezing her mom’s hand back. Then she turned to Tessa. “Say yes!” she pleaded. “Stay over! Please!”
“Sure!” said Tessa, happy she didn’t have to use her mind control power. That took energy, and to be honest, she was feeling a little tired. She knew exhaustion was a side effect of being on Wishworld too long without granting a wish.
Just before bedtime, Tessa excused herself to go to the bathroom. There she peered at her image in the mirror. A Tessa-like being, without the shine or sparkle and with dark circles under her eyes, gazed back at her. Clearly, it was time for her mantra. She needed more energy.
Still looking at her reflection, Tessa recited, “Let your heart lead the way.” Immediately, she felt a lift.
In the mirror, the real, sparkly Tessa gazed back, making Tessa feel even better. Bit by bit, her shimmer faded. But the strength remained. She could do this! Now, back to Lizzie, she thought.
The girls talked long into the night. Tessa wasn’t getting any closer to Lizzie’s wish. Still, she felt optimistic. She felt sure she would find out the wish before the sun rose. But then she couldn’t help it: stretched out in a sleeping bag on the floor, Tessa fell into a deep sleep. Lizzie was already snoring gently in another sleeping bag, Fiona by her side.
Boom! A crash of thunder sounded, waking both girls. For an instant, lightning lit the room as bright as daylight. Tessa could see Lizzie sitting up, holding a quivering Fiona.
“It’s okay, girl,” Tessa said, reaching to stroke Fiona’s head. “It’s over.”
But another roll of thunder roared, followed by an even louder crack. Rain pounded the roof and lashed at the windows.
The room lit up again, and Tessa saw Lizzie brush a tear from her cheek.
“Don’t cry, Lizzie,” she said. “I know thunderstorms are scary. But it really will be over soon.”
“No, it’s not that.” Lizzie carried Fiona with her to the windows, making sure they were all tightly closed.
“But you’re upset,” Tessa said. She looked at Lizzie’s tear-streaked face, and her heart went out to the Wishling girl. “It must be the move, then,” she said. “You really don’t want to go, do you?”
“I shouldn’t feel this way!” Lizzie said with a hiccup. “But you’re right. I don’t want to move.”
She snuggled back into the sleeping bag with Fiona and turned to face Tessa. “I told you I was fine with it. But I was trying to convince myself! I kept saying, ‘It’s exciting…it’s an adventure.…’ But that’s not how I feel at all.”
She burrowed her nose into Fiona’s soft neck. “I’ve moved so often I know I can handle it. I just don’t want to.”
“You can’t help the way you feel,” Tessa said encouragingly. This was it, she knew; she was getting close to the wish.
“It’s hard always being the new kid. I always get lost. I have to figure out a new school. And if we’re in a different country, there’s strange money and food. And just when I start to feel comfortable, we have to get up and move again.
“I know I should be happy,” Lizzie continued, as if the floodgates had opened on her feelings. “I mean, how many kids can say they’ve traveled from Alaska to Zimbabwe?”
Or from Starland to Wishworld, Tessa added to herself, realizing she was lucky, too. The difference was she could always go back.
“And I know my parents’ work is important. I don’t want them to worry about me. They have enough going on.” She grabbed Tessa’s hand. “I just wish I could find one good thing about it. Just one thing about the move that makes me happy.”
Tessa had it! She had the wish!
Lizzie yawned. “I don’t mean to burden you, Tessa. But I’ve been keeping it all inside for so long…” Her eyes began to close. “It will probably be fine.…” And she fell asleep.
Tessa, meanwhile, was still wide-awake. Lizzie’s wish: figured out. Making Lizzie’s wish come true? That was entirely different.
She had to find one good thing about Lizzie’s move—just one. But it had to be important enough to outweigh all the drawbacks. And she had to get Lizzie to see it, too.
Both girls slept late the next morning. By the time they went downstairs, Lizzie’s parents were already gone. “They left a note,” Lizzie said. She read the message stuck to the refrigerator door. Then she groaned. “They left a to-do list, too.” Quickly, she scanned the items. “It’s so long!”
“I’m not going to the shelter today,” Tessa said. “If you like, I can hang out with you and help.”
Lizzie grinned. “That would be great. The first thing on the list is to go out for breakfast. So you can help me eat!”
Outside, the air had the clean, fresh smell that came after a big storm, and sunshine dappled the sidewalk.
“Let’s go into Hillsboro Square to my favorite diner,” said Lizzie, linking arms with Tessa, just like a Starling would.
A diner! Tessa had been curious about diners ever since Piper had come back from her mission and reported that she’d worked in one.
They walked in the opposite direction of the shelter. After only a few blocks, they reached the square. Tessa gazed at the small shops and narrow streets. It was so different from the area with the big buildings near the animal shelter. People were strolling, taking their time. And there were more bicycles than cars.
The Square Diner was busy, but the girls took seats at the counter and were served quickly. Tessa followed Lizzie’s lead and ordered the pancakes. They weren’t much different from starcakes, she realized after eating a forkful. All her fears about strange Wishling food were definitely unfounded.
After they finished, Lizzie picked up a piece of paper the server had left by their plates. It was filled with scribbles and numbers in columns. “I’ll pay the check,” she said.
“Excuse me?” Tessa said, not understanding.
“No, I insist!” said Lizzie. She took out green slips of paper with men’s faces in the middle and numbers in the corners.
This must be money! Tessa thought. She had only the vaguest idea of Wishworld economy. Turning away from Lizzie, Tessa noted in her Cyber Journal that it might be a good idea to have a Wishworld economics class. She added that geography would be helpful, too. All those Wishworld place names Lizzie had rattled off! It was all so confusing.
Just as Lizzie finished counting out the money, a man came over, wiping his hands on his apron. He whisked away the check and said, “Your breakfast is on me.”
Tessa squinted up at the man’s head. There was nothing on it, not even hair, let alone a batch of pancakes.
“You and your family have been wonderful customers all year long,” he continued. “We’ll miss you around here, Lizzie.”
Next Lizzie took Tessa to the Hillsboro General Store. They bought heavy-duty tape, markers to label boxes, and some cleaning supplies. “Just one more thing and we’re d
one,” said Lizzie, checking the list. “Packing peanuts.”
“Peanuts?” Tessa perked up. Wasn’t that a tasty treat she’d heard about during a Wishling Cuisine lesson? Of course, she knew many Wishlings had bad reactions to peanuts. What was the reaction called? Something that sounded like energy. But Tessa doubted a Starling would be affected.
When Lizzie passed her a bag, she opened it right up and popped a peanut into her mouth. Immediately, she spat it out. “That’s horrible!” she exclaimed.
“Of course it is,” Lizzie said. “It’s Styrofoam.”
Tessa had no idea where Styrofoam grew, but she certainly wouldn’t recommend any Star Darling try it while on a mission.
They moved to the counter to pay, and the owner smiled sadly at Lizzie. “I hear you’re leaving us,” she said. “We’re all going to miss you.” She rang up Lizzie’s purchases on a big machine. Then she said, “Wait right here!”
The owner hurried to something called the deli section and returned with a big bone. “For Fiona,” she explained. “A good-bye gift.”
All day, everywhere they went, it seemed, shop owners were wishing Lizzie well and sometimes throwing in a farewell present. People stopped her on the street to say good-bye.
Tessa thought it all would make Lizzie happy. Could that be the one good thing? she wondered. Instead, Lizzie’s eyes filled with tears again and again. Sometimes, Tessa supposed, acts of kindness could make you cry more than anything else.
By the time they got back to the house, the sun was setting. Tessa worried that Lizzie would send her home, since it was getting late. But instead, Lizzie asked for more help packing.
Together, Tessa and Lizzie poured the packing peanuts into half-filled boxes of vases and glass bowls so the fragile objects wouldn’t break in the moving truck.
So that’s what they’re for, thought Tessa. “Hey,” she shouted to Lizzie. “Try to catch this!” And she tossed a lighter-than-air peanut in Lizzie’s direction.
Lizzie lunged for it but missed—by a floozel. Tessa laughed. Then Lizzie grabbed a handful and threw them at Tessa. “Peanut fight!” she cried. She giggled loudly and emptied an entire bag over Tessa’s head.