We all shivered, remembering that required-reading book. “Then there was the time I accidentally poured the currant wine at tea,” said the girl. “I was only looking for raspberry cordial and I had so wanted to use the rosebud tea set but of course that was never used except for the minister... “ “Or maybe she’s Anne of Green Gables,” whispered Sam. “I see—” began Teddy Bear. But the girl kept going. “And then that Christmas without Father was so lonely yet so splendid because Father was away as a chaplain and Meg and Jo and Amy and Marmee. “ “Yes—” began Teddy Bear, But the girl kept going. “One of the Little Women?” I guessed. “Or the time I took trick riding because who knew when it might come in handy when I had a mystery to solve, and sure enough, later that week . . .“ Teddy Bear sat down and started listening. “Nancy Drew?” guessed Fred. The girl kept going. “.. . after that summer, babysitting was never the same. The club met over at my house..." The Devil propped his chin in his hand to keep his head up. “Babysitters’ Club?” I guessed. “.. . and I knew Annie had beauty, talent, and the drive to be a cheerleader. But I was not about to let her ruin the reputation of our squad... “ “Definitely Sweet Valley High,” I said. Somebody yawned. Sam nudged me in the ribs and pointed to Frankenstein. He was struggling mightily to keep his eyelids open. First one eye would close. Then the other. Both eyes popped open. They closed. “... we passed notes in school by curling up the piece of paper, slipping it in the iron scroll of the desk...“ The Headless Horseman and the Horned King sat propped up against each other. No one could see their eyes. But neither one of them was moving anymore. Long John Silver let out a soft little snore. “Betty? “ guessed Fred. “Veronica? “ “American Girls?” I guessed. “That’s it,” whispered Sam, “Who’s it?” “She’s all of those girls,” said Sam, “We never read any of those books. So we couldn’t tell one character from another if we had to. She’s all of those girl characters rolled into one! “ “Now that’s scary,” said Fred. Teddy Bear leaned forward, looking at the Girl through half-closed eyes. The Red Queen had long since laid her head on the table. Dracula was wrapped in sweet dreams in his cape. Teddy Bear was the last bad character still awake. “... Pa didn’t have no nails. But he said a man don’t need no nails to make a door. This is how he did it....“ Teddy Bear closed one eye and leaned against the sleeping Devil. “...and when you are filled with sadness and in the depths of despair, doesn’t it just feel like a lump of caramel in your throat... “ Teddy Bear’s last open eye winked . . . half closed . . . and then dropped shut. His chin fell forward on his chest, And he snored the biggest growling snore of any of the fast-asleep bad guys. I put my finger to my lips. Fred slowly and carefully swung open the metal door, Sam led everyone out from under the stack of books teetering above us. Martha carried Piglet. Pooh cradled Peter Rabbit. “‘...It takes time to develop a good relationship,’" I told Annie . . . The Hoboken Chicken tiptoed carefully through the sleeping octopus’s tentacles.
Posted on: Sun, 11 Aug 2013 05:12:55 +0000
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