"Nope, the night."

Claudia fiddled with her watch. She looked lost.

Soon dinner was served. We all chose "chicken cordon bleu," which was supposed to be chicken wrapped around ham, with a white sauce.

"Tastes like a tennis ball covered with paste," was Kristy's restaurant review.

"I like it," Claud said with a shrug.

I almost gave her mine. But the flight attendant passed by and smiled at us, and I didn't want to look as if I were insulting her.

Boy, was I grateful for those brownies.

"I can't wait to see Dawn," Claudia said while we were finishing up.

"Me, too," I replied. "It feels like she's been gone for years."

"You think she's changed?" Kristy asked.

Claudia laughed. "You're worried she picked up bad habits from the We Love Kids Club."

"Hmmph," Kristy replied. "If she has, they won't last long."

"Well, no matter what, she'll still be Dawn," I reminded them.

But I had to admit, I was wondering, too. About a lot of things. How did Dawn feel about her dad's marriage? Would Kristy, Claudia, and I be imposing on their busy house? Would things feel different between Dawn and me? Would she change her mind about coming back to Stoneybrook?

The in-flight movie ended our conversation. It was a comedy about a dog, which we'd all seen but watched again anyway.

During the closing credits, the captain's voice interrupted the soundtrack to tell us we were descending.

Descending? Already?

Kristy, Claudia, and I plastered our faces to the window (well, sort of). For a long time we saw nothing. I began reading a magazine. Then, just as I was about to fall asleep, Kristy screamed, "Look!"

Below us, surrounded by dark hills, was a huge valley of lights, "On behalf of the flight staff, I want to welcome you to Southern California," the captain announced.

"Yeees! Kristy shouted. "Hoo-ray for Hollywood!"