Chapter 3.

Friday afternoon arrived at last. I was finally packed, which hadn't been easy. For three days I'd been putting clothes into my suitcase and then pulling them back out, since I was so unsure about what to bring. I must have called Quint five times to ask his advice on what I would need, and I called Stacey about every hour on the hour.

Mom had loaned me her best necklace, which was made of these shiny black beads called jet. And Mal had loaned me a way cool black sweater with geometric designs in primary colors. I'd been tempted to ask Claud if I could borrow her leopard-print jean-jacket, but I knew that was a bit much. I wasn't sure I could carry it off, anyway. I just don't have the style, or the attitude, or whatever it is Claudia has that lets her wear things like that without looking silly.

Anyway, I was all set. I had an outfit to

wear when I was just walking around (my best jeans, little black boots, and Mal's sweater), clothes to wear while I was lounging at Stacey's father's apartment (pajamas, robe, slippers), and something fancy to wear to Quint's dance concert (a black velvet dress I'd received on my birthday). Plus, I'd packed three books, my clock radio, shampoo and conditioner, a raincoat, and my ballet gear — just in case I had time for some stretching and practicing.

My dad grunted as he lifted my bag into the trunk of the car. "What've you got in here?" he asked. "A set of encyclopedias?"

"Dad," I said, laughing in spite of myself. "I just want to be sure I have everything I might need."

"I think your mother had the same idea when she packed for Squirt," he said. "We could stay in Massachusetts until he's ready for kindergarten!" He showed me Squirt's diaper bag, which was overflowing with diapers, bibs, toys, graham crackers, and pacifiers. I laughed again.