My dad ran back inside to get his own suitcase, and passed Becca on the way. She was lugging her Little Mermaid duffel bag, which seemed to be stuffed as full as it could get. I guess nobody in my family has heard of traveling light.

"Can you help me fasten this?" she asked. "It won't stay shut."

I took it from her and worked on the zipper. There was no way it was going to dose. "You're going to have to take some things out," I said, opening it up wide to see what she might be able to do without. "Hey, Becca," I said, when I spied her red satin party dress. "What's this for?" I didn't think she was going to be needing that at the Pikes'.

"It's for the wedding," answered Becca, in a small, hopeful voice.

Uh-oh. This was not a good sign. Apparently Becca still hadn't given up hope. I was about to give her a gentle, sisterly talk about how we can't always do what we want to do, but I didn't get the chance.

"Everybody ready?" asked my father from behind me. My mom and Aunt Cecelia tossed their overnight bags into the trunk. Mom stuck Squirt into his car seat, and then the rest of us piled into the car. The plan was for us to drive together to the Pikes', where Becca and I would get out. I would make sure someone was there to greet her, and then walk through the Pikes' backyard to Stacey's house. My parents and Squirt and Aunt Cecelia would drive on toward Massachusetts.

"Here we are!" said my father, pulling up

in front of the Pike house a few minutes later. "Now, I want you girls to have a fun weekend. Jessi, you be careful down there in the big city. And Becca, be sure to mind your manners while you're staying with the Pikes."

Becca burst into tears. "I don't wanna stay here!" she bawled.

"Hrnmph!" said Aunt Cecelia. She doesn't have a lot of patience with this kind of thing.