"Mary Anne, I have some suntan lotion for you." Dad tapped on the open bedroom door and then came in, followed bySharon .

"Thanks, Dad, but I've got tons of sunblock." I learned my lesson the last time I went toSeaCity and ended up looking like a lobster. For some reason, I am one of those people who never tan. I just go directly from dead white to flaming red, followed by some painful peeling.

"How about toothpaste, shampoo, and stationery?" Dawn's mom asked. She fumbled in the pocket of her pink jumpsuit, looking a little

distracted. "And I bought each of you a roll of stamps, but what in the world did I do with them?"

It's really funny whenSharon tries to be organized and in control, because she's the most disorganized person I've ever met. If you don't believe me, you should see our kitchen. Last week, I found the grocery list (with a pencil still attached) in the refrigerator, and a very ripe tomato in the coupon drawer. I couldn't tell you how they got there, and I betSharon couldn't, either.

"Oh, dear," she said, searching in her pocket again. "Would you believe I actually made a list of what you both would need for two weeks?" I'd believe it.Sharon is a great list-maker. The trouble is she always loses a list five minutes after she writes it.

"Don't worry, Mom," Dawn said reassuringly. "I'm ready to go. I just have to throw in a beach cover-up and a hair dryer, and then I'll be all packed."

"It's true," I said, catching Dad's worried glance. "The room just looks like a disaster. She's really in good shape."

"You could have fooled me," Dad said, shaking his head.