"Okay," I said, sniffling a little. I was trying hard to be brave, but deep down, I felt like bawling. I couldn't believe I was losing my stepsister for two whole weeks.

"Send lots of postcards!" Dawn called as she headed toward the gate. "And tell me everything!"

"I will," I promised. I dabbed at my eyes with a tissue.

"She'll be back before you know it," Dad said consolingly.

I nodded, afraid I would start crying again. Suddenly two weeks seemed like two years.

It was impossible to sleep that night. I tossed and turned, thumped the pillow, and tried to imagine what Dawn would do when she

reached California. I pictured her having lemonade with Jeff and her father. Maybe they were relaxing outside on a big wraparound deck. Dawn told me her father has a really cool house with terra-cotta floors and skylights in almost all the rooms. Plus they have a housekeeper, so she doesn't have to worry about kitchen duty.

Then I started thinking about my trip to Sea City in the morning. I went through a checklist of everything I needed to take. And then I started thinking of all the things the Pikes would need to take for eight kids. Try to imagine it. Pails, shovels, beach blankets, and bathing suits, plus tons of rainy-day toys for kids of all different ages. Just thinking about it must have made me tired, because the next thing I knew, I had buried my face in my pillow and fallen sound asleep.

"Mary Anne, we're going to be late!" "I'm coming, Dad. Just one more hug." I crouched down so Tigger and I were on eye level (he was stretched out on the sofa) and kissed the top of his head. I couldn't stand to say good-bye to him.

"We'll take good care of him," Sharon promised.

"I know you will." Sharon isn't exactly a cat fan, but I think Tigger is growing on her.

After I hugged Sharon good-bye, Dad dropped me off at the Pikes'. Yow, another good-bye, I thought as he set my gear on their driveway.