The Witches of Worm by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Author:Zilpha Keatley Snyder
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Chapter Eight

JESSICA KNEW THAT JOY HAD NOT DONE WHAT SHE had said she would do about Mrs. Post. Of course, Jessica had never really believed that Joy would tell Mrs. Post to stop sticking her nose into their business. But then, she had never expected Joy to do what she actually did do, either. Jessica really hadn’t expected Joy to do almost exactly the opposite of what she had promised.

The worst part of it was that Joy had obviously been planning it for weeks without mentioning it to Jessica. It all came out on a Friday morning, just a week before Christmas vacation. Of course Joy tried to pretend that she was only asking Jessica if it would be all right, but it was obvious that it was already arranged—definitely and carefully arranged.

It was not quite time for Joy to leave for work that morning when she came into the living room where Jessica was reading the morning paper.

“By the way, Baby,” Joy began, as if what she was about to say were hardly important enough to mention. “I’m thinking of going away on a little trip this weekend—that is, if it’s all right with you.” She perched on the arm of Jessica’s chair and smiled down at her with phony cheerfulness. Jessica sat very still, gripping the arms of the chair and pushing herself back, forcing herself to wait until she’d heard the rest and knew just how much there was to be angry about.

Joy chattered on about how Alan had asked her to spend the weekend at his parents’ home in the northern part of the state. But, since Alan’s parents were very old-fashioned people who did not approve of divorce, both Alan and Joy thought it would be best if they were given a chance to know Joy a little before they found out that she had been married and had a great-big, almost grown-up daughter. Once they got to know Joy and like her, it wouldn’t matter anymore. Then Jessica could go with them to visit, and Jessica would love that because Alan’s parents lived on a big ranch where there were all kinds of wonderful things to do. But this time, just this one time, Jessica was to stay home and spend Saturday and Sunday nights in the Posts’ apartment. Joy had already talked to Mrs. Post, and it was all arranged. When Joy finally finished talking, Jessica just went on sitting stiffly, pushing back hard against the chair.

“And I’ll be back in time for dinner on Monday,” Joy said, “with a nice big present for Jessie.” She leaned forward, trying to catch Jessica’s eyes. “You do understand, don’t you, Baby?” she asked.

“Sure, I understand,” Jessica said. “But what if it takes them a long time to get to like you well enough—like five years, or something? Do I get sent to the Posts’ for five years?” She jumped out of the chair, almost pushing Joy onto the floor, and ran into her room, locking the door behind her.

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