The World Ends in April by Stacy McAnulty

Author:Stacy McAnulty
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Listening Library
Published: 2019-09-02T23:00:00+00:00

Another newsletter is ready to go by the end of the week. Londyn and I worked on it every day over break. When she couldn’t come to my house, we discussed it on the dual-band radio. (We could have a more private conversation on our cell phones, but the radio is fun, and we need to practice using it.) We also saw two movies and went bowling with my dad and brothers. Phillip definitely likes Londyn more than he likes me.

“Why can’t she be our sister?” he asked when I refused to share my Milk Duds but Londyn gave him M&M’s. He had his own box of Skittles that he ate superfast.

Mack gets home from his trip on New Year’s Eve and invites me over to watch movies until midnight.

“Can we invite Londyn too?” I ask over the phone.

“Do you think she’ll want to?”

“You never know.” I’m just saying this; I’m certain she’ll say yes.

“Cool. Let’s make it a real party. I’ll invite the whole Nature Club.”

“Please don’t. Three is enough of a party for me.”

“Fine.”

Dad drives Londyn and me to Mack’s house around five. I bring Mack’s gift from Grandpa Joe. When Dad notices the present, he just sighs.

Grandpa Joe did come back Christmas morning. He got there before we woke up, but instead of playing the role of Santa, he was the Grinch. All the presents he’d brought the night before were gone when we came downstairs. He gave us each one hundred dollars in a plain white envelope. But we were allowed to keep the radio.

Mack’s parents have decorated the family room for New Year’s. There are balloons and streamers and a table of poppers and noisemakers. They’ve never gone to this kind of effort for just me. And Mack isn’t wearing his usual uniform of jeans and a black T-shirt. He’s got on a baby-blue sweater with his jeans. I guess adding Londyn makes it special.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Londyn,” his mom says. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Mr. Jefferson opens bags of chips, and then sets out crackers and cheese. Mrs. Jefferson brings down a veggie tray. She tells Mack what’s on the table and where. He leans close, his face almost in the food, to inspect the buffet.

“Where are the Oreos?” he asks.

“The coconut ones? I’ll bring them in later. We’ve ordered pizza and wings too. Should be delivered around eight.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

We fill our paper plates with snacks. I even take some vegetables because fresh food will be a luxury during the ice age that will come after the asteroid. I need to get my fill of baby carrots before impact winter. Mack and Londyn sit on the couch. She’s in my usual spot. I take the chair next to them.

“Coconut Oreos? Really? That’s gross.” I shudder. I don’t like coconut-flavored anything, including coconuts.

“I’m adding that to our bucket list,” he explains. “To try every Oreo flavor.”

“Is that even possible?” Londyn asks. “They make new ones like every other day.”

“But they have to stop in April,” Mack says.

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