It's an Aardvark-Eat-Turtle World by Paula Danziger

Author:Paula Danziger [Danziger, Paula]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
Published: 2007-06-14T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

“Oh, Rosie. I miss Dave so much I could die.”

“You saw him yesterday,” I remind her. “We just got here. We’re unpacking.”

“But my heart hurts, I miss him so much.” Phoebe puts one hand to her forehead and the other to her heart.

She’s been watching too many soap operas.

“Do you think that he’s thinking of me at this very moment?” She swoons on the bed. “That our two hearts are throbbing in unison across the continent between the two nations?”

I may puke.

She sits up. “He’s at work. I’ll call him later.”

Changing the subject, I say, “Isn’t this house incredible? Have you ever seen so many beautiful things in one place? It’s so comfy and warm.”

“The art, the pottery, antiques. It’s great.” Phoebe hangs up her clothes.

I guess she’s neater visiting than living.

“Who would have thought that Duane would have human relatives?”

“I wonder what their kids are like.” I finish putting my clothes in the dresser.

“We’ll find out when they get back from their music lessons. Bev said that Jason’s a little older than we are and Aviva’s our age.” Phoebe sits down on the bed. “Listen, Rosie, I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Me too.”

“Rosie! Phoebe!” Bev calls up the stairs. “Jason and Aviva are here. Come on down to meet them.”

Phoebe brushes her hair and says, “Well, let’s check them out.”

I put on some lipstick and say, “They’ll be checking us out also.”

She grins. “Oh . . . right. I wish you hadn’t mentioned that.”

We go down the stairs, Phoebe first, and enter the kitchen.

Aviva and Jason are emptying grocery bags.

They look like brother and sister. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Both are cute without being so attractive that you’re afraid of them.

Jason in fact is very cute and seems very nice.

Phoebe notices.

She begins to flirt with him.

I wonder how Dave’s heart is feeling right this second. I also wonder if I’ll ever get over feeling shy around boys that I might like.

Phoebe asks him what sign he is.

I’m a goner if that’s what it takes to have boys pay attention.

He grins. “My sign? . . . ‘Slow Children at Play.’ That’s always been my favorite sign.”

I laugh. “I’ve always liked the ‘No Standing’ sign. I feel guilty about being upright around one of them and wonder if I should lie down and roll through the area.”

Jason looks at me and smiles.

Phoebe says, “The two of you are very silly.”

We agree and then we all ask each other some questions to get to know each other, like school grade, interests, favorite ice cream flavors.

Aviva’s a drummer.

Jason’s a guitar player and singer.

Phoebe’s standing right next to Jason, acting like he’s the most important person in the world.

It’s not fair. She’s got Dave.

I hope she’s not going to pair off with Jason. I’d really hate that.

I’m getting so good at pretending it doesn’t matter that even I’m beginning to believe it.

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