Zoe in Wonderland by Brenda Woods

squished it—that tight.
    He made a fake choking sound. “Can’t breathe, Zoe.”
    I laughed, let go, and stepped back. “Sorry.”
    â€œI wanna see the baobabs,” he said. I pointed to where they were planted and stood behind him as he examined can after can. “They didn’t grow yet?” he asked.
    â€œNope,” I answered. “Something must be wrong. They should have sprouted a long time ago.”
    â€œHave you been watering them?”
    â€œYes.”
    He poked his finger into the dirt. “Did you soak the seeds for twenty-four hours before you planted them?”
    â€œNo . . . I just planted them.”
    â€œZoe! The directions said to soak them in hot water for twenty-four hours and then use a nail file or knife to remove part of the seed’s outer shell before you plant them. Otherwise, it takes months for them to grow.”
    â€œI didn’t know I had to do all that stuff.”
    Quincy poked my shoulder. “That’s what directions are for, Zoe. Always read directions.”
    â€œWe can always buy some more,” I told him.
    â€œNo, that’s okay,” he replied.
    â€œSorry you have to wait to start your movie.”
    He shrugged and said, “No problem,” as if he didn’t even care.
    He’s probably got too much other stuff to think about, I figured. Stuff like his mom. “I double swear I will look at them every day, and as soon as they grow, I’ll let you know. . . all right?”
    â€œOkay,” he replied, then glanced at his watch. “C’mon, let’s go. My dad’s waiting for us in the car so we can go pick up my mom,” he told me.
    â€œBut I have to finish my work,” I told him.
    â€œYour dad said it’s okay. My pops already talked to him. C’mon.”
    I hadn’t worn gloves, so my hands were grimy, and my blue jeans were filthy, and my work hoodie had holes at the elbows. No way was I going anywhere dressed like this. “I have to change my clothes. It won’t take long. I promise.”
    Quincy checked his watch again and said, “Better hurry, Blitzen.”
    It felt so good to have him near that I actually liked being called reindeer names.
    â€œDid you know
Blitzen
comes from a word that actually means ‘lightning’?” Quincy asked as he followed me outside.
    â€œOf course not, dork-boy.” I snickered.
    He shook his head. “Did you just call me ‘dork-boy’? Is that what you’ve been learning in school, Zoe?”
    â€œNo, I made it up just now.”
    He shook his head again, but he was smiling. In fact, he seemed happier than ever. “Hurry up and change. I’ll go tell my pops.” Quincy zoomed off in one direction and I rushed to the house.
    Two Things I Felt Like Doing Right Then
Twirling happily in a hundred circles with my arms stretched out.
Whistling a tune if I could—but no matter how hard I keep trying, I just can’t.
    As quickly as possible, I put on clean clothes and fixed my braids. I was about to put on lip gloss but thought Quincy might think it was weird.
    Nope, no lip gloss for me today.
    â€œZoeeee,” Quincy’s dad, Wes, squealed as I climbed in the backseat.
    As we drove, music from the radio played and, as usual, Quincy’s dad sang along. His voice was pretty bad, but I didn’t care. Being with them again reminded me of the summer when I went with Quincy and his dad to the beach at Paradise Cove and we ate burgersin the restaurant there and walked along the beach until it got cold. It almost felt like no time had passed since then—like the summer had never ended.

    The only thing that was different about Kendra, other than her head still being bald, was that she had lost some weight.
    After she hugged and kissed Quincy for a very long time, she turned to me.
    â€œYour turn, Miss Zoe. Gimme a hug, girl.” She took me in her arms and I