Free Zoe in Wonderland by Brenda Woods Page B

and plants than you care about us. We’re one step away from foreclosure, Darrow! We could lose everything!”
    â€œYou worry too much, Gabby! I’ll sell some of the mature exotic trees to that landscape architect who’s been needling me. Maybe I’ll get a night job! And if it turns out that we have to sell, I’ve got my eyes on a couple of things . . . another tropical plant nursery, or maybe this time a flower farm. Saw some for sale in Oregon, one in Carlsbad, another in Hawaii, and even one in New Zealand. Always wanted to go to New Zealand.”
    Sell the Wonderland? Weeks ago, he said he’d never sell the Wonderland. New Zealand?
    Mom had the same thought. “New Zealand? I give up,” she said in a quieter voice.
    â€œIt’d be an adventure. Life’s supposed to be an adventure, Gabby!”
    I’d never heard him say that before.
    But Mom didn’t agree. “I don’t want an adventure! I just want a normal life and not to worry about money. You’re not going to get a better offer than the one Bob Lockwood gave you today. We’d be on easy street. I don’t understand what you’re waiting on . . . for us to lose everything?”
    There was about a minute of quiet before Daddy said in a soft voice, “I’m waiting on a
sign
, Gabby.”
    â€œYou and your
signs
.”
    What does that mean, I wondered—waiting on a
sign
?
    I lingered outside their room, motionless, until the hallway grandfather clock ticking beside me and the noise from the TV in the other room were the only sounds. I kept thinking that this is exactly what Quincy said his parents were like before they got divorced.
    Right then, I wished that I hadn’t heard their fight. My worry list kept growing.
    Silently, I counted down from twenty to zero. Then, I knocked.
    â€œIt’s me.
Just
Zoe. I’m back.”
    â€œCome in,” Daddy said.
    I turned the knob, cracked the door, and stuck myhead inside. They both tried hard to put those happy-to-see-you looks on their faces, but Mom looked tired and Daddy’s eyes had zero happiness.
    â€œDid you have a good time with Grandpa and Nana?” Mom inquired.
    I stepped inside their room. “Yes,” I replied. The smile I’d come home with had vanished.
    Daddy stood from the chair where he was sitting. “Then why the sad look?”
    I stared at the Reindeer parents and asked three questions. “Are you going to get a divorce . . . what’s foreclosure . . . and what’s a
sign
?”

23
    The Trouble/Worry/Problem Zapper
    H ow long have you been listening?” Daddy inquired. His oh-no look was pasted on his face.
    â€œLong enough.” I set the shopping bags on the floor.
    Mom faked a smile. “Looks like your nana splurged on you.”
    Does she really think it’s going to be that easy to change the subject? Think again, please.
    â€œSo, are you guys getting a divorce?” I repeated.
    â€œNo!” they replied in unison.
    â€œWhat gave you that idea?” Daddy asked.
    â€œI’m worried because you’re acting just like Quincy’s mom and dad did before they went splitsville.”
    â€œSplitsville?” Mom asked.
    â€œYeah, his mom and dad went splitsville becausethey were always fighting about money, and now you guys are doing the same thing.”
    Daddy laughed.
    Three Things Adults Should Never Do When Kids Are Being Extremely Serious
Laugh.
Try to change the subject.
Tell you to relax.
    My parents were now guilty of two of the three offenses. I glared at him. “It’s not funny, Daddy.”
    Daddy apologized. “Sorry, Zoe. But we are definitely not getting a divorce.”
    I stared at him and asked, “Promise?”
    He patted my shoulder, then gave it a gentle squeeze. “I promise, Zoe. No divorce. Relax.”
    Relax? Now they were guilty of all three offenses.
    But somehow, the