Free Awake and Dreaming by Kit Pearson Page B

wearing and the ones packed in the duffel bag. And Sabrina, and the library book she had taken … But that made her wonder about Rae again. She quickly pushed down any more thoughts of her life before today.
    The cat emerged from under the bed and trotted over to Theo. It gave a short “Mrra!”
    â€œI see you’ve already met Beardsley,” Laura laughed.
    â€œDoesn’t Bingo chase him?” asked Theo.
    â€œOh, no, they’re the best of friends. Sometimes they even sleep together.”
    Theo sighed with content. Even the dog and cat were perfect.
    A door slammed downstairs. “Mum! Where are you! Where’s Theo?”
    Laura held out her hand. “Are you ready? Let’s go down.”

8
    T heo sat quietly at the kitchen table while John, Anna, Lisbeth and Ben competed to tell her things.
    â€œOne at a time,” Laura kept saying. “Let poor Theo have some peace!”
    But Theo felt like a limp rag doll that was being passed around from hand to hand. She listened to Anna’s story about her friend and assured John that she felt all right. She nodded when Lisbeth asked if she liked her room and while Ben told her more about his imaginary iguana.
    â€œGrace was allowed to record a new message on their answering machine and do you know what she said, Theo? ‘Please leave a message after the honk .’ Her parents didn’t notice until this morning and—”
    â€œâ€”Try one of these, Theo, they’re—”
    â€œâ€”If you don’t like the single bed you can have the lower bunk. And you can sleep with any of my animals or dolls you like, even Heather. She’s my most favourite, I got her—”
    â€œâ€”Mortimer usually eats flies and bees, but sometimes he eats—”
    â€œEveryone be quiet !” said Laura. They were for about half a minute and then they all started nattering again.
    â€œYou have really pretty hair, Theo. I wish I had curly hair. It’s not fair that Ben got it.”
    â€œâ€”and my soccer team is in the finals this Saturday—”
    â€œâ€”and sometimes Mortimer bites but I won’t let him bite you—”
    â€œI’m learning a really hard piece on the piano right now.”
    Theo turned her face to look at John. “That’s nice,” she whispered. She nibbled her sandwich again, but she wasn’t hungry. She was full of breakfast and full of something else—this new melting sensation that filled her like soothing warm water.
    â€œIt’s twenty to one,” said Laura finally. “Off you go, you older ones. You can see Theo after school.”
    â€œIt’s not fair!” said Lisbeth. “Can’t we stay home? Theo won’t have anyone to play with.”
    â€œ I can play with Theo. What about me?” demanded Ben.
    â€œYou’ll be taking your nap. Please, Mum …”
    â€œI want to stay home, too,” said Anna. John nodded beside her.
    Laura regarded them. “I do have a lot of phone calls to make and I don’t want you to be lonely while Ben naps, Theo.”
    â€œI’m not having a nap,” said Ben.
    Laura ignored him. “Okay, one of you can stay home … Lisbeth.”
    â€œThat’s not fair!” said Anna. “Lisbeth always gets her own way!”
    â€œWhy can’t we all stay?” said John.
    â€œJust Lisbeth,” said Laura firmly. “Theo needs to get used to you one at a time. All of you are too overwhelming.”
    â€œLisbeth’s the most overwhelming,” complained Anna. She and John stomped out the door.
    â€œLisbeth, why don’t you show Theo your guinea pig? Come on, Benny, let’s have a story about Curious George before your nap.”
    â€œI don’t need a nap!” said Ben, but he yawned as he followed his mother out of the kitchen.
    Lisbeth looked ready to burst with importance. Theo was glad that Laura had picked her. She talked