“Let’s talk about evolution,” Mr. Corby said in science class that afternoon. “Many, if not all, of the organisms we’ve been studying this past week have evolved to adapt to their environment.”
Murray raised his hand. “I read about this cool moth whose wings look like owl eyes so that its predators will leave it alone.”
Mr. Corby smiled. “That is the perfect example of evolution and adaptation to save your species from extinction. Some species are even able to change their gender, like clownfish. Which comes in handy sometimes.”
“Some people think my aunt Mia changed her gender,” Taylor said, “because she used to be my uncle Todd, but she says she was always a Mia and her body just had to catch up with the rest of her.”
Mr. Corby smiled.
“Do you think people evolve?” Cassie asked. “Like, do you think we could ever change color like a chameleon or make ourselves look like someone else?”
Ali leaned forward, intrigued.
“Perhaps,” Mr. Corby mused. “Of course, human beings have evolved over time. For instance, we used to be hairier.”
“My dad is still pretty hairy,” Tom called out. “You should see his back!”
Murray’s hand shot up again. “But getting less hairy happened over thousands of years, didn’t it? Do species ever evolve quicker than that?”
Ali held her breath, hoping for the answer to all her questions.
“Excellent question, Murray. Charles Darwin believed evolution occurred over tens of thousands of years. But recently, scientists have discovered a phenomenon they call rapid evolution. Some species are changing and adapting much faster than anyone believed possible. Sometimes that’s because a new predator is introduced into their lives or they change geographic location by hitching rides on airplanes and the like.”
“Do you think humans could ever experience rapid evolution?” Murray pressed. He glanced over at Ali, who smiled. “Could they develop the ability to look like other people?”
ALI’S THEORY ABOUT EVOLUTION
“Perhaps if they were threatened or their environment changed quickly enough, they might develop new abilities to compensate,” said Mr. Corby. “It’s not impossible that, over time, humans might be able to alter themselves at will.”
“But what would be the benefit?” Emily asked. “I wouldn’t want to look like anyone else.” Emily seemed subdued since her lunch out with her parents. She’d barely said hello to Ali when she’d arrived back.
Cassie rolled her eyes. It was a pain that Cassie disliked Emily. Otherwise, they could all be friends.
“Simple, Miss Arai: surprise. Imagine if you could turn into anything. You could hide in plain sight, and your enemies would never know you were there. Or you could learn secrets by being someone else, or even replace someone in their life. In some ways, if you could be anyone, it would be like becoming an invisible person.”
It was impossible for Ali to miss the appalled look Murray and Cassie exchanged. She grinned. Being a Copycat was proving to be more interesting than she’d suspected.
Ali was pleased to find Alfie waiting for her at her locker at the end of the day.
“I talked to my mom and my grandad about going to Gigi’s birthday party,” he told her as soon as they stepped outside.
Ali’s heart leapt. “That’s awesome! The party will be a week from this Saturday!”
Alfie groaned. “As soon as I brought up the subject, Granddad cut me off. He refuses to even consider going. My mom tried to talk to him, but it’s hopeless.”
“But families are supposed to forgive each other,” Ali said. “And I’m planning such a cool party! It’s going to be a movie theme. We’re even going to have a red carpet!”
“Sounds fun. I think it’s stupid that he’s so mad. If anyone should be mad at Gigi and your dad, it’s me and my mom, not him.”
Ali stopped walking. “But I don’t get it. What did Gigi and Digger do?”
“I don’t really know what happened to my dad. Neither my mom nor Granddad wants to talk about it. I just know that your dad and Gigi were somehow involved.”
She dreaded the response to her next question. “Are you mad at them?”
Alfie shook his head. “No. I mean, if my mom isn’t mad, I guess I shouldn’t be either. Besides, I never knew him at all. He died before I was born.”
It was just like what they’d discussed in science class. Alfie’s mother had been able to adapt to her new circumstances, but not his grandfather. Why could some people change so much and some not at all? What Alfie’s grandfather needed was some rapid evolution.
“It must have been hard, not having a dad.” Digger might be strange and not work very much, but at least he was always there for her.
Alfie kicked at a stone. “I think about him a lot. I wonder what it would be like if he was alive. Would I have grown up here instead of England? Granddad says my dad played baseball when he was my age. I tried to play last summer at camp, but I was awful. Maybe if he was around to coach me I’d be better.”
Ali had to blink hard to stop the tears. “Digger could coach you. He’s great at sports.”
Alfie began to shuffle along again. “Granddad says this is the worst fog in years.”
Ali gazed up. It was impossible to see the tops of the trees through the heavy mist. “My mom hates the fog. She loves Saint John, and living with Gigi, but she misses the sun.”
“Me too. I’ve felt kind of out of sorts since I moved here. I mean, I’m glad I’m getting to spend time with Granddad, but it’s bringing up a lot of stuff.” He paused and searched her face. “What about you? Do you ever feel weird living here?”
Ali wished she could tell him just how weird she felt since she’d moved to Saint John, but that was impossible. “No. I like it. Maybe it feels weird because it makes you think of your dad.”
“A lot of things make me think of my dad these days. . . .” His voice trailed off. Afraid she’d offended him, Ali decided to steer the conversation back to Gigi’s party. Alfie needed to understand what was at stake if he couldn’t talk Andrew Sloane into attending.
“Digger told me that if something happens to Gigi, we’ll have to leave Saint John because your grandfather will inherit the house.”
“Why would he kick you out? He already has a house.”
“But he doesn’t need two houses,” Ali pointed out. “And Gigi’s house is where he grew up. We couldn’t afford to take care of Gigi’s house anyway. Digger doesn’t work and my mom doesn’t make a lot of money.” She’d never told anyone that before. What would he think?
There was another awkward silence. Ali was about to say something boring about the weather when Alfie’s eyes lit up. “I know how we can get Granddad to come to the party!”
Ali’s chest swelled with hope. “How?”
“You invite him.”
“Me?” Ali squeaked.
Alfie grinned. “Yes! If you ask him, I bet he’d be too polite to say no. Come by on Sunday.”
Ali tilted her head. “Do you really think me asking him will make him change his mind?”
“It has to,” Alfie whispered. “I need to meet your dad and Gigi.”
They’d reached Gigi’s house. Alfie began to shuffle back and forth, getting ready to bolt.
“Fine. I’ll do it.” She couldn’t hide the dread in her voice. Talking to Andrew Sloane would be like having three cavities filled without any novocaine. In other words: excruciating.
The conversation was interrupted by raucous chittering above. A squirrel and chipmunk were squabbling on Gigi’s windowsill.
“This house needs a cat,” Ali muttered.
Alfie shook his head. “I’m allergic to cats. Besides, I like that she feeds animals. Maybe I can help her feed them someday.” He saluted, then hurried away, knapsack swinging.
Ali pictured Alfie in Gigi’s window. She’d brave Andrew Sloane to make that happen.