twenty-nine
The next day was Sunday. I called Haven, figuring I would start off like it was all about the Stargazers, but I knew what I really wanted. What I needed. To call places on that list from Miss Ida without DiDi around. And the truth was I wouldn’t mind talking about what had happened with Trip on that hill while the sun was setting. Wasn’t that what having girls who were friends was all about? I guess what I needed was someone to talk about Girl Stuff.
As a rule, DiDi and I don’t buy each other gifts. If there’s any extra money at the end of the month, DiDi sticks it in my college fund, which I think she’s had around since I was in preschool. So whenever it’s our birthdays, DiDi will say, “Happy birthday, Double G, I just put one percent of your college tuition in the bank.”
Every year on my birthday, she’ll make the prettiest Twinkie Pie ever and say it’s for both of us, but nine days later, when her birthday comes around, she never wants me to make a fuss. Then she spends the day sitting in front of a mirror staring at herself. It’s a fact: Good-looking people sure can be weird about getting old.
But this year, things were going to be different. I was going to make sure DiDi had a gift this year. The best gift ever. It was like Mama had left me a path to follow. My star birthmark. The Stargazers. Miss Ida. And finding Cherries in the Snow. I was going to get DiDi that lipstick. Like I’d told Miss Ida, I just knew in my heart that if we had a little bit of Mama with us, things would be better.
I cleared my throat three times while Haven’s phone was ringing.
Haven picked up. “Hey!”
I sighed in relief.
“Hi. Haven. Um. It’s G—uh—it’s Leia.”
“I know, Leia. You’re kind of the only person who doesn’t just text me. What’s up?”
Even though I was just about bursting with wanting to talk about the list and Trip, I figured the Recipe for Success would have me play it cool, so I didn’t sound so needy and desperate. Then maybe after we’d finished all our Stargazers stuff, I’d find a way to work in everything else.
“I was just thinking we should meet—today—and discuss some of our plans for the Stargazers and what some of, um, our next goals are.”
There was this long pause.
“Oh… um… I guess we could do that, but…”
My heart tumbled down the stairs to my toes. “Don’t worry about it,” I said. “We don’t have to—it was just an idea.”
“I’m sorry—I’m just not in the mood to do school stuff today.”
“It’s okay.… Listen, I’ll just see you—”
“Do you—would you like to come over and just hang out instead?”
My heart peeked out from its sad heap on the floor. “Really?”
“Only—only if you want.”
“I do! I—I mean, sure. That’d be cool.”
“Okay, great. I’ll text Al. Then maybe we can go to a movie or shopping—or just do girl stuff.”
“Girl Stuff.” I wondered if Haven could hear the smile on my face. “Girl Stuff would be—perfect. I’ll ask DiDi to drop me off in a little bit—if that’s okay.”
“Thanks! See you then.”
“See you, Leia.”
Sometimes things that you think are going to be hard turn out to be easier than pie.
Easier-Than-Pie Pudding
• 2 boxes of instant vanilla pudding mix
• 4 cups milk (for pudding)
• 1 box of chocolate wafers
• Your favorite creamy peanut butter
• 3 bananas, sliced
• An 8-ounce tub of whipped topping
Everyone thinks this dessert is a whole big production, but really it’s easier than pie.
Go on and make the pudding. Do I have to explain how? Beat the pudding mix and milk with a whisk for 2 minutes. Then just let it rest there for a spell. ’Cause if you ask me, it’s hard work being pudding.
Get yourself a nice 9-by-9-inch glass dish and start layering your ingredients. Spread each of your chocolate wafers with a thin smear of peanut butter. Lay them on the bottom of the dish, peanut butter side up. Then add a layer of pudding. Sliced bananas. Whipped topping. Repeat till you reach the top. End with a layer of whipped topping. Crush a handful of chocolate wafers and sprinkle over the top.
Put it in the fridge for several hours, till firm.
Now, what could be easier than that?
Serves 8–10.