Gwendy's Magic Feather

65

GWENDY ONLY STAYS AT her parents’ house for a short time that afternoon, just long enough to talk Patriots football with her dad (he thinks Pete Carroll has to go after another fourth-place finish; she believes he deserves one more year to turn things around) and help her mom pick out an outfit for the New Year’s Eve dinner later that night at the Goffs.

She’s already outside on the front porch digging in her coat pockets for her car keys when Mrs. Peterson swings open the door and stops her. “Hold on a second. I need to talk to you about something.”

Gwendy turns around. “You need to get back inside, Mom, before you catch a cold. It’s freezing out here.”

“This’ll only take a second.”

It’s bad news, Gwendy thinks, reading the expression on her face. I knew it was too good to be true.

“I’m afraid I have some bad news.”

“Oh, Mom,” Gwendy says. “What is it?”

“I should’ve told you before now, but I kept chickening out.”

Gwendy goes to her. “Just tell me what’s wrong.”

“I’ve checked my bag, I’ve looked everywhere, I even called the hospital… but I can’t find your magic feather anywhere.”

Gwendy stares at her—and starts laughing.

“What?” Mrs. Peterson asks. “What’s so funny?”

“I thought… I thought you were going to tell me you were sick again, that the hospital had made another mistake.”

Mrs. Peterson places a hand over her heart. “Dear God no.”

“The feather will turn up if it’s supposed to,” Gwendy says, opening the door. “It did once before. Now get inside, you silly woman.”