If the Shoe Fits (Whatever After #2) (11 page)

W
e pop right up the chimney and pop out of our basement mirror.

“Ow,” I say. “That hurt. You okay?”

Jonah is already hopping on his feet. “I’m great. That was so much fun! Can we go back?”

“Now?”

“I’m wide awake,” he says. “It’s only two in the afternoon in Floom.”

“On our last trip, one day in fairy tale land turned out to be about one hour at home. So that means it’s about two thirty in the morning here. We should probably go to sleep.”

But first I turn back to the silent mirror. “Maryrose? Are you there? Can we talk? We’d love to know why you keep sending us into different fairy tales.”

No answer.

“Maybe tomorrow,” Jonah says.

I roll my eyes. “Why do we keep coming back if she won’t even tell us what’s going on?”

“Because it’s fun,” Jonah says. “And she’ll tell us eventually. She’ll have to.”

We hike up the stairs and I peek at the microwave clock. Wait a sec. “It’s not two in the morning. It’s
six
in the morning.”

His eyes bulge. “That was close. Mom and Dad wake up in one hour!”

I don’t get it. Last time, every day in fairy tale land was an hour back home. This time we were gone for two and three-quarter days, which is about … sixty-six fairy tale hours. It doesn’t add up!

“I guess time depends on the story,” Jonah says.

“I guess.”

“Next time, bring your watch,” he says.

“What next time? Did I agree on a next time?”

He nods knowingly. “There will be a next time.”

We climb back up the stairs to the top floor and open the door to my parents’ room to carefully peek in.
Creak
.

“Shush!” I whisper, but they don’t budge.

“Don’t worry,” Jonah says. “They won’t wake up. They’re really tired.”

“They’ve been working really hard,” I say. I suddenly feel guilty about all the grief I’ve given them. They just started a new law firm — that’s why we moved to Smithville. And starting a new business — is
hard
. I know, because I just helped start one. There are so many details to think about! And running a home is tough, too.

“I guess it’s kind of tough to be in their shoes,” I say.

“Bed?” Jonah asks.

“Bed,” I say, and I close the door. “A real bed, too. Straw on the floor, I will not miss you.”

“Good night, Ab,” Jonah says.

I give him a tight hug.

Then I step into my room and over to my jewelry box. I want to see Cinderella.

She’s there, smiling. But now instead of her poofy platinum dress, she’s wearing a poofy baker’s hat. And an apron that says
CINDERELLA’S CROWNIES
.

Aw! Yay, Cinderella!

Snow is standing beside her, still in my lime-green pajamas.

Oh, no! I forgot my polka-dot pajamas in Floom! Oh well. They were ridiculous pajamas anyway. And I guess they belong in Floom, since they’re the flag and everything.

I strip off my dress, which is covered in gray soot. I’m about to toss it into the hamper when I realize something.

My hamper is full.

And I’m wide awake.

I have an idea. I pull my overstuffed laundry bag out of the hamper and drag it out the door.

I knock on Jonah’s door.

“Yeah?”

“Laundry run,” I say, opening it. I take out his bag and drag it all downstairs to the laundry room off the kitchen.

If I can do it by hand in Floom, I can figure out the machine in Smithville.

But how much detergent to use?

I read the directions. Easy, peasy. It’s like following a recipe.

Not that I’m agreeing to another adventure or anything, but it’s always good to have clean non-wedgie undies ready.

Just in case.

Thank you, thank you, thank you:

Laura Dail, my super agent who never gave up on (Farrah/Keri) Abby; and Tamar Rydzinski, the queen of foreign rights.

My excellent editors, Aimee Friedman and AnnMarie Anderson, and the rest of the Scholastic team: Abby McAden, Becky Shapiro, Janet Robbins, Allison Singer, Bess Braswell, Emily Sharpe, Lizette Serrano, Emily Heddleson, Candace Greene, Becky Amsel, and David Levithan.

Joel Gotler and Brian Lipson for all their hard work in Hollywood.

First readers and editors Elissa Ambrose, Courtney Sheinmel, and Emily Jenkins. (Rock stars, all three of you.)

Also, Louisa Weiss, Leslie Margolis, and Aviva Mlynowski, for their awesome notes.

Special callout to Tori, Carly, and Carol Adams for their support and enthusiasm. Yay, Torly Kid!

Targia Clarke for taking such good care of my family.

Also thanks to: Larry Mlynowski, Jess Braun, Adele Griffin, Jess Rothenberg, Julia DeVillers, Lauren Myracle, Joanna Philbin,
Emily Bender, Alison Pace, John & Vickie Swidler, Robert Ambrose, Jen Dalven, Gary Swidler, Darren Swidler, Ryan and Jack Swidler, Shari and Heather Endleman, the Steins, the Mittlemans, Bonnie Altro, Farrin Jacobs, Robin Wasserman, Tara Altebrando, Meg Cabot, Ally Carter, Maryrose Wood, Jennifer Barnes, Alan Gratz, Sara Zarr, Maggie Marr, Susane Colasanti, Elizabeth Eulberg, and Jen Calonita.

Thanks and love to my husband (also my tech support, life manager, and Prince Charming), Todd. Extra love and kisses to my sweet little Chloe, who always wants just one more story.