Zoe threw her head back. “Please, don’t tell me you lost your metro card.”

“Okay, I won’t tell you that.”

“Thank heavens.”

“But I did lose my backpack.”

“WHAT?”

“And that had my metro card in it.”

Zoe charged back through the emergency doors. “Arcade! This is NOT GOOD!!” She grabbed both my shoulders and looked me in the eyes. “When did you last have it?”

I thought for a minute. “I’m pretty sure it was hanging on my right shoulder when I launched off the subway steps.”

Zoe’s eyes widened. “Then let’s go back and get it!” She grabbed me by the T-shirt and pulled me back to the scene of the belly flop.

No flamingo backpack anywhere.

“I bet THEY took it.” Zoe put a hand on her hip and jutted out her chin.

“The potato family?”

“Yes! The big ugly spud and his tater tots! I bet they stole your backpack.”

I looked around and tried to remember the events leading up to my fall. I was sure I had my backpack hanging off my right shoulder. I stared up toward the top of the stairs. I felt sick to my stomach. “Zoe, I think you’re right! Russet man stole my flamingos!”

“What else did you have in your backpack?”

“Snacks. My metro card. A bottle of water. Hey, good news, at least there were no library books.”

“That’s a miracle.” Zoe wiped her forehead. “Do you have any money in your pockets?”

“Nah. I always count on you for money.”

She crossed her arms. “Well, it just so happens that I don’t have any with me today, so it looks like we’ll be walking home.”

“Walking? But that’s thirty-eight blocks!” I followed Zoe over to the metro card kiosk, where she swiped her card to find out her balance.

“Great, just like I thought. Only one trip left. I was going to use that for the bus trip home.”

“So we’re not taking the subway?”

“Not unless your Triple T Token can get you in. Wait!” she said, before I could even open my mouth, grabbing my wrist with a nervous smile on her face. “Forget I said that.”

“Can we call Mom and Dad?”

Zoe shook her head. “They’re at the doctor, remember?”

“Then I guess we’ll be seeing quite a bit of New York City today.” I wiped some sweat from my forehead. “That should help me with my fun goal at least.”

“Arcade, walking thirty-eight blocks is NOT FUN!”

I grinned. “Patience, Zoe, remember?”

Chapter 4
A Confusing Way Home

“At least when we get to 59th we can walk in the park.”

Before we moved to New York, I thought Central Park was the only park in the city. I found out it isn’t. But it is the biggest. And my favorite.