I hold my arms out straight in front of me and sway from side to side and stick my tongue out like I’m a zombie. Which probably doesn’t help to make things less chaotic, but it at least makes Macy laugh.

The lights come back on by the end of lunch, but it’s like everyone is buzzing and electrified for the rest of the day. Even on the bus everyone is extra loud and the ride extra bumpy. The bus driver yells, “Quiet down!” just about every other minute.

On our walk to the corner, I actually welcome the quiet between Macy and me. As we part ways, Macy says, “See you tomorrow,” and then she does something that surprises me: she gives me a hug. The last time someone other than my moms or Gramps hugged me was when I was saying goodbye to Jude on the morning she left.

“See you tomorrow!” I hug her back. “And tell your grandma I said hi!”

“I will!” Macy says, waving as she walks away.

I jog the rest of the way home so I can see Dewey sooner. I stop short at the end of my driveway, when I see that Mama’s car is parked there.

“I’m home,” I say as I step inside and remove my coat and boots.

Gramps is sitting on the couch with a book. He turns to look at me and sort of winks, then gives me the okay sign and points out the window toward the shed. I take that to mean everything is in order and Dewey is safe in her Puppy Palace.

I silently nod in return, mouthing the words, Thank you.

“Sadie, I’m in here!” Mama shouts back.

I make my way into the kitchen and see that Mama is slicing up a block of cheese, the kind with the spicy peppers that I love.

“Hungry?” she asks. “Cheese and crackers.”

It’s not PB&J, but I am hungry. Things got so wild in the cafeteria that almost nobody finished their lunch today, including me. I steal a piece of cheese and take a bite while I sit down at the table. “How’d you get home before me today, anyway?” I ask Mama.

Noah comes down the stairs, like he can sense that there’s food, and he immediately swoops in to grab a handful of cheese and crackers from the plate.

“Things were hectic today with the weather,” Mama groans. “Nobody was staying late, so I decided to give myself a little break and come home to see you guys.” She looks up from the cutting board. “Well, don’t look so happy to see me,” she jokes.

“Oh, right. I am,” I tell her, even though that’s a lie.