“Wow, I haven’t seen those in a long time,” Mom says, taking a step closer to look at the scrapbooks that lay open on Gramps’s bed.

“Mom, did you put all of these scrapbooks together of Gramps’s art?”

“Me? Gosh, no.” She raises her eyebrows. “No, that was all Grandma’s handiwork—my mom.”

She smiles, but then her eyes drift from me to Macy to Gramps, and then she says, “Girls, Macy’s father is going to be picking her up soon, so why don’t you go and make sure you have all of your things packed?”

After Macy leaves, I go to my desk and open up my laptop. There is an icon in the corner of my screen flashing 13 New Messages.

I click on the icon and open the window.

They are all from Jude.

Now who’s not being a great biffle?

ME: So soooorrryyyy jude! I really meant to get back to you. I’m sorry I hung up on you the other day. I’ve been so busy with

I immediately start typing what I’m thinking—what I’ve been wanting to say to her ever since our weird phone call—but then I go back and read all of her messages first.

JUDE: SADIE WHERE ARE UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU????

JUDE: I CAN’T EVEN.

JUDE: OKAY.

JUDE: This is HUGE.

JUDE: You know how I told you about Robin and Lark’s cousin, Jordie who’s in 6th grade???

No, I don’t remember her telling me anything about anyone named Jordie. But I keep reading.

JUDE: well they like me!!! Like, like me LIKE ME. Like apparently thinks I’m cute WHAT? OMG!!!!!! Robin told me yesterday and I’m just . . . I don’t know

JUDE: This is a butterflyer Sadie! Someone likes me! idk what to do! Bc I like them too . . . Ahhhhhhhh *I’m screaming inside*

JUDE: jude + jordie

JUDE: or jordie + jude

JUDE: that’s what I’ve been thinking about ALL day looooong

JUDE: what should I do??? I’m excited, but super nervous too.

JUDE: I wish you were here! There’s SO MUCH to talk about!!!

JUDE: Sadie???

I delete my own message and stare at the blinking cursor, trying to think of what to say. I was so excited to tell her all about Dewey, and I wanted to ask her for an update on Code Name: Winter Break. I was actually feeling so guilty for being mad at her, and now I’m not sure she even realized I was mad to begin with!

I hover my mouse above the X in the corner of the window, looking over Jude’s words one last time. I close it without writing anything back.

Chapter 23

SIDEKICK

I wake up Sunday morning, and it takes me a minute to remember that I wasn’t only dreaming we had succeeded in Code Name: Home, Sweet Home. We actually did it!