momma and poppa Then she had scribbled over the whole wave in black crayon closed the book and piled rocks on top of it The next day she had cautiously pushed the rocks away and peeked inside The wave was still there still scribbled out It hadn't escaped and tried to carry her momma and poppa away again That had been her first worry book many worry books ago Lilly couldn't explain why but somehow writing down all the things that could go wrong inside the pages of a book a book she could close seemed to keep those dangers inside where they couldn't harm anyone least of all her momma and poppa who never seemed to understand all the disasters that might be lurking in wait for them But Lilly knew Whatever genes had made her parents brave and fearless had skipped over Lilly Pictures of all the things that could go terribly dreadfully wrong loomed up in Lilly's mind like a giant curling wave An expedition to the Dire Desert What if the camels got lost and sore footed far from an oasis Research in the Mountains of No Return What if a passing yodeler started an avalanche and buried them all Better to worry early and often to cover every disaster than to be sorry afterward That was Lilly's motto Please please Lilly silently implored don't send us over the ocean Who knew what might be hiding under that dark undulating surface Giant squid Bottomless whirlpools Leeches the size of whales If we do decide to accept Lilly's momma went
what would we do about Lilly finished Lilly's poppa Do about her Lilly sat up straight on her cot Why take her along of course How else could she worry for them and keep them safe She had always gone with them Lilly and her momma and poppa They were a family Maybe it would be better whispered Lilly's momma if Lilly didn't go this time finished her
SB Left Behind illy quit pretending not to eavesdrop Not go she cried I have to go I always go Lilly dear began her poppa You'd be miserable said her momma No I won't said Lilly Tl be with you It s a long trip said Lilly's momma T ve been on long trips before Lilly argued All our trips are long trips But this one is by boat said her poppa T m sorry Lilly but we think it s best if you don't
Lilly's momma reached out and wrapped an arm around Lilly Sweetie we'd love for you to come with us But remember how scared you got kayaking up the Torpid River Lilly nodded And how terrified you were when we had to wade across a stream on Mount Rushless said her poppa Lilly nodded again She had made them all wear life jackets even though the water came up only to their ankles She herself had worn two life jackets Lilly took a deep breath I can do it now she said I know I can Somehow she would stand being on a boat on water for an hour or so if it meant not being left behind Lilly said her poppa this isn't just a short trip It's days and days by boat Over the ocean added her momma Lilly's breath stuck in her throat I can do it she said again but even Lilly heard how her voice quavered It s not just the boat trip said her poppa We ll be spending all our time on islands Small islands Islands had ocean all around them with tides that went in and out so you were never sure if the water was creeping up on you or drawing you out onto the sand so it could wash over you again Ocean with untrustworthy waves that curled up green and grinning and tried to steal away what you loved best in the
