Chances and Changes: My Journey with Molly

I stand up. I tell Molly and Linda that it’s time for me to go back. Molly asks if I’m going back to camp and I shake my head. I’m going home. I want to talk to Bea about music camp. Molly sounds disappointed that I’m leaving so soon, but Linda says that although they will miss me, if I’m ready to talk to my friends, then it’s a good idea to go. I ask if Linda and Molly will forgive me for leaving, and Molly and Linda smile and say they will.

I thank them and tell them that I won’t forget them. We all hug, and then before I can change my always-seesawing mind, I ask Barbara and Judy for permission to go back to camp in the chuck wagon truck. As the truck jounces me away, I wave goodbye to Molly and Linda and the others.

Back at camp, I rub the pin and Whoosh! And then I am back on the old wooden steps in the forest preserve behind our cabin. It’s midday. I look at my watch, and no time has passed since I first rubbed the pin.

I hurry through the pine-scented woods and head toward Bea’s farm in the warm sunlight. I feel light and sunny, too. I’m eager to talk to Bea about the decision I’ve made. Music camp is for two months, but our friendship is forever. I know she’ll understand and forgive me, just as Molly and Linda said.