Continuous Story Part 24 by areg5

submitted by louder - Aug 2, 2004

Another Missing Installment from the ARSA Continuous Story. This part authored by areg5 and is Part 24


Continuous Story Part 24 by areg5 on March 12th at 4 PM

"I'm glad you girls could make it," Kayla said to Martha and Wendy. "I want to go to the mall to try on some clothing and I knew the kids wouldn't want me to drag them there. With 4 kids to watch, it's great that I could get the both of you to watch them.

"No prob," Martha said, chewing her gum. "Is there like anything in particular you want us to do? Have they eaten yet? Any special instructions," she asked Kayla. Wendy still had a dazed _expression on her face.

"Well, its such a nice day I prefer they get some fresh air. No playstation. When they get hungry, you can make them peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Try not to break anything. And no visitors while I am out, ok? I mean that."

"Yes ma'am, " Martha said. Wendy nodded. With that Kayla took her car keys and headed out the door. Martha and Wendy looked at each other. The kids were playing basketball outside. Martha was dressed in the same tight shorts and sleeveless tee she had on earlier, but it now fit her well and showed off her youthful, sexy body. She looked at Wendy critically, making the girl uncomfortable. Wendy was wearing a very loose fitting skirt and top, clearly intended for an older and better endowed woman. She looked like she was trying on her mother's clothes.

"And like what are you dressed up for, Halloween? Those clothes don't even fit you! How could you go out of the house like that?" Martha asked. Wendy was about to defend herself when she realized the older girl was right. She looked down at her clothes and looked at her reflection in the mirror. Like, what was she thinking?

Wendy cleared her throat. "Uh...I just...um..you know...was trying different stuff on and ....uh forgot I had this stuff on when I uh...came over...I guess I look pretty silly," she admitted. "Maybe I can find some clothes upstairs. Do you think Ms. Conte would mind?" she added sheepishly.

"Like, y'know...I dunno...she just said not to break anything. She didn't say not to look around, y'know?" Martha said. "Go ahead, I'll watch the brats," she said, and Wendy went upstairs.

Wendy wasn't sure what she would find. She saw the girls' room, obviously belonging to Billie or Jennie (or both). "I don't think I could fit into their stuff," Wendy thought with a smile. She was surprised when she happened into a room that clearly belonged to a girl her age, which confused her because she didn't think Ms. Conte had any daughters her age. "What a stroke of luck," she thought. She put down her bag and opened the drawers that had belonged to an older Jennifer and briefly to Billie and Kayla. She saw a good selection of teen clothing. "Kewl!"

Wendy took of her oversized blouse and skirt. She was wearing very pretty underwear; a peach colored bra with satin cups and lace trim, and matching silky panties. She looked into the mirror and blushed. Her small breasts only filled half the cups and the bra straps kept wanting to fall off her shoulders. She sighed, taking off the bra. "I must have been in such a hurry, I put on my mom's undies by mistake," she said aloud. "It was so pretty, too bad it didn't fit," she thought. She could almost use her panties but they were baggy too. She took them off, revealing her small bush. She found a pair of cotton Hanes Her Way panties and a sport bra, which fit her just fine. She also found a baby tee and denim shorts. They fit too. She looked into the mirror and fixed her hair into a ponytail, figuring it would keep it out of the way, especially if she had to watch the kids.

After Wendy had dressed she turned to pick up her bag when she saw the cell phone peeking out of the top. Something stuck in her mind...it was vague, unclear...she felt that she had to call somebody, she just couldn't remember who. She picked up the phone, and looked over the speed dial numbers. She recognized her Aunt Veronica's name. "Whatever is that doing here," she thought. She pressed the speed dial and Veronica answered. "H.....hello," Wendy said.

"Wendy...is that you?" Veronica said. She could immediately sense that something was very wrong with her niece, and her heart sank.

"Like, of course its me, who else would be using my phone? Anyway I'm like at my babysitting job and just thought I would call to say hello," Wendy said.

"Babysitting job...oh yes, I remember you said your were going to be doing that," Veronica said, trying not to alarm the girl much in the way one would not want to alarm a sleepwalker. "That's a lot of responsibility...for a girl your age," Veronica said, cautiously.

"Like, I've been doing it for 2 years y'know, since I was 14," Wendy said.

That settled the matter as far as Veronica was concerned. So Wendy was now a 16 year old girl. Damn. Still one step behind the Dreamkeeper, she thought. Still, perhaps she could be of some help to her niece. "Say, Wendy...I noticed you left without...your homework! Remember, you were going to do it while you babysat. And you have midterms coming up, so you can't forget," Veronica said.

"Ohmygod! I forgot all about that! I can't leave now, I'm working! I can't leave Martha alone with the kids, it isn't fair," Wendy said.

Veronica gulped. "You mean...Martha is there too? Aunt Martha? I...uh...haven't seen her for a while, how does she....look?" she asked.

"Oh....you know Martha. She thinks she is sooooo hot! I mean like she does have a killer body but I bet when I'm 19 I will too," Wendy said, more than a little bit jealous.

"Of....of course you will, child. I....have some errands to do...I can drop off your homework, ok?" Veronica said, her mind reeling.

"Sure! That would be great! See you soon," Wendy said, clicking off the phone.

-------------

"Well, this is just great," Veronica said, disgusted. Katie looked up from her bowl of cereal.

"Is something wrong, auntie," she asked innocently. Veronica looked at the little girl in the school uniform eating Frosted Flakes, looking all of 11 years old at the most.

"They got to your mother, Katie. I'm sorry. I just spoke with her on the phone. She is a 16 year old girl now. You have a 16 year old mother," she said, expecting to see tears well up in the little girl's eyes.

"Kewl! We'll have like so much more in common now," Katie said. "It'll be like having a big sister."

"Katie! I think you are forgetting...you are not 11 years old," Veronica said.

"I know, auntie...not till next month," Katie offered.

"No, no, NO! I mean, you are supposed to be 16 yourself...remember?" Veronica said, seeing a strange look come over Katie's face.

"I....oh no...I...I forgot for a moment...oh god, Aunt Veronica...its like, the longer I stay like this..." she didn't finish her thought.

"I'm afraid the longer you stay like this, the more and more you will become a little girl in mind as well as in body. You have to try to stay focused. Katie! Remember who you are!" Veronica cautioned.

"I'll....try...but it is getting so very hard," Katie said, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"I am very concerned about who we are up against. Your mother gave us no answers, and gave me cause for concern. Martha is now a true 19 year old," Veronica said.

"But...but you said that even the Dreamkeeper would not be able to do that....that it would take way too long cause he can only make you like a year younger in a minute.

"That is most definitely what I said...he cannot be working alone. He should have not been able to accomplish that. We have to go to that house. I gathered from my discussion with Wendy that Kayla isn't there at the moment," she said, opening her bag. She took out what looked like a gold charm in the shape of the symbol used for infinity and put it around her neck, mumbling something strange under her breath. "This may protect me...and then again it may not. I only have one, and even if I had you wear it...given your current condition, I don't think it would do much good. Come child, let's get going," Veronica said.

--------------

Jennie and Billie went to their room as the boys played basketball. "It would be so kewl pretend we were cheerleaders," Jennie said looking through the closet. After looking through the skirts and dresses she finally found what she was looking for toward the back of the closet. "Look! A cheering uniform," she said excitedly, holding up the purple and yellow outfit. "I wonder if it will fit," she said. Kayla used to cheer when she was younger and had a couple uniforms.

Jennie took off her top and shorts. She pulled up the yellow cheering panties, which were a little loose on her, but she didn't mind. The skirt was a little more of a problem because it threatened to fall down, and the top was baggy. The skirt came down to just above her knees. Billie looked at her and laughed. "That looks like it belongs to a teenager, shrimp," she said. Jennie frowned. Billie looked in the closet and found a similar outfit that was smaller. She took off her shirt and shorts. She was nearly 10 years old and soon would need a training bra. She looked at her little sister in her oversized clothing. Poor little Jennie, she thought.

Billie pulled up her cheering panties, liking how snug they felt. The skirt was tight and came to just below her panties. The top was tight too, and showed her belly. Kayla had started cheering when she was 7, and this was one of her older uniforms. Billie looked at herself in the mirror with approval. Now it was Jennie that laughed.

"I bet Peter will think I look so hot in this," Billie said.

"I don't think it fits you at all," Jennie snorted. "Its way too small."

"It looks better than yours does," Billie laughed. Jennie looked at herself in the mirror. She desperately wished the uniform fit her. She felt a little tingle.

"Mine doesn't fit that bad," Jennie said, feeling her panties get snug. "Yours is made for a little girl. It is too tight and doesn't fit."

"It does too fit," Billie said. She felt a tingle. Who did Jennie think she was, anyway? She was such a little brat!

Jennie saw that maybe Billie's skirt did fit her, and her top no longer revealed her belly. She looked at herself again, seeing two small bumps form under her shirt. She walked over to Billie and looked down at her. Billie looked up at her sister and gasped. "How...how did you get so big," she said.

"And you got small," Jennie said, also confused.

"This is just like what happened to Stevie," Billie said. "Remember? He turned into a little boy an like when he came over he was 10!"

Jennie smiled at the little girl. "Yes, I remember. But I don't think you are in a position to call Stevie a 'little boy' anymore. I bet he's you age, sweetie," Jennie said, admiring her budding figure.

"I think we ought to get out of here, Jennie. It's too weird. What if I get younger, or you do? What if we turn into babies? Something isn't right. I'm not supposed to be....7," Billie said with a little sob.

Jennie thought for a moment. "I'm ...not supposed to be 11 either...in fact," she started to say, and a realization started to dawn on her. "I sorta remember being even older, but its like ...its like trying to remember a....a....dream," she said, her eyes growing wide. She looked again at her reflection. "Ohmygod! I'm a little girl! Billie, we have to get out of here. Look at you!" she gasped, remembering much of her former life. The two girls started toward the bedroom door when they heard the doorbell ring.

"I'll get it," Martha said, going to the door. She opened the door and saw her sister and niece looking at her with wide eyes. "Hi Ronnie, hi squirt," she said, letting them in.

Veronica and Katie looked at Martha in disbelief. Just then Wendy bounced down the stairs. "Hiya," she said. "Remember my homework?"

"So, it is true," Veronica said. "And not only have you regressed, but you appear to have no recollection of your former lives." Katie stared at her teenaged mother, dumbfounded.

"Former life?" Wendy asked. "Are you feeling ok, Aunt Veronica? Maybe you should sit down," She said, leading them to the living room. Veronica sat on the sofa, and Martha and Wendy sat down on either side of her.

"I am going to attempt to explain what has happened to you two," Veronica said. "Maybe I should have Jennie come down here too...and Billie. Are there any other children here, Martha?" she asked her sister.

"Only the two boys, Petey and Stevie. They're playing basketball in the backyard," Martha answered.

"And the girls?" Veronica asked.

"Up in their room," Wendy said.

"Maybe I should try to...restore...you first, and the girls. I don't want to cause any more of a panic than is necessary. Katie, dear, why don't
you go upstairs and bring the girls down? Then we can get started.

Katie skipped up the stairs to Jennifer's room and opened the door, but the room was empty. "Of course," she thought," they are in Kayla's old room. She went to that door and tapped on it. "Come in," she heard a voice say. She went in, only to find a an 11 year old Jennie and her 7 year old little sister, dressed like cheerleaders. Jennie was a few months older than she was and a tad taller, but it was still her old friend.

"Oh, Jennie," she said, running up to her and hugging her hard, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Jennie hugged the 10 year old dressed in a school uniform. "Katie? Is...is that you? I remember being older! It's not a dream! I was trying to tell Billie," she said.

"All I know is that something is really weird around here and I wanna get out!" Billie exclaimed.

"Come downstairs, Veronica is here and I think she can help" Katie said.

"Who the hell is Veronica?" asked Jennie.

"My aunt. Martha's sister," Katie said.

"Our babysitter Martha?" Jennie asked.

"Sort of. Come downstairs, she can explain," Katie said. With that the three girls went downstairs. They went into the living room where Veronica and the two teens were.

"Good. Now we are all here, except for the boys," Veronica said. "Lets all sit on the floor, in a circle."

"What's this all about, sis," Martha asked. "More of your supernatural mumbo-jumbo," she snorted.

"Sit down, Martha," Veronica snapped. The startled teen complied. Veronica lit a scented candle and placed it in the middle of the circle. "Everyone join hands," she said, and the group did so. Veronica started muttering something in a low voice that no one understood. "I want you all to close your eyes and relax. Try to remember back to your former lives. And relax," she said, and began chanting an odd tune.

At first the group relaxed. Then, one by one their eyes shot open as realization dawned on them. Still they held hands. Veronica's face was dripping sweat, and blood began to trickle out of her nose as she maintained an intense concentration. At last she stopped her chanting and looked at the circle of faces. Katie and Jennifer, who had begun to remember their former lives, only a little shaken, whereas Martha, Wendy and Billie wore truly horrific expressions.

Martha spoke first. "Shit, Veronica! What the hell," she said looking down at herself. Then, looking at Katie, " Oh sweetie. What have I done? You called me to help you and...I guess you can say I've failed.

"It's ok, auntie," Katie said, hugging her. "You tried. And you got Aunt Veronica involved.

"So I did. I'm sure she's thrilled about being involved in this," Martha said, giving her sister a wry smile.

Wendy shook with the realization that she had failed as well. She jumped up and ran to the mirror, seeing the reflection of a teen aged girl. "I'm...so small," she said, looking down at her breasts. "I tried to be careful, Veronica, I don't know how she got me," the teen said. She looked at her daughter, only a few years younger than herself. The girl ran over to her side, and they hugged. Wendy started to cry," sweetie...oh Katie, I tried my hardest...now look at me," she sniffed.

"It's ok mom, at least you remember now. It's ok," Katie said, hugging her mother.

It was Bill that was the most astonished. "I remember," she started, "going into that shop to find out how to get your mother back to normal, Jennifer. That is the last thing I really remember...except for a bunch of weird images of me being younger and the next thing I know, I'm a 7 year old cheerleader? Does that make you my big sister, Jennie? Am I really a little girl?" she said, on the verge of tears.

"You're still my daddy on the inside," Jennifer said. "Maybe we can fix this. It's the Dreamkeeper..."

"The Dreamkeeper!" Martha exclaimed. She looked down at herself. "THIS is beyond his abilities," she said.

"Quite right," Veronica said. "I sent Wendy in for reconnaissance of a sort. To find his accomplice. He must have one. Did you find out anything at all Wendy, before you were youthened?"

"I found out that Kayla is pregnant," Wendy said.

"Kayla? My little girl? How can she be pregnant, she's only 11! " Bill exclaimed. The others couldn't help but snicker at the angry little cheerleader.

"Your 'little girl' is currently our mommy, BILLIE," Jennifer said. "But...how can she be pregnant...unless..."

"Unless your real mother is currently residing in her womb," Veronica answered. Bill sat down in shock, her skirt riding up enough to reveal her panties. She quickly adjusted her skirt. "She may be lost to us, more is the shame. And in your current states, I don't know how long you will remember your true selves. We do not have much time. I presume Kayla will soon return. First off, you must not reveal to her that your memories have returned. Her obvious response would be to youthen you further. You must 'act your ages' to keep her from growing suspicious. That may buy us some time."

"I can't act my age...or my sex! I have no idea how a little girl acts," Bill said.

"You have to daddy," Jennifer said, standing up. She walked over to the little girl, who was standing with her arms folded.

"Nuh uh...no way," Bill said obstinately.

"Very well," Veronica said. "We can't have you blow our cover, so to speak. Martha? Why don't you take Billie upstairs? I think it's time for her nap."

Martha smiled. "Sure thing, sis," she said. She took the little girls hand and led her upstairs into her bedroom. She sat the child on her bed.

"Look, Martha, I'm not going to change my mind...and I'm not sleepy," Bill said.

"I know sweetie, but mommy said to make sure you got your nap. A growing girl needs her beauty sleep, you know. Now, why don't you take off your clothes," Martha instructed.

"My...my clothes?" Bill asked.

"Yes, silly! You can't sleep in your uniform, you'll get it all wrinkly. Here, let me help," Martha said as she lifted the top over the little girl's head.

"But...but," Bill started to protest.

"No 'buts,' young lady," Martha said, pulling down the girl's skirt and cheering panties, leaving the frightened child in only her panties. Because she put these on when she was 10, they were quite big on her. Martha smiled. "Awww, trying on you big sister's panties? How cute. Oh...but look...you left a little stain...Jennie will be mad that you messed up her panties, you really have to wipe better after you use the potty," she said, taking them off.

"You can't do this to me, I'm a...a grown.." Billie cried.

"Oh hush. You aren't grown at all, see?" Martha said, thrusting her in front of the mirror. "You're a 7 year old girl," she cooed. "Now, lets get you ready for your nap. Your mommy told me about your special ...problem...you she wants you to sleep in these," she said, holding up a pair of pull ups.

Billie was mortified. "I"m not gonna wear a diaper!" she screamed.

"Its not a diaper, its a pull up...just in case, you know? Of course, if you would rather wear a diaper, I'm sure that can be arranged," Martha said. Billie shook her head. Martha helped the child on with her pull ups, and Billie cringed a little at the feel of the bulky fabric between her legs. Martha then dressed her in a pink babydoll nightie that fit just right; it had matching panties that covered the girl's pull up.

"I don't care how you dress me, I'm a grown..." Billie started to say.

"I thought I told you to hush," Martha said. She sat on the bed, and gestured for Billie to sit on her lap. Billie grudgingly complied.

"You're only 7," Martha whispered into the little girl's ear. She patted her padded bottom. "Sometimes you wet your bed. I don't think you can even keep your pull ups dry," she said, causing the little girl to squirm.

"I....can too," Billie said. "I'm.....I'm not...a...a baby," she said.

"Of course you're not a baby, you just turned 7. And you have to pee so bad, you can hardly hold it in, right," Martha teased.

"I...I have to go potty...I.." Billie said, even as she felt her pull up get warm and full. She emptied her bladder into it, and it started to leak a little.

"Oops, I know a certain little girl who couldn't hold it in," Martha smiled. She laid Bille on the bed and took off her panties. She cleaned her with a baby wipe, and put on a new pull up. Her panties were wet and would have to be washed. Billie yawned.

"I forgot, Billie, how old are you?" Martha asked.

"I....just turned....7," she said, and fell asleep. Martha tucked her in with her teddy bear and kissed her on the forehead. She then went downstairs.

"Ok...I took care of the kid," Martha told Veronica as she came back into the living room.

"What do you mean?" Jennifer asked. "What did you do to my father?"

"He couldn't accept his current circumstance. Martha reminded him that he is a child. He would have blown it for the rest of you. If we are successful, he will be restored as will you all. I'm sorry, Jennifer, but it was necessary. Kayla doesn't need anymore fetuses in her womb at the moment," Veronica said. "Remember, Jennifer...so you don't forget when Kayla returns. That is your sister sleeping upstairs, not your father."

"She'll know something is up. When she left, I was 8 and Billie was 10," Jennifer said.
"She'll attribute that to the current state of the house. You must have at least momentarily wished you were a little older, and Billie a little younger, for whatever reason. That is how this place is working. Maybe...maybe we can fight fire with fire. If we can catch her off guard, perhaps we can work this place against her. Right now she is in control, the Dreamkeeper is working through her. If she was a little younger, she might be more open to suggestion. Maybe talking to her would be all that was needed," Veronica said.

"Uh uh, that won't work. I mean, I tried to do that and she had me immediately," Martha said. "And NOW look at me. I haven't looked this young in hundreds of years."

"You were careless, Martha. You always were. Serves you right. Wouldn't surprise me if you ate of her food, drank of her draft. Violated the first rules of protection," Veronica said.

"Um....just a cup of coffee," Martha said under her breath.

"You deserve to grow up again. I would presume that when Kayla returns, she would have sway over you she that was her intention. You have to give her no reason to turn on you! Remember, Martha, YOU ARE 19! Katie, Jennifer, YOU ARE CHILDREN. Wendy, YOU ARE A 16 YEAR OLD BABYSITTER. If Kayla thought otherwise she would quickly rectify it. Do you all understand?" Veronica asked, and they all nodded in agreement. "Good. Now, here is my plan..."

-------------

Kayla was having a great time shopping. Her mother's clothing was certainly too dull, and Jennifer's teen clothing no longer suited her. As a twenty something woman, she felt obligated to try on the sexiest stuff she could. She went to Victoria's Secret and bought some underwear and a nightie. She went to J Crew and tried on some skirts and slacks, but wasn't wild about any of those. She did get a really cutie blue mini in Sak's, as well as a low cut yellow dress. She went to the makeup counters and tried on different stuff. And the best part of it all...it was free! The Dreamkeeper gave her unlimited credit! She couldn't believe her luck.

Kayla took her bags and put them in the car, wondering if the kids were alright or if anything happened while she was gone. After all, she hadn't left them with sitters before. She figured that Martha and Wendy would be fine, being they were under her control. And so she drove home.

As Kayla neared her house she saw an unfamiliar car out front. She figured it must belong to a neighbor. What visitors could she be having? She left strict instructions not to let anyone in, and she knew she would not be disobeyed. They were all too scared of her. She parked in the driveway and got her bags out of the trunk. She carried them up the walk to the front door and let herself in. She looked into the living room and saw Martha and Wendy, and a woman she did not know. "The children must be upstairs," she thought.

Veronica and Martha looked up as Kayla entered the room. "Why, hello," Kayla said sweetly. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure."

Veronica looked at Kayla and smiled. "I'm Martha's sister, Veronica," she said. "Katie was concerned about her mother, Wendy, so I brought her by to see her. Surely you don't mind..."

"Her mother? Oh, you mean her SISTER. She's babysitting for me today. She's such a sweet girl," Kayla smugly responded.

"Yes, she is. She called me and I told her I would stop by with her homework. Obviously, I know what you are up to her Kayla. I know who you are working with and I hope you don't mind if I do anything in my power to stop you at set things right," Veronica said.

Kayla laughed. "Of course if don't mind, old woman. You sister couldn't stop me, and neither can you," she said with confidence.

"Like, what are you guys talkin about?" Martha asked. "Hey, how much longer are you gonna need me today Ms. Conte? I want to be able to go to the mall before it closes," she said, snapping of her gum.

"See what I mean? And, say...I hope I didn't offend you by calling you old. You really aren't any older than I am, are you?" Kayla asked with a gleam in her eye.

Veronica felt the charm around her neck grow warm. She smiled. "Nice try, sweetie. You have no power over me. And you were right the first time. I am an old woman, a lot older than you realize," she said.

Kayla had a puzzled look on her face at that, then she smiled again. "Yes, you are an old woman. Very, very, old. So old that you can barely stand," she said hopefully.

Veronica laughed. She felt her charm grow warm again. "That won't work either. I can stand perfectly well, thank you. Now, I'll be going. Let me just get Katie," she said.

At this Kayla grew annoyed. "Don't you want to let Katie stay and visit with her sister? I 'm sure Jennie would want her to stay and play," she said.

"Oh, do stop that. That reminds me, it's time for Wendy to go home too," Veronica said. "Katie, Wendy...come on, time to go," she called.

Kayla sighed. "You are more formidable than your sister. Very well, I'll get them," she said, and went up the stairs to the girls' room. She opened the door and saw Katie and Jennie sitting on the bed talking. Billie had just gotten up from her nap and yawned. Wendy was there too.

Kayla looked at the girls. "My, my, aren't we looking grown up," she said to Jennie. Then, to Billie," some of us are, anyway, eh sweetie? Katie, your aunt would like to take you home now, go on downstairs," she said.

"Yes ma'am," Katie said.

"Can't she stay longer mommy?" Jennie said, hoping she wasn't laying it on too thick.

"Maybe she can visit tomorrow, honey. And Wendy...didn't I give you strict instuctions that I wanted no visitors while I was gone? Yet, you called your aunt and had her come over," Kayla said menacingly.

Wendy flinched. "Um...uh...s....sorry, Ms. Conte...but...but I uh.." she stammered.

"Yes, I know dear. You forgot your homework. I may have misjudged you. I had thought you were old enough to be trusted as babysitter, but I can see now that I was clearly mistaken," Kayla said.

Wendy grew too warm inside. "I...I.." she started to say.

"I don't want any explanations. You lied about your age, didn't you? And her I thought you were 16....why, you are younger than that, aren't you?" Kayla asked sweetly.

Katie's eyes grew wide as she saw her mother begin to shrink. Freckles formed on her face, and her breasts began to flatten out. She lost her youthful curves as her butt flattened out as well, and she began to get shorter. Wendy shivered as she felt her clothing loosen, her sport bra no longer snug. Her formally tight shorts began to slide down her thinnig hips. She gulped. Kayla walked over to the girl and towered over her. "You're really only 12, aren't you? That's what I thought," she said, as she saw tears form in Wendy's eyes. "Now you two run along home," she said, laughing.

Wendy and Katie ran downstairs to Veronica. Wendy had one hand on her shorts to hold them up as she ran. Veronica looked at her, then to Kayla. "This isn't over, dearie," she said to her. "Come along, girls, let's go home."

"Jennie would like Katie and Wendy to come over tomorrow to play, if they can" Kayla said with a smile. Veronica huffed and walked the two girls out the door.