In the Land of the Lawn Weenies Read Online Free Page B

words.
    As Sharon took her turn, she heard Billy snicker.
    When his turn came, Billy said, “Todd wet his pants.”
    It wasn’t that funny, but Sharon giggled along with some of the other kids. Even Todd started laughing.
    â€œThat does it!” Kate shouted. She stood up and glared around the circle. Sharon looked away,
feeling angry with herself for laughing and ruining the game.
    â€œThis is the last day of vacation,” Kate said. “We get messed up every time. I want to do this right just once. You kids always ruin it. You,” she said, pointing at Billy. “Out! You”—she pointed at Nora—“out! And you, too.”
    Sharon found herself staring at Kate’s finger, hovering like a dagger just inches from her face. “But …”
    â€œOut!” Kate screamed.
    Sharon got up and backed away from the circle. It was a stupid game, anyway, she told herself. It never worked right. After chanting all the phrases, you were supposed to be able to lift the “victim” in the center with just two fingers. The victim was supposed to rise into the air. But there were so many kids playing that it was no big trick. It wasn’t like the person really floated.
    Julie started to get up to join Sharon. “Stay,” Kate ordered. “We need you.”
    Julie stood, her eyes shifting back and forth between Sharon and Kate.
    â€œWe don’t have enough,” Kate said. “You’ll ruin everything if you go. It will be all your fault.”
    â€œGo ahead,” Sharon said to Julie.
    â€œYou sure?”
    â€œYeah.”
    Julie shrugged and rejoined the others on the ground.
    â€œLight as a feather, stiff as a board,” Kate began.
    The chant went around the circle. Sharon
watched, part of her hoping that someone would mess up but part of her wanting to see the game done perfectly just one time. She wasn’t a member of the circle, but the chance to see it happen would still be special. She realized she’d lied to herself before—it wasn’t just a stupid game. It was more than that. If it was done absolutely perfectly right, Sharon believed something wonderful would happen.
    â€œTodd was in a car accident.”
    The chant made its path around the circle.
    â€œLight as a feather, stiff as a board.”
    Perfect.
    â€œTodd is in the hospital,” Kate said.
    Around it went.
    â€œLight as a feather, stiff as a board.”
    As always in the game, the victim’s condition grew worse with each turn.
    â€œTodd is in a coma,” Kate said.
    It went around with no mistakes.
    â€œLight as a feather, stiff as a board.”
    â€œTodd is dead,” Kate said.
    Each person in the circle repeated the phrase, quietly and seriously. The jokers were gone. Nobody seemed to want to ruin the magic this time. In the air that surrounded her, Sharon felt as if the night was listening, watching, waiting.
    â€œLight as a feather, stiff as a board,” Kate said.
    The words took their path.
    â€œTodd is in his coffin,” Kate said.
    The chant went around.
    Kate started the last turn. “Light as a feather,
stiff as a board.” Her voice trembled slightly on the final word, but she spoke it clearly.
    Sharon held her breath, wondering if the phrase would reach the end without error.
    It did. For a moment, everyone in the circle remained still, as if they couldn’t believe they’d succeeded. Then, all together, the group stood. Holding two fingers of each hand beneath Todd, they raised their hands. Light as a feather, Todd rose. They lifted their hands to shoulder height. Then they raised their hands above their heads, supporting Todd on their extended fingers. Finally, when they reached the limits that their bodies could stretch, they stopped.
    But Todd didn’t stop.
    At first Sharon thought it was a trick of the moonlight. But Todd floated slowly above the outstretched arms.
    â€œIt worked,” someone