The Forget-Me-Not Summer Read Online Free Page B

Marigold hand-me-down, which as usual didn’t look nearly as good on her as it had on her sister). Then she made herself a cup of hot cocoa and put a slice of Berta’s chocolate chip banana bread in the microwave. Now that she had been kicked out of acting class, her dream of being a movie star with Marigold was crushed.
    As she watched the microwave rotate the banana bread, she thought about the fact that she was never going to play the long-lost orphan sister on Seasons . There would be no important meetings that she and Marigold would go to in coordinated outfits, nor wouldthere be magazine articles about the amazing Silver sisters, starring in their very own movies. Was she always going to be on the outside of Marigold’s fabulous life, just looking in? She plucked a napkin from a stack and wiped her eyes.
    And yet Zinnie was also relieved. Nothing that Ronald had ever said made any sense to her. Acting class wasn’t fun, and now she wouldn’t have to go back. As she added a few extra minimarshmallows to her mug, she realized that she felt lighter. A weight had been lifted, even if it had left a dusting of disappointment.
    The microwave beeped. Zinnie removed the banana bread and carried her snack toward the sunporch, which she thought was the nicest room in the Silvers’ house. She liked the cozy chair with its sun-bleached cushion and a matching ottoman that Mom had picked up at a flea market. It was the only place Zinnie could find true peace. Lily burst into her room a minimum of three times a day, wanting to watch cartoons or raid Zinnie’s art supplies, and Marigold barged in whenever she needed Zinnie’s pencil sharpener or a hair band.
    Usually, no one ever thought to look for her on the sunporch, but today, when she crossed the sunny threshold with her cocoa and banana bread in hand, she nearly tripped in the doorway. Her whole family was sitting there, looking as if they’d been waiting forher. Had Ronald P. Harp called ahead to tell them all the news of her failure?
    â€œI didn’t see it coming,” Zinnie said. “I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed you!”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?” Dad asked.
    â€œRonald P. Harp didn’t call to tell you I’d been kicked out of the class,” Zinnie asked, “because I’m not good enough to be in it?”
    â€œNo, Zin,” Mom said, wincing as if she were also feeling the sharp pain of being rejected. “Are you okay, honey?”
    Zinnie felt tears gathering behind her eyes again.
    â€œThat man is a fool,” Dad said.
    â€œHe is not,” Marigold said, crossing her arms. She was sitting on the sofa. Lily was next to her, patting a small coffee stain with her hand.
    â€œSorry, Marigold,” Dad said. “I shouldn’t have said that. And Zinnie, no, he didn’t call and tell us.”
    â€œSo, are we all here to celebrate because Marigold has an agent now?” Zinnie asked, hoping to change the subject.
    â€œWe don’t know yet,” Mom said. “We should hear very soon.”
    â€œBut the audition went well. Jill Dreyfus said she had a great feeling about me,” Marigold said. She seemed oddly sullen about the good news.
    â€œYou were fantastic,” Mom said. “And of course she had a great feeling about you. You’re a great kid.”
    â€œWhat’s the point now, though? I don’t know if it matters anymore,” Marigold said, shaking her head in defeat. “I don’t know if anything matters.”
    â€œOkay, what’s going on?” Zinnie asked.
    â€œWe’re having a family meeting,” Mom said with a smile, as though this were something the Silver family did.
    â€œWe’re moving!” Marigold said. “To Canada!”
    â€œCanada?” Zinnie asked, totally confused.
    â€œMarigold, I already told you that wasn’t true,” Mom said.
    â€œThen why are we having a family