Chicken Chicken (9 page)

Then Vanessa turned and started toward the kitchen. “Let me get you both a
drink,” she offered. “I know how thirsty these spells can make a person.”

“Thank you!” I cried, remembering how important politeness was to Vanessa.

“Yes—thank you!” Cole added loudly.

We grinned at each other. We pinched each other again. Skin! Real skin—with
no feathers!

I moved my lips. I licked them with my tongue. Soft, human lips that didn’t
click.

Vanessa returned with two glasses of soda. “I know kids like cola,” she said.
She handed a glass to me and a glass to Cole. “Drink up,” she urged. “You’ve
been through a lot.”

I
did
feel terribly thirsty. I took a few long sips of the cola. It
felt cold and tingly on my tongue. Wonderful! Better than seeds off the carpet.

Wow. I was so happy to be me again.

I raised my eyes and saw Cole tilt his glass to his mouth and drink the soda
down. He was really thirsty!

When he finished, he lowered his glass—and let out the loudest burp I ever
heard!

Cole burst out laughing.

I couldn’t help myself.

It was such a funny burp, I started laughing, too.

I was still laughing when Vanessa stepped in front of me.

What is her problem? I wondered.

Then she pointed her finger, first at Cole, then at me. And whispered, “Pig
pig.”

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