The Melting of Maggie Bean

by Tricia Rayburn

  Maggie sipped her drink, Peter’s words ringing in her ears. There were many reasons to be annoyed at the Water Wings, and reminders were everywhere. Even the couch she and Aimee now shared was the same one she’d awakened on after passing out by Mud Puddle Lake.

  “And, of course,” Arnie said, getting up from his seat near the fire to join them on the couch, “to Maggie. The best butterfly any water has ever known.”

  “And a solid party planner, too,” Peter added, grabbing one of the dozens of balloons bobbing against the ceiling. “Thanks for inviting us along.” He handed the balloon to Maggie and squeezed next to Arnie on the couch.

  “There are, like, five other places to sit in here,” Arnie commented, elbowing Maggie on one side and Peter on the other after they’d all toasted and sipped from their glasses.

  “It’s warmer this way,” Aimee said, resting her head on Maggie’s shoulder.

  “Very cozy,” Maggie agreed.

  “Yeah, as warm and cozy as a sauna in August.” Arnie fanned his face.

  “Go jump in the lake,” Peter suggested.

  Arnie laughed and shook his head. “You’re crazy. It’s October.”

  “The water’s like ice,” Maggie explained.

  Peter shrugged. “We know where to get warm.”

  “I’m in.”

  Maggie looked at Aimee. “You’re what?”

  “Why not? It’ll be something fun to commemorate all of our accomplishments.”

  “That’s what the bubbly and nice words are for,” Arnie reminded her, raising his glass and shaking it slightly.

  “I’m in too.” Maggie stood up and held her hand out to Aimee.

  “This is Diet Sprite, right?” Arnie sniffed his glass.

  Aimee beamed as she took Maggie’s hand and jumped up from the couch.

  If the past few weeks had taught her anything, it was that nothing had to be out of character. Even jumping in a freezing lake, at night, fully-clothed, could be a completely Maggie thing to do if she wanted it to be.

  “You really don’t want to be the only one not doing it, do you?” Peter teased, standing next to Maggie.

  “Peer pressure. From my own cousin.” Arnie shook his head.

  Maggie knelt in front of him. “Think of the business.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “Arnie and Maggie’s ice cream?”

  She nodded. “Employee morale.”

  “No fair.” He pouted. “You know I can’t refuse the good of the business.”

  She grinned and patted his knee. “I’ll get the towels.”

  As Aimee and Peter ran outside, Maggie found the linen closet and pulled out four bath towels. Just as she was about to close the door, she noticed a triangle of yellow striped terry cloth peeking out from the top shelf. Her heart racing slightly, she pulled it down.

  Her old beach towel, the same one she’d hidden under after Anabel and Julia had spotted her walking across the pool deck in her skirted bathing suit—the same one she’d wished she could’ve been hiding under when Peter found her sprawled across Arnie’s dock. She must’ve left it there. She brought it to her nose and inhaled the clean scent.

  “Oh, Maggie,” Arnie called, “it’ll soon be summer, the lake warmer, and employee morale shot if we don’t hurry it up!”

  Water Wings reminders were everywhere. And there really were a hundred reasons why they should bother her.

  But as she shoved the beach towel back onto the top shelf and dashed down the hallway toward her friends and Mud Puddle Lake, she couldn’t think of one.

  Back01

  CONTINUED FROM BACK COVER

  But everything changes when Maggie gets a chance to try out for the synchronized swim team. Becoming a Water Wing has always been Maggie’s dream—who wouldn’t want to have an instant circle of friends and wear that cute silver bathing suit? As a Water Wing, maybe she’ll start believing she’s more than just a socially awkward bookworm. Maybe people will see past the extra weight she’s recently gained to the funny, cool girl hiding underneath. And maybe, just maybe, Peter Applewood will finally notice her.

  It all depends on Maggie Bean, who thinks she knows who she is, but is about to find out for sure.