What Emma Left Behind

by Anne Spackman

  * * * * *

  Caera woke up completely. The last thing she could clearly recall was the end of the survival expedition; though Claudia was just walking into her bedroom with a stack of books that would put an Egyptian pyramid to shame, so she figured that she had been off school for a long time.

  Caera's illness and her delirium had left her very weak and swamped with assignments. Now that she was on the road to recovery, she could begin working on the ever-increasing pile from her teachers of things to do, reminders that, if nothing else, at least they were thinking of her.

  "Congratulations, Caera." Claudia beamed." Guess who's got a biographical research project due in two weeks? Mr. Hoffmeyer graciously decided that I bring you tidings of good cheer from his merry classroom. I seem to recall that his exact words were," Claudia made a mock stern voice, "'Please inform your sister that she has her choice of these three local historical figures, all of whom have made significant contributions to the life and welfare of our community." Claudia then made a funny face.

  "I guess you'll have to go to the library when you're better." Claudia added.

  Caera made a whining sound.

  "Hey, what's wrong, Caera?"

  "Claudia, did I miss Halloween?" Caera cried out as it struck her that she had, if her homework was any indication.

  Claudia laughed. "Don't worry, Caera. Some of us took up a candy collection for you at school the day after."

  "Just how long was I sick, Claudia?" Caera began to feel as if she'd lost a huge chunk of her life that she couldn't account for.

  "Oh, about three weeks." Claudia said, almost incidentally.

  "Three weeks! What's today?"

  "November the fifteenth." Claudia said. "But hey, Caera, you did have pneumonia, after all. Anyway, just look at your Halloween candy!"

  Caera propped herself up on her elbows to take a look about her room. Nestled in the far corner was a black plastic bag, stuffed and tied with twist a tie.

  Claudi laughed as Caera hurried out of bed to investigate its contents; anything of the chocolate persuasion wasn't likely to survive the afternoon.