It's an Aardvark-Eat-Turtle World by Paula Danziger Page B

I know and love . . . my best friend—sort of sister.
    After finishing lunch, we go over to Perry’s. With Bev and Mrs. Carson cheering us on, we dress up.
    I’m wearing a 1920s Charleston dress and long beads, and I’m carrying a beaded bag.
    Phoebe’s wearing a Victorian dress with lots of ruffles and holding a rose.
    Aviva’s dressed in a 1950s skirt with a poodle emblem and a fluffy angora sweater.
    We all look like we’ve come from very different eras and met in the present.
    The photographer snaps the pictures.
    We change, visit some other stores, and come back in half an hour. The pictures are really great. Each of us gets one.
    We all look different, individual, and yet in a funny way, a team.
    I hope we can maintain that feeling for the entire visit without anyone feeling jealous or left out.
    Life sure can get complicated when you’re supposed to be having fun.

CHAPTER 15
    â€œI t’s R night at the movies tonight,” Jason says, as we all sit down for dinner.
    Duane objects. “I don’t think you children should choose to go to a movie simply because of its rating.”
    Jason explains that the Canadian movie rating system is different from ours and, anyway, that’s not what he meant.
    The Carsons fill us in.
    Michael starts. “When we bought the six-foot projection screen, our house became very popular.”
    Aviva laughs. “Kids I didn’t even know were coming up to me and asking if they could come over.”
    â€œThe football coach asked if he could bring the team over to view the videos of the game.” Jason shakes his head. “I’m not even on the team.”
    â€œAnd the cheerleaders wanted me to film them at the games and then invite them over,” Aviva says. “Instant Insincere Popularity.”
    â€œWe just invite our friends over, the real ones . . .   but try to keep it manageable,” Jason says.
    â€œNow a lot more kids have giant screens but our house is still a hangout because the kids seem comfortable here. We do have rules,” Bev informs us. “Every couple of months the kids can have a dance party where videos are shown. Once a month the kids can have an all-night film party.”
    I think I could handle rules like that.
    Jason continues. “We decided to show the films alphabetically. The first party had films starting with the letter A. Now we’re up to R—so tonight’s R night. We debated rescheduling because you were coming but thought that Rosie and Phoebe might enjoy it.”
    Phoebe and I grin at each other.
    â€œWill this party be chaperoned? Won’t it be noisy? How will anyone get any sleep? I hope there will be no drinking or drugs.” Duane demands answers.
    Michael shakes his head. “No drugs or alcohol. That’s one of our rules. You know, Duane, you sound like you did when I was a kid . . . always questions asked with obvious disapproval.”
    Duane looks angry but doesn’t say anything.
    I put down my fork and stop eating.
    Michael looks like a kid who’s not sure if he’s going to get yelled at but not ready to back down.
    Families. I guess some of the problems last for a long time.
    Mrs. Carson puts her hand on Duane’s and pats it.
    Finally Duane speaks. “Michael, there’s a big age difference between us and I’ve always felt a little responsible. I wanted to protect you. After all, you did get into a lot of trouble when you were a kid.”
    Michael nods. “The trouble that I got into was because I believed in what I was doing. It was necessary to make those in power understand that there had to be changes.”
    â€œYou were jailed,” Duane reminds him.
    Michael says, “And proud of it. I was jailed fordemonstrating against actions I thought were immoral. And the demonstrations made a difference.”
    I think of Mindy and wonder whether she and Michael were ever at any