Mixed Messages by Tina Wells

off-limits.
    When Zee got back downstairs, her friends were gathered around the Wii, playing baseball.
    â€œWas Ginny up there?” Ally asked Zee.
    â€œShe was taking a nap,” Zee told her friends.
    â€œA nap?” Chloe said. “I didn’t know she ever slept.”
    â€œI’m relieved,” Jasper said without taking his eyes off the video screen. “I thought she’d taken off with the snacks, never to be seen again.”
    â€œWell . . . she’s here, but the snacks aren’t,” Zee explained. “She didn’t get a chance to make anything today.”
    In shock, Jasper spun his head around to look at Zee. He struck out in the game. “Oh, bother!” he said. “I’m so upset, I can’t even concentrate on baseball.”
    â€œSorry, guys,” Zee apologized.
    Missy shrugged. “It’s not a big deal. Your mom’s snacks are fun and all, but that’s not why we came over.”
    Ally popped up out of her seat. “Let’s see what’s in the cabinet.”
    Jasper put down his game control and went into the kitchen with the others. They pulled out rice cakes, almond butter, cheese, and crackers.
    â€œAaah, a fine snack indeed,” Jasper said, rubbing his belly.
    â€œI guess,” Zee said. She knew that she was feeling badly not because of the food but about the fact that her mother had forgotten her and her friends.
    â€œIt must be really weird to have two bodies growing inside of you,” Ally said as she smeared almond butter on a rice cake. “Like aliens.”
    â€œMy mom says that when she was pregnant she used to look down and see her stomach moving around! My dad called it the Baby Channel,” Chloe told her.
    â€œDefinitely alien forces at work,” Ally said matter-of-factly.
    The friends laughed, but Zee was still worried.
    â€œWas your mother always tired when she was pregnant with twins?” Zee asked Missy.
    Missy thought. “I don’t really remember,” she said. “I was only five when they were born.”
    â€œShe’s not going to be pregnant forever,” Ally reassured Zee.
    â€œYou’re right,” Zee said, perking up a little.
    Then Zee noticed a strange look on Missy’s face. “What?” she asked.
    â€œWell . . .” Missy hesitated.
    â€œWhat?” Ally pleaded.
    â€œIf you think your mom is tired and forgetful now, just wait till she actually has the babies,” Missy explained. Zee’s stomach dropped, afraid of what Missy would say next. “Your dad, too. When your parents aren’t feeding them, changing their diapers, or giving them baths, they’ll be sleeping—probably on the couch.”
    â€œSounds bad,” Ally put in.
    â€œIt is,” Missy said. “You’ll forget what homemade snacks taste like.”
    â€œI think it would be fun to be a big sister,” Chloe said. “The twins will probably think that Zee is the most awesome person in the world.”
    Zee smiled. Lately, she’d been so busy thinking about losing her parents, she hadn’t even considered what she’d be gaining.
    â€œThat part’s cool,” Missy agreed. “Until the screaming starts.”
    â€œScreaming?” Zee gulped. “For what?”
    â€œAnything—and everything ,” Missy explained.
    â€œI thought you were too young to remember,” Chloe reminded her.
    â€œOh, I remember the screaming. I recommend you keep your iPod on twenty-four hours a day.”
    â€œI’ll be here for you, Zee,” Ally said. “Just log onto Bluetopia and find me. Oh! That reminds me—” she said to Jasper. “I know you said we shouldn’t invite anyone else, but I was thinking it would be really cool if my French friends were on Bluetopia, too.”
    â€œWe definitely need more people for the Fashionista group,” Missy pointed