บท 88: I Get Overdressed in a Big Way

I wanted to argue, but Xander was adamant and there's no point arguing when he gets that way. Ronnie took control of the whole 'our house was attacked by a giant spider-crab' thing and sent Gary to the store for some nutmeg and a six-pack of BlitzBuzz Lemon-Lime Madness. Before climbing into Honeybell, I approached Zoe, who stood in the middle of the lawn, still a bit shell-shocked.

"Hey," I said, smoothly. "You going to be OK?"

She nodded. "The weirdest things happen when I hang out with you," she observed quietly.

Now it was my turn to nod. Sensing an opening, I pressed on. "I'm sorry, by the way. For whatever it was I did back at Santa's Village. I honestly have no memory of that time. You know it wasn't me that did or said whatever it was I did or said. It was the Osiris Machine."

She was silent a moment, her face scrunched as if deep in thought. "I know," she said finally. "Up here, I know." She tapped the side of her head.