home, is still reeling from the loss of the town’s most prominent landmark and the pandemonium that followed. Residents wait anxiously to discover what role Oswald played in the event.
Event: Family Meeting
Date: Nov. 7 (Tues.)
For three days, Father didn’t speak to me or my siblings. Every time he looked at us, he shook his head with a mixture of fury and disbelief.
For three days, Mother moped around the house, occasionally taking a myTality™ Shake It Up from the fridge, then putting it back with a look of despair.
For three days, we lived in limbo.
From snippets I saw online, I knew rumors were circulating about my and Ishmael’s involvement in the alien fiasco. It was a failing on my part—I was so fixated on taking down Oswald I overlooked that my own voice was on the recording. People were putting the pieces together.
I was overcome with dread. I could barely bring myself to eat. I wished someone would hurry up and punish me for the hoax. I deserved it, I knew I deserved it, and waiting only made my guilt and anxiety and fear worse.
It was a relief when Mother finally called a family meeting.
“I don’t like the atmosphere in this house,” she said once we were all seated in the living room.
Father snorted. “I haven’t liked it for weeks.”
Mother ignored him and went on: “I think we can agree that many mistakes have been made around here. By all of us.”
Only Father raised his voice in protest, but Mother silenced him with a sharp look. “Vic, your mistake was quitting the family because you didn’t approve of our choices. No one in this house gets to abandon ship.”
Father sat back, chastised.
“My mistake,” Mother went on, “was ignoring the unsavory aspects of myTality and going along with outright lies, because I was so focused on building my business. I put success before being a good person.”
“You never believed Oz, did you?” I asked.
“No, honey. I didn’t.”
I nodded. I had assumed as much and was glad she admitted it.
Mother turned to Maggie next. “I don’t think I need to tell you that it was wildly inappropriate for you to try forming a cult.”
Maggie smiled sweetly, but I saw no remorse in her eyes. “Sorry, Mom.”
“As for you two,” Mother said, to Ishmael and me. “I don’t know where to begin. The amount of destruction you caused is astounding, and there will be repercussions.”
I leaned forward. “What exactly will those repercussions be?”
“That’s something your dad and I still need to discuss.”
“I’m probably not going on the senior trip, am I?” Ishmael asked glumly.
“No, Ishmael,” Mother replied, “I think it’s safe to say you’re not.”
She paused for a long moment and let her words sink in before continuing.
“Now, as I said, mistakes were made, but we’re still a family and we’ll support one another while we figure out what happens next. Obviously, I won’t sell myTality products anymore, and I’ll be home with all of you until I figure out what my next career move is.”
“Speaking of careers,” Father broke in, “I’ve enjoyed my time out of the house these past few weeks. The kids don’t need me full-time anymore. I think I’d like to pick up some more training sessions.”
Mother smiled and squeezed his hand. “That sounds lovely, Vic.”
I couldn’t imagine a life with Father working full-time. I was happy for him, though. Or, at least, I would be once I learned to cook for myself.
“Another matter we need to discuss is that we’ll be adding an animal to the farm.”
Everyone stared at Mother, baffled.
“I don’t know what you did to David O’Grady’s cow,” she went on, “but he claims she’s turned ‘feral’ and he can’t have her behavior influencing the rest of his herd.”
“Wait,” Ishmael said, bolting upright. “You mean we get to keep Muffin?”
“Not only do you get to keep her, Ishmael, you and your brother get to care for her. Now I don’t have a clue what that entails, but Gideon, I’m sure you can put your research skills to good use. Ishmael, you’ll probably want to get started by building a pen.”
Clearly Mother meant it as a punishment, but Ishmael’s eyes glowed with joy. At least one of us was happy.
“In addition, Mr. O’Grady has agreed not to press charges for any of your several transgressions against him. In return, the two of you will be working on his farm for the next several seasons.”
I knew I was getting off light, so I tried my best to not show