December 8 – Sue<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI like the idea of celebrating friendship too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next person to step up was another member of the Terrible Trio. Sue Elder ran the museum in town, and had been one of Molly\u2019s friends since before she could remember when. Her mother and Molly\u2019s mother were thick as thieves, so it probably wasn\u2019t surprising that their daughters were too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sue\u2019s dark hair was cut in a sleek bob, and Molly strained to see what ornament she\u2019d brought. Not the tea cup, she was pretty sure, probably for the same reason why Molly hadn\u2019t chosen that one. The cups were very delicate, and although now she knew that Jade wouldn\u2019t let any of the ornaments break, she hadn\u2019t known that beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ve lived in this town all my life, and I\u2019ve never wanted to live anywhere else,\u201d Sue said, cupping her ornament in her hand. \u201cOne of the things I like about Carter\u2019s Cove is how everything is treasured, no matter how big or small. I don\u2019t know if that\u2019s just us, or if the town encourages it, but I appreciate it more than anyone can imagine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the grey clouds drew away from her, Molly and Schrodinger were back at the Daughter of Stars Middle School, although this time, they were outside. It was a cold, snowy day, and judging by the age of her former self, Molly figured they were about 12 or 13. Past-Molly, Past-Sue, and Past-Lai were seated on swings, but they weren\u2019t swinging. Rather, they were watching a pair of cardinals flutter around a tall bush with dark berries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a black chokecherry,\u201d Past-Sue said. \u201cThey are good for the birds because their berries last all winter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCan they really survive on just berries all winter?\u201d Past-Molly asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey can, but they eat other things too,\u201d Past-Sue said. \u201cMom says they like seeds and suet too. And they will eat things like peanuts and popcorn.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three looked at the birds for a while in silence. Then Past-Lai said, \u201cWe still need to figure out what kind of project we\u2019re going to do for the Winter Solstice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Past-Sue sighed. \u201cI wish Noemi was here this Christmas. She always has good ideas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYeah. It just doesn\u2019t seem like Christmas without her,\u201d Past-Lai agreed, and Past-Molly nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where\u2019s Noemi?<\/em> Schrodinger asked. Why isn\u2019t she with you?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf I remember correctly, her family went to her grandmother\u2019s that Christmas,\u201d Molly said. \u201cShe didn\u2019t want to go, but her mother insisted.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, I guess that\u2019s okay. Family is important.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Molly watched her younger self and two of her three best friends as they tossed ideas around, none of them really happy with any of them. In the meantime, the bright red cardinal male and his brown and red mate continued to pick at the berries, both of them chirping occasionally, as if asking the other a question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then Past-Sue\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cI know! Let\u2019s do a present for the cardinals and the other birds!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHow?\u201d Past-Molly said, frowning. \u201cI mean, what do you get for birds?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd how is that a project for Winter Solstice?\u201d Past-Lai asked practically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBecause it\u2019s a decorated tree!\u201d Past-Sue said, bouncing excitedly on her swing. \u201cWhat if we do strings of popcorn and cranberries, and make ornaments out of suet and seeds? I bet my mom would help us, and then we can take pictures and make a whole presentation!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Past-Molly and Past-Lai looked at each other, and then at Past-Sue. \u201cYou know, I really do like that,\u201d Past-Molly said. Past-Lai nodded, and Past-Molly continued, \u201cI bet my mom would help too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLet\u2019s go find out!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the three ran out of the playground, the scene faded, and Molly was back as Sue held out a bright red cardinal ornament to Jade. \u201cThis town taught me that the best way to be a friend was to offer friendship to others,\u201d Sue said, looking at the cardinal. \u201cAnd that everyone, no matter how small, deserves friends.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" December 8 – Sue \u201cI like the idea of celebrating friendship too.\u201d The next person to step up was another member of the Terrible Trio. Sue Elder ran the museum in town, and had been one of Molly\u2019s friends since before she could remember when. Her mother and Molly\u2019s mother were thick as thieves, so …<\/p>\n