On the third-to-last day of summer camp, Charity drove the kids to school again. She climbed out and headed right for her office. Cherical rounded up the kids.

"Mornin'!" he said loudly. "Three days before camp, and--do you have a question?"

Annie lowered her hand. "I really miss Charity."

Cherical paused and regarded her with a blank expression. "Do you?"

"Yes," said Annie. "Can I visit her?"

She'll get to see her again two days from now. But that's also the big day, and I doubt Annie'll get much time to talk. "Yes. After announcements."

"Thanks," said Annie.

When the announcements were over, Annie headed for Charity's office. When Annie arrived, she was surprised to see, through the glass door, what Charity was up to. She was wearing a short tank top exposing her back, and as Annie could presume, her stomach. She was eating cookies and watching TV. One end of the room had a refrigerator and the other had a desk with a phone and computer. This probably explains a lot. She took a deep breath and knocked.

Charity was still relaxing on a couch when she called, "Who is it?"

"Annie McRae," Annie called through the window.

Charity sighed and got up. She grabbed her blue leather jacket and headed to the door. "What do you want?" she asked from behind the door.

"To spend some time with you," Annie replied.

Charity unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door. "Um...OK. Why?" she asked as she put the jacket on to cover her stomach.

Annie stepped inside. It was only now that she noticed Charity was wearing jean shorts and was barefoot. "Didn't Cherical notify you?"

"No," Charity replied as she shut the door.

"I just wanted to spend some time with you," Annie replied, glancing at Charity. "Before camp ends."

Isolation is nice, but it'll be nice to have some company. "Sit down," Charity instructed. Annie took a seat on the couch she'd seen Charity on. Two minutes later, Charity came back with a small, clear plastic bottle. She walked over to sit by Annie.

"What's in there?" Annie asked.

"My pills," Charity replied. "I got a surgery a few years ago, and I still need to take these. It won't be long before I'm strong enough to teach you again." She paused and inhaled. "It also said it was best to relax during the operation."

"Well...that explains it," said Annie. "A bit odd, though."

Charity nodded, reached into her box of cookies, and offered one to Annie. Annie accepted it and took a bite. "There's been some odd things going on in my life too."

Charity leaned back against the couch. "Like what?"

It didn't take any thought to answer that. "Remember how I took down Hadeline?"

"Yes," Charity replied, looking into the distance. "So relieving. It was in the newspaper." She shifted her position slightly. "Wait, wasn't she Jadis' long-lost daughter?"

"Yep," Annie replied. "Once, I even got taken to her fortress."

"Really?" Charity replied.

"Yep." Annie paused, and ate what remained of the cookie in one bite. Then she put her arm around Charity. "Anyway, what happened to your surgery?"

Charity hesitated there. "Well..."

"Charity?"

Both girls looked up. "What?" Charity called.

Cherical was standing in the doorway. "It's time to take the little ones home!" he called.

Impossible. Unless... "Wait, is it 3 already?" Charity asked.

"Yes," Cherical replied, and left.

Annie stood up, and Charity began to unbutton her jacket. She reached into her cookie box. "Here's a cookie for your friend, Savannah."

"Thanks," said Annie.

"Now go on," Charity replied. Annie went rushing out and through the door. She found Savannah talking to Pamela.

"Hello, Annie," Savannah said.

"Hi, Savannah," said Annie.

"What happened?" Savannah asked. "Where've you been all day?"

How did I know she was going to say that? "I--I had a talk with Charity," Annie replied. She looked down at the cookie in her hand. "Here, she asked me to give this to you."

Savannah took the cookie from her hand. "Thanks, Annie."

Annie turned. "Don't thank...me." Her eyes were focused on Cherical and Charity, who were talking. Annie took out her binoculars and watched them closely. These special binoculars could also determine sound.

She heard Cherical saying, "Did you finish the secret remote, Charity?"

"I already did the finishing touches," she heard Charity reply, and she could swear she saw her smirk.

Just then, Cherical turned, and Annie let down the binoculars. "I don't know," Annie said. "This can't be good."

They continued to talk as Charity drove them and their campmates home.

"So...Charity got wrecked somehow, and she said she'll stay there completing some procedure until she's strong again," Annie explained on the way. "Only thing is...she hasn't changed a bit, in appearance or personality."

"What operation, Annie?" Savannah replied.

"I don't think she wants you to know," Annie replied flatly.

"She told you," Savannah pointed out.

Good point. I hate it when that happens... Annie was just about to reply when the bus parked in front of Annie's house.

"Until tomorrow, Annie," said Savannah as Annie got up.

At the front, Charity reminded Annie that the field trip was two days away.

"I know," Annie said with a smile, and got off.