Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Review of Polish Food (with a dash of some personal biases) By Alicja Paruch Volume 2 Issue 5 March 28, 2022 Image provided by Hotels.com As the people slowly come back to the regular, pre-pandemic habits, such as going out to eat, I would like to rate some Polish dishes commonly served in Polish restaurants. Overall, Polish food tends to be rather heavy, and filling. It often consists of potatoes, pork, sausage, and what really makes most of the dishes stodgy for some is the frequent reliance on oil. The desserts on the other hand, usually are healthier than the ones sold in the US (which use large amounts of sugar) and focus on subtle flavor combinations. Appetizers: Naleśniki z serem /Cheese crepes - thin crepes with a sweet white cheese filling, often drizzled with honey, or heavy cream and fruits. I honestly want to say this is one of my favorites, but most of these are. This however does have a nice balance of sweet and salty flavors with a hint of sour from the fruit. These are considerably healthy and make for a good appetizer.  Najlepsze naleśniki z serem - Przepis od Po Prostu Pycha Chleb z smalcem i ogórkiem kiszonym /Bread with lard and pickles - This is the Polish version of the bread with butter appetizer in Italian restaurants. Simply smear the lard on the bread and top with the pickle. Simplicity is key. As you can predict, this is less healthy than the crepes, but it’s a staple everyone should try at least once. Smalec i ogórek – połączenie doskonałe - Zjadlbym.pl Soups: Barszcz Biały /White Borscht - A chicken-based broth with kiełbasa (sausage), vegetables, hard or soft boiled eggs. This soup has a similar, but more sour, counterpart called “ żurek ” and these are often a part of the traditional Easter breakfast. This soup is quite filling and fatty, but the rich flavors of the soup always have me hungry for more. https://www.curiouscuisiniere.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Polish-White-Borscht-1608.21.jpg.webp Barszcz Czerwony z uszkami /Red Borscht with dumplings - This borscht on the other hand is traditionally made without any meat, because it is usually served for the Christmas Eve supper at which people don’t eat meat. The vegetable broth is enriched with beets, where it gets its beautiful burgundy color and a deep earthy flavor. Accompanied by cabbage and mushroom filled dumplings, this is a relatively healthier choice than the white borscht and still full of flavor, and to me, and most Poles, is the smell of Christmas. Przepis na tradycyjny polski barszcz z uszkami - Blog EasySend Barszcz po Ukraińsku /Ukrainian Borscht - This is a cold-served soup with a chicken-based broth with beets, some sour cream, and heavy cream. It is a nice and refreshing dish to have during hot summer days and the addition of mint just elevates the flavor. Personally, I associate this with my childhood memories of my mom calling me over to eat something while playing in the backyard. It is close to my heart, and even though it’s cold, it definitely has warm memories attached to it. This is also a relatively healthy dish and is definitely worth getting! Barszcz ukraiński - JAK uMAMI - pyszna zupa w wersji wegetariańskiej. As a side note, we, as Polish people, do not exclusively eat different types of borschts. These are soups I saw mostly served in Polish restaurants that I would consider foreign to non-Polish  people.  Entrees: Gołąbki /Stuffed cabbage with tomato sauce - Steamed cabbage leaf stuffed with rice and meat topped with tomato sauce. This is a surprisingly healthy dish with nice mellow flavors of the meat and a sharper contrast of flavor of the tomato sauce. This Polish staple makes for a good, light dinner. The name “ Gołąbki ,” in literal translation, means little pigeons, but do not fret, no pigeons were hurt in making your dish! Gołąbki warzywne - wegetariańskie | Kwestia Smaku Placki ziemniaczane po Węgiersku /Hungarian pancakes - fried potato pancakes (kind of like thinner hash browns) topped with a rich beef and vegetable goulash. This is definitely a heavier of the bunch but is my comfort food on a rainy day. The crispiness of the potato pancakes and the creaminess of the sauce blend so seamlessly, as if they were made for each other. Placek po węgiersku - Foodwiki - Pyszne.pl Kluski Śląskie /Silesian dumplings - soft and chewy potato dumplings often topped with a pork or beef sauce. This is a texture dish, so if you’re not open to new textures, I can’t guarantee you won’t be averse to it. If you don’t mind them though, the combination of the thick meat sauce and the velvety dumplings will satisfy your hunger for new experiences. Jak zrobić kluski śląskie bez wagi i miarki - Vademecum Kuchni - Akademia Smaku Pierogi - The famous dumplings! They can be served with potatoes and white cheese (they’re commonly called “Russian dumplings,” but they don't originate from there), cabbage and mushrooms (often served at Christmas Eve), or minced meat. The potato pierogi are hands down my favorite type with the potatoes and cheese blending nicely into a beautiful harmony of flavors. Personally, I haven’t had cabbage and mushroom pierogi in a long time because I don’t like mushrooms, but for people who like them, this will taste great! As much as others love the rich meat pierogi, I often find them a little dry, unless done properly, which is not often done at restaurants. Another very important factor of pierogi is the quality. Since they have become a well-known polish staple, many companies have made frozen versions of them. I do not find that wrong, it is the natural way of modern commercialization, but what I do find sad is when restaurants serve them to their clients. You can easily tell the difference between a homemade one and a store bought one. If your pierogi have more filling than dough, and the filling is well-seasoned, then they are most probably hand made. On the other hand, if the dough overshadows the filling in its quantity and thickness, and the filling is perfectly smooth and bland, it is most definitely store bought. Pierogi are often topped with caramelized onions, sour cream or sometimes bacon bits. I personally love the contrast of the coldness and taste of sour cream against the warm and creamy dumplings, but I also see the appeal of adding the extra sweetness of the onions or the savory flair of the bacon against the smooth potatoes. There are so many ways one could go with pierogi and you will not be disappointed when you find your favorite. My Grandma's Homemade Pierogi - Spend With Pennies Bigos /Hunter’s stew - is a delicious and hearty dish made of sauerkraut, vegetables, sausage, mushrooms, pork or beef, and prunes. This savory dish lives close to my heart, as my grandma makes it for me fairly often. It is yet another heavy dish, and is usually served with bread, which only increases its calorie count, but the salty and umami flavors, with the occasional hint of sweetness from the prunes surrounded by the slightly acidic flavor of the cabbage have me thinking about when I’ll have it again. Bigos, a Polish Hunter's Stew | Paleo Leap Desserts: Karpatka - This dessert is similar to a napoleon pastry but has a sweet origin story. The name “ karpatka ” comes from the name of a Polish mountain range “Karpaty,” because the pastry the cream is surrounded in looks like a mountain range after it is baked. The sweet filling nicely complements the pastry creating a very enjoyable experience. Traditional Karpatka - one of the most popular Polish desserts. - https://tasteisyours.com Chrust or faworki - This desert might be hard to find at a restaurant, but it is a Polish delicacy. Very thinly rolled dough, fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar is a dessert served most commonly for Fat Thursday (February pre-Lent Christian celebration). It is best served fresh and still slightly warm. Babcia’s Polish Chrust Recipe (Faworki) – matthew eats the world (wordpress.com) Honorable mentions: Ptasie Mleczko - You won’t find this at a restaurant, but in your local Polish store. This candy is the most popular (and one of the best in my opinion) Polish candy. It’s a sweet marshmallow covered in chocolate. Wedel, the company that makes Ptasie Mleczko , manufactures many flavors of the candy, from the original (and arguably the best) vanilla flavor, to chocolate, caramel, or even lemon. Wedel.pl - Czas na przyjemność Thank you so much for reading and allowing me to share my love for Polish food with you. Growing up in Poland, it was my everyday life, and after moving it has made it even more special. The comforting flavors bring me back to some of my fondest memories, looking up at my grandma and seeing magic happen in her kitchen. Food has a lot of power to keep one grounded and I know I can always come back to it after a harsh day. I hope this review will help you choose a dish of your liking next time you end up at a Polish restaurant. There are of course many that I have not covered but be daring and try new flavors as well!  BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections The Jealous Ghost By Victoria Niksa Volume 3 Issue 2 December 23, 2022 Image provided by Elaine Ching Jennifer had been writing in her diary the past few days and ending every entry with these words. She’d being going through trouble with her friends because they’d been talking and playing around without her. Now, she would’ve been alright with this, as long as it wasn’t happening in their group chat with them and their other friends. E: ‘Hi darling :)’ L: ‘Hello bae!!’ “ Ugh ” Jennifer scoffed. “These two and their shenanigans again?” Not even five seconds later, her friend Angelica texted her. A: ‘Are you seeing this? I swear these two are killing me.’ J: ‘Yes, I am seeing this. Can’t they do this in private messages???’ A: ‘I guess not because they’re still at it.’ *In the group chat* A: ‘Can you guys like stop there’s more than just the two of you guys here and this getting very annoying.’ L: ‘You’re just jealous.’ E: ‘Yeah you’re just jealous of bae and my relationship.’ L: ‘Yeah and Jennifer’s our bae too!’ *Messaging Angelica* J: ‘Are you seeing this!? They don’t include me in their conversations, but they include me in this??’ A: ‘What? Wait let me scroll up and look through the messages.’ at 4:35pm A: ‘Oh my gosh they don’t even respond to you they just continue to talk and ignore you. Aren’t they your friends?’ J: ‘Yes, they are but I don’t know why they’re including me in this. What the hell, they don’t even pay me any mind half the time.’ Lilac and Evie were in the group chat once again talking, ‘singing’ songs. Jennifer was feeling extremely confused and upset. She had no idea why they’d always ostracize her from everything. *a week goes by* Aside from Jennifer crying in Social Studies one period, crying while texting her friend about her issue, crying herself to sleep, and just crying. She had been feeling alright about where she stood with her friends, but she and her friend Donna agreed it’s about time Jennifer confronted Evie and Lilac. J: ‘Guys if I’m going to be like 100% real with you. I’m honestly upset with how I’m being ignored by you both. I feel as if you’re both constantly ignoring me, and I’m just done with it.’ E: ‘I was doing homework what.’ J: ‘No I mean like a week ago, when you guys would talk to each other.’ E: ‘I never purposefully tried to ignore you…’ J: ‘That’s the point.’ L: ‘Eliza and I are doing ‘’The Call of the Wild’’ questions lol these are so difficult.” J: ‘Are you kidding me. Did you seriously just ignore all of this??’ Jennifer had gotten no response. She decided to tell Donna the issue. After an emotion-filled document Jennifer made to send Donna to fill her in so she wouldn’t be clueless. She’d gotten a response about 20 minutes later. D: ‘That was a lot to take in but oh my goodness how come they still haven’t responded? Also, Lilac must be joking. Can she not read the room?’ J: ‘She has to be. This is so stupid. All I wanted was for them to include me in their conversations and now this has happened?’ D: ‘At this point just ghost them. No pun intended.’ J: ‘At this point maybe I should.’ *the next morning* In her Home and Careers class, Jennifer’s class had been learning what to do about anger. What a coincidence. During class, she’d been excluding herself from her group. She didn’t want to associate herself with them. While they were all rambling on about the supernatural and whatever anime it is that Evie and Lilac liked, she sat there and listened. Head down, mind blank. Nobody saw her there. It was like she was a ghost to them. A jealous ghost. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections Fun Winter Snow Activities By Carolina Figueroa Volume 1 Issue 4 January 20, 2021 Image provided by The Know - Denver Post The core of the winter season is upon us, and what better way to have fun than to play in the snow? We recently enjoyed our first snow day off from school and had 4-6 inches of snowfall in our community. Many students were outside enjoying the excitement of winter activities. Even with the Covid-19 pandemic, we were able to find ways to revel in some outdoor fun while still staying safe. Children and adults raced down hills sleigh riding, participated in snowball fights, made snow angels, created snowmen, went ice skating, played ice hockey, caught snowflakes on their tongues and took long, peaceful walks in the snow. After a long day in the fresh air, many people enjoyed creating their own snow cones using freshly fallen white snow with flavored juices and syrups or drinking some hot chocolate. Some fun winter sports and activities that many people often partake in are skiing, snow tubing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, dog sledding or mushing (with Siberian Huskies or Alaskan Malamutes), building igloos (snow huts) and making ice sculptures (ice carvings). Even the thought of riding in a horse-drawn carriage or horseback riding in dusty, newly fallen snow sounds appealing to me! One magical winter attraction that interests me is seeing the frozen “Ice Castles” which are created and built using hundreds of thousands of icicles that are carefully hand-placed by professionally skilled ice artists to create fairy tale castles. These “Ice Castles” include frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains, caves, icicle-adorned archways and beautiful LED-lit sculptures. It certainly sounds like a winter wonderland to me! Additional outdoor winter sports and activities that are interesting include ice fishing, riding a snow mobile, cross country skiing and bobsleighing. Snow-kiting, or kite skiing, is an activity in which people “use kite power to glide on snow or ice”. The skier uses a large kite to travel across snow and give them power over large jumps in the air. This sport is quite similar to water-based kiteboarding, but with the footwear used in skiing or snowboarding since the terrain is different. Many kiteboarders nowadays use foil or inflatable kites. Another winter sport that captivates me is “curling”, where players “slide stones, or rocks, on a sheet of ice toward a target area which is segmented into four concentric circles”. It is related to shuffleboard and is often called “chess on ice”. One would require precision and accuracy and need four members per team to play this sport. In the winter months, families and friends enjoy getting away at snow-filled mountain villages, staying in rustic log cabins, peaceful resorts, or tranquil ranches. To top it off, if these places are equipped with roaring fireplaces or bonfires, families can enjoy reciting stories as they roast marshmallows or make s’mores, creating many unforgettable memories together. Winter is definitely a great season to have “snow-much-fun”! BACK TO TOP

Back to Artwork Pop Art Back to Sections Ella Puccio - Pop Art By Ella Puccio January 14, 2022 Acrylic Volume 2 Issue 3

Back to Artwork Heckscher Back to Sections St. Basil's Cathedral Entry 10 April 14, 2022 Mixed Media Volume 2 Issue 6

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections My Experience Singing With MYO At Carnegie Hall Manal Layachi Volume 4 Issue 1 November 6, 2023 Image provided by Facebook On May 7th, I performed with my MYO group, the Nassau Senior Treble Choir, at Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall was first created in 1891, located on the corner of 57th Street and Seventh Avenue, it is a national historic landmark. All the MYO groups including mine got to perform on this prestigious stage. MYO stands for Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York and was created to foster a community of talented musicians from Long Island by providing them with an opportunity to perform choral and orchestral masterworks at a high level. I have been singing with MYO since 6th grade and it has been an amazing experience. My teacher this year was Mrs. O’Hanlon, a music teacher at Herricks High School, and she is an awesome conductor and mentor. Every Monday, we have rehearsal from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. We performed four songs at the concert at Carnegie Hall: “Lift Every Voice and Sing” by John Rosamond Johnson The first piece that we performed was “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” We did not sing the original version as a previous student of Mrs. O’Hanlon, James Floyd, arranged the song for us. At first, Mrs. O’Hanlon thought is was way too hard! With hard work and a lot of practice, we got the song down and even memorized it. This poem is referred to as “The Black National Anthem” and it was written by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1990. This song has beautiful harmonies and melodies. I loved it! “J’entends Le Moulin”: Composed by Traditional French Canadian. Arranged by: Donald Patriquin. Our second piece was “J’entends Le Moulin” composed by the Traditional French Canadian and arranged by Donald Patriquin. This is a fun French folk song that is like a “game of rhymes”. We had originally sung this song at our last concert at Adelphi, but Mrs. O’Hanlon wanted to give us another try to make it better and try it again at Carnegie. Although this song was tricky, we had a lot of fun singing it and learning the French. “What Happens When a Woman”: Composed by Alexandra Olsavsky Our final piece as a group was “What Happens When a Woman” composed by Alexandra Olsavsky. This song is about the empowerment of woman it was very cool to sing at Carnegie. The sound resonated so beautifully when we performed, it literally gave you goosebumps. We got to do moves with this song which was fun and interactive and there were six amazing soloists. This strong and empowering piece was a great way to end the MYO year. “Walk in Jerusalem” Arranged by Rollo A. Dilworth All the MYO choirs got to sing “Walk in Jerusalem”, and African American Spiritual arranged by Rollo A. Dilworth, as their final piece at Carnegie. Mr. Norris, a director of Choral Music at Glen Cove High School, conducted us. It was a fun and interactive choir church song. It was a cool experience singing with the other choirs. At the end of the concert, we got a standing ovation, and I was filled with pride and joy. Although this was my last MYO concert and I had mixed feelings, I cannot wait to sing at Carnegie Hall with MYO next year. Sources: www.myo.org About Carnegie Hall | Carnegie Hall Lift Every Voice and Sing | NAACP J'entends le moulin | Elektra Women's Choir BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Lemonade Stand in the Rain Shea Flanelly Volume 6 Issue 3 Image Provided by Pinterest Lemonade Stand in the Rain So… It rained. Not a dramatic downpour. Just enough to soak the cardboard sign and blur the marker right through the word Forever . I had set up my little stand on our special corner, pitcher glistening in the sun, cups lined up like promises. Freshly squeezed. Extra sweet. Two straws. And then the clouds decided they had other plans. There was no lightning strike. No evil villain plotting this downpour. Just weather doing what weather does, showing up uninvited and staying longer than anyone hoped. Now I’m standing here with damp boots and diluted lemonade, watching the sugar settle stubbornly at the bottom. I’m not okay! Let’s not exaggerate. I keep glancing down the street like maybe you’ll drive back, asking if we can do this all over again with an umbrella this time. But the forecast is the forecast. And you’re somewhere learning how to build better shelter. So here’s what I’ll do: I’ll wring out the sign. I’ll redraw the letters. Maybe not Forever this time… Maybe just Today . I’ll taste the lemonade even if it’s a little watered down. I’ll add more sugar if I have to. Because the thing about me is that I like making things sweet. I like setting up stands. I like believing the sun will show up eventually. And maybe tomorrow I’ll be ready with my pitcher in hand! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Art & Culture Back to Sections Recycled Percussion Project By Quinn O’Connor Volume 1 Issue 2 November 24, 2020 Original creations by (from left to right, top to bottom) Harleen Kaur, Alicia Pichardo, Marcia Salinas, Giuliana Basile, Gianna Acevedo In lieu of our usual concert, teachers used their general music class lesson plans for the choral concert grade: a recycled percussion project! For this project, students put together an eight-measure composition with four beats per measure to play on a home-made instrument. These instruments ranged from Tupperware drums to water bottle maracas; one student went as far as making a xylophone from a wooden frame and metal pipes! Students observed how different pitches and tones could be created by using different materials and experimented accordingly. For example, coffee beans have a deeper sound than rice. It was also interesting to hear how distinctive each instrument sounded with the use of different materials as students played their instruments on each Teams meeting. Although it wasn’t the same as an actual concert, it stood in for one as a fun, creative alternative. From a hybrid student’s point of view, this project filled its purpose in a fun and educational way! BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Feature Back to Sections The Traitors Game Book Review By Leah Ally Volume 2 Issue 2 November 19, 2021 Image provided by Scholastic After years of estrangement abroad and away from the public eye, teenage Kestra Dallisor is yet again roped into her father's menacing web of government affairs, as she is ordered to appear for an arranged marriage. The infamous Sir Henry Dallisor is a subordinate to Antora’s high-handed and immortal ruler, Lord Endrick. Aware of Kestra’s royalty status, a group of threatening rebels scheme to utilize it to their advantage. They impose a quest designed for her to retrieve an ancient blade; the only object known to be capable of destruction to the everlasting lord. Things quickly became complicated, as Kestra must choose between loyalty, or her strenuous desire to do the right thing. As two familiar faces cross paths, secrets emerge and intents shift; only one can win the traitor's game. After reading Book 1 of Jennifer Nielson’s trilogy, “The Traitor’s Game,” it turned out to be a fascinating and enjoyable read. However, as I reached the midpoint of the story, I found it to be lackluster. The story was dragged out and even at certain points predictable due to dull dialogue and action. At the same time, it was interesting to watch how the story played out through Nielson’s impressive writing style. Every character in the story is given novel depth and authenticity, solely based on their actions and why they chose to fight for a particular cause. As readers witness alternating perspectives between Kestra and her captor, the expression of character development is consistent from each point of view. As you venture alongside Kestra Dallisor, she faces her distinctive battles and comes face to face with who she truly is. She portrays herself to the reader as an effortlessly relatable character, particularly to teenage girls. Ideally, I would recommend this series to readers who enjoy action-packed, science fiction fantasies. BACK TO TOP

Back to Articles Polaris Back to Sections Without Her Face By Nora Chery Volume 1 Issue 7 April 22, 2021 Image provided by Getty Images Chapter one In the town of Snow Valley Square the chilly streets were warm because of the love that flew all around. It was Valentine’s Day, a fortunate time for couples to embody the ceaseless love they’ve shared with each other. The small town bustled with conversations that were laced with sweet words of couples. They were chattering about what they’re going to do, giggling about where they’re going to go, and signing about the memories they’ve shared. This was especially clear to see on E. Rosemary St., no one seemed to be alone, everyone was budding shoulders and crossing arms with someone. No one seemed to be alone except for Mr. Owl, who only had his golden watch and a thin duffle coat to keep him company. On the edge of the dark gray sidewalk, he perched down on a bench and peered at his watch. It was 6 pm on a Saturday afternoon, but Belle Maya Owl, his wife of six months and partner of four years, was late once again. She had said with her soft cheery voice: “Let’s meet… around twelve! Ok, darling? I-l won’t be tardy this time." She said that six hours ago. Mr. Owl’s thick eyebrows pulled together with mild annoyance, though the annoyance grew. Every sweet word the couples exchanged around him with each other flew by him like a gust of wind. “Where is she…?” he muttered. “Geez... how long does that woman expect me to wait here?” Mr. Owl was a patient man, but even a patient man has his limits. Two pairs of shoes scratch against the pavement in a hold, “Why hey there Owl!” called out a man. Mr. Owl turned to meet the playfully mocking smirks of Mr. and Mrs. Blue, who stood next to each other, their hands intertwined. “Whatcha doin’ over there? Waitin’ for that wife of yours?” Mr. Blue asked. Mrs. Blue leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder, looking at him at, “She’s probably still putting on makeup. You know how women are with their makeup — we view it as an art form — because it is” she jested lightly, her head adding more weight onto the shoulder. “That Belle though... she takes it more seriously than other women I’ve met. She spends so much time on it—yet the result ends up being...” she glances at Mr. Owl, “above average. Isn’t that right, darling?” She shifted her glance to Mr. Blue. “I’m still surprised Owl made it this far in a relationship, and he’s a dedicated one — fella waited ten hours for wife” Mr. Blue scoffed, smiling. “But hey, Belle’s a nice woman, so I can’t blame him-” The smaller hand surrounding his own had tightened. Mrs. Owl had narrowed her green eyes while her mouth formed a pout, “She’s not nicer than me, is she? I hope you mean nice in personality, Mike. “ “Geez, Sophia, calm down, will ya?” “Although, she’s also above average in terms of that too.” Mr. Owl’s face clenched his jaw with a tint a flush, “Now, the both you, shush up.” He sprang from his seat to glare at the couple. “Can’t a gentleman, wait for his wife in peace? Peace, as in a couple goin’ along their lovey way and not stopping on their tracks to sneer at me!? And no, Mike, I have not been waiting for ten hours, I’ve been waiting for…” Owl paused, then turned away from the couple, scowling down at the ground. “Never mind” he hissed as Mr. and Mrs. Blue blinked at him; Mrs. Blue turned to Mr. Blue. “Suddenly, I’m beginning to doubt she’s coming.” “Don’t say such things, Sophia.” “What? I’m only saying what I think--” A delicate hand gently rested on Owl's shoulder. The touch surprised him enough that all the red-hot emotion he contained popped right out of him. A slivery sweet voice that had belonged to the lovely hand replied. “There you are, sweetheart, I’m sorry—I’m late, aren’t I?” With every word the voice grew sympathetic. “You’ve must’ve been waiting all day for me.” Mr. Owl slowly turned to meet the alluring dark eyes of Belle, Mrs. Owl, and her pastel pink colored lips perked into a soft smile. “I’m sorry I don’t mean to… Oh! I know just the place that’ll be perfect for us.” Belle pushed a piece of her long flowing black hair behind her ears. She looked at Mrs. Blue and shared the smile she gave to Owl. “Well, how are you, Sophia? Enjoying his holiday?” Mrs. Blue’s eyebrows snapped together. She turned her gaze away from her. “Fine,” she replied. Sophia turned her gaze to Mr. Blue, but her smile had fainted, Mike stared at her. There was a pause for a moment, until Sophia gave a polite smile, “You too—Mike?” Mr. Blue blinked, as if she snapped him out of a trance. “Uh yeah, of course” he replied, feeling the burning eyes of his wife. “Wonderful. Now, come along, honey, there’s a load of hours I’ve got to make up” she said to Mr. Owl. BACK TO TOP