Matilda lay in bed, shivering. Her throat was sore, her nose was red and swollen, she felt like someone was banging drums inside her head, and she just could not stop coughing and sneezing. Every time she did, a book would fly off the shelf, or the open window in her bedroom would slam shut. At one point, she managed to blow the bedroom door wide open. Even though, Matilda no longer had to use her powers, she still had them, and they were a force to be reckoned with when she was sick.

Her new mom, Miss Honey, was downstairs, fixing Matilda something to make her feel better. Warm tea, a nice warm bowl of chicken soup, some dry toast, a glass of orange juice, and there were even a couple of aspirin on the tray. Hopefully, this would make her feel better. It was summer vacation, so luckily, Matilda didn't have to worry about missing school. Her allergies were terrible in the summer time. Of course, it wasn't that hot for a summer day. It was July, and the temperature outside was only sixty-eight degrees, and it was past noon! The day before, it had been even cooler than that, and Matilda had went to the park with her friends, where they had a public pool. They all dared each other to jump into the water, and of course, Matilda was the one brave enough to do it. She had felt fine until the night before when she had lost her appetite and her throw started to feel scratchy. It was a cool summer, so chances were the next summer would probably be a barbecue.

Miss Honey walked into the room carrying the tray of food and drink and medicine.

"How are you feeling, Matilda?"

"Horrible. I'm sorry I did such a stupid thing yesterday."

At this, Miss Honey smiled. "It's all right. You were just trying to impress your friends. I sure hope this has taught you a lesson."

"It has. I just wish that my powers would stay under control. Every time I sneeze or cough, something happens. I'm sorry my sneezing last night caused your father's portrait to fall down."

"That's okay. At least it didn't break."

"True."

Miss Honey settled the tray in front of Matilda and then went to pick a book off the shelf for her to read.

"Any particular one you want to read today?"

"The Shining."

"You know, little girls shouldn't be reading scary stories like this," Miss Honey said, bringing a copy of The Shining by Stephen King over to Matilda.

"It's just a book. I know it's not real."

"It doesn't give you nightmares?"

"No. The only time I can ever remember feeling scared is when me and you almost got caught by the Trunchbull when we snuck in here that day after school."

Miss Honey smiled. "Oh, yes, that was quite the day. I've been scared lots of times, as you can probably tell."

"I don't blame you. Ah-ah-ah-choo!"

Matilda's sneeze caused the curtains and the rods on the windows to fall to the floor.

"Oops! Sorry."

"That is alright, Matilda."

"Mom, where is Madeline?"

Madeline was a little girl not much older than Matilda, whom Miss Honey adopted, for she wanted Matilda to have a sibling. She was a sweet girl, but at times, could be a little troublemaker. Miss Honey stood up.

"I don't know. I haven't heard a peep out of her. I will be right back, Matilda."

Miss Honey went to go look for her. She wasn't in her bedroom, so figured she'd try the living room. No telling what that girl could be up to. She looked in and saw that Madeline had used a blanket to make a tent. Madeline was hiding under there.

"Madeline, what are you doing under your tent," asked Miss Honey.

"Nothing."

"Madeline, I know you don't make a tent for nothing."