So we know that Junie talks to the flowers. Does she talk to flytraps? Will we even find out in this chapter? Thanks for your review, S. Snowflake.

The ten minutes in the garden I'd hoped for didn't happen, since I had homework, although I sat outside to do most of it. It was a good thing I had so many classmates on my block, since the math was really hard and I could get with a couple of the other kids and we could copy off each other (Mom thought we worked the stuff out together – she would try to help me if I asked her, but she had left school early and even though she had gone through sixth grade, she'd forgotten most of it and wasn't much help).

There was, at least, one thing that made the day better. Dad was often pretty tired when he got home from a long day in the city, and there was no telling what kind of mood he'd be in. Today, he not only seemed to be in a good mood, but also had more energy than normal.

I was at home by then, so I heard the door open, and then a voice call "I'm home!"

"I'd come out, but I can't leave the stovetop right now!" Mom called from the kitchen. "Give me another half-hour!"

I, however, came out to meet Dad. "How was your day?" I asked dutifully.

Dad grinned at me, his eyes twinkling from behind his glasses. "Suprisingly well, Junie. I'll tell you and your mother together. How about your day?"

I shrugged "All right. You know, same old same old. I got my homework done, though."

Even though our conversations didn't always sound very meaningful, especially now, we usually discussed things at length. Since there was some big good news that both Mom and I had to hear, we didn't talk about the economy in the city, and there were no major current events to talk about, either (apart from the stuff going on with the President, but there hadn't been much progress in that since last year). Instead, the subject focused on what was going on in my life. I never told my parents that my friends weren't really close ones – so I just talked about how it drove me nuts, having to sit inside and focus on math and writing when I knew I could work so much better in the sun and breeze.

"I know what you mean." Dad said sympathetically. "I spent so much of my life in cramped living spaces that having my own space, both inside and outside was like seeing the light for the first time."

I knew a little bit about my family's past, but not much. All Mom and Dad had said was that they met working at a shop in the ghettoes of New York, and after they got married, they had made enough money to move into the suburbs and so they got this house, and had me. This little hint about cramped living spaces wasn't surprising, but it was surprising that it came out.

I knew not to press anything more. "Well, for me it's just being stuck inside rather than having space, but I guess you mean it's the same kind of feeling – like it you were sealed into a little cubicle all day and desperately needed to be part of the world again."

Dad nodded. "That's exactly what I meant, Junie." he said. "But I think you get your love of the outdoors from me. I've always been into growing things – flowers and family." he added, laughing. "Maybe you'll want to become a botanist. You're always in the garden."

I shrugged, not wanting to admit I talked to the flowers, and didn't have the least interest in learning about how to grow them.

The good news, by the way, was not all that earth-shattering to me. It was still major from a grown-up point of view, though. Dad's firm, whatever it was (I don't pay that much attention), had a high-up manager leaving. Dad was just the average guy in his office, but he'd apparently been working so well that he'd been offered the job. That meant more money coming in.

Mom was ecstatic, jumping up from the table to hug Dad. "I'm so proud of you, Seymour!" she gushed. "Those people made the right decision."

Dad blushed pink, but he smiled too. "We could probably afford a dryer now." he offered (I knew Mom wanted one). "And a microwave oven. That would make cooking leftovers easier."

I quickly excused myself to do the dishes rather than watch any more sappy stuff – I knew moms and dads married and had kids because they were in love, but my parents were just a tiny bit too devoted to each other around me.

"I hope I never get like Mom over a guy one day." I muttered to myself. Right now, the only thing I felt towards boys was joy when I tackled them in football or took the ball during a soccer game. Especially soccer, because I was better at it than some of the boys and got to kick the ball away from them rather a lot.

I didn't get a chance to talk to the flowers that night, anyway. I spent most of the evening playing with my Malibu and Cheerleader Barbie dolls. And before anyone asks, yes, they would've been easy confidants, just as much as the garden. But it was much more of a weight off my shoulders when I used the flowers – again, they were alive, not rubbery plastic with painted lipstick and wiry fair hair – why weren't there many brunette Barbies? At least the Miss America Barbie had brown hair (although it was still a much lighter brown than my dark mouse), but there was no way I'd get that, unless Dad's new job was double the pay he got for the old one.

On Thursday, the day was on repeat, except that Dad didn't have to retell his promotion news. Mom was still acting more lovestruck than usual. I went to school, did my homework, longed to get outside and lounge around while I chatted away, but I just didn't have the time.

It was Friday when I finally got out into the garden. I didn't have any weekend homework, and even if I had, the rule in our house was that I could do it on Saturday. It was a free day for the house, and if I needed adult help, Mom and Dad were on call (if I needed academic help, though, I had to pick the brains of my classmates nowadays).

I spent ten minutes just lying there, whispering about how frustrating it was to never be able to talk about anything meaningful with my friends. "And it's like, if I tell one of them I still sometimes play with Barbies when I don't know if they have any at home, that'll end in disaster because they'll think I'm a baby." I went on. "And if I want to talk about one of the current events Dad told me about, like that huge scandal involving President Nixon, they'll think I'm a total nerd, even though I only listen because Dad's the only one who treats me like an equal person. Mom treats me like a little kid, most of the time."

That's when I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked over, and saw a particularly weird-looking plant growing way at the back, almost hidden behind all the flowers. I knew from growing up with a dad like mine that it was some kind of flytrap – not a very well-maintained one, though. It was slumped on the soil, probably dead. But then, had something else moved?

Then the plant, very slowly, raised a leaf, curling and uncurling the end of it for a second. Then it dropped down again.

There was no breeze.

I'm going to leave it there. The musical and movie never made it clear if Audrey II actually needs blood to live. It needs blood to grow and it wilts if it doesn't get blood, but how long does it take to die completely? I'm cheating a little bit, but I'd say this one has mutated from the original (plants do mutate and become less vulnerable, just like humans – that's what evolution is), enough to live without blood for a long time, but be unable to do anything except make sucking sounds if it detects an open wound, and drink from a source if it was placed onto that area.

Another little note: I'm writing from research. The Watergate scandal involving Richard Nixon was a big thing around late 1973 and carried on through to 1974, eventually causing his resignation in August. This takes place in March, and the scandal was still going on. I considered referencing the Cold War, but...nah.

Additionally, you may have noticed that Junie seems like a bit of a daddy's girl. Because Seymour works full-time and Audrey is a housewife, I figured that Junie would be more attached to the parent who's not around as much, especially since she loves to be around nature. Hope you liked this chapter.