Another good day had dawned on the forest, though today it was partially cloudy but otherwise still sunny. However, a storm was forecast for the night, so Eleanor would get her first chance in getting Alvin and Brittany in case of an emergency.
At the subway tracks where the trains run, Jeanette and Eleanor were all suited up and ready for the trip. They figured Jeanette's parents want them to be early, as they'd been mean to her years ago.
Last night, Jeanette's mind thought of all the ways her parents might've changed. Eleanor had never seen Jeanette's parents, but she had heard of them. Both were excited about what would happen next.
There were many ways Jeanette's parents try to keep her safe. When it came to protecting Jeanette, her parents really overdid it. Maybe, they made the same kind of promise as Alvin did.
Along with overdoing it, they also told her things that were not true. Such as, "apples will rot your teeth," and "sunsets can hurt your eyes," When they did something painful to Jeanette, they thought they were saving her from the things they thought were dangerous.
Since Jeanette had experienced being alone for so long, her parents' lectures might not scare her so much. As Brittany says sometimes, "you never know unless you try. If you don't like it, you don't have to do it."
All those years, she has been lectured, yelled at and sent to her room. With Eleanor as her lifeguard, things might run a little more smoothly.
However, Jeanette knew that if she missed Brittany, she could simply come home to her peaceful, happy life.
Jeanette and Eleanor would thumb-wrestle when they got bored.
The next morning, squirrels and chipmunks payed their passes to get on the subway. Not everyone was going where Jeanette and Eleanor were going, but Jeanette knew where she was going. Getting there and back would be really easy.
At the subway tracks, Alvin and Brittany were keeping Jeanette and Eleanor company until the train would arrive. The four friends were suited up and ready for the day's events.
"Remember, you two," he said as he put a warm paw on their shoulders. "If you get homesick, you can always come back,"
"Thank you, Alvin," Jeanette replied.
Alvin took his paw off her shoulder.
"You don't have to start growing up, but I'm proud of you just for trying your best," he said. "Just try your best; Brittany and I will be here for you in case of an emergency," He sighed. "If Jeanette's parents changed, I won't be surprised,"
"This will be fun," Eleanor said excitedly. "Traveling on the Subway, just me and my Sissy."
"I'm with her," Jeanette replied.
"Well, your train is here," Alvin said to them.
Jeanette and Eleanor nodded and got on the train.
"Good luck with Jeanette's parents," Alvin said to them.
Jeanette and Eleanor looked back at Alvin and nodded again and the train doors closed.
"This is fun," Eleanor said. "I love my first Subway Ride,"
"Me too, Eleanor," Jeanette said as excited as her sister. "Even though it's only two stops,"
The train stopped at Laurence station. After Eglinton, they would arrive. "The doors are closing!" Eleanor exclaimed excitedly as the doors closed once more and the train departed for the next station, Eglinton.
"One more stop and we'll be there," Jeanette informed her sister. "And when we do, we'll know if my parents changed or not,"
Eleanor looked at her taller sister with a worried look before she smiled.
"Yeah, you're right, Jeanette," she said. They stood next to the doors, waiting for the train to stop. "Oh look, here we are!" she exclaimed.
Jeanette kept her eyes glued to the door. As soon as the train stopped and the doors opened, they carefully stepped out, minding the gap of course. However when they did, Jeanette's parents shoved them against a nearby wall.
"Wait 'till it's gone!" her mother said.
"I like how the train sounds when it takes off," Eleanor replied. "I'm her new Sissy and Lifeguard, Eleanor," she added, introducing herself.
"That's a name for old people," Jeanette's mother scolded. "Your too young to handle such a name,"
It wasn't long until the train was all out of sight and Jeanette, her parents and Eleanor could relax. Jeanette's parents loosened their grip, but took the girls away from the station where Jeanette's old siblings were waiting. Jeanette's little brother and sister hugged her by the hips, which her parents pulled them away immediately, saying that hugs were dangerous. Her older brother and sister slapped high-fives with her, but her parents cut it off right away, saying that high-fives can cause death.
"That's how we died, Jeanette," said her mother. "By slapping high fives. Never do this with Eleanor,"
"No it's not," Jeanette replied. "You died in a sandstorm, remember?"
"Let's go, children," said Jeanette's father. "before another train comes."
Jeanette and her old family, along with Eleanor, went back home.
"Do you promise to obey the rules?" Jeanette's father asked, to which Jeanette nodded.
"I'm her lifeguard," explained Eleanor. "Which means I'll tell her new parents, Alvin and Brittany if something goes wrong. Will you be nice to her?" she inquired.
Jeanette's mother grabbed Eleanor by the neck. "This 'Alvin and Brittany' aren't her parents," she said crossly. "We are. And Jeanette's always thinking about herself. She has to learn to think about other people too."
"Please put her down," Jeanette said politely.
"I won't put her down," said her mother. "Unless you promise to think of other people too. Promise?"
Jeanette nodded.
As soon as her mother let go of Eleanor, she ran down the stairs and up the hallways to where the northbound trains were. She waited until the train arrived.
Meanwhile, Jeanette was taken to where her parents had moved in. She was immediately sent to her room, with her parents supervision of course. After five minutes, she was called down to dinner. There were no conversations and Jeanette was sent to bed.
Meanwhile, Eleanor arrived back at Jeanette's treedome. Alvin and Brittany were still there. "Brittany, Jeanette's mother grabbed me!" Eleanor said. "What? That's terrible," said Brittany. Quick as lightning, she rushed over to check on Jeanette that night, followed by Eleanor.
Meanwhile, Jeanette was having trouble sleeping. Her parents have just lectured her. Brittany came into the room to sleep with Jeanette. With Brittany, Jeanette was able to fall asleep.
