Me: *walks in* Hi, Dustfinger!

Dusty: Hi—oh joy, I get to be stuck with you for 2 ½ months. So much fun.

Me: What do you mean?

Dusty: Your school's out, right?

Me: *nods*

Dusty: And your summer break is that long?

Me: Yeah, but—

Dusty: So that's what I mean!

Me: But you don't get it. I'm not spending all summer with you. *thinks for a moment* Wow, that came out really wrong. I just mean that I'm going to go on vacation, and spend time with my family, and stuff like that. In fact, that's why I came here.

Dusty: Why did you come here?

Me: To say good-bye.

Dusty (startled): Good- bye? Whatever do you mean by that?

Me (mischeviously) : What, you're not gonna miss me, are you?

Dusty: Miss you? *laughs* Of course not! I'll get some peace and quiet for once! Just . . . do you mean that you're leaving for . . . forever?

Me: Definitely . . .

Dusty: *stricken look*

Me: *savors the moment* . . . not!

Dusty: *sigh* That's a relief!

Me (triumphantly) : So you are going to miss me!

Dusty: No, I'm not. *changes the subject* So where . . . exactly . . . are you going?

Me: To six different countries in Europe! Isn't that awesome?

Dusty (half-heartedly): Yeah . . . have fun . . . without me.

Me *gets the hint*: It's only about 20 days, you know. After that, you'll have your LIVELY apprentice back!

Dusty *groans*: And what fun'll that be, right?

Me (enthusiastically): You said it! I can't wait to get back . . . and I haven't even left yet! But I'm very excited about that, too, 'cause all I've seen of Europe before now is some of the airports. And believe me, that's nothing!

Dusty (superior look): So that means I've seen more of you're world than you have!

Me: Oh, but that'll change. That'll change real soon. Besides, you haven't been to more than half the states in the U.S. Or to Canada. Or India. Or Qatar. Or—

Dusty: I get it! I get it!

Me: And you know what the best part is? I'm going alone! I mean, it'll be with 40 other kids and 4 teachers, but no family at all! *sniffle* I'm gonna miss my mommy! And my daddy! *starts crying on the floor*

Dusty (panicking): It's fine! Think of all the fun you'll have! That's an amazing experience!

Me: (still crying) But what does it matter if—if you don't miss me?

Dusty: Is that what this is about?

Me: (crying) No, it's about missing my family. But you're pretty close to being like my family! And I'll miss these conversations, making fun of you, and learning how to tame fire. But most of all . . . I'll miss—YOU!

Dusty (somewhat touched): Well, I guess—heaven help me—I will miss you, and these questions, even though Lord knows they can be such a pain!

Me: Aha! So there we have it! Good ol' Dusty is a soft-heart after all!

Dusty (mock anger): So you did all this for that? I'll get you for this! *starts chasing me around*

Me: bye, all! I'll miss you guys, but I'll have fun! And Dustfinger's not gonna kill me, or hurt me in any way, okay? *leaves room*

Dusty (to all of you): That's what she thinks!