Obviously, I needed my parents' permission to join. They needed to know where I would be going, especially since it would be several times a week. It wouldn't do any good to get grounded after I had become a Controller.

Besides, if Fun for Family was fake, I could still meet some people and do some community service through it.

In any event, it would be best to get everything out in the open right away. Or, at least, what I knew for sure.

I waited until dinner. It was hamburgers with potatoes. Not my first choice…Dad's, in fact. He bought a new grill and wanted to try it out.

"Mom?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Umm hmm?" my mom replied, distracted. She was going over some files for work.

Before I could say anything, my dad immediately jumped in with; "Oh, Rob, could you pass the ketchup? You know how much I hate meat without ketchup; it's all stringy and gross. Did I ever tell you about that time, back when I was young—"

"In the dark ages," Rob interrupted.

Mom glared at him.

Dad went on as though nothing had happened. "—when I was at a friend's house, his mom actually served meat without ketchup one night. . ."

My younger brother graciously spared us the agony of listening to the infamous ketchup story by pretending to have a coughing fit.

My mom glanced up, startled.

"Rob, sweetie, are you all right?"

"I'll" cough "be" cough "fine" cough "Mom" cough "I think," he managed to gasp.

"Amy, love, get your brother a glass of water."

A minute later, Rob was drinking some soda and Dad was reaching for the ketchup. I waited until he drowned his meat in it before continuing. Rob pretended to gag until Mom gave him a stern look. Obviously she had figured out by now that Rob just wanted to avoid the ketchup story. Not that she enjoyed it, but. . ."Amy, hon, what did you want to ask me?" my mom recalled, now sounding much calmer."I found this neat organization today. It's called Fun for Family, when you sort of try to improve the world. I called them about it, and they gave me the information about meetings and stuff. It sounds kind of cool…I was thinking of maybe joining it."

Now my dad looked really excited. "Oh, really, Amy? Golly gee, now that sounds nice. I'm glad you want to join these sort of clubs. You'll be able to make lots of new friends and all," my dad spoke up, smiling. "I remember I used to belong to the boy scouts. Every two months we would have a sleepover and take turns playing tricks on the counselors"

"Well, yeah. Anyway. There's one tomorrow, after school. Is it ok with you guys if I go?"

My dad looked positively thrilled at being called "guy." When he was in school, apparently to be called "guy" meant that you were cool and that now all of the girls would want to date you. Not that my dad admitted to caring about girls- he didn't even date until college. Still, that was one "yes" already . . . I waited anxiously for my mom's response.

"How far away is it, sweetie?"

"It's across the street from our church, walk a block, and then turn right."

Mom nodded. "I know which group you're talking about…I don't see why not, as long as you get your homework done," she finally replied, nodding with approval. "Sounds like fun."

"Sure, kiddo, sounds great. Gee, since it's Fun for Family, maybe I could join." He grinned at me and I groaned inwardly.

"Da-ad! They only call it that to get members. Mom? Please don't let him ruin my life, okay?"

"The only reason Amy's really going," Rob teased, "is 'cause she has a boyyyfriend! And she's afraid her geeky old dad will male her seem like a nerd in front of him at the campfire by making them put frogs in the counselor's sleeping bag."

"That's enough, Rob," snapped my dad, very annoyed this time.

Ick. Rob had hit a nerve big time. I hid a grin.

"Although come to think of it, that is a good idea…oh, no, dear?" He asked my mom, seeing her give him a look. "Now, Amy, of course you can go, and don't worry, I was only kidding…Anyway, just be sure that you finish your homework on time and don't talk to strangers. Do you need a ride?"

"Da-ad. I have a bike."

"Kids today are very picky about being near their parents in public," Mom translated.

"I still say you have a boyfriend," whispered Rob.

"You know, kiddo," said my dad, thinking for a minute, now somewhat calmer, "maybe you should try to get Rob to join Fun for Family."

"Maybe."

"Hey! Amy! Yes, you! Over here!" called someone. It was the next day, at lunch. A figure with light blond hair came up to me.

"Hi, Amanda."

I knew her, vaguely. She was in my math class, and seemed involved in school activities. We never really spoke before, though.

"What's up?"

"Not much, you?"

She shrugged. "Jeff called me yesterday. Said you were interested in joining."

"For Fun for Family?" I asked in a low voice, looking around. It was April right now, colder this year than usual, but there were still some people outside at the tables.

"Yeah."

"Are you a full member?"

She nodded, pleased with herself for having advanced that far. "I've been going for a few months now. It's great. Everyone loves it."

"Sounds it," I replied, noncommittally.

"Are you going to a meeting soon?" she asked, walking along with me as I went to a table to eat lunch.

"Yeah, I might check it out today. After classes."

She nodded. "I'll be there today. . .but not for that meeting. We have one for full members a couple of times a week. You know, other business and stuff for full members. Maybe you'll become a full member."

We sat down at a wobbly table and opened our lunch bags.

"So, could you tell me a little more about Fun for Family?" I asked. "Jeff told me some stuff on the phone, but he seemed a little vague."

Amanda twirled her hair a little, thinking.

"Oh, well, gee. . . I mean, there's not that much more to say about it. . . it's really cool. . . we generally just try to improve the world and become better people. Y'know, that sort of thing."

"How's that different from any other organizations?"

"You'll see once you're there."

"When do you find out if they're considering you for a full member?" I asked, taking a bite of my peanut butter sandwich.

Amanda chewed her apple slice and swallowed, calculating for a few minutes.

"Oh, a few weeks. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. But generally you know either way before a month."

"What kinds of qualities do they look for in a to-be member?"

I took a sip from my water bottle.

"You need to…you need to be like someone that can be trusted. Like there's some gang members and stuff that could get chosen and all, but I mean it's not as likely. But then again, more gang members than usual have gotten chosen. . .it really all depends on the person, the circumstances, the whole thing. I mean, it could be anyone."

It could be you.

"I get it," I replied, nodding for emphasis.

"It's really fun- even at the beginning. But once you're asked to be a full member, it's like…everything changes."

"Hey, have you ever heard of the Animorph books? They're pretty neat," I pretended to change the subject.

I could see a look of fear cross her face for a split second. Her host hadn't taken control; it was the books.

But Amanda recovered quickly, and I acted as though I hadn't noticed.

"Oh yeah, I…those. They're all right."

I nodded. "Not exactly quality literature, are they? Still, they're fun to read."

Amanda nodded. "Yeah, but some take them a little too seriously."