Chapter 1

Blue Pizza

"What?!"

"Yes, yes, I know, but I got a new one…"

"Well, that's a relief…"

"Yeah…"

"Well, aren't you going to tell me what it is?!"

"Oh that, well…um…you know that new restaurant, The Blue Pizza?"

"Ha! I wouldn't eat any of their crummy food if my life depended on it. I mean, who in their right mind would dye pizzas blue? It just doesn't make any sense!"

"Yes, but dear, they're just trying out a new idea. Who knows? They could be really successful! At least I hope so, since I'm going to be working there from now on."

It took a few minutes for this information to settle into Noelle Lundby's head. Then…"Ahhh! You're gonna work in a pizza restaurant? A PIZZA RESTAURANT? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?"

"Now, honey, it really isn't so bad –"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, 'IT'S NOT SO BAD'? DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF MONEY THOSE PEOPLE MAKE? DIRT, THAT'S WHAT THEY MAKE! HOW ARE WE GOING TO LIVE?!"

"Well, it's true that we can't afford to keep living here, but –"

"AHHHHHHH!! NO! NOT MY BEAUTIFUL MILLION DOLLAR HOME THAT I DESIGNED MYSELF!"

"Now, honey, please calm down! I already got us another home! It looks like a really nice place from the pictures. It's one of those old Victorian style mansions, and it's huge! Plus it comes with all of the furniture, which is good, since we can't afford to keep ours."

"SO WE'RE GOING TO DITCH OUR BEAUTIFUL HOME TO GO LIVE IN SOME OLD DUMP THAT YOU'VE NEVER EVEN SEEN? AND IF IT'S SO BIG AND GRAND, HOW COME YOU CAN AFFORD IT?"

"Well, it was very cheap, strange, huh, but it's better not to question why, but to enjoy it while you can. Plus, they have a river, and you know you've always wanted a river!"

"Mommy, what's all the noise? We could hear you outside!"

"Hi, kids!" she said in a happy, dreamy kind of voice. "Guess what? We're moving!" Then she wandered off mumbling something about rivers.