Chapter 2 – by Elizabeth Kay Steer (Paula)

Dear Lisa May,

I’m a little jealous of your trip with Sigurd! You know how he likes to go out to parts unknown all by himself. I don’t think there’s an inch of Maya World, Earth World or any of the Multi-Worlds that he hasn’t explored! You are gonna have so much fun. I know you are a little worried but Sigurd won’t let anything bad happen to you. He and Granny Day have been planning this trip for you for a long time.

Good luck trying to use his fancy new camera…I don’t think he would even let Sigma use it! Besides being clean as a whistle, and you are right about the amount of dirt Sigurd has ground into his hands, she’s his own wife! Maybe you can sketch me a picture of the beautiful boat you are on and other things that you see on your trip. I will do the same for you. So even though we are apart, with the letters and sketches it will be like we are having two adventures together!

Sis, you know that I’m always up for adventure, but I have to say that it was a little daunting leaving to go off on my own for the very first time. Granny Day gave me a big hug, a big sack lunch and a big talk about keeping my wits about me. Do you remember all her stories about her adventures when she was a girl? Hard to imagine that now as she is so round that to even get her up Edorf Hill we’d have to roll her! But she still sure has a lot of spunk and sass. She showed me a couple of new ways to disarm an attacker…what other grandma would do that?! She seemed excited and a little scared for me but also a little jealous about my going off on my first solo adventure. I think she wishes she could be heading out into the unknown again too!

I’m camped right now beside the Little Maya River, my second day away from home. When I have more time, I will have to draw you a sketch of me hiking with all my gear. I felt a little like a turtle with my utility belt, backpack and bedroll! Mr Lunch was either running ahead of me, begging to stop to eat or sitting on top of the backpack with his tongue hanging out of his big goofy grin. He’s enjoying himself already but then I think pugs enjoy themselves wherever they go and whatever they do! How is Izzy? Does he like Sigurd’s boat?

Speaking of which, where is Sigurd taking you on his boat? He was very secretive about it before you left. Has he told you yet? Are you staying on Maya World? Or going to one of the Multi-Worlds? I’ve asked him how many worlds he has visited and he always says “as many worlds as the hairs in my beard” and you know what a bushy red beard he has! Can he really be old enough to have seen that many???

I am almost to the jumping off point to visit Earth. Sigurd gave me directions to the jumping off point and a map for once I get there. My stomach starts jiggling around with nervousness when I think about this too hard but the rest of me can’t wait to get there! The sun’s down and the moons are rising. Mr Lunch is curled up at my side, snoring and dreaming. I’ve got a long day tomorrow so I best end this and shut my eyes too. Next letter you get from me, I will be breathing new air and seeing sights I’ve never seen before! Wish me luck on the jump!

Love you, Sis!

-E

PS I dreamt last night of Mum and Da…they were looking at me with big smiles on their faces and waving at me to hurry up. I was hollering and laughing and running as fast as I could to catch up to them, but as fast as I ran, I never seemed to get closer. They kept trying to tell me something, something important, but the words never reached me. I woke up to Mr Lunch licking my face and smiling. I still can’t believe our parents are dead. I don’t believe they are dead, Lisa May, I don’t.