Jesse and Jemima were sitting outside of the boarding house talking. "Melissa sure has been acting strange lately. Doncha think?" Jemima asked Jesse.

"What do you mean?" Jesse asked.

"Well, she hasn�t been coming to school much, and she doesn�t talk to us much. Haven�t you noticed?" Jemima tilted her head questioningly at Jesse.

Jesse immediately came to Melissa�s defense. "Yeah, I�ve noticed, but I think it has to do with her sister being back. She�s preoccupied is all, and busy trying to help her sister get readjusted with the newspaper again."

"Oh." Jemima didn�t want to make Jesse mad, so she decided not to say anything more about Melissa, but she couldn�t think of anything else to talk about, so she became quiet. Jemima scratched her arm because it itched and also because she was bored. She looked up and across the street to see Melissa coming out of the PEG.

Melissa had been busy all day working on the PEG. Jacy had been messing up, and Melissa had to help her redo the paper because of simple little mistakes that Jacy should have known better than to do. Frustrated and tired because of the stupid argument that her and Jacy had got into, Melissa decided to cool off by taking a walk. As she walked out of the PEG she saw Jemima and Jesse in front of the boarding house. She debated whether or not to go over and join them. Her temper was subsiding a little, so maybe she could tolerate some company, that is someone other than her sister. She walked over to them, and as she approached Jesse stood up to greet her. She nodded and said, "Hello, Jesse, Jemima."

"Hi," Jemima weakly said unsure whether Melissa was in a good mood or not because she didn�t look very much like she was.

Melissa sat down on the steps, and Jesse returned to his seat. For lack of something better to say, Jemima asked, "How�s your sister?"

"Uhmm!" Melissa groaned and shook her head. "I don�t know." She shook her head again. Jemima and Jesse waited patiently for her to continue. "She�s different."

"What do you mean?" Jesse inquired.

"She�s just different. I don�t know how to explain it. She�s lacking in self-confidence, trust, and she�s not very friendly like she used to be. She also hates to cook. Well, she hasn�t exactly admitted it, but she comes up with the most ridiculous explanations for the burnt or unsavory food she does cook, and then she tries to get out of cooking lots of times by taking us to supper at the hotel or the Silver Spoon. That�s just not like her." Melissa sighed as she dropped her face so that her chin rested on her fist.

"Well, maybe she�s just having a hard time readjusting." Jesse stated.

"Well, then she sure is taking a long time to readjust. She�s been back for almost two weeks now." Melissa grumpily said.

"Sometimes it takes longer for some people than others." That was the only explanation that Jesse could think of for his friend.

"Well, if she takes any longer, the house is going to burn down from her horrible cooking methods." Melissa informed him. Jesse chuckled and so did Jemima. Finally, Melissa relented and cracked a smile, too. "Whataya say we go for a ride? Braids could use some exercise."

"Sounds good to me," Jesse stood up as he accepted the invitation.

Melissa stood up and looked at Jemima. "Well?"

"I don�t have a horse." Jemima sadly said for she was bored and even a ride right now seemed inviting.

"You can ride with me." Melissa stated.

"Really?" Jemima looked up into Melissa�s face to make sure she wasn�t teasing.

"Yes, really." Melissa replied.

"Ok, let me ask momma. I�ll be right back." Jemima rushed inside and in a few moments returned with permission from her momma. Jemima followed Melissa to the livery, and so did Jesse while leading Express.