Vera Chases the Fizz — Every evening, Vera counted the peppermint moons above the Fizzy Dome before the syrup lamps clicked on. Read the full story →
Every evening, Vera counted the peppermint moons above the Fizzy Dome before the syrup lamps clicked on. She tapped each red swirl with her pencil, whispering, “Round, round, grin,” while snowflake gears ticked softly in the sugar-cold air. She wanted the pattern finished before the night candy-makers arrived.
Until one bubble floated backward. It was bigger than a gumdrop and smelled like lime soda. “Don’t count me,” it squeaked. “Follow me!” Because of that, Vera climbed the peppermint ladder and poked the bubble with her pencil. Pop! The sound bounced off the dome, and every snowflake gear spun the wrong way. Because of THAT, the peppermint moons began trading smiles, stripes, and places, rolling overhead like giggling dinner plates.
Vera laughed so hard she nearly dropped her chart. At last she drew one giant swirl in the air, and the moons rolled into a brand-new pattern: not neat, but marvelous. If you ever hear tick-tick-pop in a peppermint observatory, check the grinning candies—Vera may still be chasing the fizz.
