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“Can’t you just ignore the raccoons tonight?”
    â€œKatie, it’s pouring rain! I’m soaked. I’m sleeping in the van.”
    Running through the downpour, Christy yanked open the side door of the minivan and climbed in. She pulled the door shut and settled herself onto the back bench seat. Why didn’t I think of this last night? It’s much warmer in here .
    The rain pelted the van’s roof, but Christy was safe, dry, and almost warm. She pulled her scratchy blanket up to her chin and thought she might actually get some sleep now.
    Just then the van’s door slid open. “Make room, I’m coming in! Our tent is flooding.” Katie sprang inside, accidentally smashing Christy’s index finger against the seat’s underside metal frame.
    â€œOuch!” Christy yelled.
    â€œWhat happened?”
    Before Christy could answer, the van’s side door opened again, and Todd hopped in. “Guess you two had the same idea.”
    Antonio stood right behind him in the pouring rain and shouted, “Hey, come on! Make some room!”
    â€œYou guys are all wet,” Katie said.
    Todd held a flashlight and turned it toward Christy. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pressed her lips togetherand held her smashed finger tightly.
    â€œYou okay?” he asked.
    Christy shook her head but couldn’t speak. Todd motioned with a chin-up gesture and said, “Did you hurt your hand?”
    She nodded, and he reached for her hand, shining the flashlight on it. Antonio moved in, and all four of them peered at Christy’s finger. It throbbed like crazy, but there was nothing to see. It wasn’t swollen, cut, or black-and-blue. It just hurt like everything. The way her three friends looked up at her made Christy feel again like a failed nature woman.
    â€œIt’ll be all right,” Christy said quietly, pulling her hand out of the light.
    â€œWell, then, since we are all together,” Antonio said, “what should we do?”
    Christy leaned back on the bench seat and tried hard to keep from crying over her throbbing finger. Todd made himself comfortable on the van’s floor, leaning against her legs. At that moment she didn’t want anyone to touch her or to press against her. Not even Todd. The tight quarters were beginning to smell like wet wool socks and mildewed boots. She knew if she popped open one of the windows, the wind would bring in the rain.
    â€œWe could tell detective stories,” Katie said. “Or play chess. Have you ever played chess in teams? Guys against the girls. What do you think, Christy?”
    Christy didn’t feel like playing any kind of game. She didn’t view this as the impromptu slumber party everyone else seemed to think it was.
    â€œI have another flashlight somewhere,” Antonio said, fumbling through the cupboards.
    Todd turned around and said to Christy, “Listen to the sound of that rain. Isn’t it amazing? What does it remind you of?”
    When Christy didn’t answer, Todd added, “I’ll give you a hint. Think of an open jeep and a sudden downpour.”
    Antonio turned on a large flashlight, illuminating the enclosed area. Todd appeared surprised when he saw the expression on Christy’s face in the light. “What? Did I say something wrong?”
    â€œNo,” Christy said, trying to change her aggravated expression.
    â€œThen, what’s wrong?” Todd looped his arm across her knees and looked at her with concern.
    â€œIt’s nothing.”
    â€œOh, come on, Christy, it’s obviously something,” Katie said. “We all know you too well for you to try to hide whatever it is. Just tell us.”
    Christy hesitated. She hated the way she felt right now. Holding her still-screaming finger, she spouted, “I’m not particularly enjoying this downpour the way you guys are, and to be honest with you . . . I don’t know if I can do