Part of this World

Everything is okay

The whole thing turned out to be a dream. Lori was still saying "There's no place like home" in her sleep.

"Lori? Please wake up," Muffy's voice rang out.

Lori was still chanting.

"Come on, dear—open your eyes," Nancy's voice rang out.

Lori opened her eyes to find her friends and family looking at her, and she found herself strapped to a stretcher with Dorothy on her tummy. "Dorothy?" she asked. "What's going on?" But then she felt a pain in her head. "And why does my head hurt?"

"From what we can see, it looks like the tornado loosened that door, and it hit you in the head," Esteban told her.

"I called 911 and sent an ambulance over," Muffy said.

Lori was surprised.

"By the way, I like your slippers and bracelet," Nancy said.

Lori saw that she was still wearing the ruby slippers and the diamond bracelet.

"She'll be okay, Mr. Prescott, but she has a minor concussion," a paramedic said. "I assume you'd like to meet her in the hospital?"

"I'll go, but can Dorothy come, too?" Muffy asked. "Ever since Lori's mom died, this kitty has been attached to Lori like glue."

"Fair enough," the paramedic said.

"Okay, mermaid, I'll meet up with you at the hospital later," Bryan told his daughter. "Right now, Nancy, Nicholas, and I have to take care of this door."

"Okay, Daddy," Lori said.

The paramedics rolled Lori into the ambulance, and Muffy climbed in. Once everyone was ready, the siren blared, and the ambulance took off to the hospital.

"Lori, I thought I lost you," Muffy said. "I'm so sorry for the way I treated you. I'm especially sorry I ruined your recital."

"Thanks, Muffy," Lori smiled. "That means a lot."

"I'll do anything to make up for what I did," Muffy declared.

"I'll think of something later—my head hurts," Lori said.

Soon enough, the ambulance made it to the hospital.

Lori stayed in the hospital for a few days, but she was okay, and when she was released, her father and stepmother sent her to bed. Muffy even got her a get-well gift.

"Ruby pink earrings?" Lori gasped. "Thanks a bunch, Muffy."

"Not a problem," Muffy smiled.

"Aw, Muffy, I'm so proud of you," Nancy smiled. "Well, Bryan and I talked it over, and we decided to lift you of your grounding."

"Thanks," Muffy smiled.

"But what about Old Rosebud?" Lori asked. "Muffy is the one who let that skunk in there in the first place. By the time we go back to school, her suspension will officially start."

"Well, this may not get me out of trouble, but hopefully, the principal will let me make up for what I did," Muffy said.

A few weeks later, another recital started—it turned out Muffy talked the principal into letting the school have another recital starring Lori, and it lifted her suspension. Muffy even made Lori's outfit—the same one Sophia had worn. So far, the recital was perfect.

"Oh, Muffy, this recital is better than I thought," Lori smiled. "Thanks so much!" She hugged Muffy tightly.

"I think there's one more song you ought to sing," Muffy declared.

"Right," Lori agreed. She started to sing "I Will Sing" from The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning.

My love is higher than the sky

Deeper than the ocean

Warmer than the sun shining down on me

Quiet as a prayer

Sweeter than the songs we share

All my love

I will sing of joy and glory

I will sing the look in your eyes

I will sing until all the world knows your story

I will sing for the rest of my life

Lori hugged Esteban tightly—and it seemed like they were boyfriend and girlfriend. Muffy even got herself a boyfriend.

"This has to be the greatest night ever," Lori smiled.

"Indeed, sirenita," Esteban agreed.

"Whoo! Conga!" Muffy whooped.

I will sing for the rest of my life

Muffy started doing the awkward dance that Aquata did at the end of The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning. Everyone just stared at her, but Lori shrugged it off and followed her sister's dance steps with Dorothy at her feet—and everyone joined in the fun.

All Lori really needed to put her life together was a trip to the land of Oz, and while she didn't like being in the hospital, she was happy this trip happened. So long as she was happy, nothing could go wrong, and then she sang the last lyrics of this song at the top of her lungs.

I will sing for the rest of my life!

The End