“Shana! Dana! Is everything okay? Why are the two of you wearing winter hats in this heat?!”

Shuly and I were sitting on our porch. Our AC had broken down last night. Outside was hot and sticky. Inside was even hotter, like a toaster oven.

We were using paper fans and icy lemonade to keep the heat level down.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been so hot,” I said.

“I know,” Shuly said. “I think I might be starting to melt. I could use a good sprinkling of water, but I’m too hot to move.”

Two girls were walking up our street.

“Uh, Shuly, I think I might be hallucinating. Are those girls really wearing winter hats?”

“Oh, my! They really are!” Shuly said.

One of the girls turned to us. “It’s Shana and Dana!” I exclaimed.

I wobbled down the steps.

“Shana! Dana! Is everything okay? Why are the two of you wearing winter hats in this heat?!”

Their faces were cherry red. Sweat was dribbling down their faces. Their eyebrows were wet.

Shana glanced at Dana. “Can I tell?”

Dana shrugged with a frown. “I guess so.”

“Dana went to get a haircut this morning,” Shana said. “She was sitting in the chair and the hairdresser was cutting her hair, when suddenly, a huge, brown dog ran through the open door and lunged at the hairdresser. The hairdresser was so shocked that the scissors in her hands went in the wrong direction, and now half of Dana’s hair is gone!”

“Oh, no!” I said.

“That’s why Dana’s wearing a hat.”

“And why are you also wearing a hat?” Shuly asked.

“How can I let my sister be the odd one out?” Shana said.

“Wow,” I said. “But you can’t wear a winter hat in this weather. Madame Chamberlaine is at our house. Maybe she can help you, Dana.”

“Nobody can help,” Dana pouted. “Not with half my hair missing.”

“Come anyway,” I said.

We trudged up the steps to our house. Madame was just emptying out the blender into large cups.

“Ah, mes petites!” she said. “Just in time for strawberry smoothies! And you brought des amies! Come, sit!”

She brought a few more cups to the table and sat down as well. She looked at Shana and Dana.

“Why are you wearing des chapeaux? Dans ce temps?

“Can I tell her your story?” I asked.

Dana nodded, her eyes sad.

Madame listened.

“Oh la la!” she said after I explained. She was quiet for a few minutes while we sipped our refreshing drink.