More than anything, she liked the lack of responsibility. She had only to worry about herself and Wendell here, not fifty other boys and girls. For eleven years she had helped Samantha take care of the others, worrying about their needs instead of her own. Here she could be selfish. She knew it was wrong to think of herself before others, to put the best interests of herself ahead of theirs. Yet she couldn't help wondering like Wendell: why shouldn't she be happy?
"I can't do it," she said. "I can't betray them."
"It's not a betrayal. Don't you think Samantha and the others want you to be happy? Don't you think they want what's best for you?"
"I don't know-"
"And what about me? Aren't I as important as Samantha or Molly or Becky to you? Don't you love me?"
"I do, Wendell. You know that. This is all so complicated. I can't make a decision right now. I need to think about it." She gave his hand a squeeze this time. "Can't we just enjoy my birthday?"
"All right. If that's what you want." They got up from the bench and started uphill towards Designs by Suzie. Neither of them said anything along the way; Prudence knew Wendell was still unhappy with her inability to decide.
Adjusting to life here was easier for him. He saw this world as a magic place full of puzzles to solve and wonders to uncover. Though she no longer feared the automobiles and electricity, to her this world still held many dangers. Simple items everyone else took for granted like ballpoint pens or can openers amazed her, reminding her how little she knew. Wendell enjoyed such surprises, but not her.
They reached the store as Suzie was closing up for the night. "Prudence, don't you look wonderful? I wish I had my camera to take a picture of you," Suzie said. Prudence never knew whether to take these compliments seriously or not; Suzie gushed like this to everyone who came in. "I hope you haven't come here on your birthday to work overtime? I wouldn't dream of it, especially not on your sixteenth birthday. That's the most important one for every girl."
"I just needed to pick up my dress for tonight," Prudence said. "I left it in the back room."
"Of course. I'm sure you have big plans for tonight. I remember for my sixteenth birthday I went to New York with my parents and all my friends. Oh, we had the most wonderful time at this fabulous restaurant-I forget the name-and then a Broadway show. I don't think I've ever had a better birthday."