Chapter 8

8 "What a whirlwind!" hollered Dr. Crisp as she joined the Makers. "Great…job?" She paused as she saw Devin wipe a small tear from the corner of his eye. "No need to be sad. You all figured it out! And there's still plenty of time to finish the challenge!" Dr. Crisp explained, showing everyone her watch. Devin was quiet for a moment before finally replying. "I'm trying to be happy. I promise. But it's really hard." He sighed. "One year ago, today… my grandpa died. There. I said it." His

sister gave him a one-armed hug. "He was my best friend. Besides Skylar." Violet's eyes softened. "Oh, Devin, I'm so sorry. We had no idea." "He had a farm in Oklahoma," he replied. "And when I visited, we always talked about the weather." Skylar nodded. "The weather is really important to farmers," she said. "That's how I learned about wind," Devin continued. "But now he's gone." He hung his head again. Dr. Crisp knelt in front of him. "Can I tell you a sort-of secret?" she asked. Devin wiped another tear and nodded. "I also cry sometimes when I think of my grandpa. He was my best friend, too. I called him Paw-Paw Crispy!"

Devin giggled. "He taught me everything I needed to know to run the Maker Maze," Dr. Crisp continued. "He's gone now, too. But I still miss him and think about him often." "You still get sad when you think about him?" asked Devin.

"Sometimes I do. And other times I feel happy. Our feelings are kind of like the weather. Some days are sunny and other days are stormy. And that's okay." "I definitely feel stormy today," replied Devin. "But talking with you makes me feel better. A little more sunny." Devin smiled and wrapped his arms around Dr. Crisp's neck and gave her a hug. "Thank you." "You're most welcome, Devin," Dr. Crisp replied. Then Devin held his head high. "My grandpa wouldn't want me to be sad." He rubbed his hands together and looked at his friends. "Let's do this!" Dr. Crisp gave Devin another salute. "Aye, aye, captain!" She found her backpack and opened it. She pulled out the Maker Manual, which flew open to a page that read:

LEVEL 3: SPINNING STORMS Go througt tunnel L. Dr. Crisp packed away the glittery golden book, then yelled into her watch, "Maker Maze, open sesame!" The Makers waited. But nothing happened. "Hmmmm," said Dr. Crisp, scratching her head with her pencil. "Maybe I forgot the password." "But, Dr. Crisp, we only have thirty Maker Minutes left!" Pablo said, grabbing his cheeks.

"Aha! I remember now," Dr. Crisp replied. "Maker Maze, open supercell!" Just then, a circle opened in the ceiling. The Makers gazed up. It was dark, but they could hear a soft wind howling from above. "Ready?" Dr. Crisp asked with a big smile. Then she leaped into the air.