Peep woke up in his own bed of twisted sheets and covers with Hello kitty snuggled tightly under his chin. He heard the jiggling of his door knob then a loud rapping.

Oskar yelled through the locked door, "Mom says it's time to get up! We're late!"

After his excursion to Fairy World, Peep did not feel rested. He wished Spring Break would come early this year.

He noticed an elaborate gift box at the foot of his bed. "It's not my Half Birthday," he thought to himself. He tore open the shiny green paper and peered inside. Nothing. "That's strange," he said to himself. Checking the box once again he noticed a note the size of a fortune cookie's fortune. It read: Wear this. Love, Locket. There was a tiny arrow indicating he should turn the paper over. On the other side it read: Destroy evidence. He swallowed the note.

Peep grumbed, "Wear what? There's nothing in here!" He felt around inside the deep box until he grabbed a silky material. "What the heck?" He pulled out the invisible textile and tried to gage its size and shape. It felt like a long cape, perhaps the kind a fancy magician would wear in Las Vegas. He wished he could summon Locket by a special ring or thinking really hard. Instead he needed to figure things out on his own.

He threw on some jeans, a black tee shirt and his white chucks. Then he attempted to put on the invisible cloak. He couldn't figure out what was the top or the bottom. He got so frustrated he threw the garment on top of the kitten and she disappeared.

Liza knocked on his door, "Peep! Are you up buddy? We've gotta leave early today. I have a parent teacher conference before school."

"Coming ma!" Peep grabbed the cape and tried again. This time he closed his eyes. He'd gotten dressed in the dark many times so he figured it might help. He managed to find two strings and he tied them around his neck then he draped the cape around his shoulders. When he looked in the dresser mirror he could hardly believe his eyes. He wasn't invisible but his tattoos and pink hair were. He looked like a normal kid.

Locket really did it! Her magic finally worked.

After brushing his teeth he bounded slid down the bannister ready to face the third grade with gusto (without looking like an Anime character.)

Liza poured syrup on two hot chocolate chip Eggo Waffles. Handing the plate to Peep she said, "My don't you look chipper this morning. Get it?"

Peep kissed her on the cheek. "I get it mom. Chocolate chip waffles, chipper... very clever."

"Eat up, wise guy. We've gotta leave in three minutes." Lisa got a good look at her son. "You're hair! It looks normal. But how?"

Peep thought up a lie and he thought it up quick. "I, uh... tried some of dad's old prescription dandruff shampoo. That stuff will peel paint off cars!"

Still in shock Liza said, "I thought I threw that stuff out years ago. Dad said it burned his scalp."

"Welp, " Peep said while shoveling the second waffle into his mouth, "I found it under the bathroom sink behind Taz's old flea shampoo. I mixed them together and wala! No fleas, no dandruff and no more pink hair!"

"That doesn't seem safe," Lisa said while gulping down a second cup of coffee.

Peep interjected, "Safer than getting beat up or you slathering black shoe polish on my hair every morning."

Liza remained suspicious. "I guess..."

"Ma, don't look a gift horse in the eye."

Liza chuckled, "Peep, the expression is, 'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.'"

Peep looked very sincere. "I don't think so ma, that would be very dangerous."

Liza didn't feel like explaining the old adage to Peep. Instead she hurried out the front door for school.

---

On Long Island late March weather could be most temperamental. It could go out like a lion or a lamb. It could bring a blizzard or sunshine with blooming Forsythia and Pussy Willows. As Peep stepped outside he heard bluejays singing and he felt the early spring sun warm on his face. Not a cloud in the sky! For the first time, in a long time he could breathe a sigh of relief.

As Liza started their Dodge Minivan she powered down the window and shouted, "Peep tell Oskar to get the lead out!"

As Peep turned the doorknob, Oskar simultaneously opened the front door. "Dude, mom says hurry up."

"Why?" Oskar asked, "I'm beating you." With that Oskar slammed the door and yelled, "Shotgun!" Then he jumped into the passenger seat next to Liza.

As Peep turned to object, the front door locked behind him. He took a step but couldn't move. He tried to take another step but the knot tightened around his neck. His invisible cloak was stuck in the door! He panicked. He could untie the cape from around his neck but then his tattoos and pink hair would reappear.

Peep started crying. Not pretending to cry. Really crying. Locket had done it to him again!

Liza yelled out the car window, "Peep, what's wrong?"

Peep quickly jammed his right fingers into the crack of the door. "I'm stuck!"

Liza turned to Oskar and shouted, "Oskar did you close your brother's fingers in the door?"

Oskar rolled his eyes.

"I'm coming Peep!" Within seconds Liza had the house key in hand and released Peep from his predicament. "How on earth did this happen?" She looked over Peep's hand. "Your fingers don't look broken."

Peep swung the invisible cloak over his shoulder. He made sure none of it was left behind.

Liza asked, "Do you need some ice? Does it hurt? Your fingers don't even look red."

Peep wiggled his fingers and said, "I'm fine mom. Let's go."

Thanks to Locket Peep had a long day ahead of him. Outdoor soccer started in P.E. today. Yes it was gonna be a very, very long day. Peep gathered his invisible garment inside the van and pressed the automatic button. As it slowly closed Peep thought, "Just wait until I see you Locket. Just wait."

-End of Chapter 31-

Author's Note: I hope everyone is staying healthy and safe. 🙏🏼I've been working on many projects at once. I'm doing my best to upload a chapter a week in this book and: Escape From Fat Camp. Thank you for your support! 🥰