But I scolded myself, That’s magical thinking, Marina. Consider instead what’s real. - Jane Yolen

Fifteen years can be a long or a short time, depending upon whether one is immortal or not.

“No, you cannot…must not…shall not…may not…” to everything that seemed even the slightest bit interesting or exciting or dangerous.
So Waverly did what every child of ten does. He did it all anyway.

We had more church after supper, with a long sermon from Reverend Beelson. He talked about wars and earthquakes and floods as signs that the End was coming. Which made me wonder if he had somehow managed to not notice that wars, earthquakes, and floods have been going on since the beginning of history.
But I didn’t say anything.
It wasn’t worth the effort.