by Judy Delton
Molly could have hugged Rachel. Rachel knew a lot. And sometimes it paid off.
“You’re off the hook,” Rachel said. “But I wouldn’t fool around with stuff like that.”
“I won’t,” said Molly in relief. “I’m not getting near Roger again.”
Waiters came around with little trays of cookies. And little dishes of ice cream. This time Molly ate some. She was hungry now. And happy. Roger was putting peanuts down Patty Baker’s neck. It looked like he had forgotten the whole Mrs. White business already.
“This is as good as a birthday party,” said Tim.
“It’s better,” said Kevin. “We don’t have to play those games, like Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”
It was a good party, thought Molly. Everyone was happy and laughing. The food tasted good. And it was fun to see Sonny get a new father.
“I’m going to have a satin wedding gown when I get married,” said Lisa. “A real long one, with a huge, long veil.”
“Me too,” said Mary Beth.
Molly wasn’t going to think about weddings or gowns. Not for a long, long time.
When all the food was gone, and all the pictures were taken, Larry and Mrs. Stone got ready to leave.
“They are going on their honeymoon,” whispered Mary Beth.
“Is Sonny going too?” asked Tim.
“Kids don’t go on honeymoons,” said Rachel in disgust. “Honeymoons are for romance. Who would want Sonny around if you wanted to be romantic?”
“She’s going to throw her bouquet!” shouted Lisa. “The one who catches it is the next one married. My mom told me.”
Mrs. Stone was waving now, from the doorway. She lifted her bouquet of flowers and got ready to throw it. Everyone scrambled around trying to get close.
The bouquet tumbled through the air, right straight toward Molly. Everyone else reached for it, but it fell right into Molly’s hands! Plop! Oh no!
It didn’t matter. It would be years and years away. And when she really did get married, she would marry Kevin. He would be mayor and maybe even president. She watched him explaining to Sonny how a camera worked. He didn’t know Molly’s secret—yet. It was too soon to tell him. Molly would keep this a secret for a long, long time. She wouldn’t tell him until they were both grown-up. And she would get the license herself.
As everyone got ready to leave, Mrs. Peters said, “Don’t forget our meeting next Tuesday. We have some badges to give out to everyone!”
“I’ll be there,” said Molly.
Good manners were a lot of work. But it was worth it. Never in her whole life would she talk with food in her mouth. Or laugh out loud in church.
Especially at a wedding.
(to the tune of
“Old MacDonald Had a Farm”)
Scouts are helpers, Scouts have fun
Pee Wee, Pee Wee Scouts!
We sing and play when work is done,
Pee Wee, Pee Wee Scouts!
With a good deed here,
And an errand there,
Here a hand, there a hand,
Everywhere a good hand.
Scouts are helpers, Scouts have fun,
Pee Wee, Pee Wee Scouts!
We love our country
And our home,
Our school and neighbors too.
As Pee Wee Scouts
We pledge our best
In everything we do.