"I just had a thought," said Mrs. Cheplin, looking concerned again. "Do your parents know you're taking this job?" "Not this job, but they know I baby-sit and it's cool with them." "But this is every day," she pointed out. "Why don't you talk to them and give me a call tonight?" Now I was worried. What if Mom said no?
"All right, I'll call you tonight," I told Mrs. Cheplin as I got up from the chair. I noticed a black-and-white photo of two children hanging on the wall. The girl had blunt cut, straight blonde hair. The line of bangs across her forehead skirted large, expressive eyes. The round-faced boy had wispy brown hair. He, too, had big eyes that shone mischievously.
"Those are my cuties," said Mrs. Cheplin. "They're good kids but they can be a handful. As I mentioned, Dana is eight. Adam is six." "No problem. I'm used to kids, and they look really sweet," I said.
I left Mrs. Cheplin's house and climbed back on my bike. (Going downhill was definitely easier, but the turns were a little scary as the bike speeded faster and faster.) At the bottom of Burnt Hill Road I spotted Mary Anne and Kristy in Mary Anne's front yard. They looked as if they were just about to go into the house.
"Hi!" Mary Anne called to me.
Slowing the bike, I turned up Mary Anne's driveway. "I just saw Mrs. Cheplin," I reported as I stood in the driveway straddling my bike.
"What were the kids like?" Mary Anne asked.
"I don't know. It was just an interview, not an actual job." "Sounds serious," said Kristy. "Like more than just a baby-sitting job." "It's a big time commitment," I said. "But other than that, it isn't any different." Kristy shifted uneasily from side to side and shook her head. "I don't think you should take it." "Why not?" I asked, my voice rising a bit.
"Well, because it's like we're losing another member. And just when everything was settled, too," Kristy said.
"How can you possibly look at it that way?" I asked.
"When will you be free to take baby-sitting jobs?" Kristy countered.
"I'll be baby-sitting every single day until five-thirty," I reminded her. "How much more of a baby-sitting club member can I be than that?" "But you won't be able to take other jobs," Kristy argued.
"What's the difference?" I retorted.
"You're sitting until five-thirty?" said Mary Anne. "You won't be able to come to meetings then." I grimaced. Meetings. "Oops, I forgot about meetings," I admitted sheepishly.
"You forgot about meetings!" Kristy exploded.
"For the moment," I said quickly. "Just for the moment. I could be there by quarter to six." "Why bother? You won't be free to take any baby-sitting jobs anyway." "Yes I will," I protested. "There's always Saturday and Sunday, which are our busiest times anyway." "Will you want to baby-sit on weekends after sitting all week long?" Mary Anne asked doubtfully.
Probably not, I thought, but I didn't want to upset Kristy any more than she already was. "Sure," I said. "If you need me I'll just have to do it. That's all." "We'll need you," said Kristy. "I guess it's all right if you come late to meetings. I hope everyone doesn't start doing it, though." "Don't worry," Mary Anne told her. "She's coming late for a good reason." "I'll be baby-sitting and I'll be at meetings, so you're not losing a member," I told Kristy.
"I hope not," she said sulkily. In a way, I couldn't blame her for worrying. With all the shifting around of club members lately she probably just wanted things to settle down and run smoothly for awhile.
"We were about to make some hot chocolate," Mary Anne told me. "Want to come in and have tea?" "No, thanks," I said. "I have to get home. I want to run this job past Mom." I got on my bike and started pedaling down the driveway. "See you guys tomorrow!" I called over my shoulder.
"I hope your mother says no!" Kristy called after me.
Would she? I didn't think so. But I began pedaling faster, anxious to talk to her and find out her answer for sure.
Chapter 4.
"It sounds terrific," Mom said when I told her about the job at the Cheplins'. "It's a commitment, though, you know." "Yeah, but it's just two and a half hours a day," I pointed out. "What's the big deal?" "All right, as long as you think you can handle it," she said.
I called Mrs. Cheplin right away and told her I was definitely interested in the job. "I start my job a week from this Monday," she said, sounding worried again. "I'll expect you to meet them at the bus that day. You won't forget, will you?" "Absolutely not," I assured her. "I'll write it on the kitchen calendar in big letters." As soon as I hung up, I did write it down, but I was sure I wouldn't forget. I'm pretty responsible about baby-sitting jobs. I certainly wouldn't leave two little kids stranded with no one to meet them at the bus.
The next day in school I was in a great mood. All I could think about was what play I'd take Robert to see. I figured I'd get Dad's suggestions when I saw him on the weekend.
I was also feeling good because I was looking forward to this evening. Robert and I were going to double date with Logan and Mary Anne. It was just a bowling date, but those are fun.
After lunch, Robert met me at my locker. "Got your bowling arm ready?" he asked with a smile.
"Yup," I replied, shutting the door to my locker. "I'm psyched. Mary Anne and Logan won't win again this time." Robert reached out and took my hand as we began walking down the hall. "I don't know," he said lightly. "Last time they were really on a roll. On a roll, get it?" I poked him playfully. "Very funny." "I didn't exactly score with that joke, did I?" Robert continued.
"Don't pin me down," I joked back.
We stopped at a corner of the hall. "Well," said Robert. "Here's where I split." "Oh, cut it out!" I laughed. "See you tonight." "I'll be at your house at seven," Robert told me. "With time to spare." "Aaaugh!" I cried, pretending to be exasperated. " 'Bye!" That night as I dressed to go out, I felt optimistic about everything. I imagined sitting with Robert in a Broadway theater. At intermission he would turn to me and say something like, "Stacey, you were right. The city is great. I'm wild about it! Thanks for showing me how much fun it can be." After I pulled on a pair of blue leggings and a long, bright pink sweater, I sat on the end of my bed and put on my new black leather ankle boots. I used a pick on my perm to fluff it out, then put on some mascara and pink lipstick. A pair of big hoop earrings finished the look. I went downstairs to wait for Robert.
"You look nice," said Mom just as the front doorbell rang.
"Thanks," I said, heading for the door.
Whenever I open the door to Robert I feel as if I'm seeing him for the first time. Each time, he seems just a little cuter than I remembered. "Hi," he said.
"Hi." Mary Anne ran to the front door behind him. "Ready?" she asked. I saw that her father, who was driving us to the bowling alley, had just pulled into the driveway. I waved to Logan, who was in the backseat.
" 'Bye, Mom!" I said as I grabbed my parka.
"Have fun," she told me. "Be out front by nine-thirty." Mom was picking us up. "We'll be there," I assured her.
Mr. Spier drove us to the bowling alley. We rented our shoes and didn't wait long for a free lane. Mary Anne and Logan were ready for us. They'd brought sharpened pencils for keeping score, and Logan had even borrowed his father's shiny blue-speckled bowling ball.
"We were just going easy on you last time," Robert told Logan. "This time we're ready." "Why? Have you been practicing?" asked Logan as he tied his red-and-black bowling shoes.
Robert and I looked at one another and burst out laughing. We couldn't picture ourselves being so into bowling that we'd actually practice. "No!" I blurted out.
"But we've been practicing in our heads," Robert said, his eyes dancing mischievously. "Mental attitude counts for a lot." "Okay, Mr. Spock," Logan teased. "Let's see if you can use the Vulcan mind meld to keep that ball out of the gutter." Robert put one hand on a bowling ball and the other on his forehead. He closed his eyes and scrunched up his face as if he were concentrating hard. "No problem," he reported, opening his eyes again. "The bowling ball and I are one." "One what?" Mary Anne asked as
she wrote our names on the score sheets.
"One nut case." Logan laughed.
"You'll see," Robert said knowingly. "We're ready. Right, Stacey?" "Yeah, right," I replied sarcastically. "We're ready." As it turned out we did better than I expected. Maybe Robert was right about the power of the mind. I was in such a good mood that I bowled better than usual. I wonder if there was a connection. Throughout the game Robert and I were almost tied with Mary Anne and Logan.
"Whoa, guys!" Logan said admiringly. "That mind meld is working." "You'd better have a talk with your dad's ball," Robert kidded. "Tell him it's time to get tough. Stacey and I are through fooling around with you. Now we're out to win this thing." "In that case I need strength," Logan said. "I need a pizza break." "Pizza sounds good," Robert agreed.
"They have those big soft pretzels here," I. recalled enthusiastically. Pretzels are one of the snack foods I can have. The big baked kind reminds me of the city, where vendors sell them warm on street corners.
"I'll come help you carry the food back," Mary Anne said to Logan.
"Uh ... no ... one person from each team should go," Logan replied.
We all looked at him with puzzled expressions. "Why?" Mary Anne asked.
"Because . . . uh . . . uh . . . because that's fair. I mean, each team should have its members equally tired out," Logan said.
"Yeah, like walking to the food counter is so exhausting," Robert said dryly.
Logan shrugged and grinned. "Hey, in a game this close who knows, it might make a difference." "You're crazy," I laughed. "But I'll go with you." Logan and I walked toward the food counter together. "Did that sound totally nuts?" Logan asked.
"Yes," I said.
"I just had to find a way to talk to you alone." "What about?" While the counterperson heated three pieces of pizza and a big pretzel, Logan told me what was on his mind. "I want to buy Mary Anne a ring for Valentine's Day," he said.
"How sweet!" I cried. "She'll love that." "I want her to love it," Logan said, "but that's what I'm worried about. I'm not sure I'll pick out a ring she'll love." "You can always return it," I reminded him.
Logan made a face. "I know. It's not the same, though. It's much better if she loves the ring right off the bat." "That's true," I agreed.
"Would you come shopping with me? You know Mary Anne's taste. I'd feel better if you helped me pick out the ring." "Sure," I said. "When do you want to go?" "I'll have the money by next week," Logan said. "How about then? We can go downtown right after school." "Okay, I can - " I stopped short. I'd forgotten about my new job with the Cheplins. "Can't," I said. "I'll be working until five-thirty every night." Logan looked disappointed.
"Why not ask Kristy to go with you?" I suggested. "She knows Mary Anne's taste as well as I do, maybe even better." "That's a good idea," said Logan. "Okay. I'll ask her. This should be a great Valentine's Day. I'll have the ring, and I've made reservations at Chez Maurice." "Chez Maurice!" I gasped, clasping my hands together excitedly. "How romantic!" "I hope Mary Anne thinks so," said Logan.
"She will," I assured him. "Definitely." I heard a timer beep and soon the guy behind the counter brought us our food. We bought some sodas (club soda for me) and returned to our lane.
"So, are you guys exhausted from your big trip to the food counter?" Robert asked.
"Totally," I said, taking a bite of my pretzel.
"Me too," said Logan. "See? So now it's fair." After eating, we continued to play. We actually beat Logan and Mary Anne. Okay, so it was only by ten points, but I did get a couple of strikes, which is pretty good for me. Logan and Mary Anne won the next two games. Robert and I didn't really care. It was all just for fun.
By nine-thirty we were waiting outside for Mom. Good thing we only waited a minute or two because it was cold! It felt great to climb into the nice, warm car.
Mom dropped Logan off first, then Mary Anne.
"What were you and Logan talking about at the food counter?" Robert asked as soon as Mary Anne climbed out of the car. "I was watching and it looked serious." "Not that serious," I told him as Mom pulled out of Mary Anne's driveway. "He wanted me to help pick out a Valentine's Day ring for Mary Anne. Isn't that sweet? I can't go because of my new job. He's going to ask Kristy to go instead." Robert reached out and took my hand. "I had fun tonight. Way to go on those strikes." "You bowled strikes, Stacey?" Mom asked from the front seat.
"Two," Robert reported. "Thanks to Stacey we won one of the games. Logan and Mary Anne usually demolish us." "Good work," said Mom. She dropped Robert at his house and I moved into the passenger seat beside her. "Did you have fun tonight?" she asked.
"Sure." "I heard what you said about Logan buying a ring for Mary Anne," Mom said. "Does that mean they're going steady?" "Mom, they already go steady," I said, just a little impatiently. "It's only, you know, a gift." "When a boy gives a girl a ring it usually means something," said Mom.
"I don't think they're getting engaged or anything," I said.
Mom laughed. "No, they're a bit young for that." "Yeah, just a bit. I wonder if they will wind up getting married. They're perfect together." "A lot can go wrong between now and then," Mom said with a wistful sigh.
"I suppose," I agreed.
But I had no idea just how much was about to go wrong - and very soon! Chapter 5.
Monday came before I knew it. It was the day I started my job with the Cheplins. I made sure to wear my watch. The timing was going to be tight.
Robert met me at my locker as usual, when school let out. "Hi," I said as I gathered my books. "I can't talk. I have to run." "Oh, your new job, right," he said. "Good luck." "Thanks." I hurried to the bike rack, hopped on my bike, and began riding as quickly as I could toward Acorn Place. I passed Claudia and Mary Anne walking together. "Remember, I'll be a little late today," I called to them.
They nodded and waved as I zoomed by.
At three-fifteen on the dot I skidded to a halt at the bus stop at the bottom of the hill. Barely a minute later, the bus chugged up the road and stopped. When the door opened, Adam and Dana (whom I recognized from their photo), stood at the front of the bus staring at me. "I'm Stacey," I told the driver. "I'll be picking up Dana and Adam from now on." "Oh, sure. Mrs. Cheplin mentioned it," replied the driver.
Adam smiled at me, but Dana eyed me suspiciously as they walked off the bus.
"Hi, how was school?" I asked cheerfully.
"It was really neat," Adam said enthusiastically in a lisping voice. "We went out and played a game, only Ralphie Meisner slipped on the ice and hit his head and he had to go to the nurse and I was his partner. I told Ralphie not to cry but he kept crying and crying. I let him blow his nose on my jacket sleeve because he already used his jacket and it was gross. Puuey! Yuck. Want to see my sleeve?" He held up his jacket sleeve and it certainly looked as if Ralphie had used it for a tissue.
"Ewww! That is so disgusting!" cried Dana. "Put your arm down. Get it away." Adam shrugged and began walking up the hill. I walked beside Dana and Adam with my hands on my bike handlebars.
"How was your day, Dana?" I asked.
"All right, I suppose," she said in a ladylike manner. She adjusted the blue fleece headband she wore over her straight blonde bangs. "Can my friend Mandy come over?" "I suppose so. If her mother says it's all right," I replied. "We can call when we get to the house." "I know her phone number by heart," Dana told me. "Mandy and I are best friends." At the house we called Mandy and I spoke to her mother. Mandy lived several houses away and would come over in a few minutes. The moment I hung up the phone, it rang again. It was Mrs. Cheplin. "Stacey, thank goodness," was how she greeted me. "Everything went all right?" "No problem," I said. "We invited Mandy to play. Is that okay?" "If you can handle an extra child, it's fine." "I don't mind," I told her honestly.
"Great. Have Mandy go home by four-thirty so Dana can start her homework. I'd better go. See you at five-thirty." " 'Bye." On the kitchen table I saw a note written on a long yellow pad. Dear Stacey, it said. We
lcome to your first day of work. My office number is posted on the refrigerator. Here are a few things I need done today . . . She wanted the laundry folded, the dishwasher unloaded and the dishes put away, and Adam's room tidied up.
I had brought along my Kid-Kit and a bag of art supplies for making valentines. I could see I wouldn't get the chance to use them, though. I'd have to work fast if I wanted to be available by four-thirty to help with homework. But I was pretty sure I could get it all done. I'd just have to stay organized.
"Anybody hungry?" I asked.
"I want peanut butter and jelly," Adam spoke up, pulling open the refrigerator. "That's what I always have. I like blueberry jelly a little, but I hate that black jelly with the seeds in it. Yuck! My most favorite is grape jelly but Mommy hates it and Dana can't have any so I eat all the grape jelly all by myself . . ." Adam just kept babbling on about jelly as he rummaged through the refrigerator.
"How about you?" I said to Dana. "Want some fruit or pretzels or something? Maybe a carrot stick?" Dana studied me for a moment. "Do you know about my disease?" she asked.
"Your diabetes, yes," I replied. "You should eat a little something." Dana lifted the corner of her lip in distaste. "All right. I'll have an apple, I guess." I was about to tell her that I had diabetes, too, but just then the doorbell rang. Dana opened it to a girl with short brown hair and big brown eyes. "Hi, Mandy," she said. Mandy came in and looked at me. "This is Stacey," Dana told her, "my baby-sitter." "Hi," said Mandy.
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