Allison O'Brian on Her Own, Volume 2

by Melody Carlson

  “When are they flying in?” asked Heather.

  “Not until late afternoon,” said Grace. “I just spoke to James. He said they have to do some paper work for the FAA in the morning, so they’ll probably arrive around four.”

  “Did you tell Dad about Larry?” asked Allison.

  Grace nodded. “He wasn’t too happy. But I told him that George and I would hold down the fort until they get back. I thought I might even take some cleaning things over tomorrow.”

  “Maybe we could have a party for them,” suggested Winston. “A welcome-back party at the airport.”

  “What a terrific idea,” said Allison.

  “Sounds great,” said Grace. “I’ll pick you kids up at school, and we can all be there. Is that okay with you, Muriel?”

  “Yes,” agreed Muriel. “I’ll put some things together tomorrow. We’ll have an airport picnic.”

  “I’ll make a welcome-home sign,” said Allison.

  “I could make some big paper flowers,” offered Heather.

  “I can put up party streamers,” said Winston.

  “What a team,” said Grace with a smile. “And it will be good to get the rest of our team back tomorrow.”

  As Grace drove them to school the next morning, Allison couldn’t wait to find Howie and show him her story. She hoped it wasn’t too late to make this week’s paper. If she hurried, she might find him before her first class.

  “Heather, do you mind if we hurry this morning?” asked Allison as she grabbed Heather’s hand. “I want to give Howie my story.”

  “No problem,” said Heather. As they walked in the front door, they were met by Caroline. Her blue eyes seemed brighter than usual, but then Allison realized that she had new glasses.

  “Good-looking glasses, Caroline,” said Allison quickly.

  “Are they—is everyone okay?” asked Caroline with a worried expression.

  “Heather, you tell her,” urged Allison. “I need to find someone—quickly.”

  As Allison hurried down the hallway, she wondered how Caroline knew about the plane wreck but figured that Heather must have called her yesterday. Allison looked all around but didn’t see Howie anywhere, and it was almost time for class.

  To Allison’s surprise, Shirley walked up and actually looked as if she was about to speak. Shirley hadn’t spoken directly to Allison for quite some time—not since the incident when she told everyone in school about Allison’s mother being the famous Marsha Madison. And Allison wasn’t eager to talk to Shirley now.

  “Allison, I heard about your dad’s plane,” said Shirley knowingly.

  Allison blinked in surprise. “How did you hear that?”

  “My dad saw Larry at the gas station.”

  Allison sighed and shook her head. That Larry!

  “Well, are they okay?” demanded Shirley as the first bell rang.

  “Yes, of course, they’re all just fine,” said Allison, glancing over Shirley’s shoulder in hopes of spotting Howie.

  “Who are you looking for?” asked Shirley.

  “Howie Ketchum.”

  “I haven’t seen him this morning.” Shirley stayed right at Allison’s side as she walked. “But I did see him yesterday, after school.”

  Shirley reminded her of the little French poodle that Grandmother Madison used to keep; the crazy animal would dog her heels and yap as she tried to walk.

  “You might be interested to know, Allison, that I am also a reporter for the Pirate Chest.”

  Allison stopped and stared at Shirley in disbelief, all at once taking in her bright red sweater, just a little too snug, and her slim black pencil skirt. “You are a reporter?” said Allison in dismay. “Exactly when did this happen? I was only gone one day.”

  Shirley laughed. “Yesterday. I told Howie that my dad wanted to donate a real printer to the school paper so they don’t have to use that old mimeograph machine anymore and that I’d like to write for the paper, too.”

  Allison was stunned. It sounded almost like bribery. “I didn’t know you had an interest in writing,” she said lamely.

  Shirley grinned. “Well, I happen to have a pretty good nose for news. Not only that, the paper sounds like it’s going to become a lot more fun. I heard Beverly say that Andrew might also be joining the staff now that football season is over.”

  Allison blinked. Andrew had mentioned that to her, too, but she didn’t think it was common knowledge. Well, maybe Shirley was right—maybe she did have a nose for news. Allison forced a smile to her lips. After all, she’d vowed not to hold Shirley’s offenses against her. Shirley was just Shirley—Allison didn’t have to let her get to her.

  “Welcome to the Pirate Chest staff,” said Allison, extending a cordial hand and what she hoped was a sincere smile.

  “Thank you, Allison,” said Shirley as she took her hand. “And by the way, I turned in my first story yesterday. It’s a sensational account of Andrew’s plane wreck. Now I can add a couple of lines telling how he actually survived.”

  As she watched Shirley hurry into class ahead of her, Allison felt as though she’d been slugged in the stomach. The final bell rang as Allison slipped into her desk. She sat and stared at the neatly typed story sitting on top of her notebook—all ready to hand in to Howie. But it was too late. Allison O’Brian had been scooped by Shirley Jenson!

  Allison had just stepped into the lunch line with Heather and Caroline when she heard someone call out her name.

  “Hey, Allison,” Howie said as he got in line behind her. “I heard you were looking for me.”

  “Oh, hi, Howie,” Allison said with a weak smile.

  “So everyone’s okay, then?” he asked. “I mean, with the plane wreck and all.”

  “Yes, although it wasn’t exactly a ‘wreck.’ They’re all fine, and they’ll be home this afternoon,” said Allison.

  “Didn’t you give Howie your story?” asked Heather as if that should explain everything.

  Allison felt her cheeks grow warm. She hadn’t told Heather about Shirley’s story yet. “No, I . . . uh . . . I don’t think he’ll be interested. . . .”

  “Sure, I’m interested,” said Howie as he pushed his tortoise-framed glasses back into place and picked up a plate of tuna casserole. “What is it?”

  “Oh, it’s nothing,” said Allison. She placed a dish of peaches on her tray and quickly moved down the line.

  “Nothing?” repeated Heather. “It’s all about Andrew’s plane going down. Allison read it to me last night, and it was terrific!”

  Allison smiled. Sweet, helpful Heather. But too late.

  “I’d like to see it,” said Howie. “Can you get it for me right away?”

  “Sure,” said Allison with renewed hope. “Let me put my tray on the table, and I’ll get the story right now.”

  Allison dashed off toward her locker. Maybe it wasn’t too late after all. But what about Shirley’s story? Well, she’d let Howie figure that one out. That’s why he was the editor. She returned breathlessly and placed the story before Howie, then waited eagerly. Howie was seated at the same table as Heather and Caroline. He laid down his fork and picked up the story.

  “Nice headline, Allison,” he commented as he scanned down the page. A smile played across his mouth. “This looks good. Really good. All we need now is a photo. With our new printer we can actually use photography now.”

  “They’re flying in this afternoon,” offered Heather. “You could come out and take photographs at the airport if you like.”

  “That would be swell,” said Howie. “No doubt about it, Allison, this story’s going on this week’s front page.”

  “Really?” said Allison. “Oh, thank you, Howie.”

  “Don’t thank me, Allison. This is a top-notch story. You’ve covered all the facts.”

  Allison wanted to ask him about Shirley’s story but decided against it. No need to appear smug. “We’re having a little celebration for the returning survivors,” said Allison. “Maybe you’d l
ike to join us, Howie.”

  “Thanks, Allison. That’d be nice—if I’m not intruding.”

  “Not at all,” chimed in Heather. “I’ve invited Caroline along, too, Allison. I hope that’s okay.”

  “Of course,” said Allison. “The more the merrier.”

  “I better scoot, girls,” said Howie as he finished his last bite. “If I’m going to shoot pictures after school, I’ve got a few things to tend to right now. Thanks again for the story, Allison.”

  Allison turned her attention to Caroline. “Sorry I was in such a rush this morning, Caroline, but I really do like your new glasses. And you look really nice in that blue sweater. Is it new?”

  Caroline nodded, blushing slightly. “And I’ve been exercising every single day.”

  “It’s paying off,” said Allison. “You are looking just swell, Caroline.”

  “Thanks.” Caroline beamed.

  Allison felt as though she were floating on a cloud for the rest of the day. Howie really liked her story. The only snag was, as usual, she had to see Shirley in every single class, and she felt a little guilty that her story would bump Shirley’s. She would be so relieved when this semester finally ended and she could get a new class schedule, and hopefully not one identical to Shirley Jenson’s!

  After the final bell of the day, Heather, Caroline, and Allison hurried outside to find Grace and Winston waiting in the parking lot.

  “We have less than an hour to get everything ready for the party,” said Grace as she drove toward the airport. “I already dropped Muriel off. George has been working out there all day. I’m glad you could come, too, Caroline. We can use an extra set of hands to decorate.”

  “Yeah,” said Winston. “She’s tall; she can help me hang up the streamers.”

  “Wow,” said Allison as she went into Mac’s office. “Someone has been working hard in here. It looks neat as a pin.”

  George nodded toward Grace. “She’s been at it all day long. I just hope Mac doesn’t go into shock.”

  “Any sign of Larry?” asked Allison.

  George shook his head. “I think he’s embarrassed to show his face around here.”

  It was almost four o’clock when everything was ready for the party. Allison went outside with Winston to look at the sky, hoping to spot the plane in time to tell everyone. Instead, she noticed an old car coming down the drive.

  “That must be Howie,” said Allison. She quickly told Winston about the newspaper and photos.

  “Swell,” said Winston. “Andrew will be famous now. Uh-oh, that looks like old Shirley Jenson with him.”

  Allison stared in horror. Winston was right! Shirley was sitting in the passenger seat.

  Howie parked the car and walked toward Allison with a stiff smile. “I hope it’s okay that Shirley came along. She told me that she’s a close friend of the family, and, well, since you said the more the merrier . . .”

  Allison forced a smile. “That’s just fine, Howie.” She turned to Shirley. “Come inside, you two. Muriel has lots of good things to eat. They should be here—”

  “Hey, Allison,” yelled Winston, pointing to a speck in the sky that was quickly getting larger. “I see them! I see them!”

  “Let’s all get inside,” said Allison. “We want to surprise them.” Allison ushered them into the little office. She tried not to look at Shirley but couldn’t help but glimpse what looked like a very sullen expression.

  “They’re coming, everyone!” announced Winston.

  They all gathered in the cramped office until the plane landed and taxied over, then the happy crowd burst out the door with balloons and shouts, welcoming the long-lost travelers with lots of hugs and backslapping.

  “Were you hungry out there?” asked Winston after things finally settled down. “Did you get really, really cold? Did you think you’d be lost forever?”

  James laughed and patted Winston on the head. “Yes, yes, and yes. When that snow just kept coming, we thought we might actually be buried alive. But it turned out to be a blessing because it kept us from freezing during the night. And the next morning, we were so glad when the searchers spotted our signal fire.”

  Allison introduced her dad to Howie. “Howie’s the editor of the paper, Dad, and he’s going to run my story on the front page. He wanted to get some photos of the survivors.”

  “We better get to it before it gets dark, then,” said James. He and Andrew and Mac posed in front of the plane with big, heroic-looking smiles.

  “Were you scared, Andrew?” asked Winston. “Where’d you get the matches to make the fire? And how come the radio didn’t work?”

  “You’d make a good reporter, Winston,” teased Allison, trying to avoid Shirley’s hostile glare. “You’re just full of questions.”

  “I think it’s time we had some food,” said Muriel. “And then the heroes can regale everyone with their tales of great adventure.”

  Inside the crowded office, Howie pulled Allison aside. “I’m sorry about Shirley, Allison,” he whispered. “She was in a real snit about your story. I tried to explain, but then it was time for me to come out here—and when she learned about it, she insisted on coming, too.”

  “It’s okay, Howie,” said Allison. She kindly patted his arm. “This is nothing new. And it’s certainly not your fault.” In the same instant, she looked up to catch both Andrew’s and Shirley’s eyes fastened on her. Shirley looked as if she had just eaten something very disagreeable, and Andrew appeared somewhat puzzled. Then Shirley turned her attention from Allison and back onto Andrew.

  With an immense smile across her painted lips, Shirley began to gush loudly about what a hero Andrew would be in school and how exciting it was to know someone who had survived a plane wreck. Andrew smiled and politely endured her chatter. Everything in Allison longed to go and rescue him from Shirley, but she had already trodden on Shirley’s toes once today—even if it wasn’t intentional. Twice might be too much. Instead, Allison went over and linked her arm with her father’s.

  “I’m so glad you’re safely home,” she whispered.

  “Me too. Don’t tell Grace, but I was starting to think that she might have been right all along about this flying business.”

  “I know what you mean,” said Allison. “But Grace was such a trooper about the whole thing. She told me how God was in control, and I believe she was right.”

  Allison noticed that Caroline was sitting by herself in a corner behind Mac’s desk. “Come over here, Caroline,” called Allison as she went over to where Howie was standing, munching on a sandwich. Suddenly, Allison had an idea.

  “Caroline,” said Allison. “I just got a brand-new story idea, but I’d like to know what you think first.” Allison glanced at Howie, and it looked like he was all ears. “Howie, did you know that Caroline’s brother served in Europe during the war, but he was taken prisoner shortly before the war ended? The thing is, he didn’t come back, and now Caroline’s parents have heard that he may still be in a prison camp in Siberia.”

  “Siberia? Say, I’ve heard rumors of secret prison camps, but I just thought it was hype. After all, the Soviet Union is supposed to be our ally.”

  “What if I did a story about Caroline’s brother?” continued Allison. “It would be a way for kids to hear about prisoners of war, but it would hit closer to home, since Caroline’s brother was a Port View graduate. Some of the seniors might even remember him. What do you think, Caroline?”

  “I think it would be wonderful,” said Caroline. “You mean you’d really want to do a story about Kevin?”

  “I know I would. I’m not sure what Howie thinks of the idea.” Allison looked up at Howie expectantly.

  “I think it’s a tremendous idea, Allison. Run with it. See what you can do.”

  Caroline was beaming now. “My parents would be so proud.”

  “Okay, then, we’ll have to get together, Caroline,” said Allison in a business voice. “I’ll need you to give me all the details, and I’ll
have to do a little research on Siberia.”

  “That’s what I like to hear,” said Howie. He glanced over at Shirley. “It’s refreshing to have a writer who actually researches before she writes.”

  Allison grinned. Of course! Shirley’s story must have been more fiction than fact. All Shirley could have known about the downed plane was what she’d heard secondhand from her dad—and that information had come from Larry! Poor Shirley. It was almost laughable.

  After an hour, Howie offered to take Caroline and Shirley home. Allison sighed in relief as they left. She didn’t think she could have withstood Shirley’s dagger looks much longer.

  “What I want to know,” said Mac finally, “is who cleaned up in here?”

  Grace blushed and raised her hand sheepishly. “Mac, I tried not to misplace anything. I hope it’s all right—”

  “All right?” he boomed. “Well, it’s a wee bit better than all right, Grace. It’s a sight for sore eyes!”

  Grace sighed. “And I was thinking”—she glanced over at James—”perhaps I could help out in here a few hours a day—with the office work and whatnot.”

  “Sounds good to me,” said Mac. He looked at James, then added in a more serious voice, “I think we’ve seen the last of ol’ Larry.”

  James shook his head. “Too bad. I was hoping he’d work out. But there’s no doubt that Grace would be first-class help. She’ll have this place running like clockwork in no time.”

  “But there’s one more thing,” said Grace in an authoritative voice. “If I’m to help out around here, I think it’s only fair that James takes me up.”

  “Up?” repeated James with raised brows. “You mean in a plane?”

  Grace laughed. “Unless you’ve sprouted wings lately, James.”

  “Sure,” he answered. “When?”

  “Tomorrow,” she answered without batting an eyelash. “I know it may come as a shock to everyone, but while I was down here fretting over our three lost flyers, I promised myself that if they made it back safely, I would go up in a plane. And hopefully, once and for all, I will conquer my fear of flying.”