by Betsy Haynes
Miss Wiggins, who had been Beth's sixth-grade teacher when she was at Mark Twain Elementary, came up onstage along with Christie's mother, who was the principal of the school. Both told Beth they had loved the performance. It almost made Beth cry to be back at her old elementary school. Everyone seemed to believe that Robin's flight was planned, and no one told them otherwise.
"So, it's finally over," Beth said, collapsing onto a bus seat next to Molly.
"And you were sensational," said Molly. "Your wicked witch act was inspired."
"You were great, Beth," Melanie agreed from the seat behind them.
"Thanks, guys," said Beth, her cheeks turning pink.
She gave a sigh and snuggled into the corner to look out the window. It had turned out well, she thought. She had stretched herself as an actress in the demanding role of a witch. Maybe she would become a female Jack Nicholson and play all kinds of great weird parts, like the Joker in Batman. She had also learned that she didn't have to be big-chested to be a successful actress, and best of all, she saw that she could count on Keith, her new friend Molly, and as always, The Fabulous Five. What more could she ask for?
Not a glamorous gown like Laura's. That was certain. Something with character, she thought. Something outrageous.
Beth pulled the ugly wart out of her pocket and studied it for a moment. I know what else I could ask for, she thought, and giggled to herself. A lo-o-ong black hair growing right out of the center of my wart. It would be sensational! Then she stuck the wart on the end of her nose and, with a satisfied smile, settled down for the ride back to school.
CHAPTER 17
"Look at that dress," said Jana, pointing to a fuchsia dress with long, full sleeves and large white buttons. It was hanging up in one of the windows of a store in the mall. "Isn't that gorgeous?"
"Maybe you can get Randy to buy it for you as a present," said Melanie, looking at Jana's boyfriend teasingly.
"Well, I think that outfit with the black pants, yellow Mickey Mouse T-shirt, and suspenders is the greatest," said Beth winking at Keith Masterson. "I don't think I can live without it one more day."
"Listen to them, guys," said Randy Kirwan to Keith, Tony Calcaterra, and Scott Daly. "You'd think they didn't have enough to wear, as it is."
"Yeah," agreed Keith. "I bet if you looked in their closets you'd find clothes they haven't even worn yet."
"Not true," said Jana. "I've worn everything I own."
"How many times?" challenged Keith. "Once? Twice?"
"More than that," said Jana, putting her hands on her hips.
"Listen to these guys talk," Christie joined in. "I bet you're the ones who have clothes you haven't worn."
"Right,"' said Katie. "You wear the same faded jeans all the time. Everything else you're got is probably gathering dust in your closets."
"Yo, Your Honor," said Tony. "What's wrong with wearing jeans? They're comfortable."
"I know," said Katie sweetly. "But shouldn't you take them off to wash them once in a while?"
Tony faked a swing at Katie and grabbed her around the neck pulling her against him in a fake wrestling hold.
"I can't imagine what it would be like to have only one outfit to wear," said Beth.
"I know," said Christie thoughtfully. "But some people right here in the United States don't ever get to wear anything new. They're lucky if they find a place to sleep for the night or get enough to eat. There are homeless people living right here in our town."
"There can't be too many," said Melanie. "How many people like that do you know of?"
"I guess they don't hang out in malls and places like Bumpers," said Jana soberly. "That's why we never see them."
The others nodded in agreement.
Jana gets a chance to find out more about the homeless when she tries to befriend a girl who lives in a shelter. Find out what happens in The Fabulous Five #21: Jana to the Rescue.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Betsy Haynes, the daughter of a former newswoman, began scribbling poetry and short stories as soon as she learned to write. A serious writing career, however, had to wait until after her marriage and the arrival of her two children. But that early practice must have paid off, for within three months Mrs. Haynes had sold her first story. In addition to a number of magazine short stories and the Taffy Sinclair series, Mrs. Haynes is also the author of The Great Mom Swap and its sequel, The Great Boyfriend Trap. She lives in Colleyville, Texas, with her husband, who is also an author.
Table of Contents
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
ABOUT THE AUTHOR