“You guys,” I said to Nancy and Hannie, “I just got an idea. I have to go inside right away. I have to ask Ms. Colman something.”
“What?” asked Nancy. “What do you have to ask her?”
“I cannot tell you now. I don’t have enough time. The bell is going to ring any second. I will tell you later.” I had already turned around. I was running across the playground.
When I reached my classroom, Ms. Colman was sitting at her desk. She was all alone. Addie was not there.
“Ms. Colman,” I called. (I was out of breath.)
“Indoor voice, Karen,” she reminded me.
“Sorry,” I said quietly. “Ms. Colman, where is Addie? I have an idea.”
“She is with Miss Penn,” said my teacher.
“Oh. Ms. Colman, I have decided I want to be Addie’s partner.”
“Her partner?”
“Her — special helper. Miss Penn will not be here all the time, and Addie might need help. I could push her chair when her arms get tired. I could get things for her that she cannot reach. Plus, Addie is new in school. I could show her where the library is, and the nurse’s office, and the supply closet, and anything else.”
“Well, Karen, that would be nice,” said Ms. Colman. “That is very thoughtful. I am sure Addie would appreciate it. Let’s talk to her when Miss Penn brings her back.”
So we did.
Miss Penn and Addie came back just as recess was ending. Everyone poured into the room at once. Ms. Colman took Addie and me aside. “Addie,” she said. “Karen has offered to be your helper. Would you like that? She can show you around, and give you a hand if you need it.”
“I can get things for you when Miss Penn isn’t around,” I added. “I am good at bending over or jumping up. I have a lot of energy. Everyone says so. And I could push you in the hallway when it is crowded.”
Addie smiled at me. “Okay!” she said. “That would be great. Thanks, Karen.”
I smiled back. “You’re welcome!”
“Karen,” said Ms. Colman, “to be Addie’s helper, you should sit next to her. So why don’t you switch seats with Ricky.”
“Okay. Hey, Ricky! We are switching seats!” I yelled. (Ricky was standing right next to me, but I was a little excited.)
So Ricky said, “Indoor voice, Karen.”
Then Ms. Colman helped us switch our desks around. That was easier than trying to get all Ricky’s stuff out of his desk and into mine. I have never seen so much junk. Ricky is a packrat.
All afternoon I sat next to Addie and helped her. When she dropped her pencil, I picked it up. When she needed her eraser, I pulled it out of her tote bag. When Ms. Colman told us to write some numbers on a piece of paper, I checked Addie’s work. When Ms. Colman told us to take our spelling books home, I said to Addie, “That is your blue book.”
“I know,” she replied.
“Here, I will get it for you.”
“I can get it,” said Addie.
But I reached into her bag first.
The bell rang then. School was over. “I enjoyed being your helper,” I told Addie. “And I am looking forward to tomorrow.” I paused. Then I added, “I am going to be your very best friend, Addie.”
Ms. Colman’s Wedding
While we were putting on our coats, three different kids said to me, “You are going to be Addie’s best friend, Karen?” (I guess I had not been using my indoor voice when I told Addie that.)
“Yes, I am,” I replied proudly. Somebody in our room had to be nice to Addie, and I guessed it was me.
That afternoon, Mrs. Dawes drove Nancy and me home. Nancy sat in front with her mother. I sat in back with Danny. Danny is Nancy’s new baby brother. He sleeps a lot, especially when he is in the car.
The ride to the little house was very quiet. Danny was asleep. No one was talking. I did not like so much quiet.
“Nancy?” I said. Nancy did not answer. “Nancy?” I said again. “… Nancy? Calling Nancy Dawes.”
“What is it?” Nancy did not laugh. She did not even turn around.
I paused. “Are you in a bad mood?” I finally asked.
“No.”
Nancy did not say anything else. Her mother pulled into the driveway. I did not want to go next door to the little house. Not yet. Not until I knew what was wrong with Nancy.
Nancy and I climbed out of the car. We watched Mrs. Dawes lift Danny out of his seat. Then Nancy turned away. “Well, ’bye,” she said to me.
“Nancy, wait!” I caught the sleeve of her jacket. “What is the matter?” I asked her. “Are you mad at me?”
“Of course I am,” she answered.
“But why?”
“Because you want Addie to be your new best friend.”
“I do not!” I cried. “I said I am going to be Addie’s best friend. But you and Hannie are my best friends.”
“Oh,” said Nancy. “Then never mind.”
Nancy and I giggled. We were friends again. (I was not even sure if we had actually had a fight. But it did not matter anyway.)
I spent the afternoon at Nancy’s house. First we played with Danny. We pretended we were his baby-sitters. Mrs. Dawes let us change his diaper. Then we went to Nancy’s room to talk.
“Maybe,” I said, “after Ms. Colman gets married, she will have a baby.”
“Like Danny,” added Nancy. “Do you think she really will?”
I shrugged. “Lots of people have babies after they get married. But not everybody. You know what? Ms. Colman already has a whole classful of kids.”
“I wonder what her husband is like,” said Nancy.
“You mean her fiancé,” I corrected her. “He is not her husband yet. He will not be her husband until after the wedding.”
“Her fiancé then,” said Nancy. “I am sure he is very nice.”
“I wonder what he will give her for Valentine’s Day.”
“Something extra, extra special,” said Nancy dreamily. “Since they are in love.”
“I wish we could meet Ms. Colman’s fiancé,” I added. “I would like to know who Ms. Colman is marrying.”
When Nancy and I got tired of talking, we played with Danny some more. Then I had to go home for supper.
That night I thought about Addie. I wondered how I would feel if I could not use my legs. How would I go up and down our stairs? Would someone have to carry me? What would I do outdoors on nice days? Would I ever be able to go swimming? Or build a snowman? Could I ride on a sled? What would I do if I were downstairs and Andrew were upstairs, and he yelled, “Hey, Karen! Come here!”?
I told myself once again that I had to be very, very, VERY nice to Addie.
Karen the Helper
“Here I am! Your helper and your best friend,” I announced.
It was Tuesday morning. I was back in school. Addie had just wheeled herself into Ms. Colman’s room. I ran to her. I did not want her to forget who I was. I was going to be very important to Addie.
Addie smiled. “Hi, Karen,” she said. She headed into the room.
I grabbed the back of her chair. I pushed Addie toward her place by my desk.
“Wait!” said Addie. “I have to go to my cubby first. I have to take off my coat and put my stuff away.”
“Oh, I will do those things for you,” I said. I pushed Addie next to my desk. I watched her set the brake on her chair. Good. Now I knew how to do it. I could take care of that for her from now on.
I helped Addie take off her coat. Then I ran to her cubby and hung it up for her. Addie began to follow me.
“Where are you going?” I asked her.
“I have to put away my scarf and mittens, too.”
“I’ll do that!” I called gaily. “That is what I am here for.”
When I had put Addie’s things away, I ran back to her. “Now what should I do?” I asked. “Just name it and I will do it.”
“Nothing, thank you,” said Addie. She reached for her tote bag.
“Here! Let me!”
I cried. I reached into the bag for her. “What do you need?”
“My spelling book and two pencils.” I handed them to Addie. She looked at the pencils and frowned. “Uh-oh. Where is the pencil sharpener?” she asked. “I better sharpen these.”
“Never fear! I will do it!”
“But I can — ” Addie started to say.
Too late. I had already grabbed those pencils. I sharpened them quick as a wink. Then I handed them back to Addie.
“Thanks,” she said quietly. After a few minutes she added, “I could have done that myself. I really could have.” She glanced toward the back of the room. “I can reach the pencil sharpener.”
“Well, you can just count on me,” I replied.
At lunchtime I sat near the end of one of the long tables. I sat by Addie. Nancy sat next to me, and Hannie sat across from me.
Addie looked out the windows of the cafeteria. She looked at the playground. The sun was shining brightly. “I cannot wait to go outside,” she said.
“To go outside?” I repeated. “You mean, after school?”
“No, at recess.”
“You are going onto the playground?” I asked. “I thought you had to stay inside.”
“No way!” exclaimed Addie.
“But you stayed inside yesterday.”
“Miss Penn had to give me a reading test. That was all.”
Oh. What was Addie going to do on the playground? I wondered. But I did not ask her. I did not think that would be polite.
When lunch was over, I pushed Addie outside. Then we hung around together. I had to stay with Addie. That was my job. Besides, I was her best friend. If I did not stick with her, what would she do?
“Karen?” said Addie. “You can go play with the other kids. I don’t care.” Addie pointed across the playground. Hannie and Nancy were waving to me from the monkey bars.
“Oh, that is okay,” I told Addie. “I will stay with you.”
“I have a book to read,” said Addie. “It is right here in my bag.”
“That is okay,” I said again.
I stood next to Addie until recess was over.
Going to the Mall
Being Addie’s helper was a big job. It kept me busy. It even made me a little tired. Ms. Colman thought I was working too hard. She kept saying things like, “Karen, Addie can sharpen her own pencils.” And “Karen, Addie can find her spelling book. She knows what it looks like.”
Finally on Thursday Ms. Colman pulled me aside before school began. I was rooting through Addie’s tote bag. I was finding two pencils for her. I did that every morning so Addie would be ready for the day.
“Karen,” said Ms. Colman, “please do not do everything for Addie, okay? I told you that yesterday.”
“Okay,” I replied. “Sorry.”
Still, I felt bad for Addie. The other kids did not talk to her very much. So it was up to me to be nice to Adelaide Sidney.
I felt especially sorry for Addie on Friday. In the morning, before school began, everyone was talking about the weekend.
“Hey, Jannie!” I heard Pamela say. “Are you coming skating with me?”
“Sure!” replied Jannie. “Leslie’s coming too. She got new skates.”
“Hey, Natalie,” said Terri. “My mom said you can come over for lunch tomorrow. Tammy and I are going to make spaghetti all by ourselves with only a little help. We can have a spaghetti feast.”
“Thanks!” said Natalie.
“I am going to a birthday party this afternoon,” announced Bobby. “My cousin invited me, and he said I could bring a friend. Want to come, Ricky?”
“Okay,” said Ricky.
Everyone was inviting everyone else to go somewhere, or to do something. But no one was inviting Addie. No one was near her. No one was even looking at her. Addie was just sitting in her chair. She was reading a book by Mr. Edward Lear. She was laughing at the funny poems. But I felt bad for her because she was going to have such an awful, boring weekend.
So all morning I was extra, extra nice to Addie. Even though Ms. Colman had asked me not to be so helpful. Then, on the playground, I stood around next to Addie again. She kept looking in her tote bag at Mr. Lear’s book. She was probably afraid I was going to leave her all alone and then she would be stuck reading by herself. But I would never do that.
After awhile Addie said, “What are you doing this weekend, Karen?”
“Going to my father’s house,” I said. “My brother and I are going to stay there for two weeks. My stepcousins will be there, too.”
“Oh.”
I realized that Addie probably did not have any plans for the weekend. So I said, “Addie, I could come over to your house tomorrow. I could read to you or something. I would not mind.”
“Thanks,” said Addie, “but I can read to myself. Besides, I am going to go to the mall with my friends.”
She was? Addie was going to the mall?
“What friends?” I asked her.
“My friends at home. The ones in my neighborhood. My friends from my old school. Four of us are going. Our mothers take us pretty often. Maybe once a month.”
“What do you do there?” I asked.
“Everything,” Addie replied. “We shop. Sometimes we go to a movie. We eat lunch in a restaurant. Once, we all got our ears pierced. Tomorrow we are going to the pet store because Barbara is going to pick out a parakeet for her birthday. Barbie is my best friend.”
Well, for heaven’s sake. Addie was going to the mall. Addie had friends. Addie even had a best friend. And her best friend was not me.
The Relatives Take Over
“Has everyone been to the bathroom?” asked Mommy.
“Yes!” said Andrew and I.
“Is everything you need in the car?” asked Seth.
“Yes!” said Andrew and I.
“Are you buckled up?” asked Mommy.
“Yes!” said Andrew and I.
It was Friday afternoon. Mommy and Seth were ready for their trip to Hawaii. Andrew and I were ready to go to the big house for two weeks. We had been to the bathroom. We were packed. We were buckled into our seats. I was holding Emily Junior’s cage on my lap. She was coming with us. Rocky and Midgie were not. Our neighbor was going to take care of them. I would miss Rocky and Midgie.
Seth drove us to Daddy’s house. He helped us out of the car.
“You two behave yourselves,” Mommy said to Andrew and me. “And have fun,” she added.
“We will miss you,” said Seth.
“Same here,” I replied. “Bring me a lei from Hawaii. ’Bye!”
Andrew called good-bye, too. Then he began to cry. But he stopped as soon as we were inside Daddy’s house. Everyone was there to greet us — our big-house family plus Colleen and Wallace and their kids, Ashley and Berk and Grace and Peter. Guess how many people were standing in the living room and the hallway. Sixteen, including Andrew and me.
The house was stuffed.
At first I did not know what to do.
Then Ashley stepped forward. “I am Ashley Miller,” she said. “Remember me? I am ten years old. I am your stepcousin.”
“And I am Grace Miller,” said Grace. “I am six, almost your age. Let’s go upstairs.” Grace pulled me toward the steps.
“You can stay in our room,” said Ashley as we ran upstairs. She led me into my room.
“Your room?” I exclaimed. “But — ”
“Here. I can help you unpack,” said Grace. “Then I should go downstairs again. I was helping Nannie with dinner.”
That is my job, I thought.
At dinnertime we had to eat at two tables. Andrew and I sat at the kitchen table with Ashley, Grace, Berk, Peter, David Michael, Emily, and Kristy. (Kristy was helping the littlest kids.) Everyone else ate in the dining room.
“Isn’t this fun?” said Kristy. “One huge happy family.”
No. I thought. It is not fun. But then I remembered that the Millers’ house had burned down. So I should be nice to th
em.
When dinner was over, Daddy said, “How about a treat tonight, everybody? Let’s go to the Rosebud Cafe for ice cream.”
“Yes!” I cried.
There were too many of us to fit in Daddy’s van. Charlie took some people in his car, the Junk Bucket. He took Kristy, Berk, Peter, Andrew, and me.
“I call I get to sit next to Kristy!” I said.
But Berk was already sitting next to her.
At the restaurant, Berk sat next to Kristy again. Grace sat on her other side.
“Can I sit in your lap?” I asked.
“While we both eat ice cream?” replied Kristy. “I do not think that would work.”
I sat at a different table. I could not even see Kristy.
“We sure are a crowded family,” Andrew whispered to me.
“The relatives are taking over,” I whispered back. I reminded myself about the fire. But I still wanted to sit next to Kristy.
“We Have to Be Nice”
When we returned to the big house, Daddy said, “Bedtime for the younger kids, and you know who you are.” He meant everyone ten and under.
Ashley took my hand. “Let’s go, Karen.”
“Yeah, let’s go, Karen,” said Grace.
They pulled me upstairs.
“Where is your nightgown, Karen?” asked Grace. “I will get it for you.”
“I can get it,” I said. But Grace got it anyway.
Then Ashley hung up the clothes I had been wearing.
“I could have done that,” I said.
“No problem!” replied Ashley.
I sat on my bed. I looked around my room. It did not look like my room anymore. Grace’s suitcase was open on the floor. Ashley’s clothes spilled out of my closet. Two strange stuffed animals sat on my bed with Moosie. (Moosie did not look happy.)
“Whose are those?” I asked. I pointed to the animals.
“Mine,” said Grace. “But you can sleep with them tonight.”
“That’s okay. I sleep with Moosie,” I told her. I rescued Moosie from the strange animals. I patted his head. Then I went into the bathroom.