“I could come visit sometimes,” I said.
“I would love that. Since my husband died, I do not get out as much as I used to. You are my first new friends.”
It would be fun visiting Mrs. Casper, because I liked her. It would be nice too, because then she would not feel so lonely.
On our way out, Mrs. Casper gave us each a bag of cookies.
“Thank you,” said Kristy.
“I did not expect you today, so I’m sorry I do not have a real gift,” said Mrs. Casper.
“I love gifts,” I replied. “But you do not have to give me gifts all the time. Being friends is enough for me.”
Moonbeam
A few days later Nannie was in the den reading the paper. David Michael and I were each reading a book.
“Here is an ad for Moonbeam. Is that what you two were going to buy?” asked Nannie.
“Yes!” I replied. “Is it out yet?”
“It will be in the stores tomorrow.”
David Michael and I jumped up and raced to find Daddy.
“Tomorrow is Saturday and Moonbeam is going to be in the stores,” said David Michael.
“Would you drive us downtown to buy it?” I asked. “Please?”
“I sure will,” said Daddy. “I am proud of you two for finding a way to buy it together.”
The next morning we were the first customers at Toy City.
“Look, we can try it out,” said David Michael. A demonstration model of Moonbeam was on display.
We turned it on and selected a game for two players called Space Walkers. Asteroids were shooting all around. The space walkers had to reach their ship without being hit.
The screen was filled with bright colors. The asteroids seemed to be shooting right off the screen! There was exciting music too. David Michael and I were jumping up and down and yelling.
“Calm down, kids,” said Daddy.
Just then a salesman stepped up to us. I thought he was going to ask us to keep our voices down. But he did not.
“I am glad to see you are enjoying Moonbeam. It is a terrific new system,” he said. “Do you have any questions?”
“How many games does it come with?” I asked.
“It comes with three games, and you can buy others. We have one new game in stock already,” said the salesman.
“What game is it?” asked David Michael.
“How much does it cost?” I asked.
“It is in the stockroom. We have not even unpacked it yet,” said the salesman. “I will get it and be right back.”
We tried another game called Road Racers while we waited. It was fun too. Then the salesman came back.
“Here it is,” he said. “The game is called Paper Route. It costs twenty-nine dollars and ninety-five cents.”
“Paper Route! I need that game!” I said.
David Michael studied the box.
“It looks great,” he said.
There was only one problem. A big problem. We did not have enough money to buy it. But I had an idea.
“May we exchange this game for one of the others?” I asked.
“I am sorry,” said the salesman. “No substitutions.”
Boo. Now I would have to take another job. I wondered if Sam needed my help delivering papers.
“Hold on,” said Daddy. “Since you did such a good job raising the money for Moonbeam yourselves, I would like to buy the extra game for you.”
“Thank you!” said David Michael and I together.
I gave Daddy a big hug. Then I thought of something.
“Before we buy it, I would like to read the instructions,” I said.
“I am sure it is not hard to play,” said David Michael.
“I need to check one thing,” I replied.
I read the instructions from start to finish. Then I said, “We will take it!”
“What was that about?” asked Daddy.
“Since the game is called Paper Route, I wanted to be sure we would not have to get up early to play it,” I said.
After we had paid for everything, we headed home. I felt proud of myself. I had made a plan with David Michael and carried it out. I had worked hard to become a good paper-route teammate with Kristy. And I had made a new friend.
Hmm. I wondered if Mrs. Casper liked to play video games. On my next visit, I would be sure to ask her.
About the Author
ANN M. MARTIN is the acclaimed and bestselling author of a number of novels and series, including Belle Teal, A Corner of the Universe (a Newbery Honor book), A Dog’s Life, Here Today, P.S. Longer Letter Later (written with Paula Danziger), the Family Tree series, the Doll People series (written with Laura Godwin), the Main Street series, and the generation-defining series The Baby-sitters Club. She lives in New York.
Copyright © 1998 by Ann M. Martin
All rights reserved. Published by Scholastic Inc., Publishers since 1920. SCHOLASTIC, BABY-SITTERS LITTLE SISTER, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Scholastic Inc.
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
First edition, 1998
e-ISBN 978-1-338-06049-2
Ann M. Martin, Karen's Paper Route
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