I raised my hand. Ms. Colman called on me.
“That is good to know in case you are feeling bad,” I said. “You might feel happy a few minutes later.”
“Good point,” said Ms. Colman. “We can also see how one person can affect another person’s feelings. For example, one person can hurt another person or make him feel angry. Or one person can make another person feel good, the way Karen made Sara feel today.”
“Or the way Evelyn makes Hootie feel happy,” said Addie.
“Exactly,” replied Ms. Colman. “I would like you to do some homework tonight. I would like you to keep track of your feelings from the time you leave school today until the time you get home. I think you will be surprised at how many feelings you have even in that short time.”
Just then, Natalie kicked me under the desk. For a minute I felt annoyed. Then Natalie apologized. I felt better.
I turned to wave to Hannie and Nancy. They waved back. I felt good. Sara waved, too. I felt terrific.
Ms. Colman announced a surprise math quiz. Ooh. I felt nervous.
Oh, boy. I was having feelings all over the place!
The Airport
It was a Saturday at the end of February. It had been a week and a half since Granny had told us her plan to move back to Nebraska. Now she was all packed and ready to go.
“I will miss you so much,” I said. “I will call you a lot, okay?”
“I am counting on it,” Granny replied.
Seth was loading Granny’s bags into his car. We were going to drive to the airport to see Granny off.
I remembered when she and Grandad had arrived before Thanksgiving. Grandad was so tired, he needed a wheelchair to get around the airport even then. Now Granny was going home alone. It was so sad.
“Here, Granny. I made this for you,” I said.
I handed Granny a homemade guinea pig. I had drawn a baby guinea pig on a piece of paper. I glued cotton on it, so it would feel very soft when Granny petted it.
“He is very easy to care for,” I said, smiling. “The only thing he needs is a name.”
“I know what I would like to name the guinea pig. Are you sure it’s a boy?” asked Granny.
“Well, she is looking a little fat today,” I replied. “Maybe she is a girl after all.”
“Good. Then I can name her Karen Junior,” said Granny.
“I think that is a very good name!” I replied.
Seth stuck his head into the room. Mommy and Andrew were standing behind him with their coats on.
“Is everyone ready to go?” asked Seth.
Granny took one last look around the room.
“This was a very nice place to live,” she said. “There was a lot of love in this room. I will miss it.”
“It will always be here for you,” said Seth.
“If you get lonesome, just get on a plane. We will meet you at the airport,” said Mommy.
“I’m hot,” said Andrew.
Granny laughed.
“You are all bundled up. Let’s go,” she said.
On the way to the airport, Granny told us about the things she was looking forward to returning to.
“I will be happy to hear the rooster crowing in the morning,” said Granny.
“Pearl the cat will be happy you are home,” said Andrew. (Andrew likes Pearl the cat.)
“Tell Tia I will write to her soon,” I said. (Tia is the friend I made when I visited Nebraska.)
“Please give our best to the chickens and the cows,” said Seth, smiling.
“What will you tell the animals when they ask for Grandad?” asked Andrew.
“I believe animals know about things like dying,” replied Granny. “I will tell them the truth and they will understand.”
We started noticing planes flying low. Then we saw arrows pointing to the airport. Before we knew it, we were walking Granny to her gate.
I tried to be brave and not cry. But I could not help it. I just felt too sad seeing Granny leave.
We were all crying — Granny, Mommy, Seth, Andrew, and I. We gave each other a five-way hug.
“Flight two-oh-one to Omaha now boarding,” said a voice over the loudspeaker.
Seth took Granny’s hand and walked her to the gate. Granny turned to wave.
“Wait! I have one more thing to give you,” I said.
I ran to Granny and put a copy of Everett Anderson’s Goodbye in her hand.
“Read it when you are missing Grandad,” I said. “I think it will make you feel better.”
“Thank you,” said Granny.
Then she turned and slowly walked to the plane.
New Homes
By Wednesday morning, I had already spoken to Granny three times on the phone. She was doing her best trying to get used to her new-old life.
“How are you feeling today?” I had asked the last time we spoke. “Did you see Tia yet?”
“Yes,” replied Granny. “Tia’s family invited me over for lunch yesterday. It was a very nice visit. Tia asks you to write soon.”
I promised to call Granny again when I got home from school. On Wednesday afternoon the baby guinea pigs were going to their new homes. Granny wanted to hear about it.
When I arrived at school I was so excited about the guinea pigs, it was hard for me to keep still. I kept turning around and waving to Sara. I used every excuse I could think of to get up from my desk. Then I would peek at Evelyn’s babies.
By the end of the day, Ms. Colman had reminded me three times to use my indoor voice and twice had asked me to return to my seat. (She asked nicely every time. That is why Ms. Colman is a gigundoly wonderful teacher.)
“All right, class,” she said. “It is time to get the guinea pigs ready to go to their new homes. Karen, would you please go to Mr. Berger’s class and invite in the children who won guinea pigs?”
The six new owners walked to Evelyn’s cage. (The rest of us stood back and watched.) They were each asked to point to the guinea pig they wanted. If two kids wanted the same guinea pig, they would have to draw straws to see who got it.
Sara picked a round little guinea pig with the same markings Evelyn had. Liddie Yuan wanted that one, too, so they had to draw straws. Sara won.
Sara’s father arrived carrying a brand-new cage with fresh wood shavings.
“Hi, Daddy,” said Sara. “Come see my guinea pig.”
“He is very good-looking,” said Mr. Ford.
Ms. Colman gently lifted out the guinea pig and put it into the cage. Sara covered the cage with a heavy towel, so the baby would not get cold.
“Thanks again, Karen. Don’t forget to visit us soon,” said Sara.
“I won’t,” I replied.
Five more guinea pigs were gently lifted out and put into special carriers. When they were all gone, Ms. Colman set Evelyn’s cage on the floor next to Hootie’s. That way the guinea pigs could look at each other.
“Wheee! Wheee!” said Hootie.
“Wheee! Wheee!” said Evelyn.
Hootie and Evelyn seemed happy. I knew Sara was very happy.
I thought about Granny. Most days she felt sad. But maybe, like Everett Anderson, she would feel better in time. I hoped some day I would see her happy again. Because that would make me happy, too.
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 © 1996 by Ann M. Martin
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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, 1996
e-ISBN 978-1-338-05897-0
Ann M. Martin, Karen's Grandad
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