Karen's Pony

  I watched Roddie pet Blueberry. He and Blueberry seemed to like each other.

  “I have some carrots. You can feed Blueberry if you want to,” I said.

  Roddie held the carrots out in the palm of his hand just the way he was supposed to.

  “You are lucky you have a pony. I wish I could have one,” said Roddie.

  “Why can’t you?” I asked.

  “My parents have a rule that any animal who lives on our farm has to earn its keep. We have chickens because they lay eggs And we have a goat and a cow because they give us milk. But a horse could not give us any food. And it costs a lot of money to keep a horse.”

  “Maybe the horse could pull a wagon or something,” I said.

  “That is a good idea. But it would not help us. We do not have a wagon. My mom and dad are not farmers. My dad works in an office in Stoneybrook. My mom is a librarian,” said Roddie. “They just like living on a farm.”

  “Well, you can visit Blueberry as much as you want,” I said. “No one around here has time to play with him. He gets very lonely. I would like him to have company.”

  “I do not have too much free time. After school I have a lot of chores to do,” said Roddie. “But I promise I will visit him whenever I can.”

  Roddie was nice. We played with Blueberry for a while. Then I showed him around the farm. By the time we got back to the Coopers’ house, Daddy was waiting to take me home.

  “I have to go now,” I said. “Will you really come visit Blueberry?”

  “I promise,” replied Roddie.

  Roddie headed back down the road to his farm. I got into the car with Daddy. As we drove away, I could see Blueberry looking droopy and sad again. I hoped Roddie would visit him soon.

  Ouch! Ouch!

  When I got home, Andrew and David Michael were in the yard with Melody and Bill Korman. (Melody is seven. Bill is nine. They live just down the street from the big house.) Then Hannie called and asked if she could come over.

  “Sure,” I replied. “Bring Linny, too.” (Linny is Hannie’s brother. He is David Michael’s friend.)

  That made seven kids altogether.

  “Who wants to play freeze tag?” I asked.

  Everyone thought that was a great idea. Linny got to be “It” first.

  I love to play freeze tag. First of all, I am very good at not being tagged. But even if I do get tagged, I always get frozen in a funny position.

  “On your mark, get set, go!” called Linny.

  I ran to the left. I ran to the right. I swung around one tree. Then another. I passed David Michael and waved. He was running in the opposite direction and waved back. Then down he went.

  “Ouch! Ouch!” cried David Michael.

  “Time out!” I shouted.

  I ran to David Michael to see if he was okay. He was not.

  “Ooh, my elbow. It hurts. It hurts. It got twisted when I fell.” David Michael moaned.

  I ran inside the house to get help. Daddy, Elizabeth, and Nannie came running outside.

  “You will be fine,” said Daddy. “But I can see your elbow is swelling up. You may have dislocated it.”

  Elizabeth was already starting the station wagon. Daddy carried David Michael to the car and buckled him up in the backseat.

  “We will call you from the hospital,” said Elizabeth.

  “This family is becoming awfully familiar with the Stoneybrook medical facilities,” said Nannie.

  My friends and I waved good-bye as the car pulled out of the driveway. No one felt much like playing anymore. So everyone went home.

  I waited downstairs with Andrew, Emily, and Nannie for Elizabeth to call. (Kristy and Charlie were resting in their rooms upstairs. Sam was out with his friends.) We waited and waited. Finally the phone rang. Nannie answered it. When she hung up, she did not look too happy.

  “Your father was right. David Michael dislocated his elbow,” said Nannie.

  “That is too bad,” I said.

  I had to work fast. This was another job for Nurse Karen. I ran upstairs to get ready.

  By the time David Michael came home, I was dressed in white. I had even made myself a white nurse’s cap. My knapsack was filled with important medical supplies. Straw thermometer. Bandages. Funny books to read. Dolls for company. Candy to eat.

  Kristy and Charlie were both feeling much better. That meant I could turn my full attention to my latest case — David Michael’s dislocated elbow.

  “I need to take your temperature,” I said to my brother.

  “They already did that at the hospital. I do not have a temperature,” said David Michael.

  “I think we need to take it again,” I said.

  “No way,” said David Michael. He shut his mouth tightly.

  No problem. I had discovered a few scratches on his right hand. I decided some bandages would help.

  “Your hand needs more treatment,” I said. “And, um, do you think it is my turn to wear the ring yet?”

  “I will give you the ring if you leave me alone,” said David Michael.

  That sounded like a fair deal to me. I took the ring from David Michael. Then I went back upstairs to check on my other patients.

  Spooky!

  On Sunday night, Sam called a meeting for all us kids. (Emily Michelle did not come. She is still too little for meetings.) We met in the TV room. That is where David Michael was recovering.

  Sam turned off the TV, then stood up in the center of the room.

  “I have made an important discovery,” he said.

  (That got our attention fast.)

  “I have been thinking about our ring,” he continued. “Look what happened to each person who wore it. First Charlie wore it and broke his hand. Then Kristy wore it and got a terrible strep throat. Then David Michael wore it and dislocated his elbow. I have decided that the ring must be bad luck.”

  We all gasped. Sam had to be right. There was no other explanation for the bad things happening to our family.

  “Ooh, spooky!” I said. “Maybe there is an invisible evil potion in the secret compartment.”

  “That could be,” said Kristy. “I felt funny the minute I put it on.”

  “Maybe it belonged to a mean magician. It has magical powers that make bad things happen to whoever wears it,” said David Michael.

  “I am scared of that ring. I do not want to wear it. I do not want to!” cried Andrew.

  “Do not worry,” said Charlie. “You do not have to wear it. We will have to decide together what to do with it.”

  “I think we should bury it someplace far away,” said David Michael. “Or maybe we should throw it in the ocean.”

  “But then bad things could happen to the fish,” I said. “That would be mean. I like fish.”

  “It is six of us against one ring. I say we have a ceremony and take away its secret powers. That way the ring will not hurt anyone ever again,” said Sam.

  We decided that was the best idea.

  “Who has the ring now?” asked Charlie.

  “I gave it to you, Karen,” said David Michael. “But you are not wearing it. Where is it?”

  “I must have put it upstairs,” I replied. “I will be right back.”

  I ran to my room to get the ring. I looked on my dresser. No ring. I looked on my bed. No ring. I looked on the floor. No ring.

  “Moosie,” I said to my stuffed cat, “did you see the ring?”

  I held Moosie up to my ear so he could tell me where it was. But Moosie had not seen it.

  Uh-oh, I thought. I raced back downstairs and stood in the center of the TV room.

  “I have made an important new discovery,” I said. “The ring has vanished!”

  The Search

  “The ring has to be somewhere,” said Kristy. “It cannot just vanish into thin air.”

  “Why not? It has magic powers, doesn’t it?” I said.

  “We cannot take any chances,” said Charlie. “If it is in our house, more bad things could happen to us.
We have to look for it everywhere.”

  “I say we split up and search for it,” said Sam.

  “Oh, no!” I said. “Let’s stick together. I would be too scared if I found it by myself.”

  “Me, too,” said Andrew.

  “That is a good idea,” said Charlie. “We will start upstairs and work our way down.”

  The six of us marched up to the attic. We looked and looked, but we did not find it. We searched every room on the second floor. I found a Barbie shoe I had been looking for. But we did not find the ring. We went downstairs to the first floor. It was not there either.

  “Maybe we threw it out with the trash,” said Sam.

  “Let’s go look,” said Charlie.

  On our way outside, Elizabeth stopped us.

  “Where are you kids going?” she asked. “And David Michael, what are you doing up? You hurt yourself very badly today.”

  “I am okay,” said David Michael. “We lost something and we have to look for it together.”

  Elizabeth decided not to ask any more questions.

  “Please do not stay out too long,” she said.

  We searched in the dark through the yucky trash. But we still could not find the ring. When we got back to the TV room, we fell down in a heap. I looked at the clock. We had been searching for over an hour.

  “I do not think we should worry too much anymore,” said Charlie. “I am sure the ring is only bad luck if you are actually wearing it or carrying it.”

  “I think you are right,” I said. “I remember reading that once in a book.”

  (I did not really remember reading it. But it sounded more official that way.)

  “We can look for it again tomorrow,” said Sam. “Maybe it was in the yard, but it was just too dark to see it.”

  “I am tired,” said Kristy. “And tomorrow is my first day back in school. I am going to sleep.”

  We were all tired. We said good night and went to our rooms.

  When I got into bed, I hugged Moosie close to me. I looked around the room one more time, to make sure the ring was not there. Then I turned out the light and closed my eyes.

  I kept seeing rings floating in the air. It took me a long time to fall asleep.

  Blueberry’s Problem

  The next time I saw Blueberry was the following weekend. Daddy drove me to the farm on Saturday.

  When we pulled into the driveway, I was glad to see Roddie visiting Blueberry. Blueberry did not look sad and droopy. He looked happy.

  “Will you come with me, Daddy? You have not visited Blueberry in a long time,” I said. “I want you to meet Roddie Gale, too. He is really nice.”

  “Let me just say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Cooper. Then I will join you,” Daddy replied.

  I said hi to Blueberry and Roddie and Maggie. The Coopers’ farm was starting to feel like my second home.

  “This is the third time I have visited Blueberry this week,” said Roddie. “You are right. He really does like people. He does not play with the other horses at all.”

  When Daddy came outside, I introduced him to Roddie and Maggie. Then I showed him the things I had learned.

  “This is a currycomb,” I said importantly. “You use it to get rid of the dead hairs. That is how to make a pony look beautiful.”

  “Why don’t we groom Blueberry together?” said Daddy. “It looks like Maggie is busy taking care of the other horses now.”

  Daddy, Roddie, and I brushed Blueberry. Then we combed him. Then we wiped him down with a cloth till his coat was shining.

  “This is the biggest pet you have ever had to take care of,” said Daddy. “You are doing a very good job.”

  “Thank you,” I replied.

  Before we left, we made sure that Blueberry had fresh hay to eat and water to drink.

  “Can we come again tomorrow?” I asked.

  “Tomorrow would be fine,” Daddy replied.

  “I can come again tomorrow, too,” said Roddie. “See you then.”

  Daddy and I got into the car. Roddie waved good-bye and walked across the field. The minute we were gone, Blueberry started to look droopy and look sad.

  I decided it was time to talk to Daddy. I knew he was trying to do his best for Blueberry. But the Coopers’ farm was just not working out.

  “Daddy, I have something important to tell you about Blueberry,” I said.

  “I am listening,” replied Daddy.

  “The Coopers’ farm is very beautiful,” I said. “And Mr. and Mrs. Cooper are very nice. But I do not think Blueberry likes living on their farm. He does not like to play with the other horses. And the farm hands are too busy to pay attention to him. Blueberry is really lonely. But I know someplace where he would be happy.”

  “Where is that?” asked Daddy.

  “I think Blueberry would be happier on Roddie’s farm. But there is a big problem. Roddie is not allowed to have a pony. His parents have a rule. They only have animals that earn their keep. They have chickens, a goat, and a cow. But they do not have any horses.”

  “Hmm,” said Daddy. “I would like some time to think about this problem. I do not want Blueberry to be unhappy. Maybe there is something we can do.”

  “Thanks, Daddy,” I said.

  I kept quiet the rest of way, so Daddy could think. When we got home, he got right on the phone. He talked on the phone a long time.

  A New Home for Blueberry

  After dinner on Saturday, Daddy called me into the den for a talk.

  “First of all, I am proud of you for speaking up about Blueberry’s problem. I know it was not easy for you to tell me the Coopers’ farm was not working out,” said Daddy. “The second thing I want to tell you is that I think we have a solution to the problem.”

  “All right!” I said. “What is it?”

  “I spoke with Roddie’s parents,” said Daddy. “I arranged to board Blueberry at their farm instead of with the Coopers. The boarding money will cover Blueberry’s expenses, so he will be earning his keep like the other animals. He will be in a place where he can get more attention, especially from your friend, Roddie. What do you think of the plan?”

  “It is a very good plan,” I said.

  I was happy that Blueberry was going to a better place. But I was also a little jealous that Roddie would get to spend more time with him than I would.

  “Will Roddie’s parents let me visit Blueberry?” I asked.

  “Of course,” said Daddy. “Blueberry is still going to be your pony. You can see him often.”

  I decided to act grown-up about Blueberry’s new home. After all, it was the perfect solution to the problem.

  The next day, Daddy took me to the farm so I could be with Blueberry when he moved. A blue van was parked by the pasture.

  “Hello, Mr. O’Brien,” said Daddy. “I am Watson Brewer and this is my daughter, Karen. Are we ready to move Blueberry?”

  “We are ready,” replied Mr. O’Brien. “We were just waiting for you to arrive.”

  Mr. O’Brien and another man tried to lead Blueberry up a ramp and into the van. But Blueberry would not go.

  “I think he is a little scared,” said Mr. O’Brien.

  “He is my pony,” I said. “Maybe I should talk to him.”

  Mr. O’Brien thought that was a good idea. I whispered in Blueberry’s ear. “You do not have to be scared. You are going down the road to Roddie’s farm. You like Roddie. And I will still come to visit you.”

  I fed Blueberry a carrot. I petted him. Then I said to Mr. O’Brien, “I think we can try again.”

  This time Blueberry walked up the ramp. Mr. O’Brien closed the doors to the van and headed up the road to the Gales’ farm. Daddy and I followed right behind.

  The Mystery

  Roddie and his parents were waiting outside when we pulled up to their house. His parents looked awfully familiar. Had I seen them somewhere before? Hmm. I could not remember from where. It was a mystery.

  “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Gale,” said Daddy. ?
??I am Watson Brewer. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

  Roddie introduced me to his parents. Then he gave me on a tour of his farm. First he took me to see the cow. Her name was Betsy.

  “I know the Coopers use machines to milk their cows,” said Roddie. “We milk Betsy by hand. I will show you how sometime if you want to learn.”

  Next Roddie showed me a goat. And he showed me three chickens. That is when I remembered! Mr. and Mrs. Gale were the people I had seen at the estate sale. They were the ones who had bought the goat and the chickens from the Macdonells. The mystery was solved.

  This was truly the perfect place for Blueberry. He was going to be with his old pals again. I told Roddie the story of Blueberry and his friends.

  “It was a sunny day and my brothers and sisters and I did not want to go to an estate sale. But Daddy wanted us to have a Family Day. We pulled into the Macdonells’ farm by mistake. Then your parents bought the goat and the chickens and Daddy bought Blueberry. And now they will all be together again!” I said.

  “Cool!” exclaimed Roddie.

  “Come on,” I said. “Let’s go keep Blueberry company. We have to make sure he is comfortable in his new home.”

  Blueberry was already chomping on some hay. Roddie’s parents had fixed up a bright, clean stall for him.

  “He is a very sweet pony,” said Mrs. Gale. “We will be happy to have him here.”

  “And we will be happy to have you visit as often as you like,” said Mr. Gale. “I know that Roddie has been enjoying your company.”

  “Is it okay if we take Blueberry for a little walk?” I asked.

  “Go right ahead,” said Mr. Gale. “When you finish, come in the house and have some lemonade.”

  “Thank you,” I replied.

  Roddie and I led Blueberry across the yard to see his old friends. When he saw them, he threw back his head and whinnied.

  “You are home, Blueberry,” I said. “You have a real and true home and you will not have to leave.”

  The Good-Luck Ring