Mary Anne and the Playground Fight

  “Or someone to teach soccer,” Abby said. She didn’t even bother to whisper.

  Claudia looked at them and rolled her eyes. (She dislikes sports almost as much as I do.)

  “Yes,” Claudia said to Mrs. Simon. “Right.” (Long pause.) “Okay. We’ll look tomorrow, then.”

  “Look for what?” Kristy asked after Claudia hung up.

  “Mrs. Simon said the playground information will be posted on the job board at school tomorrow,” Claudia answered.

  “All right,” said Kristy. “Why didn’t you ask her about a softball coach?”

  “Yeah,” Abby chimed in.

  Claudia shook her head and threw one of her pillows in their direction. “Don’t you two ever think about anything but sports?”

  We all laughed … and made plans to check the bulletin board first thing in the morning.

  The next day, most of us came to school early so we could look at the bulletin board in the main hallway. Kristy was already reading the board along with plenty of other kids when I arrived. I inched my way up so I could see. Being short does not help in these situations.

  “Hi, Mary Anne,” Kristy greeted me. She pointed to a big notice calling for playground counselors. I saw that there were six positions open for students from Stoneybrook Middle School. (Yesss!) There were also positions open for older kids.

  Playground Camp would start on July first and run to the end of August. That meant employment for most of the summer. Applications were due a few days after school was out, so we could work on them after finals. (Whew.) Interviews would be held in two weeks.

  “Sounds good,” I said.

  “Very,” Kristy agreed. She was already copying down information in her notebook.

  Next to the notice about the playground jobs was a huge picture of Big Ben and the Eiffel Tower with information about the trip to Europe. (No wonder the hallway was so crowded.) The trip would begin July fifteenth and run until July twenty-third. Uh-oh.

  “We can’t be hired as counselors if we’re going to miss nine days of work, can we?” I asked Kristy.

  Kristy shrugged. “I don’t think that should be a problem.”

  “You don’t?”

  “No,” Kristy said. “The trip is nine full days. That means we’ll only be missing one workweek. We can probably ask for that time off.” Kristy sounded very sure of this. I, however, had my doubts.

  “Oooh,” squealed Cokie, who had just seen the board. “These playground jobs sound perfect. It’s hard to get summer jobs at our age because everyone wants the high school kids. I’m definitely applying.”

  “Me too,” Katie Shea said.

  “Hey, get this,” Howie Johnson was saying to Brad Simon. “We’ll get paid to hang out at the playground all summer. My kind of job.”

  “No kidding,” muttered Brad. “I just hope they hire both of us.”

  I hope they don’t! I thought. There was going to be a lot of competition for the playground jobs.

  Kristy was not too worried. “Look, Mary Anne, we have more baby-sitting experience than anyone else who’s applying,” she said when most of the other kids were out of earshot.

  “Except the other members of the BSC,” I pointed out.

  “You worry too much,” Kristy stated as she headed off to take her English final. “Don’t forget that Mrs. Simon called us. That probably means BSC members have more than a good chance.”

  Kristy did have a point.

  I spent the rest of the morning taking my social studies final. By lunchtime, I had convinced myself that not everybody in the BSC would want the playground jobs. I figured Jessi and Mallory might not apply. Logan was too busy with sports. So was Abby. And Shannon was going to summer camp. That left Kristy, Claudia, Stacey, and me — four of us for six slots. Perfect. There might even be room for Dawn if she wanted a job. Knowing Dawn, she probably would. Now all I had to worry about was whether Dawn and I would get jobs together, right?

  Wrong!

  By midday, things began to get a little complicated. First, I met up with Mallory in the bathroom.

  “Don’t those playground jobs sound perfect?” she asked as she brushed her hair and tied it back.

  “Yeah, they do,” I said a little warily.

  “Jessi and I are definitely sending in applications,” Mallory continued. “I just hope we won’t be disqualified because we’re too young.”

  “The jobs are open to anyone from SMS,” I assured her. But I was feeling worried again. That meant seven BSC members would be applying for six spots, if Dawn applied.

  Then, on the lunch line, Logan told me he was interested in a playground job.

  “What about all your sports and your job at the Rosebud Café?” I asked. I helped myself to the macaroni and cheese, even though I wasn’t very hungry.

  “This job pays more,” Logan answered. “Besides, I’d rather be outside than clearing tables in the summer.”

  “Oh,” I said in a small voice.

  “Mary Anne, what’s the matter? I thought you’d be happy. If we both get jobs, we can spend more time together this summer.”

  “I know. It’s just that I’m afraid there’s going to be a lot of competition.”

  “But BSC members are experienced.”

  I nodded. Sometimes Logan sounded just like Kristy.

  “So, guys, did you see the information on the playground jobs?” Abby asked when we reached the lunch table.

  “You applying?” Logan inquired.

  “You bet.”

  “But I thought you wanted to go to Europe,” I said.

  “No reason I can’t do both,” Abby answered. “Kristy doesn’t think Mrs. Simon will mind if we take a week off.”

  “But if we all take that same week off, she will mind,” I pointed out.

  Abby shrugged and opened her lunchbox. “She might be able to find some replacements for that week.”

  I shook my head.

  Soon I had more reason to worry. By the time lunch was over, I had learned that at least twelve kids were applying for the playground jobs, including Kristy, Abby, Stacey, Logan, Claudia, and me. And that was just from the eighth grade. Including Jessi and Mallory, there would be nine BSC members competing for only six spots. Groan.

  With that kind of competition, I wasn’t sure how Dawn would do. And judging by how many kids were talking about going to London and Paris, it didn’t seem too likely Dawn would get off the waiting list this time. I sighed. Even before school was over, it was turning out to be a very complicated summer.

  It was Saturday afternoon when Kristy set off to baby-sit for Victoria (I mean Vicki). Perhaps what happened was my fault, but Kristy says I shouldn’t blame myself so much, that I really had nothing to do with what Kristy called “one of her worst baby-sitting jobs ever.”

  You see, I was the one who was supposed to baby-sit for Victoria. Of all of us, I had sat for her the most, and Miss Rutherford requested me specifically when she called to make the arrangements. I did accept, but then I found out that Dawn’s plane was coming in at the same time, and I wanted to be at the airport to meet her. So I called Kristy, who said she would take my place.

  I guess my first mistake was that I didn’t call Victoria too….

  * * *

  When Kristy arrived at Victoria’s mansion, the butler ushered her into the spacious front parlor. “Miss Rutherford will be right with you,” he announced.

  Miss Rutherford bustled into the parlor soon after. “Hello, Kristy. Where is Mary Anne?” she asked.

  “At the airport, picking up Dawn.”

  “Oh.” Miss Rutherford sounded — and looked — distracted. “Well, thank goodness one of you is here. I’m at my wit’s end.”

  “Really? What’s the matter?”

  “It’s Victoria. I just don’t know what to do about her. She’s so depressed about moving. All she does is sit in front of the telly, watching reruns of those dreadful American programs. And she’s grieving for all the friends she’s ma
de here.”

  “I’ll see if I can get her mind on something else,” Kristy offered.

  “Oh, that would be wonderful. Perhaps you could take her outside. She looks wan from staying indoors.” Miss Rutherford was wringing her hands as she walked Kristy to the playroom. “It’s not only the television. She refuses to wear anything but the sloppiest clothes. She won’t even put on decent shoes anymore. And she won’t answer to any name other than Vicki.”

  Kristy could barely keep herself from laughing.

  Miss Rutherford shook her head. “I don’t know what her parents are going to think. They come home tomorrow.” (Victoria’s parents, Sir Charles and Lady Kent, were often away on business.)

  As soon as she stepped into the playroom, Kristy registered Victoria’s mood. She was sitting on a big pillow in front of the TV, wearing denim shorts, a T-shirt with the slogan “Let’s Go Mets” on it, and no shoes. Her shiny brown hair was tied back in a ponytail.

  The room looked different too. Pennants of sports teams hung on the walls, covering the Beatrix Potter wallpaper. Victoria’s English Tudor dollhouse was now in a corner gathering dust. Before, it had been in the center of the room. Stacks of Marvel comic books, a Slinky, Gumby dolls, and a pair of in-line skates were scattered in front of the large overstuffed couch.

  “Hello, Vicki,” Kristy said brightly.

  Victoria listlessly turned away from the TV, which was playing a rerun of The Dick Van Dyke Show.

  “Oh, hi, Kristy. Is Mary Anne coming later?”

  When Kristy explained where I was, Victoria looked even more unhappy. “But we distinctly asked for Mary Anne, didn’t we?”

  “Yes, dear,” Miss Rutherford said soothingly. “But Mary Anne had no way of knowing about her sister’s plane.”

  Victoria’s shoulders sagged. “But I’m the one who’s leaving,” she said, pouting, as tears welled in her blue eyes. “Doesn’t Mary Anne want to see me as much as she can before I go?”

  “Sure she does,” Kristy said. “We all do. But you know what?”

  “What?” Victoria still sounded listless.

  “The BSC members are visiting London this summer on a school trip. We could all come and visit you.”

  “Oh, would you?” Victoria gave Kristy her full attention. “Could you stay at my home? We have plenty of room.”

  “I don’t see why not,” Kristy said, grinning at the idea of sleeping overnight in an old manor house. “We’d probably need to get permission from the tour leaders, but I’m sure they would let us.”

  “Oh, lovely — I mean great.” Victoria smiled for the first time.

  “And you know what else,” Kristy continued as she sat down beside Victoria. “Karen would like to see you. Would you like to come over and play at my house?” (Kristy’s stepsister, Karen, is seven; she and Victoria had become friends.)

  “Oh, I would love to see Karen,” Victoria murmured in reply. “I’m going to miss all my friends in the States so much.”

  As much as she wanted to see Karen, it took much persuasion to get Victoria to leave her TV program. “You know, we don’t have The Dick Van Dyke Show in England. I just love American TV,” Victoria said as they walked outside. (Before they left, Victoria put on a pair of sandals. Miss Rutherford insisted.)

  Karen was in Kristy’s front yard, playing with David Michael (Kristy’s brother, age seven) and their neighbors Hannie and Linny Papadakis (who are seven and nine, respectively). As soon as they saw Victoria, they rushed to her.

  “Victoria!” Karen shrieked.

  “It’s Vicki,” Victoria reminded her.

  “You changed your name?” asked Linny.

  Victoria glared. “I just prefer Vicki.”

  “I like Victoria better,” said Hannie.

  “Call her what she wants,” Kristy jumped in. “It’s her name.”

  “Oh, I wish you were not leaving, Vicki,” Karen interjected.

  “I wish I weren’t either.” Victoria sniffled. “I am going to miss all of you so much.”

  “Do you have a cold?” David Michael asked. Linny looked embarrassed. Kristy thought it was time to change the subject. “Why don’t we all take a walk around the neighborhood?” she suggested.

  “Yes,” said Hannie. “That way, Victor — I mean Vicki — can see all her favorite places.”

  “And say good-bye to them,” Karen added. (Karen is a stickler for proper good-byes.)

  “I don’t want to say good-bye,” said Victoria, sniffling more loudly.

  Kristy gave Karen a Look. “You won’t have to say good-bye.”

  “Do you need a tissue?” David Michael asked Victoria.

  Kristy’s older brother Charlie agreed to drive them on a “Stoneybrook Tour.” The first stop was the Papadakises’ house across the street, so Hannie and Linny could ask their parents if it was okay to go for a ride. (It was.)

  “Next stop, Stoneybrook Day School,” Kristy announced.

  “You should be a tour leader,” said David Michael.

  “She’s practicing for her trip to Europe,” Karen said.

  Stoneybrook Day School looks like a college campus. Four very old redbrick buildings are set around an enormous grass courtyard. The buildings are connected by covered walkways in the front.

  Karen and Linny headed for the courtyard. The others followed. School was out for the summer, but many people in the neighborhood came to the courtyard on weekends to read, play, walk their dogs, or sit in the sun.

  “Look at those two collies!” Hannie shouted, pointing enthusiastically.

  “They’re gorgeous,” Kristy commented as the dogs came toward them. A girl who looked to be about ten years old was holding their leashes.

  “Whoa,” said Linny as one of the collies jumped up on him.

  “Pebbles, heel,” their owner commanded. But Pebbles paid no attention. Linny laughed and stroked the dog’s soft fur.

  “Ooh, I just love dogs,” said Hannie as she patted the other one, who had just started growling.

  “Why is she growling?” asked Karen.

  “Bam-Bam, stop it!” said the owner. But Bam-Bam only growled more loudly and moved toward Victoria.

  “Aaaugh!” Victoria shouted, hiding behind Kristy. She had turned quite pale.

  “What’s the matter, Vicki? She won’t hurt you,” Karen insisted. At that moment, Pebbles let go of Linny and decided to jump on Victoria instead.

  “No!” shrieked Victoria, pushing Pebbles away. “NO. KRISTY, HELP ME! AAAUGH!”

  By now Pebbles was licking Victoria’s face and Bam-Bam was still growling.

  “Pebbles, get down,” her owner shouted, yanking the dog away. “And Bam-Bam, stop that growling! I’m very sorry about this,” the girl said to Kristy.

  “It’s all right. We’ll just move along,” Kristy said, gently leading Victoria away.

  “I’m dreadfully frightened — I mean, scared stiff of dogs,” Victoria explained. “I was bitten by one when I was younger.”

  “That could be why the collie growled at you,” said Karen. “Dogs can tell when people don’t like them.”

  “Then why was the other one so friendly?” David Michael wanted to know.

  Karen shrugged. “Maybe she was hoping to change Victoria’s mind.” At that, Victoria actually smiled — thinly.

  “I have an idea,” Karen said, pointing to the left. “Let’s walk by the stream.” The stream was one of Karen and Hannie’s favorite hangouts. Whenever they went there, they liked to pretend they were at the beach or camping out by the water.

  “Okay,” Kristy said. “But don’t get your shoes wet.”

  “Let’s pretend we’re shipwrecked pirates on an island!” Linny shouted.

  “Yes!” David Michael agreed. “And here’s my pirate’s sword.” He grabbed a stick and waved it in front of him.

  “I’ll get you, Bluebeard,” Karen shouted as she too found a stick and waved it in front of David Michael’s nose. “You stole all my gold doubloons.” (In
cidentally, Karen has a wonderful imagination.)

  “Hark, there is our mighty ship,” said Victoria, who loved games like this. She pointed to a plastic sailboat someone had left by the side of the stream.

  “Shiver me timbers!” Karen yelled. (Karen had been reading a lot of pirate books lately.) “Let us see if we can sail away and escape the evil Bluebeard and his skipper, Captain, uh, Captain …”

  “Captain Blood!” Victoria finished for her.

  “Right. Captain Blood,” said Karen, running toward the stream. The boat lay on the other side, so Karen had to cross the stream by stepping on a couple of big rocks in the streambed.

  Victoria chased after her, but her sandals didn’t grip the rocks as well as Karen’s sneakers had.

  “Victoria, be careful!” Kristy called out.

  But it was too late. Victoria slipped and splashed into the stream.

  “Oh, no!” Kristy shouted as she rushed to Victoria. “Are you all right?”

  Other than a scraped knee and elbow, Victoria wasn’t hurt, just shaken and sopping wet.

  “Come on, I’ll take you right home,” Kristy said.

  “But the game,” Victoria spluttered.

  “We can play another time,” Karen said as she handed Victoria the plastic sailboat.

  At this point Victoria, who had been sniffling all morning, finally burst into tears. “But I don’t want to leave my friends or this game,” she wailed after Kristy and Charlie had driven everyone back home, and Kristy left her safely with Miss Rutherford, who tried not to seem too shocked by Victoria’s bedraggled appearance.

  “She’s so upset about this move,” Miss Rutherford explained after Victoria was out of earshot, in the hot bath Miss Rutherford had insisted she take.

  Kristy nodded.

  “I just hope the poor dear recovers soon.” Miss Rutherford was shaking her head.

  Kristy hoped so too. Otherwise, it was going to be a very sad — and hard — good-bye.

  “Oh, Mary Anne, it looks gorgeous in here!” Stacey exclaimed.

  “I couldn’t have done it better myself,” Claudia said, referring to the banner that read “Welcome Home” hanging over Dawn’s bed.