Ann Martin - Jessi And The Jewel Thieves

"So what did you get for Becca?" Stacey asked, when she finally stopped laughing.

I pulled out the gift.

"Oh, that is so, so cute," said Stacey. "She's going to love it."

"I think so, too," I said. I'd bought Becca a little troll doll. You know, the ones that are really cute in an ugly kind of way? It was dressed up to look like the Statue of Liberty, and it wore a red Miss-America type sash that said I V NY in white letters.

Stacey and I talked all the way home. She told me her father had only gone to work for those few hours on Saturday, and had spent the rest of the time with her, doing special things. "That must be a record," she said. "I know how hard it is for him to stay away from the office." Then I told Stacey about my Talk with

Quint. She was impressed with how well it had gone. "The important thing is that you'll always be friends," she said.

"I know. And I know I did the right thing, but I have to admit that I'm going to miss the romance a little bit."

"I bet you'll have another boyfriend before you know it," said Stacey. "What about Curb's Shaller?"

"He's okay. But I think I just want to be friends with him, too. At least for now."

Before I knew it, the train had pulled into the station. We were home. I glanced out the window and saw my entire family waiting for one on the platform. Stacey's mom was standing with them. I jumped off the train about two seconds after it stopped, and ran to hug everyone.

"Hey, welcome back!" I heard someone call from behind me. It was Kristy. She was running along the platform, with Mallory, Claudia, Mary Anne, and Dawn right behind her. "Sorry we're late," she said. "Charlie's car wouldn't start, so Watson ended up driving

us."

I looked at the crowd that stood around Stacey and me. All our friends and family had turned out to meet us! It felt great to be home. I handed Becca her doll. "Here's your special New York present," I said.

"Thanks!" she cried, patting the troll's long hair. "I love it."

"How was your weekend at the Pikes'?" I asked.

"It was terrific! I had the best time. I can't wait to stay with them again."

I laughed. "That's great, Becca," I said, and grinned privately at Mal.

That night at home, I spent a long time on the phone. Here's who I called: Mallory, Kristy, Dawn, Mary Anne, and Claudia (to tell them about my jewel thieves), Stacey (to thank her for a great weekend), and Quint (ditto).

My conversation with Quint was really nice. We laughed a lot and confessed that we missed each other already. He pretended to be mad at me for leaving him alone with "Red," but he was only kidding. It turned out that "Red's" real name was David, and he was a really nice guy- He has a niece who's in Quint's ballet class, which is why he was at Juilliard the night before.

Just before we hung up, Quint invited me to his next dance performance, which would take place in the fall. "I'm glad we're friends, Jessi," he said in a soft voice. "I know we always will be."

"Me, too, Quint," I said. "Me, too."

About the Author

ANN M. MARTIN did a lot of baby-sitting when she was growing up in Princeton, New Jersey. She is a former editor of books for children, and was graduated from Smith College.

Ms. Martin lives in New York City with her cats. Mouse and Rosie. She likes ice cream and I Love Lucy; and she hates to cook.

Ann Martin's Apple Paperbacks include Yours Turly, Shirley; Ten Kids, No Pets; With You and Without You; Bummer Summer; and all the other books in the Baby-sitters club series.