Ann Martin - Baby-Sitters Club 094

Logan shrugged and grinned. "Hey, in a game this close who knows, it might make a difference." "You're crazy," I laughed. "But I'll go with you." Logan and I walked toward the food counter together. "Did that sound totally nuts?" Logan asked.

"Yes," I said.

"I just had to find a way to talk to you alone." "What about?" While the counterperson heated three pieces of pizza and a big pretzel, Logan told me what was on his mind. "I want to buy Mary Anne a ring for Valentine's Day," he said.

"How sweet!" I cried. "She'll love that." "I want her to love it," Logan said, "but that's what I'm worried about. I'm not sure I'll pick out a ring she'll love." "You can always return it," I reminded him.

Logan made a face. "I know. It's not the same, though. It's much better if she loves the ring right off the bat." "That's true," I agreed.

"Would you come shopping with me? You know Mary Anne's taste. I'd feel better if you helped me pick out the ring." "Sure," I said. "When do you want to go?" "I'll have the money by next week," Logan said. "How about then? We can go downtown right after school." "Okay, I can - " I stopped short. I'd forgotten about my new job with the Cheplins. "Can't," I said. "I'll be working until five-thirty every night." Logan looked disappointed.

"Why not ask Kristy to go with you?" I suggested. "She knows Mary Anne's taste as well as I do, maybe even better." "That's a good idea," said Logan. "Okay. I'll ask her. This should be a great Valentine's Day. I'll have the ring, and I've made reservations at Chez Maurice." "Chez Maurice!" I gasped, clasping my hands together excitedly. "How romantic!" "I hope Mary Anne thinks so," said Logan.

"She will," I assured him. "Definitely." I heard a timer beep and soon the guy behind the counter brought us our food. We bought some sodas (club soda for me) and returned to our lane.

"So, are you guys exhausted from your big trip to the food counter?" Robert asked.

"Totally," I said, taking a bite of my pretzel.

"Me too," said Logan. "See? So now it's fair." After eating, we continued to play. We actually beat Logan and Mary Anne. Okay, so it was only by ten points, but I did get a couple of strikes, which is pretty good for me. Logan and Mary Anne won the next two games. Robert and I didn't really care. It was all just for fun.

By nine-thirty we were waiting outside for Mom. Good thing we only waited a minute or two because it was cold! It felt great to climb into the nice, warm car.

Mom dropped Logan off first, then Mary Anne.

"What were you and Logan talking about at the food counter?" Robert asked as soon as Mary Anne climbed out of the car. "I was watching and it looked serious." "Not that serious," I told him as Mom pulled out of Mary Anne's driveway. "He wanted me to help pick out a Valentine's Day ring for Mary Anne. Isn't that sweet? I can't go because of my new job. He's going to ask Kristy to go instead." Robert reached out and took my hand. "I had fun tonight. Way to go on those strikes." "You bowled strikes, Stacey?" Mom asked from the front seat.

"Two," Robert reported. "Thanks to Stacey we won one of the games. Logan and Mary Anne usually demolish us." "Good work," said Mom. She dropped Robert at his house and I moved into the passenger seat beside her. "Did you have fun tonight?" she asked.

"Sure." "I heard what you said about Logan buying a ring for Mary Anne," Mom said. "Does that mean they're going steady?" "Mom, they already go steady," I said, just a little impatiently. "It's only, you know, a gift." "When a boy gives a girl a ring it usually means something," said Mom.

"I don't think they're getting engaged or anything," I said.

Mom laughed. "No, they're a bit young for that." "Yeah, just a bit. I wonder if they will wind up getting married. They're perfect together." "A lot can go wrong between now and then," Mom said with a wistful sigh.

"I suppose," I agreed.

But I had no idea just how much was about to go wrong - and very soon! Chapter 5.

Monday came before I knew it. It was the day I started my job with the Cheplins. I made sure to wear my watch. The timing was going to be tight.

Robert met me at my locker as usual, when school let out. "Hi," I said as I gathered my books. "I can't talk. I have to run." "Oh, your new job, right," he said. "Good luck." "Thanks." I hurried to the bike rack, hopped on my bike, and began riding as quickly as I could toward Acorn Place. I passed Claudia and Mary Anne walking together. "Remember, I'll be a little late today," I called to them.

They nodded and waved as I zoomed by.

At three-fifteen on the dot I skidded to a halt at the bus stop at the bottom of the hill. Barely a minute later, the bus chugged up the road and stopped. When the door opened, Adam and Dana (whom I recognized from their photo), stood at the front of the bus staring at me. "I'm Stacey," I told the driver. "I'll be picking up Dana and Adam from now on." "Oh, sure. Mrs. Cheplin mentioned it," replied the driver.

Adam smiled at me, but Dana eyed me suspiciously as they walked off the bus.

"Hi, how was school?" I asked cheerfully.

"It was really neat," Adam said enthusiastically in a lisping voice. "We went out and played a game, only Ralphie Meisner slipped on the ice and hit his head and he had to go to the nurse and I was his partner. I told Ralphie not to cry but he kept crying and crying. I let him blow his nose on my jacket sleeve because he already used his jacket and it was gross. Puuey! Yuck. Want to see my sleeve?" He held up his jacket sleeve and it certainly looked as if Ralphie had used it for a tissue.

"Ewww! That is so disgusting!" cried Dana. "Put your arm down. Get it away." Adam shrugged and began walking up the hill. I walked beside Dana and Adam with my hands on my bike handlebars.

"How was your day, Dana?" I asked.

"All right, I suppose," she said in a ladylike manner. She adjusted the blue fleece headband she wore over her straight blonde bangs. "Can my friend Mandy come over?" "I suppose so. If her mother says it's all right," I replied. "We can call when we get to the house." "I know her phone number by heart," Dana told me. "Mandy and I are best friends." At the house we called Mandy and I spoke to her mother. Mandy lived several houses away and would come over in a few minutes. The moment I hung up the phone, it rang again. It was Mrs. Cheplin. "Stacey, thank goodness," was how she greeted me. "Everything went all right?" "No problem," I said. "We invited Mandy to play. Is that okay?" "If you can handle an extra child, it's fine." "I don't mind," I told her honestly.

"Great. Have Mandy go home by four-thirty so Dana can start her homework. I'd better go. See you at five-thirty." " 'Bye." On the kitchen table I saw a note written on a long yellow pad. Dear Stacey, it said. Welcome to your first day of work. My office number is posted on the refrigerator. Here are a few things I need done today . . . She wanted the laundry folded, the dishwasher unloaded and the dishes put away, and Adam's room tidied up.

I had brought along my Kid-Kit and a bag of art supplies for making valentines. I could see I wouldn't get the chance to use them, though. I'd have to work fast if I wanted to be available by four-thirty to help with homework. But I was pretty sure I could get it all done. I'd just have to stay organized.

"Anybody hungry?" I asked.

"I want peanut butter and jelly," Adam spoke up, pulling open the refrigerator. "That's what I always have. I like blueberry jelly a little, but I hate that black jelly with the seeds in it. Yuck! My most favorite is grape jelly but Mommy hates it and Dana can't have any so I eat all the grape jelly all by myself . . ." Adam just kept babbling on about jelly as he rummaged through the refrigerator.

"How about you?" I said to Dana. "Want some fruit or pretzels or something? Maybe a carrot stick?" Dana studied me for a moment. "Do you know about my disease?" she asked.