Baby-Sitters Club belongs to Ann M

Baby-Sitters Club belongs to Ann M. Martin

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The next day, I was with my friends including Logan going to school.

“So how did the interview yesterday?” Stacey asked.

“Excellent.” I replied as I told them the rest of my news.

“Gosh, you’re lucky.” Mallory said.

“Yeah, you’re the second member to get a job.” Logan said.

“You got that right. I’ll be working at night Sunday through Saturday from seven p.m. until midnight since the club opens at five p.m., but it doesn’t start at seven p.m., so I’ll be going to work for six-thirty p.m.” I explained.

“On school nights?” Jessi asked.

“Of course, my dad said it was fine by him he said I was old enough to do so. He knows I’m growing up even though I’ll always be his little girl.” I replied. “Oh, Kristy, can your brother give me a ride on Fridays when he picks you up?”

“Do you want to come over and we’ll call him from home?” Kristy asked.

“Sure.” I said. “And Claudia, I just need to ask your mother for a ride for Mondays and Wednesdays.”

“Ok.” Claudia said.

“I’m happy for you, my girl.” Logan said putting his arms around me.

“Thanks.” I said.

“Where are you both planning to live after your marriage?” Mallory asked.

“I’m not sure yet.” Logan replied.

“We could live in Stamford to be closer to Stamford Club.” I told Logan.

“That sounds good to me.” Logan said.

“How about kids?” Kristy asked.

“I might not able to have kids of my own, remember?” I asked.

“Oh, yeah, I guess I’m used to think that when you didn’t have heart disease.” Kristy said.

“I wish I didn’t have it for life.” I said.

“Who’s giving you a ride home at midnight?” Kristy asked.

“Yikes. I didn’t thought about that. I’m glad you did. I’ll ask my dad later he goes to bed at twelve-thirty a.m. anyway.” I said.

After school, I was with Kristy at her home. We dialed her mother’s number as she answered and when she got Charlie, I asked him about the ride to work.

“That would be 3.00.” Charlie joked.

“Charlie, 2.00 is enough for you.” Kristy said.

“Done.” Charlie said.

Then at home, I was humming happily in my room while doing my homework. All I had was math and science vocabulary. After I finished it, I noticed it was three on the dot as I came downstairs to take my pill with water.

While I was drinking water, my contact fell out from my left eye as I picked it up from the floor and noticed a little dirt on it as I went upstairs to the bathroom to wash it off and dried it. Dawn came in and noticed me trying my eye contact back in.

“What happen?” Dawn asked.

“The contact fell out from my left eye. It had dirt when I picked it up from the kitchen floor.” I said while I got it in and closed my eye.

“Did it hurt?” Dawn asked.

“A little.” I said as it stung. “Ow. That stings.”

I had to close my eye for a few seconds. It felt better after I opened it.

“That’s better.” I said.

“That’s good.” Dawn said.

“Did that ever happen to you?” I asked.

“Once when I was in California when I was eleven. I was at school when it fell out so I had to ask my school nurse to put it back in for me. Boy did that stung after ten minutes.” Dawn explained.

That night, we went out for dinner to celebrate. Sharon was meeting us there when she gets out of work.

“Dad, can I ask you something later?” I asked.

“Sure. You can ask me when I take you out to the mall after dinner.” My dad said.

“Why just her and you?” Dawn asked.

“She’s not going to be home at night and you will, so I want to be spend the rest of the evening with her.” My dad said.

After dinner, my dad and I headed off to the mall.

“I know why Dawn was jealous, she misses her father so much.” I said.

“I know. Didn’t you want to ask me about something?” My dad asked.

“Oh. Can you give me a ride home when I get out at midnight?” I asked. “I forgot to ask you that when Kristy asked me this morning.”

“That’s alright and of course, I’ll drive you home.” My dad said.

“Thanks.” I said.

“It’s hard to believe that you’re growing up.” My dad said.

“It is?” I asked.

“Yes. I remember when I used to have a little girl who loved adventure. She loved nursery rhymes. And she loved braids.” My dad said. “I always knew you’ll always be my little girl even when you’re an adult.”

“I always knew that, too.” I said.

On Wednesday, At five p.m., for some reason, Dawn didn’t want me to leave after one of our friends called her.

“Until five-twenty p.m.” Dawn told me.

“Ok.” I said confused.

At five-twenty p.m., when my dad came home, he drove me to Claudia’s when Stacey saw me coming out of the car.

“She’s coming.” Stacey replied.

“Let’s hide. Quick.” Dawn said.

I didn’t notice anyone in the room.

“Gosh they’re late.” I said.

“Surprise!” My friends and Logan exclaimed.

When I turned around, I was shocked.

“Wow. Is this all for me?” I asked.

“Yes. Wishing you good luck on your new job.” Shannon said who was there as well.

“Wow. I’m shocked. I can’t believe it. Thanks, everyone.” I said.

“Mallory made something for you.” Kristy said then to Mallory. “Mallory.”

Mallory brought a gift as I wrapped it and when I opened it, it was a shirt that has a logo ‘Stamford Club Stamford, CT. Ages 16 and over. ID is Required.’

“Wow. This is a nice shirt. Thanks.” I said as I tried it on. “It fits just right, too.”

“And this, too.” Mallory said giving me the envelope.

I opened it up and took a card as I opened surprised and read it.

“‘Dear Mary Anne, good luck on your new job. We’ll pray for you at night. Let us know on how it went. Congratulations! Your BSC Friends.’” I read.

When I read it, my happy tears began rolling down.

“You guys are the best of the friends to me. This is the best thing ever.” I said as I went to hug Kristy.

“I’m glad for you.” Kristy said.

The phone rang as she answered.

“Hello. Baby-Sitters Club. Oh, hi, Mrs. Prezzioso. Sunday night? Sure we’ll call you back.” Kristy said.

I checked while the rest except Kristy, Dawn, and I groaned. No one likes sitting Jenny even though she saved me one time when I passed out shortly before I got the heart disease. I don’t know why they decided not to like sitting Jenny. I replaced myself for the afternoon jobs.

“You, Dawn, and Stacey are free.” I said.

“I’ll do it, since we’re closer.” Dawn said.

Kristy called Mrs. Prezzioso to let her know Dawn got the sitting job.

“Why Mary Anne can’t do it at night anymore?” Stacey asked.

“I’ll be working now, remember?” I asked. “So I’ll be baby-sitting during the day.”

“That’s right.” Kristy agreed.

“I got one thing for you after the meeting.” Claudia replied. “It’s a surprise.”

After the meeting, we went downstairs.

“Now close your eyes.” Claudia told me.

I did. Then she got out something from a fridge.

“Now open.” Claudia said.

When I did, I was even more shocked.

“Golly. ‘Congratulations on Your New Job, Mary Anne!’ I read it.

“I ordered it yesterday at Stop and Shop.” Claudia said. “My parents liked the cake idea for you.”

“Thanks, Claudia.” I said.

Then we had the cake when Janine came by.

“Oh, you’re going to be in trouble. You’re not allowed to have sweets.” Janine said.

“Mind your business. This is a celebration for Mary Anne. Mom and Dad liked the cake idea.” Claudia said.

“That’s right.” A voice was heard.

It was Mrs. Kishi who just came home from work.

“I heard you’re starting a new job.” Mrs. Kishi said.

“Yes. Friday.” I said.

“Claudia asked me if I would drive you Mondays and Wednesdays for six-thirty p.m. I’ll able to drive you home since I get out of work at five-thirty p.m. on Mondays and six p.m. on Wednesdays.” Mrs. Kishi said.

“Thanks. I got the rides all set now.” I said. “Even my ride home.”

“That’s good.” Mrs. Kishi said. “Would you like to stay for dinner? We’ll be going out and we made a reservation at a surprise restaurant just for you last night. I already called your father before I left from work. He said it was an excellent idea.”

“Another surprise?” I asked. “Wow. I feel lucky here.”

“You sure are.” Mrs. Kishi replied.

“I got this new work shirt. Maybe I’ll take it so Dawn can bring it home so I won’t dirty it.” I said as I took it off.

“Good thinking.” Dawn said as she got my shirt.

“We better get home. We’ll be going out.” Stacey said.

They left for home.

“We made reservations for seven p.m. I’m not telling where we’re taking you.” Mrs. Kishi said.

“Ok.” I said.

“We can hang-out upstairs while we wait.” Claudia said.

“I’ll know when it’s time. We’ll leave at six-thirty p.m.” Mrs. Kishi said.

“Ok, Mom.” Claudia said.

At six-fifteen p.m., when Mr. Kishi got home, he took a shower and at six-thirty p.m., it was time to leave as Claudia and I went to the downstairs to the car.

“I can’t wait to see where they’re taking me as a surprise.” I said.

When they got there, we got out of the car.

“Close your eyes and don’t open until I say so.” Mrs. Kishi said.

I closed my eyes and Claudia had to help to go inside it’s very hard to walk with your eyes closed.

“Now open them.” Mrs. Kishi said.

When I opened them, I was really surprised.

“Surprise!” Everyone cheered.

I was totally speechless to be honest with you I was crying happily.

“Wow. This is a wonderful surprise.” I said as I wiped my tears. “Thanks, everyone.”

I noticed my whole family there, but the only one I didn’t see was my dad.

“He’ll be here. He has something special for you.” Mrs. Kishi said.

“Golly.” I said.

“He’s here.” Claudia said. “Close your eyes.”

I did and when my dad came in.

“Now open.” Claudia said.

When I opened them, I turned around, I almost shrieked when he puts this huge cake in a word ‘Stamford Club’.

“Wow.” I said as I wrapped myself around him. “What kind of the cake is this?”

“This is a vanilla cake.” My dad said.

“I had never seen anyone made this cake into these words before.” I replied. “They did a nice job.”

“They sure did.” My dad said.

My grandmother came by to me.

“I’m really proud of you, my dear.” Grandma Verna said.

“Thanks.” I said as I hugged her.

I had a great time. They took a lot of pictures.

“Places, everyone!” The voice was called.

Oh, my goodness. It was a cameraman.

“Grown-ups in back, the kids from the tallest to shortest, but save a special spot for our little Miss ID checker.” The cameraman said.

Special spot? Everyone got into places. When they were done, the cameraman took my hand. Since I was very shy, he did it very gently as he puts me in the special spot, which was the chair.

“On a count to three, say ‘Good Luck, Mary Anne!’” The cameraman said. “One, two, three!”

“Good Luck, Mary Anne!” Everyone cheered.

The picture came out perfect. Then it was dinnertime.

TBC