Max and I

Chapter Twenty

Saturday was warm and sunny. I woke up early and just lay down for a couple of seconds. If only Max could be here. I tried to forget it. He wouldn't.

I went down the hall to eat my breakfast. There was cereal and milk. Since it was my birthday, Mom and Dad and Wayne paid a lot of more attention to me than Elli.

"Happy birthday, Meg!" my parents said excitedly, as I entered the room, my heart racing with excitement and partially with worry.

"I am going to eat right now," I said.

Mom got up. "Wait a second, Meg. Let me get something." She went down the hall and into her room. I waited anxiously, and she came out with a handful of wrapped boxes.

I smiled. "Thanks."

"Meg, you can't thank Mom and Dad before you even know what the present is," Elli said.

I didn't say anything. I ate my food and said I'd see my presents later. I picked my food slowly, thinking about Timmy coming over after lunch.

"Meg, look at the presents, pretty please," Wayne said.

I dropped my spoon. "I'm hungry. Don't bother me." I licked my spoon, enjoying the sweet milk.

Finally, Wayne talked me into opening the present, so I had to. I picked up a medium sized one, and I ripped it open. My eyes opened in awe and surprise.

"How is it?" Mom asked.

"It's very cool. Thanks."

"What is? Tell me what it says on the cover," Dad said, smiling, and finishing his food.

"It's called 'The Complete Girls Guide to Babysitting with Everything'," I said.

Mom and Dad smiled. "You know why we bought it for you," Mom said.

Wayne jumped up. "You're going to babysit!" she exclaimed. "My wonderful sister!"

"Guess what? Timmy's coming over after lunch!"

"You have to make sure you're ready," Dad said.

"I am."

"When's she coming over?" Elli asked.

"At two." I had finished looking at the babysitting book and looked at the next present. It was a dog. I touched it. It was fuzzy, furry, and cute.

I held it in my arms. I felt so sad that I was getting older. I began to feel a little older and capable of things all of a sudden.

I went outside and played with Wayne and Elli. Elli first led Wayne to Ruby's house. I wanted to see Beatie on my birthday, so I did. We sat on her pull up bars and chatted till lunch.

"Are you excited about being thirteen?" Beatie asked. "Do you have a birthday party, and who are you inviting?"

"I am excited and a little weird turning thirteen. My new friend Timmy is coming to celebrate at two."

"He's a boy."

"Yeah. And Max moved too. I am so saddened. Sonya, the girl who's mom was mad at me, forgave me. Even her mom."

"Yeah," Beatie agreed.

"I think I need to go home," I said.

"OK. Just tell me anything that happens on your birthday party with Timmy that's special."

"There is something special. I helped a little girl get a caring family. You know the orphanage?"

"Yeah."