Needle and Thread Read Online Free PDF Page B

hip-hop and ballet in my other town.”
    â€œCool,” said Lacey.
    â€œNow I’m going to go to Overlook Dance Studio for tap and hip-hop.”
    â€œNot ballet?” asked Olivia.
    â€œI’m going to wait until the spring. Min says two classes are enough, especially if I get into the Children’s Chorus. I’ll be trying out for that soon.”
    â€œAnd especially if you get a part in the play,” added Lacey.
    Flora, who was relieved that Lacey hadn’t said “the lead in the play,” was studying her sister and thinking that Ruby was fitting into her new life here awfully easily — almost without regard for their old life — when Robby stamped out of his house and joined the kids on the lawn, looking no happier than he had when he’d gotten off the van.
    Olivia scooted across the grass so that she was sitting directly in front of him. “What’s the matter?” she asked.
    Robby scowled down at the grass, then looked at the group of kids. “My class is moving,” he said.
    â€œMoving?” repeated Henry. “You mean to another room?”
    â€œNo.” Robby’s chin quivered. “To another school. To the
elementary school
.”
    â€œOh!” cried Ruby. “Cool! You’ll —”
    â€œAnd I am
not
a little kid,” Robby continued hotly. “I am seventeen. Other kids who are seventeen go to the high school. That is where I belong. Not at a school for
babies
.”
    Henry jumped to his feet. “Babies!” he cried. “I’m not —”
    Olivia hushed her brother. “Why is your class moving?” she asked Robby.
    â€œThere isn’t enough space for us at the high school. So they’re getting rid of us.”
    â€œOh, Robby,” said Nikki. “They’re not just getting rid of you. I’m sure they looked around until they found the right space for your class.”
    â€œNo, they didn’t,” said Robby. “Because the right space is at the
high school
.”
    â€œExcuse me!” called a whispery voice then, and Olivia turned to see Mrs. Willet, a letter in her hand, crossing the lawn toward the children. She was wearing her robe and slippers and tiptoeing along as if she didn’t want to make any noise. “Could one of you nice youngsters direct me to the post office?” she asked.
    Olivia jumped to her feet. “Mrs. Willet,” she said, “it’s me, Olivia. Are you sure you want to go to the post office in your — I mean, um, you really need shoes if you’re going to walk downtown.”
    Mrs. Willet wasn’t concerned about shoes. “I don’t want anyone to see me,” she whispered loudly. “They’re all watching me, you know.” She glanced up and down the street, which as far as Olivia could see was deserted except for the Row House kids.
    Olivia caught Flora’s eye and mouthed, “Get Mr. Willet,” which Flora did as quickly as she could. A minute later, he was hurrying toward his wife.
    â€œMrs. Willet,” Robby said as he watched Mr. Willet approach, “you have to wear
clothes
and
shoes
when you go outside. That’s the rule.
Clothes
and
shoes
. Mr. Willet, Mrs. Willet wasn’t following the rule.”
    â€œIt’s okay, Robby,” said Flora.
    Mr. Willet put his arm around his wife’s waist. “Let’s take a look at what you’ve got here. Ah. A letter to … your mother. Okay. Well, Robby’s right. You have to get dressed before you can go to the post office. So let’s go back inside.”
    Ten minutes later, Min returned from work. As soon as the kids saw her, they ran to greet her. Then Nikki cried, “Oh, my gosh! What time is it?”
    â€œFive-fifteen,” said Olivia.
    â€œI have to go!” Nikki jumped onto her bicycle and pedaled down Aiken Avenue, shouting over her shoulder, “See you at school