Wedding Drama Read Online Free PDF Page B

with, “Ooh, Deja, ask your auntie if you can come with us on Saturday. It’ll be so much fun if you can come with me.”
    â€œOh, yeah, sure,” Deja says.
    â€œIsn’t it great that we’re both doing the menu for our teams?” Nikki goes on, since Deja is being so glum and quiet. “I can’t wait. I’m going to do something different. I’ve got ideas!”
    They reach Deja’s driveway, where Nikki sees Deja’s auntie’s car. She feels a little bad about Deja’s aunt, but she can’t linger on that. She’s got things to do—really important things.
    Nikki starts for her own house. “See ya, Deja. Don’t forget to ask your auntie about Saturday.”

5
All Figured Out
Deja

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    Deja takes a deep breath before she pulls out the key on its string around her neck and unlocks the front door. She needs to tell Auntie about the wedding before she asks if she can go with Nikki on Saturday.
    Auntie is in the kitchen. Deja puts her backpack on the stairs. Dragging her feet, she walks through the kitchen door.
    â€œHi, sweetie,” Auntie Dee says, looking up. She’s stirring something in a big mixing bowl with a wooden spoon.
    â€œHi, Auntie Dee.” Deja looks into the bowl, hoping for cake batter. It’s batter all right, but there’s something shredded and green in it.
    â€œZucchini bread,” Auntie says happily. “I found the recipe in the newspaper.”
    Deja watches the spoon go around and around. “Oh,” she says.
    â€œWhat’s wrong, honey?” Auntie asks. It’s as if she’s just then noticed Deja’s downturned mouth and slumped shoulders.
    Deja decides to dive in. “Ms. Shelby is getting married. Saturday after next.”
    Auntie Dee stops stirring and puts both palms on the counter. “Oh, my!”
    â€œShe really wanted all her students to go to the wedding, but she didn’t have enough room for everybody to come.”
    â€œWell, of course not,” Auntie says.
    â€œBut she was able to invite two.”
    Auntie Dee brightens.
    â€œOne of those persons was Nikki.”
    â€œWow,” Auntie says happily, then quickly adds, “Oh, honey, I hope you’re not too disappointed that it wasn’t you.”
    â€œI got one, too,” Deja says.
    Auntie’s smiling demeanor immediately returns. “Oh, Deja! How wonderful!”
    â€œBut I don’t want to go.”
    Auntie Dee looks puzzled. “Why?”
    Deja can’t hold back her fears any longer. “Because we’re not going to have any money. For a present from this special registry that Ms. Shelby has at Rendells or for a new dress for me, or for new shoes, or—for anything! And I’m not going to be able to get my hair done.”

    Auntie moves to the table and sits down.
    Deja takes the chair across from her. She feels better, for some reason. As if her auntie is just getting ready to tackle the problem.
    â€œListen,” Auntie Dee says, sounding certain. “We’re going to solve this thing. I know we are. You just leave it to me.”
    Deja gets her backpack and pulls out the invitation. She opens it and shows Auntie one of the little cards that’s inside the envelope. “Look at this little card where you can choose what you want to eat.”
    Auntie takes the invitation out of her hand. “Oh, look, you can bring a guest—which of course will be me.” She points out the place where it says “Invitee plus guest.” She smiles as if she’s got it all worked out, as if she knows just how she’ll come up with enough money for new clothes, a present, and a beauty shop visit for Deja.
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    Later, when Deja is doing her homework at the kitchen table, Auntie Dee calls to her from the living room. As soon as Deja appears, Auntie pats the place beside her on the couch. Deja sits down and waits.
    â€œNow listen,” Auntie