Fabulous Five 013 - The Christmas Countdown

by Betsy Haynes

  Melanie and Jeffy each carried one side of the package on the way over to Mrs. Miller's. It wasn't heavy, and Jeffy could have carried it by himself, but she was sure he'd drop it if he did. Melanie was surprised when a lady in a blue uniform answered the door.

  "Hello," she said cheerfully. "Come on in. I was just finishing up my visit with Mrs. Miller." She stood back as the Edwards family trooped in. Melanie and Jeffy came last, carrying the box between them as if they were two wise men bringing a gift.

  "This is my husband, Larry, my daughter, Melanie, and my son, Jeffy," said Mrs. Edwards. "This is Mrs. Crenshaw," she said to her family. "She's the nurse's aide I mentioned who is taking care of Clare for a few days because of her ankle."

  Mrs. Miller was sitting in a big overstuffed chair by the window with her wrapped ankle on a footstool. Her face brightened slightly when she saw the Edwards family, but she still looked sad and tired. Melanie noticed that Mrs. Miller hadn't even bothered putting up a Christmas tree this year. She knew it was because of losing Duchess, and she suddenly knew how Mrs. Miller felt.

  "Hello, Clare," said Mrs. Edwards in her most cheerful voice. Melanie recognized it as the voice her mother reserved for company or when Melanie brought home an A on her report card. "How are you feeling today?"

  "Fine," Mrs. Miller said with obvious effort.

  "She's doing really well," said Mrs. Crenshaw, who was putting on her coat to leave.

  "Well, we've brought you something special that might help cheer you up," said Mr. Edwards. He and Mrs. Edwards stepped back to let Melanie and Jeffy come forward with their present. They put the box down on the footstool in front of her chair.

  "MERRY CHRISTMAS!" they all yelled in unison.

  "My, what's this?" Mrs. Miller asked. Faint scratching noises came from inside, and she raised her eyebrows questioningly.

  "Be careful when you open it," Jeffy said importantly.

  Mrs. Miller removed the bow and her fingers fumbled at the lid. Melanie watched her face intently, wandering how she would feel when she saw Jo-Jo.

  Finally, Mrs. Miller pulled the lid back and looked inside. Her face was expressionless for a moment, and then Melanie heard a small whimper, and Jo-Jo's white head popped up like a jack-in-the-box, and he licked Mrs. Miller on the nose.

  Melanie's eyes brimmed with tears when the look on Mrs. Miller's face turned from astonishment to one of warmth as she looked at the furry little creature. She took Jo-Jo and held him against her chest. The dog squirmed in her arms and licked her cheek, all the while its tail whipped back and forth like a furry little switch.

  Maybe I shouldn't forget about all the other animals just because I can't have Rainbow, Melanie thought. She'll have a good home, and all the others need good homes, too. Just like Jo-Jo.

  "Well, isn't that a nice present, Clare?" Mrs. Crenshaw broke into the moment.

  "His name's Jo-Jo!" blurted out Jeffy. "And if you need someone to walk him, I'll do it."

  Mrs. Miller smiled at him over Jo-Jo's shaggy white back.

  Melanie's mother moved closer, and Jeffy reached out to pat the dog's back.

  "I think Jo-Jo's exactly what Mrs. Miller needed," whispered Mrs. Crenshaw to Melanie and her father. "She has been grieving over the loss of Duchess and needed something to take her mind off it. So many elderly people would benefit from the companionship of pets. Their children are grown and have work and families of their own to take care of and just can't spend the time with them." They moved toward the front door as she talked.

  "Most elderly people aren't able to work or get out of the house because of their physical condition, and they spend an awful lot of time alone with their memories. Pets give them something to care about and take care of. It makes them feel that they're still useful. In fact, I've read that elderly people who have pets live longer than those who don't. Many nursing homes are starting to bring pets in to help the elderly. They even provide protection."

  "Protection?" Jeffy had followed them into the foyer.

  "Yes. You know a dog can hear a lot of things that even you and I can't. They alert the elderly that someone may be at the door, and most burglars won't go into a home where there's a barking dog. It's too bad that all elderly people can't all have someone like Jo-Jo."

  Melanie's mind snapped to attention. "Why don't they all have pets?" she asked.

  "Some are too disabled to take care of them, but many just can't afford them. There are all the shots and the license to pay for besides the cost of the animal itself."

  "Do you know a lot of elderly people who would like a pet?" asked Melanie.

  "Why, yes, I know a few. I meet them in my work, just as I met Mrs. Miller. You see, as an aide for the Visiting Nurses Association, it's my job to visit the homes of elderly and disabled people and help them in any way I can. There are a few of my people who would benefit from having a friend like Jo-Jo."

  "Do you know maybe . . . thirteen?" Melanie persisted. She hoped her voice didn't sound too excited.

  Mrs. Crenshaw looked at her inquisitively. "Thirteen? I don't know that many personally, but I'm sure that if I asked the other nurse's aides and visiting nurses I work with, we could come up with that many easily."

  Melanie felt herself almost losing control as the excitement built up in her. She started bouncing up and down on her toes and wanted to hug Mrs. Crenshaw. Instead, she asked, "Could you get a list of their names and addresses?"

  "I guess I could," answered Mrs. Crenshaw. "But why?"

  "Because I've got thirteen more pets just like Jo-Jo looking for someone to give them a home! And they're all free!"

  CHAPTER 13

  Melanie could scarcely believe how things were turning out. What had started out as an idea to sim-ply save some homeless animals from being put to sleep on Christmas Eve day had grown into a super way to bring love and companionship to a group of elderly people. It was going to be the best Christmas ever. Except for Rainbow, she thought wistfully. Someone would have the dog, but it wouldn't be she.

  Melanie couldn't wait to tell everyone about their good luck, but she decided to let them know all at one time. So she telephoned each of the kids who had worked on the pet project and told them to definitely be by the fence before school in the morning because she had big news.

  "Okay. What's the big news?" asked Shane on Friday morning when everyone was assembled by the fence.

  "Yeah," said Keith. "This had better be good. I need to get in and review my history notes for a test."

  "It is big news," said Melanie, pausing for effect. And then she told them about her conversation with Mrs. Crenshaw and that she had told Melanie that she would talk to the other nurse's aides and visiting nurses and get the names of elderly people who would like to have pets and whether each one would prefer a cat or a dog. She was going to call Melanie after work that evening. "Then all we have to do is make arrangements to call the people who want pets to be sure they'll be home and then get the animals from the shelter on Christmas Eve day and deliver them."

  "Wow!" said Randy. "That's awesome!"

  "Right on!" shouted Matt as he hugged Mona.

  "I can't wait to tell Igor," said Shane. "His tail curls up every time I mention those cats sleeping in his box."

  Everyone cheered and congratulated Melanie.

  "It looks as if we've done it," said Jon.

  "Not until we've collected that last fifty-one dollars and seventy-seven cents," said Christie. "Until we get that, there will still be two animals left at the shelter that might be put to sleep."

  "One," Melanie corrected her. "Don't forget Rainbow. She's already been adopted." Then, sighing, she added, "That takes the amount we need down to twenty-six dollars and seventy-seven cents."

  "We've still got today and tomorrow to get the money," said Katie, giving Melanie's hand a sympathetic squeeze.

  "How much did we collect at lunchtime today?" asked Tony. They were all seated in the corner booth at Bumpers.

  "Three dol
lars and a dime," said Christie.

  "Is that all?" asked Randy.

  "That's it," Christie assured him.

  "And there was only one contribution in the mail, and it was five dollars," said Melanie. "It was from someone who had sent in money before, too. A Mrs. Glosner." She had remembered the shaky handwriting from before.

  "Gee, we still need over eighteen dollars," said Mona.

  "All the kids are tapped out," said Keith. "They've given all their extra allowance and lunch money."

  "I guess we're just going to have to hit our parents up again," said Scott.

  "I've gotten everything I can get out of mine," said Matt.

  "Well, we've still got tomorrow," said Melanie.

  "But it's Saturday," Katie said dejectedly.

  "We're so close," insisted Jana. "We can't leave any of the animals there to be put to sleep."

  "Yeah. And I keep thinking about what you said about elderly people needing pets for companions," said Beth. "You know, I don't think we should quit after we've paid for these animals and given them to people who need them. There are more of both, and it seems like a shame that we can't get them together."

  "I agree," said Katie.

  Melanie felt tingly all over. She knew where the conversation was headed, and she was thrilled. "Me, too. It doesn't have to be the Christmas season to help. Why don't we all agree to continue saving money all through the year to buy cats and dogs to give to people who need them?"

  "I second that motion," said Shane, smiling at her.

  "Well, for now, assume that we'll have the money for all thirteen cats and dogs," Melanie said, getting back to business. "Who can get their parents to deliver the animals?"

  "I can!" said Mona, waving her hand.

  "There are thirteen animals and sixteen of us," said Christie. "That means that some of us can be partners and deliver them together. That way no one will be left out."

  "That's a good idea," Melanie said. "Shane and I will be partners, and we'll even deliver two. Who else wants to be partners?"

  "That sounds great!" said Jana. "Randy and I can deliver two, also."

  The others began pairing up and deciding how many animals they could take. In spite of everyone's talking at once, by the time they were ready to leave Bumpers, every single animal had a ride to its new home.

  "Melanie! Telephone!" Jeffy shrieked in her ear.

  Melanie was barely able to uncross her eyes by the time she picked up the phone.

  It was Mrs. Crenshaw. "I've got the list of names for you, Melanie. In fact, I've got more than the thirteen that you asked for."

  "That's great, Mrs. Crenshaw," Melanie said. "We're going to try and get more donations for animals after Christmas, too. We hope to get more pets for the elderly."

  "This is a wonderful thing you kids are doing, Melanie. You don't know how much happiness you're going to bring to thirteen old people on Christmas Eve."

  Suddenly a sad feeling came over Melanie. "I'm not sure that we're going to have the money to give pets to all thirteen. We've only collected enough for twelve animals so far."

  "Oh? Well, have I got good news for you," said Mrs. Crenshaw cheerfully. "The aides and nurses that I talked to were so impressed with what you are doing that they all wanted to contribute. Would eighty-five dollars help you out? That's how much they donated."

  Melanie looked at the telephone she held in her hand. Eighty-five dollars? That would be more than enough. They could even adopt an extra pet for that and have some left over to build their savings for more.

  "Oh, Mrs. Crenshaw. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" exclaimed Melanie. "I love you."

  Mrs. Crenshaw laughed and told Melanie that rather than reading the list of names over the phone, she would stop by on her way home and drop it and the money off.

  Melanie was dancing when she went into the kitchen to tell her mother the news.

  CHAPTER 14

  Melanie couldn't believe the size of the crowd in front of the animal shelter. It was four o'clock on Christmas Eve afternoon and there were cars lined up all the way down the block. The Edwardses had been the first to arrive so their car was parked right in front of the shelter. Beth Barry's family's van was parked right behind it, and Shane's father's orange Volkswagen with the flowers and the butterflies painted on the sides was stopped, letting Shane out. Inside, the foyer was crowded with the kids and their parents.

  "All right, everyone," Mrs. Graham said loudly so she could be heard. "I'll have Charles bring the animals in one at a time. I'd appreciate it if the family who is going to be responsible for it will come forward and sign a release paper. Remember, I need to have all the signed adoption papers back here by the end of the next week."

  Charles had exchanged his baseball cap for a red Santa's hat, and he brought the Labrador retriever out first.

  "He's ours!" yelled Keith, and he, Beth, and her parents made their way through the people to get him and complete the paperwork.

  As Charles brought the animals out one by one, Melanie felt a swelling of pride in her chest. Each of the dogs pranced out excitedly, as if they knew they were going to a real home. The kittens and cats seemed more afraid, but they relaxed once they were safely in the arms of the boy or girl who reached out to take them. This could be the most exciting thing I've ever done, Melanie thought.

  "We've had several donations from people who saw the television coverage," said Mrs. Graham to Melanie. "And three people called to say they'd stop by later today to see if we had any dogs left for adoption. Thanks to you boys and girls, the animal shelter may be empty for Christmas."

  Melanie and Shane exchanged thumbs-up and smiles.

  When Charles brought out the poodle named Jocko, Melanie said, "That one is for us." One of the names on the list of the elderly had been familiar to her, and she thought the poodle might just be the right pet for that person. Mrs. Martha Glosner must be a special person because she had donated twice to their fund by mail.

  When Melanie had called her on the phone to tell her she would be bringing her a little friend, Mrs. Glosner had been overjoyed. She said she loved animals but couldn't afford one herself, and her donations had been her way of helping out as much as she could.

  After the poodle, the Edwardses and Shane claimed possession of the Persian cat with the pushed-in face. While her father signed the release and got the adoption papers for the animals, Melanie glanced back to the door to the room where the animals were, thinking about Rainbow. I wonder if her new family has picked her up yet? she thought.

  "There," said Mrs. Graham as Melanie's father signed the last paper. "I believe that takes care of all the animals."

  "No, Ma'am," said Charles. "You're forgetting the one that didn't get adopted because the people changed their minds."

  "What?" said Melanie. Her heart was racing. "Which animal didn't get adopted?"

  "Oh, yes," said Mrs. Graham. "I did forget, didn't I?" Turning to Melanie, she said. "It's your little friend, Rainbow. The family decided not to take her when they found out about her condition."

  "Her condition?" queried Mrs. Edwards, who had come up to stand beside Melanie when Rainbow's name was mentioned.

  "Didn't you know? I'm so sorry, I thought you did," said Mrs. Graham. Rainbow is, uh . . . she's going to be a mother. I guess it was hard to tell when she was just in her cage or sitting down."

  Melanie's heart leapt. Rainbow was still there! That meant she still needed a home!

  "Do you mean she's going to have puppies?" Mrs. Edwards asked, her eyes wide and her mouth dropping open.

  "I think that's usually what it means when dogs are going to be mothers, Kathy," said Mr. Edwards, chuckling.

  "Oh, Mom. You said we could have her before we knew the other family might take her. We can't desert her now," Melanie pleaded, bouncing up and down on her tiptoes. "Oh, please! She needs us more than ever."

  Mrs. Edwards turned and looked at her daughter, and Melanie had never seen a more helpless look
on her mother's face. "But . . ." she started to say. Then she shrugged and ruffled Melanie's hair. "Bring her out," she said softly.

  Melanie sat amidst the piles of wrapping paper and boxes on Christmas morning. The new sweater and skirt she had gotten from her parents were folded neatly on the arm of the couch, the things her grandparents had sent her were on the table in front of her, and she had the cassette tape that Jeffy had given her in her hand. She was debating whether she wanted to get up and play it or just bask in the pleasure of thinking about Christmas Eve.

  The Edwardses and Shane had delivered the poodle to Mrs. Glosner, who lived in the poorer section of town. She was widowed, just like Mrs. Miller, and hugged the poodle nearly the whole time they were with her. The poodle seemed to get to know her quickly and was prancing on its back legs for her to pick him up again when they were leaving. Mrs. Glosner asked them to come back and see her and Jocko anytime. Melanie and Shane said they would.

  The cat with the pushed-in face went to a man named Mr. Barton. Mr. Barton needed crutches to get around and had wanted a cat because they were easier to care for. Melanie saw tears in his eyes when they were leaving, and she and Shane promised they would visit him, too.

  On the way to drop off Shane at his house before going on home, Jeffy had watched the outdoor Christmas decorations they drove by, and Melanie had snuggled Rainbow up close in her lap. Beside her, Shane was quieter than usual.

  "What are you thinking about?" she asked.

  He smiled at her. "Pets, I guess. I never thought about not having a family before and having only a pet to talk to. Igor's great, but he's sure not a substitute for my mom and dad, no matter how weird they are."

  "I know what you mean," she said. "You know, we promised both Mrs. Glosner and Mr. Barton that we'd visit them. I want to keep that promise."

  "Me, too. We'll do it." Shane took her hand and folded it between his two. She rested her head on his shoulder. She had known that this was going to be a good Christmas for several people, including her.