by Janice Hanna
She paused the video for a moment, focusing on the rat.
“What?” Sydney drew near, looking at the television.
Kate pointed at the pesky vermin. “Take a good look at this rat.”
“Do I have to?” Sydney squeezed her eyes shut. “What about him?”
“Something about him is…odd. First, he’s a little too big. Not your average-sized rat. Not even close!”
“Well, on your Uncle Ollie’s big-screen TV, everything looks bigger than it is,” Aunt Molly explained.
“Yes! Look at my ears!” Sydney laughed. “They’re huge. Someone please tell me they’re not that big in real life!”
“They’re not, silly!” Kate groaned. “I know things appear larger than they are, but even so, this is one giant rat. And look at his fur. Have you ever seen rat fur so…furry?”
Sydney came a step closer and looked for a second. “No. But I’m no expert on rats.”
“I’ve seen a few in my day,” Aunt Molly said, drawing close. “And he does look a bit odd. Must be an interesting species.”
“I know what it is!” Sydney said. “The rats at the creamery are well fed! That’s why they’re so huge!”
“Could be,” Kate’s mother said. “I just know we don’t grow them that big in Pennsylvania!”
“Or in DC!” Sydney added.
“Most rats have really short hair,” Kate observed. “And most aren’t this color. This is more like the fur you’d see on a hamster or something.”
“So, you think it’s not a rat after all?” Sydney asked. “Maybe it’s a giant hamster?”
“That’s just it.” She drew in a deep breath as she thought about it. “Hamsters are smaller than rats. I’m not sure what it is, but it’s not a typical rat, that’s for sure. I’ll have to get on the Internet and research all different types of rodents.”
“Doesn’t sound like much fun to me!” Sydney said. “We’re on Christmas vacation, Kate. Remember?”
“I know, but this is really going to bother me if I don’t figure it out!” Kate backed up the video and watched it again. With a sigh, she said, “Something about this frame really bothers me. After all, rats are very agile. This one isn’t.”
“Agile?” Sydney groaned. “I’m gonna have to look that one up in the dictionary, Kate. Why do you always use such big words?”
Aunt Molly laughed. “I hardly use that word myself!”
“Oh, sorry.” Kate giggled. “I just meant most rats move fast and can make quick turns. This one…” She stared at the stilled photo again. “This one makes choppy movements. Jerky. You know what I mean?”
“Maybe he’s had too much cheese.” Sydney laughed. “That would do it. Once I ate too much string cheese, and I could barely move at all!”
“You should see me after I’ve had a big slice of cheesecake,” Kate’s mother said with a nod. “I just want to curl up in a chair with a good book!”
“Yeah, but this is different. He didn’t look like he’d eaten too much. He was…” Kate couldn’t think of what to say next. “He’s shaped weird.”
“Yeah, a little.” Sydney shook her head. “But can we stop looking now? I’ve had enough of rat talk!”
“Right, right.” After a moment’s pause, Kate added, “Oh, I just had an idea!”
“What?” Sydney’s brow wrinkled. “What are you thinking, Kate Oliver? What are you up to?”
“Well, I was just thinking this would be a great project for McKenzie,” Kate explained. “She loves to search for clues. I’ll send her a picture of this…creature. She can research it for us.”
“Okay. That’s a good idea.” Sydney began to pace the room as she talked. “Let’s send out an e-mail to the girls and ask them to meet us in the chat room tonight at eight o’clock our time. That will give us plenty of time to hang out with your family first. What do you think?”
“Perfect.”
“In the meantime,” Kate’s mother said, “we’re still planning to go to rent a family movie and order Chinese food. Does that sound good?”
“Great! What movie?” Kate asked.
“We thought you girls could decide,” her mother said. “So be thinking about it.”
“Oh, I know!” Sydney clasped her hands together. “Let’s rent the Nancy Drew movie. That’s one of my favorites!”
“Ooo, perfect!” Kate agreed. “That should put us in the mood for solving a mystery!”
A short time later, everyone gathered around the television to watch the movie and eat Chinese food. Kate started with a big plate of moo goo gai pan, then refilled her plate with General Tso’s chicken and pepper steak. Between bites, she commented on what they were watching on Uncle Ollie’s big-screen TV.
“See, Sydney! See how good Nancy is at solving crimes? See that part where she kept searching for clues, even when it seemed impossible? We’ve got to think like that!”
“You want to be like Nancy Drew, eh?” Her father flashed an encouraging smile. “Well, you’re certainly adventurous.”
“And you know a lot more about technology,” Sydney added. “Back when the Nancy Drew books were written, cell phones hadn’t even been invented.”
“No computers, either,” Kate’s dad threw in. “And the Internet was unheard of!”
“Wow!” Kate could hardly imagine a time without computers and Internet. She glanced at her wristwatch, thankful for modern-day technology.
As soon as the movie ended, she glanced at the clock. “Oh, it’s ten minutes till eight! Time to meet with the Camp Club Girls in our chat room!”
Sydney tagged along on her heels until they reached their room. Using her dad’s laptop, Kate signed online in a flash and went to their Web site chat room.
As usual, Bailey was already there. The words, “Hey, what’s up?” appeared on the screen.
Kate: We need your help.
A couple minutes later, all of the girls arrived in the chat room. After explaining what had happened at the creamery, Bailey typed, “LOL…I just watched Ratatouille! I have rats on the brain!”
Kate: Oh, that is ironic! Didn’t the rat in that movie work in a restaurant?
Bailey: Yes, he was a great chef.
Kate: Well, maybe the rats we saw at Mad River Creamery really want to become cheese-makers!
Bailey: LOL.
McKenzie: Somehow I don’t think the rats are wanting to do anything but scare people! But it sounds more like someone is putting them up to it! What can we do to help?
Kate: McKenzie, I’m uploading a photo of the rat. I want you to take a good look at it and compare it to other rodent photos you find online. This is a weird-looking creature. We need to know for sure what it is.
Bailey: Icky!
Kate: Alexis, would you mind doing a little research online? See if you can find out any information about Mad River Creamery. See if anyone might be holding a grudge against them.
Alex: I’ll find out who their competitors are! And I’ll check to see if anyone is blogging about the creamery.
Bailey: I’ll help with that. And I’ll see if any complaints have been filed against the company, or if the cheese has ever made anyone sick.
Elizabeth: What about me? What can I do?
Kate: Can you put a prayer request on our blogsite? Please let people know how much we need their prayers. Also, ask them to pray for Sydney. She’s competing in a skiing competition at the Winter Festival this Saturday. If she wins, the prize money will cover the cost of her trip to Mexico this summer.
All of the girls started chatting about Sydney’s trip. When they ended, Elizabeth suggested they all pray together. She typed her prayer for all of them to see.
Lord, please show us what to do. We don’t want to falsely accuse anyone. Please give us wisdom and show us who is doing this awful thing to the Hamptons. Help Kate and Sydney and keep them safe. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
As she signed off of the Internet, Kate thought, once again, about Nancy Drew and the movie they’d jus
t watched. If Nancy could solve a crime…surely the Camp Club Girls could figure out who was sabotaging the Mad River Creamery!
The Rat Pack
The following morning—bright and early—Sydney came in the kitchen door, her cheeks flushed pink. She shook the snow from her jacket and pulled off her scarf. “Oh, it’s beautiful out there!”
“How far did you run today?” Kate asked. Seemed like every day Sydney exercised a little more and ran a little farther!
“Only two miles.” Sydney shrugged as she pulled off her scarf and gloves. “I’m out of shape. Been eating too much of your Aunt Molly’s good cooking. I’m really going to have to be careful once I get back home or I’m never going to stay in tip-top shape!”
“Oh, posh!” Aunt Molly laughed. “As much as you exercise, you could stand to eat even more. Never seen anyone eat as healthy as you. Well, no one your age, anyway.”
“It’s important! I want to do well in the competition on Saturday.” Her eyes sparkled as she added, “And you know, I want to compete in the Olympics someday, too.”
“She’s already been in the Junior Olympics, Aunt Molly,” Kate explained. “Sydney is a serious athlete.” She stressed the word serious.
“Well, that’s wonderful.” Aunt Molly patted her own round tummy and laughed. “I could stand to be more athletic. These days I just work out in the kitchen, not the gym.”
“Cooking?” Sydney asked.
“No, eating!” Aunt Molly let out a laugh that brought Uncle Ollie in from the next room.
“What’s so funny in here?” he asked.
“Aunt Molly is just telling us how she exercises,” Kate said with a giggle.
“Aunt Molly…exercises?” Uncle Ollie looked at them with a funny expression, as if he didn’t quite believe them.
Aunt Molly giggled and lifted a fork. “Like this.” Opening her mouth, she pretended to eat. “I exercise my jaw.” She closed her mouth and everyone laughed.
“I hope I’m as funny as you when I’m…” Kate stopped before finishing.
“When you’re old, honey?” Aunt Molly laughed. “It’s okay to say it. I’m no spring chicken.”
“Did someone say something about old people in here?” Kate’s father entered the room, yawning. “I’m feeling old and stiff. These cold mornings are really getting to me!”
“I could use a cup of coffee, myself,” Kate’s mother said, entering the room behind him. “Good morning, everyone!”
“Good morning, Mom.” Kate reached over and gave her mom a huge hug. “We were just talking…”
“About me being old,” Aunt Molly threw in. “But that’s okay. I don’t mind admitting it. Maybe I don’t work out as often as I should, and maybe I can’t ski like I used to when I was young, but I can certainly pay the entrance fee for Sydney to do so.”
“W–what?” Sydney gave her a surprised look.
“That’s right. I paid the twenty-five dollar entrance fee for you this morning,” Aunt Molly said. “I prayed about it last night and felt a little nudge from the Lord to do it. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? Mind? Oh, Aunt Molly!” Sydney threw her arms around Kate’s aunt and gave her a warm hug. “Of course I don’t mind! How can I ever thank you? My mom will be so grateful!”
“Just go out there and ski the best you’ve ever skied.” Aunt Molly patted Sydney on the back. “But take care of yourself. It’s cold out and you’ll be in unfamiliar territory.”
“Where do we go?” Sydney asked. “Where’s the best skiing around here?”
“You need to ski the Rat,” Uncle Ollie explained. “That’s where the competition will take place, and it’s great for skiers at every level.”
“The…what?” Sydney looked stunned.
“The Rat,” he repeated. “That’s the name of the most famous ski run around these parts.”
“Ooo!” Sydney let out a grunt. “Why did they have to name it The Rat? Of all things!”
Uncle Ollie laughed. “I see your point. But don’t let the name stop you. It’s a great ski run. And if you make it from the top to bottom without falling, they give you a T-shirt.” He went into another room and returned a few minutes later with a brown T-shirt in his hand. “I got this one back in the eighties when my ski legs were still strong.”
“Wow.” Kate laughed as she looked at the shirt that said THE RAT PACK on the front. “That’s really cool, Uncle Ollie.”
He turned it around and showed them the picture of the rat on the back.
Sydney shuddered. “I never dreamed when I said I’d compete that I’d have to ski on…a rat!”
“It’s just a name, honey,” Aunt Molly said. “And besides, you’ll never overcome your fear of rats without facing it head-on. So, if you’re going to teach Kate to ski, the Rat is the perfect place.”
Kate shook her head. “No thank you. No skiing for me, thanks. I’ll just hang out here and work on my super-sleuth blogsite.”
“Oh, come on, Kate,” Sydney implored. “If I can overcome my fear of rats, you can overcome your fear of skiing! And you can work on the blogsite anytime! We’re on vacation now!”
“I’ve been a member of the Rat Pack for years,” Uncle Ollie added. “We’ve got to keep the tradition going in our family.”
“I–if I have to.” Kate trembled, just thinking about it!
“Aw, don’t worry,” Uncle Ollie said. “I wish I could go with you girls, but I’ve got a project going in my workshop. Should I send along your Aunt Molly as a chaperone?”
Aunt Molly laughed. “A great one I’d be! I’d probably tumble right down the hill.”
“Well, maybe I could…” Kate’s mother started the sentence, but didn’t finish it.
“Could what, Mom?”
“Well, it’s been years since I skied,” her mom said, “but I’m willing to give it a try. To help Sydney out, of course.”
“Woo-hoo! We’re going skiing!” Sydney began to squeal, but Kate’s insides suddenly felt squishy!
Less than an hour later, she and Sydney arrived at the ski lift, along with Kate’s mom.
“Let’s put our skis on before we go up,” Sydney instructed.
Kate didn’t have a clue how to do that, but with help from her mom, she got the long, skinny boards strapped onto her feet.
“Now what?” she asked. She wrapped her scarf around her neck as the cold wind sent an icy shiver down her spine.
“Now we go up!” Sydney pointed up the hill.
“And we have to go up…in those?” Kate felt sick to her stomach as she looked at the little chairs.
“Oh, it’s a lot of fun,” her mother said. “Something you’ll never forget as long as you live.”
“I’m sure you’re right about that!” Kate said. Somehow she knew this whole experience was something she would never forget!
“This is the coolest ski lift ever!” Sydney said. “Like something out of the past. It’s so cute.”
“Cute?” Kate shook her head. “Doesn’t look cute to me. Looks scary.”
She stared up at the contraption, trying to figure out how it worked. After a minute or two, she relaxed. “It’s really just a pulley system, isn’t it? I know how pulleys work, so we should be safe.”
“See! You just have to look at this like you do one of your science experiments, Kate,” her mom said. “I’ll help you into a chair, then I’ll be in the one right behind you.”
“Let’s do it the other way around,” Kate implored. “You two go first and I’ll follow behind you.”
“No way!” Sydney laughed. “If we do that, we’ll turn around and you’ll still be standing on the ground. We need to make sure you actually make it to the top of the hill.”
After a groan, Kate agreed. “Just help me, okay?”
“Of course.”
A few seconds later, Kate was in one of the chairs, rising up, up, up into the air.
“Wow!” she hollered, her voice echoing against the backdrop of snow. “It’s be
autiful up here!” She looked around, mesmerized. Everything was so white…so perfect. “I can’t believe I never did this before. It’s so fun!”
She reached inside her pocket and pulled out her tiny digital camera. Unfortunately, she quickly learned that taking photos from the air—especially when the ground was covered in glistening white snow—was almost blinding! She put the camera away and held on for dear life.
When they reached the top of the hill, Kate carefully scooted off of the chair, doing her best not to fall as the skis slipped and slid underneath her. It was so hard to balance!
“Now what?” she asked, as Sydney’s feet hit the ground.
Her friend offered a playful grin. “Now your mom and I teach you how to ski.”
“I can’t promise I’ll be a very good teacher,” Kate’s mom said, looking down the hill. “It’s been awhile since I’ve done this. Skiing is a little scary for me, too! I’m pretty wobbly!”
“I’m sure we can teach Kate what she needs to learn to make it from the top of the hill to the bottom,” Sydney said. “And before long, she’ll be as fast as lightning!”
“Hmm.” Kate shook her head as she looked at Sydney. “I doubt that. Have I mentioned that I’m no good at sports?”
“Only a thousand times. But don’t think of this as a sport.” Sydney’s eyes lit with excitement. “I know! Think of yourself as one of those robots you and your dad like to build down in the basement at your house in Philly.”
“Huh?” Kate gave her a curious look. “Me? A robot?”
“Sure.” Sydney grew more animated by the minute. “If you had to build a robot that could ski—one that could get from the top of a hill to the bottom without falling down—how would you build him?”
“Well…” Kate demonstrated by putting her feet together and bending her knees. “He’d have to be really flexible. And he’d have to be able to shift to the right and the left to get the right momentum going, so his knees would have to bend. And he’d have to have a way to come to a quick stop, so I’d have to build him ankles that turned so he could stop in a hurry!”
“Exactly!” Sydney giggled. “You’ve got it! Just pretend you’re that robot.”
