Take Charge

by Melody Carlson

  Carlie uncurled the slip of paper. “Beware of handsome strangers bearing beautiful gifts.”

  “Ooh,” said Chelsea, “that’s kinda creepy. We better be careful in town today. Maybe someone is going to try and kidnap you.”

  “Yuck.” Carlie made a face. “I don’t think so. What’s yours say?”

  “Your sunny disposition will draw many friends to you.” She laughed. “Ya think?”

  Carlie chuckled. “Well, you weren’t exactly sunny yesterday.”

  “But you didn’t give up on me, Carlie.” Chelsea smiled. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”

  “Sure.”

  Chelsea paid their bill, and they went back outside. “This town is pretty small potatoes,” said Chelsea, looking up and down Main Street. “Where do you go to buy clothes?”

  Carlie shrugged. “I’ve only lived here a few months.”

  “So where are you going to shop for school clothes?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Well, it’s only a couple of weeks until school starts. Don’t you think you should find out?”

  “I guess.”

  “I know,” said Chelsea. “I’ll ask my mom to take us to Portland. I think they’ve got some big malls there.”

  “Cool,” said Carlie.

  “But what should we do now?” asked Chelsea. “It seems like we’ve seen everything that’s worth seeing around here.”

  “And it’s sure getting hot,” said Carlie, squinting in the bright afternoon sun. “Do you want to call your mom?”

  So Chelsea called her mom, and the girls went over to the city park to wait in the shade for her. Sitting in the swings, they talked about what they thought it would be like to go to seventh grade.

  “I’m kinda scared,” admitted Chelsea.

  “Why?”

  “What if no one likes me?”

  “I like you,” said Carlie.

  “But you might not like me as well as you like your other friends.”

  Carlie wasn’t sure how to respond to that. It was probably true. Carlie did feel more comfortable with her other friends. Yet something about Chelsea was interesting too. She was different from anyone else that Carlie had known before.

  “Promise that you’ll be my friend when school starts,” said Chelsea suddenly.

  “Sure,” said Carlie. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “I don’t know … ”

  “Don’t worry,” Carlie assured her. “I’ll be your friend, and I’m sure my friends will too.”

  “I hope so.” Chelsea pointed out to the street. “There’s my mom.”

  The two girls hung out by Chelsea’s pool again, and when they got too hot, they went inside and watched a DVD.

  “Time to go, mija,” said Tia Maria as she poked her head into Chelsea’s bedroom.

  “What’s mija mean?” asked Chelsea as she turned off the TV.

  “It’s kind of like my dear girl,” said Carlie’s aunt.

  “Thanks for everything,” called Carlie as she shoved her damp swimsuit into her backpack.

  “I’ll call you,” said Chelsea.

  As Tia Maria drove toward home, Carlie asked her how long she would be working at the Landers.

  “After they’re all settled and unpacked and everything, I’ll only clean once a week.”

  “They seem pretty settled now.”

  “There’s still a lot to do,” said her aunt. “There are boxes of books, and the pantry needs to be organized … I’ll probably be there for the rest of the week.” She glanced at Carlie. “Why?”

  “I was just curious.”

  “Does it make you feel weird that your aunt is cleaning house for your friend?”

  Carlie laughed. “No, not at all.”

  “Good. You and Chelsea seem to have really hit it off. Mrs. Landers is so relieved that Chelsea’s not moping around anymore. In fact, that reminds me of something … something I promised you.”

  “What?”

  “I spoke to Mrs. Landers about haircuts. I asked her who cuts her hair. And Chelsea’s.”

  “And?”

  “And she said she needed to find someone. And she said that Chelsea wanted to get hers cut before school starts.”

  “And?”

  “And she said maybe you and Chelsea could get your hair cut together, and that she’d be happy to find a good place and take you both in.”

  “Oh, that’d be so cool!”

  “So I’m thinking … if I present it like that to your mom … well, maybe she’ll actually consider it.”

  Carlie crossed her fingers. “I hope so!”

  This time Carlie took her little brothers out to play while Tia Maria went inside to talk to her sister. “We’ll be down at the beach,” she told Mom.

  “Be careful,” called her mom. “Keep a close eye on Pedro.”

  “Of course, I will.”

  Carlie ran into Morgan and Emily as she was heading down the trail to the beach.

  “Howdy, stranger,” said Morgan. “Where you been?”

  “I had to go see Chelsea again today.” Carlie grabbed Miguel’s hand to stop him from going on down the trail without her.

  “You had to?” questioned Emily.

  “Well, my aunt did me a favor, so I sort of had to do that for her.”

  “You going to the beach now?” asked Morgan.

  “These guys need some exercise.”

  “Want us to come along?” offered Emily as she swooped up little Pedro and tickled his tummy until he giggled.

  “Sure!” Carlie smiled. “I’ve missed you guys so much.”

  So the three girls herded the two little boys down to the beach.

  “So was Chelsea less grumpy today?” asked Morgan as they all waded in the water.

  “Yeah,” said Carlie. “We went to town and walked around. And we even went to your mom’s shop and then to Amy’s restaurant for lunch.”

  “When are you going to invite her here?” asked Emily.

  “I don’t know,” Carlie said.

  “Don’t we get to meet her?” asked Morgan.

  “Of course,” said Carlie. “I’m just not sure when.”

  “Well, Amy and Emily and I were discussing our membership rules this morning,” said Morgan. “Not officially … but just talking about it, you know. And we’ve decided that if you like Chelsea enough to invite her over here, we’ll be happy to consider her for membership.”

  “That’s nice,” said Carlie. But even as she said this, she wondered if it would really work. What would happen if Chelsea said something offensive to one of her friends? Or what if they just didn’t like her? Even worse, Carlie wondered, how would she feel if Chelsea didn’t like them?

  “There’s no rush,” said Morgan. “You might want to get to know her better.”

  “Yeah,” said Carlie. “I think that’s a good idea.”

  “But you could always ask her over here just to hang out,” said Emily. “Just so we could get to know her too.”

  Carlie nodded. “Okay. I’ll mention that to her.”

  “Are you going back over there again tomorrow?” asked Morgan.

  “I don’t know,” admitted Carlie. “I’m kinda hoping that I’ll get to hang with you guys tomorrow. It seems like it’s been a long time.”

  Morgan grinned. “Yeah, we were starting to get worried. We thought maybe you were leaving us in the dust. Like we might have to find someone to replace you in the club.”

  “Not that we would,” said Emily quickly.

  “Thanks,” said Carlie. “And, don’t worry. I would way rather be here with you guys than with Chelsea. But I know she’s kinda lonely and she’s scared about starting a new school with no friends.”

  “That’s an even better reason to invite her over here,” pointed out Morgan.

  Carlie nodded. “You’re right.”

  The girls chased Pedro and Miguel around until Carlie realized it would soon be suppertime at her house. “We better get back,” she told
her friends. “But thanks for helping me with the boys.”

  Of course, the boys protested when Carlie said it was time to go home. It took all three girls to herd the reluctant boys back to the trailer park again. Carlie wondered how her mom managed these boys day after day, especially during the summer when Dad worked such long hours on the fishing boat. She also wondered how her mom would do it without Carlie around to help.

  chapter six

  Carlie yelled thanks to Emily and Morgan as she dragged her two little brothers into the house. She noticed that Tia Maria’s car was gone and was curious how the haircutting conversation had gone, but she got so distracted trying to get her brothers cleaned up for supper that she forgot to ask her mom. It wasn’t until she was helping to clear the table that she remembered Tia Maria’s promise to talk to her. Even so, Carlie wasn’t so sure she wanted to ask. Mom seemed stressed as she cleaned up Miguel’s spilled glass of milk on the floor — the second one tonight. Carlie decided it might be better to keep quiet and finish cleaning up the kitchen first.

  “Phone, Carlotta,” called Mom as Carlie placed the last plate in the dishwasher.

  Carlie picked it up in the kitchen. “Hello?”

  “Hi, Carlie,” said Chelsea in a happy voice. “Guess what?”

  “Aliens have landed and they’ve invited you to go away with them?”

  “No, silly. My mom wants to take us both to get our hair cut on Saturday.”

  “Really?” Now Carlie wasn’t sure what to say. She didn’t even know if her mom would let her cut her hair. This could turn embarrassing.

  “Yeah,” continued Chelsea. “She already made us appointments at this really cool place that her friend told her about. It’s in Portland. Her friend Leslie lives there, and we can spend the night at her house. And we’ll have time to go shopping too!”

  “Wow, that sounds awesome,” said Carlie. “But I’ll have to check with my mom first.”

  “Call me back as soon as you know,” said Chelsea.

  So Carlie hung up. She turned on the dishwasher and finished wiping down all the countertops in the kitchen. She was trying to think of a good way to ask Mom something this big. And, okay, maybe she was doing a much better job of cleaning than usual, but she figured it wouldn’t hurt to butter up her mom.

  “Was that your friend Chelsea?” asked Mom.

  Carlie gave the stove top one last swipe with the sponge. “Yeah.”

  “What did she want?”

  Carlie wasn’t sure how to put this and finally just spilled the beans about being invited for an overnight haircut-and-shopping trip to Portland. Then she held her breath, preparing herself for the worst.

  “Maria told me that Mrs. Landers had mentioned something like that today. But do you really want to cut your hair, Carlotta?”

  Carlie smiled hopefully. “I really do, Mom. I mean, it gets so hot, and then it gets tangled, and it takes so long to dry it. I would so love to have short hair.”

  Mom frowned as she ran her fingers through Carlie’s long curls. “But I love your long hair, mija.”

  “I know.”

  “But my baby sister is probably right. You’re growing up. I suppose you should be able to make some of your own decisions now.”

  “Really?” Carlie could hardly believe her ears. Was Mom agreeing to this?

  Mom nodded. “If that’s what you really want.”

  “I do!”

  Mom sighed. “But let me take a picture of you before you get it cut.”

  Carlie laughed. “Oh, you already have lots of pictures, Mom.”

  “Still, I want one more.”

  So Carlie let her mom brush her hair and even tie a ribbon in it. Then they went outside and Carlie posed for her in her little garden, cooperating as Mom took several shots. Sure, it was silly, and Carlie would’ve been embarrassed if any of her friends had seen this, but it seemed a small price to pay to get her hair cut. She couldn’t wait!

  As soon as she got back in the house, she called Chelsea with the good news.

  “That’s great,” said Chelsea. “And by the way, can you come over again tomorrow?”

  “Sorry, but I just promised Mom that I’d stick around tomorrow.”

  “But I’ll be so bored without you,” complained Chelsea. “Can’t you please come over? My mom said we could even pick you up.”

  “But I already told my mom I’d watch my brothers while she goes grocery shopping. And after she agreed to the haircut and trip to Portland, I can’t really back out on her.”

  “How long can it take to get groceries?” asked Chelsea.

  “With my mom it can take all morning.”

  “What about after that?” begged Chelsea.

  “I already told my friends I’d hang with them here tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Oh … ”

  Now Carlie felt guilty. Maybe she should invite Chelsea to join them tomorrow. Still, she wasn’t sure she was ready for that. And besides, she’d spent the past two days with Chelsea. “It’s just one day,” she told her. “And I can do something with you Thursday or Friday … and then we’re going to Portland on Saturday and —”

  “I know, but I just wanted you to come over tomorrow.”

  “But I can’t.”

  “Is it because you don’t like me?”

  “Of course not,” said Carlie. “We’re friends, Chelsea.”

  “Just not as good of friends as those other girls?”

  “No,” insisted Carlie. “It’s not like that. But I haven’t spent any time with these guys lately … I think they’re feeling snubbed.”

  “Yeah, well, I know just how they feel.” And then Chelsea hung up on her. Just like that!

  Carlie was stunned. What was she supposed to do? Should she call Chelsea back and apologize? But for what? Carlie hadn’t done anything wrong. And yet she still felt guilty. She felt as if she owed Chelsea something. But why?

  The next morning she still felt bad about Chelsea. She imagined her storming around in her spacious room, slamming doors and yelling at her poor mother — all because Carlie couldn’t — or wouldn’t — come over today. She actually picked up the phone, ready to call and apologize for hurting her feelings.

  “Carlie!” yelled Miguel. “Pedro took my Batman car again, and he won’t give it back to me!”

  Carlie quickly realized she had no time to worry about Chelsea right now. And, she told herself as she extracted the coveted car from Pedro’s chubby hands, if she wants to act like a spoiled brat, why should Carlie even care? She had her hands full with two other spoiled brats at the moment. Okay, maybe they weren’t totally spoiled. But they sure knew how to act bratty sometimes. And this morning they were in top form.

  She was so relieved when her mom came home. “Thanks, mija,” said Mom as she set the bags of groceries on the counter. “You’re free to go now.”

  “Thank you!” said Carlie. “And the boys should be ready for a nap.” And then she changed her grubby T-shirt and ran over to the Rainbow Bus. It seemed like it had been weeks since she’d been able to come here and hang with her friends.

  “This is so great!” she exclaimed as she entered the bus and saw all three of her friends sitting at the little table. “It’s so good to be home again!”

  They laughed and hugged her. “Welcome back,” said Morgan.

  “We’ve missed you around here,” said Emily. “The club’s just not the same with only three of us.”

  “Yeah,” added Amy. “It’s been too quiet.”

  “Well, I’m here now,” said Carlie as she sank into the plush-covered couch and sighed happily.

  “By the way,” said Amy. “I’m mad at you.”

  “Huh?” Carlie sat up and looked at Amy.

  “Yeah, both my sisters told me that you brought your new friend to the restaurant yesterday, and even introduced her to them, but then you didn’t stick around long enough for me to meet her too. Thanks a lot.”

  “Hey, it wasn’t even two when we l
eft. We would’ve had to stay for more than an hour.”

  “You mean I’m not worth waiting for?” demanded Amy. Then she grinned. “Just kidding. An also told me that Chelsea lives at Pacific Shores.”

  “Isn’t that some fancy-dancy, ritzy neighborhood?” asked Morgan.

  “It’s pretty nice,” admitted Carlie. Then she told them about the huge new house that overlooked the ocean and Chelsea’s amazing bedroom and even the swimming pool.

  “No way,” said Amy. “She has a pool? A real inground pool?”

  “Yep,” said Carlie, leaning back into the couch again. “It even has this big fountain that flows right into it.”

  “No wonder you’ve been totally ignoring us,” said Amy.

  “I wasn’t ignoring anyone,” said Carlie. Then she told them about her little deals with Tia Maria.

  Morgan laughed. “Well, I can’t blame you for that. I would so hate it if my mom told me how to dress. And she actually has pretty good taste — for an old person anyway.”

  “Yeah, imagine how you’d feel if she wanted to dress you in ruffles and bows and lacy, pink foo-foo,” said Carlie. “In middle school too!”

  Morgan laughed. “That’s pretty bad.”

  “But cutting your hair?” questioned Emily. “It’s so pretty, Carlie. You really want to cut it?”

  Carlie grabbed a handful of long curls and nodded eagerly. “Oh, yeah! I cannot wait to be rid of this. I’d whack it off right now if I could.”

  “Okay,” said Morgan. “Since we’re all here for the first time this week, I suggest we make this an official meeting.”

  “Official, huh?” teased Amy.

  “You know what I mean.” Morgan gave her a warning look. “We already told Carlie that we’ve discussed the possibility of having new members in our club.”

  “Yes,” said Amy. “And we all agree it’s a good idea.”

  “But we need to have a limit,” said Emily. “This bus isn’t exactly huge.”

  “That’s right,” agreed Morgan. “We think six girls would be plenty.”

  “And that’s only because we probably wouldn’t all be here at the same time that much anyway,” said Emily.

  “I suggested eight girls,” said Amy. “That way we could each invite one.”

  “And we said we’d think about that idea,” added Morgan. “The bigger question is how do we decide who can or cannot join?”