Light Up New York

by Natalie Grant

  “How many people live in this city, anyway?” Mia asked Miss Julia.

  “Eight point four six million,” Miss Julia answered after consulting her phone.

  “And what’s that super tall building over there?” Maddie asked, pointing out a building that rose above all the rest, with a tall spike on top.

  “That’s the Empire State Building,” Miss Julia said. “It’s one of the tallest buildings in New York, but One World Trade Center is taller. I’m sure we’ll see that one too, while we’re here.”

  Mia’s nose had turned red and her glasses had fogged up by the time Dad pulled open the door to the restaurant. Warm air billowed out, filled with the smell of oregano and tomato sauce. They piled inside, and a waiter led them up a spiral staircase to the second floor, where an empty table waited.

  He passed around menus. “Remember to save room for the cannoli.”

  “New York pizza,” Dad breathed, eyeing the menu.

  “Is it different from other pizza?” Maddie wanted to know.

  “Usually, New York pizza crust is thin and crispy,” Dad said. “And they make it in a brick pizza oven. I think we should get one pepperoni and one tomato basil.”

  “Sounds good to me!” Mom’s phone rang, and she checked the screen. “Excuse me a moment.”

  Mia tried to listen without Mom noticing. She wasn’t supposed to eavesdrop, but detectives needed great listening skills. Ever since she and her sisters had started solving mysteries, she’d become more and more curious. For instance, she liked to guess what was happening on the other side of phone conversations, based on the hints she could hear. Except right now, Mia couldn’t hear a thing. Lulu drowned everything out, describing a new episode in the fairy story she’d been writing all year. This time, the telling included sound effects.

  “Shh, Lulu!” Mia scolded.

  Lulu stuck out her tongue, but was quiet long enough for Mia to hear Mom for a moment.

  “We’re so grateful for the opportunity,” Mom was saying. “May I think it over and get back to you tomorrow morning?”

  Think what over? Mia’s mind filled with possibilities. She kept listening, hoping to pick up more hints. Since Lulu had cued into Mom’s conversation now as well, at least Mia could finally hear. They all waited while Mom said good-bye.

  When she had put the phone away, Dad raised a questioning eyebrow. “Opportunity?”

  “I’ll tell you about it later,” Mom said.

  “What it is, what is it, what is it?” Lulu clasped her hands and gave Mom her sweetest “tell me” look.

  “Later.” Mom wore her most serious “I mean it” look.

  “Are we ready to order?” the waiter asked, arriving at the table again with pad and pen in hand.

  Mia was grateful for his excellent timing. Lulu pouted, but didn’t push further. She launched back into her telling of the fairy story, and Mia tried to pretend it didn’t bother her that no one could get a word in edgewise. Mia kept a close watch on Mom, wondering about the mysterious opportunity. If it had been an opportunity for her or Dad, she’d have just told them. That meant the opportunity might be for the girls. Mia decided to be on her best behavior all through dinner, just in case that would make a difference. If there was an opportunity, she didn’t want to ruin it by snipping at Lulu.

  Miss Julia leaned close to talk to Mia without interrupting Lulu. “You know, I saw a little bookstore on our way over tonight. I was thinking it might be fun to pick up a copy of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler to read while we’re here in the city.”

  “Can we?” Mia asked, completely distracted from her thoughts for a moment. From the Mixed-Up Files was one of her favorite books. “Ooh, and maybe we can make up a mystery of our own to solve when we go to the Met. Like a scavenger hunt or something from the book.”

  “It wouldn’t be a trip without a mystery to solve,” Maddie agreed.

  Soon, the pizzas arrived, and Lulu was too busy eating to tell stories. Mia kept thinking about the possible opportunity, and about being on her best behavior. She didn’t even snap at Lulu when her little sister snatched the last piece of pepperoni pizza before anyone else could get it. Dad seemed to notice, and gave Mia first choice of cannoli. She’d never had one before, and discovered, to her delight, that they were sweet and creamy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Maddie decided her favorite part was the maraschino cherries on each end. Of course, Lulu liked the tiny chocolate chips the best.

  “Ready to walk back?” Dad asked after the bill was paid.

  Lulu hopped out of her seat. “Can we watch television in bed?”

  “We’ll see,” Mom said, and led the way down the stairs toward the street.

  FOUR

  Mia hung back to walk with Maddie. If they put their heads together, they might come up with an idea of what this mysterious opportunity might be. After a block or two of batting around possibilities, they hadn’t made much progress. So they settled into the conversation they’d been having on and off for weeks, about how to sell as many albums as possible. Earlier this fall, Mia and Maddie had made friends with a girl named Ruby, who lived at Third Street Community House. Before meeting Ruby, Mia hardly knew anything about homelessness. But through a series of events, they’d ended up putting on a concert with Ruby to raise funds to help her dad buy a guitar. After that, they’d seen Ruby about once a week, even after she and her family moved into a regular apartment. Ruby had asked Mia and Maddie whether they might record an album together. She wanted to raise funds for teenagers living on the streets.

  “No one should be homeless,” Ruby had said. “But teens, especially. Homeless teens are usually all on their own, and it seems like they’re in the most danger of anyone. I just want to do something to help.”

  Mia hadn’t ever considered recording an album of their own, but once they started really thinking about it, she realized they had everything they needed to make it work. For one thing, Dad had the basement studio where he could record the whole album. Plus, Dad could compose the arrangements, and he knew all about how to put albums together. Once the ball started rolling, things fell into place quickly. They got help from Dad, and Mom even asked some of her band members to help. Soon, what seemed like a crazy idea had come together.

  “What are you talking about?” Lulu wanted to know as she joined the twins.

  Mia answered before stopping to think. “The album.”

  “You’re always leaving me out!” Lulu wailed, stomping off to take Miss Julia’s hand.

  Mia sighed, and Maddie didn’t say anything at all. At first, Lulu had wanted to be part of the Sparkle and Shine album project, but she didn’t have the patience to stick with it. Still, they’d included her in one song. Even so, every time she heard them talking about the album, she acted like the entire project made her feel left out.

  “She’ll get over it,” Maddie said, linking elbows with Mia.

  “I hope so,” Mia said, not feeling all that hopeful.

  They stopped at the bookstore and found From the Mixed-Up Files. Miss Julia bought it as a present for all the girls and promised to read them a bit every day while they were in New York City. On their way through the hotel lobby, they used the fun touchscreen camera to take a family photo and post it online. Immediately, one of Mom’s fans commented, “Light up New York, Glimmer family!”

  All through the elevator ride, Mom’s phone pinged with likes and comments.

  “Is this the first Light Up New York Week, Mom?” Mia asked.

  “The sleep-out event has been going on for a few years,” Mom said. “But this is the first year there’s been a citywide Light Up New York Week.”

  “So what are people supposed to do?” Maddie asked.

  “Kind things,” Mom said.

  “Like sparkling and shining?” Lulu asked.

  “That’s right,” Mom said, smiling.

  “The Glimmer girls motto is catching!” Miss Julia said.

  “Sparkle and sh
ine, but most of all, be kind!” the girls chanted as the elevator doors pinged open.

  “Shh!” Mom pointed out the quiet hours sign. “People might be sleeping.”

  Mia put her finger to her lips, and then the girls whispered together, “Sparkle and shine, but most of all, be kind!”

  They hugged Miss Julia good night and then followed Mom and Dad into their rooms. Mia was first through the adjoining door. While they had been gone, someone had delivered the rollaway, leaving it in the space between the bed and the window. Mia flopped onto it, bouncing on her knees, trying the mattress out for softness.

  “So, I get the rollaway?” Lulu asked, pushing Mia aside, nearly knocking her onto the floor.

  Mia stood up, grumbling under her breath. Maddie caught her hand and squeezed it.

  “No!” Mia said, the word bursting out of her before she could stop it. “Lulu always gets what she wants, just because she’s the youngest.”

  “It’s not true. I don’t get everything I want.” Lulu’s eyes filled up with tears. “I don’t get anything I want.”

  She flung herself onto the rollaway as though she was a heroine in an old-fashioned movie, and sobbed into the pillow. Mia wasn’t so sure she wanted to sleep on that bed now that Lulu was sniffling and snuffling all over it. Still, it was the principle of the thing. Lulu acted like she didn’t get anything she wanted when the truth was, she almost always got her way. She cried and made a scene, and then the easiest thing for anyone to do was to give in and let her have what she wanted.

  “Stop crying!” Mia snapped.

  Mom came in, her forehead creased with concern. “What’s going on?”

  “Lulu’s crying again,” Mia said. “But she’s the one who pushed me off the rollaway. I didn’t do anything to her.”

  Maddie didn’t speak up, but for once, Mia could see that she agreed with her. Thank goodness. Even Maddie had her limits.

  “Girls,” Mom said. “Tonight, we’re going to give Lulu the rollaway.” Before Mia could protest, Mom added, “But not because she’s crying. Trust me on this, Mia, something special is coming, and I think you will eventually agree that it’s fair for Lulu to have the rollaway.”

  Lulu’s sobs stopped as suddenly as they’d started. She hopped off the bed, ran over, and pulled on Mom’s arm. “I don’t want my own bed anymore. I want something special.”

  “We’ll talk more after I discuss the situation with Dad, but for now, the rollaway is yours, Lulu.”

  Lulu eyed Mom, and then the rollaway, then back at Mom again. She plopped down on the small bed and pulled a pillow into her lap, cocking her head at Mia with a “Win for me!” look.

  Mia bit back her response and her questions. She knew the special something must have to do with the “opportunity” from the earlier phone call. One look at Maddie’s face told her that her sister was thinking the same thing. She wasn’t sure if it was because they were twins, or because they were sisters, but sometimes, it truly did seem like she could read Maddie’s mind.

  “Now, it’s time for pjs and then bed,” Mom said. “Tomorrow, I know you’ll want lots of energy for exploring New York.”

  “And for ice skating!” Lulu reminded her. “But can we watch one show while we fall asleep? Please? Since we’re in a hotel?”

  “If you can find a show all three of you agree on, you can watch it while you fall asleep,” Mom said.

  From the other room, Dad made his hum . . . hum . . . hummm . . . sounds, and then he slid through the door in full Tickle Monster mode. He tickled Lulu and Maddie and then Mia and then Maddie again.

  “Me, me!” Lulu shrieked, and then when Dad pounced to tickle her, she could barely say, “Stop!” over her breathless giggles.

  Mia’s smile lasted, even through the choosing of the show. Lulu insisted on Dancing with the Stars, which wasn’t Mia’s favorite, but she didn’t mind it all that much. She curled up on the pillows, closed her eyes, and let the sounds of the television fade into the background.

  God, she found herself praying. Make me just a little more patient tomorrow.

  FIVE

  When Mia opened her eyes, the room was still dark. She wasn’t sure if it was actually still dark outside, or if their room was just darkened because the blind was down. Maddie and Lulu were still asleep. Quietly, Mia slipped out of bed and tiptoed into her parents’ room.

  “Good morning,” Mom whispered, scooting over to make room for Mia. “Are your sisters up?”

  “Not yet.” Mia cuddled up with Mom on the bed.

  “Dad’s taking a shower,” Mom said, setting her coffee mug aside. “But I’m glad you’re here, because I wanted to talk to you.”

  “About the opportunity?” Mia could hear the hopeful tone in her own voice.

  “You know I’m scheduled to appear on Rise and Shine tomorrow to promote the sleep-out and concert?”

  “Yes . . .” Mia said, her breath catching in her throat.

  “Well, the exciting news is that the producer invited you and Maddie to join me. The guest they’d scheduled to come on after me had to cancel last minute, so they wanted to extend my interview. Since you girls are raising money with your new album, they thought it would be perfect if you would come talk about the project.”

  Mia could hardly sit still. She looked up at Mom with giant eyes.

  Mom grinned and nodded. “Mmm-hmm! What do you think?”

  “Yes!” Mia said. It was all she could do to keep her voice a whisper. “Yes, yes, yes!”

  “But . . .” Mom said, and Mia’s stomach sank. She already knew what Mom would say next.

  “Lulu,” Mia said, looking down at her hands unhappily.

  “We decided this album would be for you, Maddie, and Ruby,” Mom said. “And I think that was the right decision. Plus, I was proud of how you featured Lulu in one song so she wouldn’t feel completely left out.”

  “She wouldn’t have been able to focus on the album for all those rehearsals,” Mia said.

  “I know,” Mom agreed. “Like I said then, this project is something that God put on your and Maddie’s hearts.”

  “And Ruby’s!” Mia added.

  “Yes,” Mom said. “As you and your sisters grow up, situations like this will happen more and more. Different projects will interest you, and sometimes the best way to support each other is to cheer one another on.”

  “Even for me and Maddie?”

  “You’ve already seen how that can happen, haven’t you?” Mom asked. “You love learning about animals and reading, and Maddie loves drawing. Both of you love music, but Maddie doesn’t always love to perform.”

  “What’s happening?” Maddie asked, appearing in the doorway.

  “Good morning!” Lulu said, pushing past Maddie and taking a flying leap onto the bed.

  Mom pulled them all into a big hug. “Let’s talk about our plans for the day.”

  Lulu scrambled up onto her knees. “Ice skating!”

  “Actually, yes,” Mom said, catching Mia’s eye before she could object. “Lulu, Daddy and I are taking you skating this morning.”

  Maddie tilted her head, confused. “Just Lulu?”

  “Daddy and I decided Lulu should have a special treat today because you and Mia are going to have a special treat tomorrow,” Mom said.

  “What treat?” Maddie asked.

  “Last night, the phone call you were all so interested in was from a producer. I’m scheduled to appear on Rise and Shine tomorrow morning,” Mom said. “But, Maddie, they’d like you and Mia to come on the show with me so that you can talk about your album.”

  “What?” Lulu wailed. “Without me?”

  “You do get to sit in the audience with Miss Julia,” Mom said. “But that’s why we wanted to take you ice skating today—so you could have a treat of your own.”

  Honestly, Mia was relieved she wouldn’t have to skate. A disaster avoided, and she and Maddie would get to be on television. Television!

  “I called a salon for you g
irls,” Mom said. “It’s definitely time for a haircut, and they will also do a pretty blowout for you both. Miss Julia can take you while we skate. Sound okay?”

  Maddie nodded, looking just as happy as Mia felt.

  “What about my hair?” Lulu demanded.

  “I suppose you could choose to go to the hair salon instead of going skating,” Mom said.

  “Instead?” Lulu asked, giving Mom one of her signature “pretty, pretty please” looks.

  Mom raised her eyebrows, and Mia was happy to see she wasn’t affected in the least. “Yes. Instead. If it were up to me, I’d choose to skate with you. I’d like to have a special treat, just for us. But if you choose to have your hair done with your sisters, that’s your choice to make. It’s important that you understand. If you choose not to ice skate now, we won’t go skating at another time on this trip.”

  “Plans all settled?” Dad asked, poking his head out of the bathroom.

  “Nearly,” Mom said. “What do you think, Lulu?”

  “I want to do both, and be on television,” Lulu said, pouting.

  Mom nodded. “I understand. If you aren’t able to change your attitude, though, you won’t be able to have any special treats.”

  “Okay, okay! Skating!” Lulu said, clearly realizing she was on thin ice.

  Mia couldn’t help wondering how long the good attitude would last. Would Lulu honestly sit quietly in the television studio audience?

  “I’ll be ready in a minute,” Dad said.

  “We’ll go check on Miss Julia,” Mom said. “Well . . . after the girls get dressed.”

  “And after we brush our teeth!” Maddie said.

  Soon, they were all dressed, with faces washed, teeth cleaned, and hair brushed. Mia was grateful they’d be getting their hair cut and styled. Lately, when she fixed her hair, it seemed to do the opposite of what she wanted it to do. Television. She could hardly wait.