Karen's Big Top

by Ann M. Martin

  I ran toward David Michael’s room. But I stopped before I reached the door.

  I cannot tell David Michael, I thought. I cannot tell anyone that Nannie does not like surprise parties. They will ask me how I know. I will have to tell them I was eavesdropping. I will get into big trouble.

  I hurried back to my room.

  “Moosie. Wake up,” I said. “Nannie does not want a surprise party. She said it would be awful. I cannot tell anyone because I found out when I was eavesdropping. But I want to tell everyone we cannot have the party. It will embarrass Nannie.”

  Moosie just stared. He was not being very helpful tonight. I decided there was nothing I could do. At least not yet.

  Karen’s Tutu

  “See you later, Charlie,” I said.

  Charlie dropped Hannie and Nancy and me at the entrance to camp. (The Three Musketeers had had a sleepover at the big house on Sunday night.)

  Mr. Willie was waiting for the campers to arrive. When we were all there, he hopped up onto his platform.

  “Good morning, circus performers. Welcome to your third week of camp,” he said. “I want to remind you that our show is less than two weeks away. You should be thinking about what you would like to do in the show. I will be coming around to talk with each group later.”

  Mr. Willie did a forward somersault off the platform just for fun.

  “Enjoy the day!” he said.

  My group was going to work on costumes with Hannie and Nancy’s group. I knew I would enjoy that.

  “Did everyone remember to bring a leotard or cape?” asked Laura.

  “Yes!!!” we all shouted.

  I pulled my leotard out of my knapsack and waved it in the air. It was hot pink. (I had not found the perfect feather yet. But I would.)

  “Help yourselves to any materials you need,” said Jimmy. He pointed to a long table. There were plastic containers filled with all kinds of great stuff. I headed for the sparkly sequins.

  I had a gigundoly brilliant plan for my tutu. (Is tutu the right word? I hoped so. I like it.) Anyway, here is my plan. I am going to put a border of all different colored sequins on my tutu. That will make it very sparkly. I will put stripes of sequins all down the sides. On the front of my leotard I will put a big K. K is for Karen in case you were wondering. (I had not decided where to put my feather yet.)

  While the other kids were working, they were talking about the show.

  “I want to be one of the jugglers,” said Ricky. “I even practice at home. I am getting pretty good.”

  “I want to be on the trapeze,” said Nancy. “I love being way up high.”

  I did not have time to think about what I would do. I was too busy thinking about how I would look.

  I had an important decision to make about my costume. When I took my bows, there might be people in front and behind me. Should I put another K on the back of my tutu? I was trying to decide when Mr. Willie came over.

  “I hope you have been thinking about the show,” he reminded the group. “You will need to make your choices soon, so we can plan the program.”

  Uh-oh. I did not want to be left out of the program. I’d better do some thinking after all.

  “I like your sequins, Karen,” said Jimmy when Mr. Willie had gone. “By the way, have you decided what you want to do in the show?”

  “Um, I think I am going to be a juggler with Ricky,” I said.

  “That sounds good,” said Jimmy.

  “On second thought, I will go on the trapeze with Nancy. I like being up high, too,” I said.

  “Another good choice,” said Jimmy.

  “Wait! I really like Monty the poodle. And Jillian is teaching me hand signs. Maybe I will be one of the dog trainers.”

  “All right,” said Jimmy.

  “I take it back! I love riding Lulu. I want to ride her bareback in the circus,” I said. “Unless I decide to be a plate spinner.”

  “I guess you have a little more thinking to do,” said Jimmy.

  “I guess you are right,” I replied.

  Talking with Jillian

  Guess what. Daddy and Elizabeth said I could stay late to play with Jillian.

  “What should we do?” I asked. “Do you want to play circus? We can pretend we are circus stars together.”

  “That does not sound like so much fun to me. I am in the circus all the time. Let’s play house instead,” said Jillian. “We can pretend we are having friends over for tea.”

  “That does not sound so exciting to me. I do that all the time,” I replied. “Do you want to take Lulu for a walk? You told me she needs to get a lot of exercise.”

  “Okay. She will like that,” said Jillian.

  We walked Lulu around the grounds a couple of times. We found a bale of hay out back. While Lulu ate, we sat on the top and talked.

  “Tell me again about living in the big house. It sounds like so much fun,” said Jillian.

  “It is fun. Most of the time. Right now we are planning a surprise birthday party for Nannie. We will have it at the bowling alley. All her friends will be there,” I said.

  “I bet Nannie will love it,” said Jillian.

  “I am not so sure,” I replied.

  “Why not?” asked Jillian.

  “Can you keep a secret?” I asked.

  Jillian nodded.

  I decided to tell about eavesdropping on Nannie. I knew my story would be safe with Jillian. I told her everything.

  “So I know that a surprise party would be just awful,” I said.

  “When is the party?” asked Jillian.

  “In a week. It is all planned,” I replied.

  “Boy, you’d better do something,” said Jillian.

  “I know. But what?” I asked.

  “Talk to your grandmother,” Jillian said.

  “Talk to Nannie? I cannot do that. It would ruin the surprise. I promised everyone I would not give away the secret. They are all teasing me because they think I will. I just cannot spill the beans,” I said.

  “Well, you will get in trouble if you tell anyone else,” said Jillian. “But your grandmother will be glad you told.”

  “But what about the surprise?” I asked. “What will we do about the party?”

  “I am not sure,” said Jillian. “But I think you should tell your grandmother no matter what.”

  “Maybe you are right. I will have to think about it,” I replied.

  Just then, I saw Elizabeth’s car pulling up to the circus. She got out and waved to me.

  “I have to go,” I said.

  I climbed down from the haystack and headed for the car. Then I turned back. I had an idea. Jillian was always asking about my big-house family. I thought she would like to meet them all. And Nannie’s friends, too.

  “Jillian, would you like to come to Nannie’s party? If we have it, that is,” I said.

  “I would love to, Karen! Thank you,” said Jillian.

  “Great. I will see you tomorrow,” I replied.

  I hugged Lulu good-bye. Then I headed for Elizabeth’s car.

  Choosing

  Now, let me see. What should I choose to be? A juggler? A trapeze flyer? An acrobat? A clown? I just could not decide.

  It was Monday of our last week of camp. The circus was going to be on Saturday. I had to choose one thing to do. I had to.

  But I did not want to. I wanted to do everything.

  “Can’t I do a few things really fast?” I asked B. F. Willie.

  “I am afraid not,” said Mr. Willie. “You must choose one thing. You must rehearse it this week. Otherwise you will not be ready to perform on Saturday.”

  “Oh, all right. If I have to choose something, I choose the trapeze,” I blurted out.

  “Good for you, Karen. Brenda, my daughter-in-law, will help you get ready for the show,” said Mr. Willie.

  I did it. I chose. I do not know why I chose the trapeze. It was the first thing that popped into my head. But it would be okay. Nancy chose the trapeze. So did
two other kids I liked. We would have fun.

  When I got there, Jillian was helping Brenda.

  “I am glad you picked the trapeze. Now we can practice together,” she said.

  Good. I made the right choice. I would work with Jillian. And I would be with Nancy, too.

  Jillian helped me put on my harness. Then I climbed up the ladder to the platform. Brenda was already there.

  “Are you ready to try a new stunt?” she asked.

  “Sure,” I replied.

  She showed us all how to hang from the swing upside down. We each took a turn practicing.

  “That looks great, Karen,” called Jillian.

  I did really well on the trapeze. And I had fun, too. But something was bothering me.

  At the end of the day, I went to find Mr. Willie.

  “I think I made a mistake,” I said. “The trapeze is not for me. Can I change my mind? Can I work on, um, the high wire?”

  “If it would make you happier, you can switch,” said Mr. Willie. “You can join the high wire group tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Willie,” I said.

  I breathed a sigh of relief. Then I started to worry again. High wire? Why did I say high wire?

  Telling

  When I got home, I had another big decision to make.

  Tell. Don’t tell. Tell. Don’t tell.

  Tomorrow night was Nannie’s birthday party. I had to tell her about it right away. Otherwise, I could not tell her at all.

  Here are the things I knew. I knew I would be in big trouble if anyone at the big house found out I had been eavesdropping. I knew that Nannie would hate being surprised. I knew that Jillian thought I should tell Nannie everything.

  I decided to listen to Jillian.

  Nannie was upstairs resting before dinner. I went to her room and knocked lightly on her door.

  “Come in,” called Nannie.

  I poked my head in.

  “Um, can I talk to you for a few minutes?” I asked.

  “Of course. Close the door behind you,” said Nannie.

  “First of all, I am sorry,” I said.

  “What are you sorry about?” asked Nanny.

  “I am sorry that I eavesdropped on you,” I said. “I stood outside your door and listened to you talk on the phone. I know I will have to be punished. But do you think you could punish me without anyone knowing? Without Daddy or Elizabeth knowing?”

  There. I said it. It was all very clear to me. But Nannie looked confused. So I kept on talking. I had to make her understand.

  “The reason I have to tell you about eavesdropping is that I heard you say something important,” I said. “I heard you tell your friend that you hate surprises. And the thing is, we were planning to give you a surprise party.”

  Nannie gasped. Her face turned pale.

  “Oh, my. I really do not like surprises,” she said.

  “We were only planning the surprise party because we love you so much. No one would ever want to embarrass you,” I explained. “But now everyone is looking forward to the party. They have so many nice things planned. They will be very upset if they cannot give you this party.”

  I also knew they would be very upset if they knew I was spoiling the surprise right that very minute.

  “Well, thank you for telling me, Karen. I know that was not easy for you,” said Nannie. “What do you think we should do?”

  “I don’t know. I will have to think some more. I promise to figure out something,” I replied.

  “We should be able to think of something between the two of us,” said Nannie. “And about your punishment. I think we can skip that. We all make mistakes. And you did tell me about it. But will you promise me you will try to break that bad habit?”

  I threw my arms around Nannie.

  “I promise!” I said.

  And I meant it.

  “I Changed My Mind”

  I went to camp early Tuesday morning. I wanted to get to work on the high wire. Jimmy helped me make up what I had missed.

  “Yesterday we practiced turning, and walking backward,” said Jimmy. “Come, I will show you how.”

  By the time the other kids came, I felt caught up.

  Robin was in the group. (She was the one who was so scared when she started. Now she was one of the best kids on the high wire.) And there were two boys. Their names were Joseph and Gregory.

  “I have a tape of the music the circus band will be playing on Saturday,” said Jimmy. “Today we will work on crossing the high wire in time to the music. Karen, why don’t you go first. Robin will be your spotter at the net.”

  Jimmy turned on the tape player. The circus music made me feel like dancing right across the high wire. Oh, yes! This was the group for me!

  I stepped out onto the wire with my balancing rod. I started across in time to the music.

  But something across the tent caught my eye. Up and down. Up and down. Nancy was bouncing up and down on the trampoline. Gee, that looked like fun.

  Whoa! I was so busy watching, I fell off the high wire.

  “It is a good thing you practiced that fall this morning, Karen,” said Jimmy. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m okay,” I said.

  I did my forward tumble off the net. I landed feet first.

  “Your attention should be on the high wire, not the trampoline,” said Jimmy. “Will you be Robin’s spotter now?”

  “Sure,” I replied.

  I stood at the side of the net ready to help Robin when she came down from the wire.

  Robin was doing a very good job walking backward in time to the music.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the jugglers tossing bean bags into the air. Uh-oh. Ricky dropped one. I raced to pick it up for him.

  When I got back, Robin was already off the high wire and in the net.

  “Karen, you were supposed to be watching Robin. Please stay with the group,” said Jimmy.

  “I just have to do one thing first,” I said. “I will be right back.”

  The acrobats needed another person for their pyramid. I raced over and climbed to the top. Ta-dah!

  On the way back, I saw Lulu being led into the ring.

  “Hi, Lulu!” I called. I hurried over to hug her.

  I went back to the high wire and stayed there five whole minutes. But the clowns were piling into their clown car. Honk! Honk! I wondered if they had an extra clown nose for me.

  By the end of the day, no one was very surprised when I said, “I changed my mind. I do not want to be a high wire artist after all.”

  “What do you want to be now?” asked B. F. Willie.

  “I want to be, um, a juggler. Probably. I think,” I replied.

  Surprise!

  Nannie and I had a secret plan. No one would know about it until the party. It was Tuesday night. The party was on!

  At six o’clock, Nannie came out of her room.

  “Good-bye, everyone,” she said. “I am going out to dinner with a few of my bowling friends. I will not be back very late.”

  “Good-bye, Nannie,” said Kristy.

  “Have a lovely dinner,” I said.

  I did not even wink at Nannie. I was afraid someone might catch on if I did.

  Nannie went outside and started up the Pink Clinker. (That is the name of Nannie’s car.) She pulled out of the driveway. As soon as she turned the corner, Charlie called, “Okay, everyone. The coast is clear!”

  We started packing up Daddy’s car.

  “I can’t find the streamers,” called Elizabeth.

  “We hid them in the umbrella stand,” said Kristy. “The balloons are there, too.”

  “Does anyone know where Nannie’s birthday presents are?” asked Daddy.

  “They are in my room, under my bed,” I replied. “I will go get them.”

  When the car was loaded up, we headed to the bowling alley. We were there by a quarter to seven. A sign on the door said Closed for Private Party. That was our party! I felt gigundoly i
mportant.

  There was a lot to do before Nannie arrived at seven-thirty.

  We had to put up the decorations, set out the food and presents, and greet all the guests. Here are the people who were coming: Hannie and Nancy and their families; some friends of Nannie who were not on her bowling team; friends of Daddy and Elizabeth; Jillian and B. F. Willie.

  “Five minutes to countdown,” said Sam.

  “Let’s keep the noise down, so we don’t give away the surprise,” said Charlie.

  It was time. I sneaked away from the rest of the group. I walked to the front of the bowling alley and waited.

  When Nannie got there, I took her hand and walked inside with her, just as we had planned. I knew she felt better knowing what was coming and having me by her side.

  “Surprise!!!” everyone shouted at once.

  Nannie smiled. She threw up her hands and acted really surprised.

  “My goodness. A surprise party! How thoughtful of you to go to all this trouble,” said Nannie.

  She gave me the first hug. She whispered in my ear, “Thank you, Karen.”

  One by one the guests came to wish Nannie happy birthday. When it was Jillian’s turn, I could see tears in her eyes. Hmm. That was strange.

  “Happy birthday, Nannie,” said Jillian. “I am happy to meet you.”

  Oh, well. Jillian really is sweet. I guess she was very happy for Nannie. That must be why she had tears in her eyes.

  I was happy for Nannie, too. By the time we sang “Happy Birthday” to her, I could tell she was having a really good time.

  Whew! What a relief.

  The Ringmaster

  Here is the sad news: It was my last day of circus camp.

  Here is the happy news: Tomorrow was our circus show.

  It was going to be so much fun. Nancy was going to be on the trapeze. Hannie was riding Lulu bareback. Ricky was juggling. Natalie was going to be a clown. And I … I …

  Uh-oh. I still did not know what I was going to do. I was not prepared to do anything. I had done something different every day. So I did not know any of the routines very well.

  I had to find B. F. Willie. I had to talk to him.

  “Mr. Willie, I don’t know what to do in the circus tomorrow,” I said.