by Daphne Maple
“Yeah, it’s pretty great,” I agreed. “It was so nice this morning, just to hang out together and not worry about getting into a fight.” Usually I slept in on Saturdays, but this morning I’d gotten up early to cook a big pancake breakfast for my family—they deserved it after the dinner I’d served last night! Anna had complimented my pancakes and I’d made sure not to interrupt when she, Tasha, and Jasmine were discussing the upcoming student council election at the high school. All in all it had been great.
“Here you are, girls,” Kim’s mom said, setting two baskets of steaming sweet potato fries, the Rox’s specialty, down on our table.
“Thanks,” we chorused.
“Let me know if you need anything else,” she said, blowing us a kiss as she went back to the kitchen. The Rox was bustling with Saturday lunch customers. Already we’d seen Emily and her sister, some friends from Sasha’s dance class, and Mrs. Washington, who all stopped by our booth to say hi. One of the things that made Roxbury Park so special was the fact that every time you were out, you ran into friends.
“Your mom’s so nice,” Sasha said as she picked up a fry and popped it into her mouth.
“And her cooking is the best,” I said. Kim’s parents both cooked, but it was her mom who came up with most of the recipes. A moment ago I’d been feeling stuffed with pancakes, but the fries smelled so good I suddenly felt my appetite coming back and I grabbed a fry too.
“Anna said something else,” I said, remembering that I’d wanted to tell them this part too. “About Brianna.”
“Did she have any ideas about how to get her to back off?” Sasha asked, scowling slightly at the mention of Brianna.
“She actually said what you guys did, about Brianna maybe being jealous of me,” I said, reaching for a handful of fries. They were good! “And she thought if I could figure out why Brianna’s jealous then I could probably figure out how to get her to leave me alone.”
Kim nodded thoughtfully. “That makes sense,” she said. “So why do you think she’s jealous?”
I held out my hands. “No clue,” I said. “That’s where I need your help.”
We thought about it as we munched our way through the fries. The cheerful sounds of laughter and happy conversation surrounded us, along with the smells of fries, coffee, and apple pie.
“Well, what do we know about Brianna?” Sasha asked, taking a sip of her water and then playing with her straw. “Aside from the fact that she’s being really mean right now.”
“We know her mom owns Pampered Puppy,” Kim said. “So she probably isn’t jealous of our Dog Club since she’s got her own.”
“And she has friends,” I added as I wiped my fingers off on a napkin.
Kim’s forehead creased. “Who?” she asked.
“I’ve seen her with a bunch of different people,” I said, thinking about it. “Like once I saw her hanging out with Kendra and Meredith. And another time she was with some of the girls in our math class.”
“So people like her, but she doesn’t have one group or one best friend,” Kim said thoughtfully. “I wonder if that’s part of the problem.”
“Because you have the two best friends a girl could hope for,” Sasha said with a grin.
“Totally,” I said. Something else was occurring to me. “Brianna always calls me New Girl, like there’s something bad about it,” I said slowly. “But wasn’t she new last year?”
“Yeah,” Kim said. “And now that I think about it, I saw her sitting alone a lot.”
Sasha was nodding. “I remember that too,” she said. “I once asked her to be partners for an English project because no one else chose her.”
It was all starting to come together. “So she had a hard time when she was new,” I said.
“And in some ways she probably still feels new,” Sasha added. “Since she doesn’t have a close group of friends.”
“But you came in and everything was great for you: friends, founding a club, fitting in with everybody here,” Sasha said.
“Right,” I said, starting to feel like we were finally getting to the bottom of things. “I mean, leaving my old friends behind and being the new kid was hard. But to Brianna it must have looked like everything was perfect from the start, which totally wasn’t what happened to her.”
“So that’s why she’s jealous,” Kim said triumphantly. “You’ve barely been here at all and your life is awesome, while she still struggles with being new.”
“And that probably makes her feel insecure,” Sasha said. “Like, why does everyone love you but not her?”
“Obviously it’s because I’m fabulous,” I joked. But then I got serious. “I think we’ve figured it out, you guys. I think that’s why Brianna’s been giving me such a hard time.”
Sasha took the last fry. “Yup,” she agreed.
“And now that I know what the problem is,” I said, “I can finally fix it!”
Sunday I slept late and had a lazy morning. But in the afternoon I finished up the last of my homework and then began going through the photos I’d taken that week at the shelter. We were trying to update the blog more, to keep it interesting, and I wanted to find some fun pictures to post.
Since the dogs were so cute, that was pretty easy. I found a great shot of Boxer and Lily playing dog basketball and I cropped it a little, so you could really see their faces. Boxer’s mouth was open in this sweet way that made it look like he was smiling.
The next picture I came to was one of Gus joyfully greeting Mr. Washington. He was jumping up and Mr. Washington was bending down, so their faces were close. They both looked so happy. The next shot was one of Popsicle, Coco, and Gus all racing after a Frisbee, ears flying and faces full of doggy joy.
As I stared at the picture, an idea began to bloom in my mind. I started searching through all my photos, seeking out the ones that showed the dogs at their happiest. If everyone in town could really see how joyful the dogs were during their time at the shelter, there would be no question about how awesome our Dog Club was. That was the message we needed to get out there, and fast.
The only question was, How?
17
“You’re right,” Sasha said as we walked to the shelter after school. We’d already picked up our dogs and had run into each other on Main Street. “If we could get the town to see all those photos, we’d have more clients than we could handle.”
Kim was nodding as she pulled gently on Coco’s leash to get her to stop while we waited for the light to change. “Those pictures really are worth a thousand words,” she agreed. “They say everything we want people to know about our Dog Club. And they say it without being nasty about Pampered Puppy.”
“Yeah, I like that part of it too,” I admitted. “My dad always calls it mudslinging when politicians start insulting each other, and we don’t want to do that. We just want people to know we take awesome care of dogs.”
Sasha giggled. “I like the idea of throwing a little mud at Pampered Puppy,” she said.
I laughed and poked her. “You know what I mean. We don’t want to start some kind of mean back-and-forth. Kim was right before: that’s not who we are. Dogs having a great time and getting excited to see their owners—that’s who we are.”
“Hear, hear,” Kim applauded happily.
We were passing the Ice Creamery and a couple of girls from our homeroom waved. It was warm and sunny—a good day for ice cream. Gus danced on the end of his leash as we came up to the shelter.
“You’re ready to play, aren’t you?” I asked him as we walked in.
Tim and Caley called greetings as Kim, Sasha, and I let the club dogs off their leashes and our afternoon at the shelter officially began.
Humphrey headed to his favorite corner for a nap while Popsicle ran to greet Lily and Boxer. Gus went over to a pile of toys on the floor, carefully selected a blue ball, and took it over to Tim. Mr. S ran over to say hi to Caley, who knelt down to hug him, while Coco, Daisy, and Gracie began playing fetch with Kim. I
t was bustling and happy, but I had to admit it felt a little empty. I missed Hattie—we all did—but it was more than that. The Dog Club really didn’t have enough clients, and if we didn’t get some new ones soon, it was going to be a problem.
I tossed a tennis ball for Popsicle, Boxer, and Lily, then walked over to Caley. I knew she and Tim cared about the club as much as we did, and maybe they’d have some ideas on how to get our pictures out there.
“I had this thought,” I began, “about how we can show people how great our Dog Club is.”
“Good,” Caley said as she took the soggy tennis ball from Popsicle and sent it back across the room. “Because we really have to do something.”
“Yeah,” Tim agreed, sounding somber, not like his usual cheerful self.
The thought that Alice wouldn’t have the money to take care of the shelter made my chest ache.
“I was thinking—” I began, but then the door opened and Alice walked in.
“Hi,” she said. She was wearing her Roxbury Park Dog Club shirt, my very favorite of all her awesome dog tees. Coco, Popsicle, and Gus ran to greet her and she gave them each a warm pat. “How’s everybody doing?”
“Taylor was just about to tell us a plan she came up with, to get more customers for the Dog Club,” Caley said, brushing back a strand of red hair.
Alice frowned slightly, a sure sign that she was worried about the club and money, which did nothing for the tightness in my chest. But I took a deep breath and told everyone about my idea for a photo montage of dogs playing happily at our Dog Club.
“I love it,” Caley declared, clapping her hands together.
“Agreed,” Tim said. “It’s the perfect way to demonstrate how great the club is.”
“Way better than corny ads that have a nasty edge,” Caley added. Clearly she’d seen the latest postings from Pampered Puppy.
“The only problem is, where do we put up the pictures?” I asked. Boxer set his Frisbee at my feet and looked up expectantly. I threw it across the room, smiling as he, Lily, and Popsicle raced after it.
“Maybe more flyers?” Caley asked.
“There isn’t room for a real montage on a flyer,” I said. “Flyers are too small. We want something where people can see a bunch of photos and really get a feel for the club.”
“Like a billboard?” Caley asked, frowning. “I don’t think we can afford that.”
“Too bad we can’t do a TV ad,” Kim said. She was now petting Humphrey, who sighed in contentment. “Everyone would see that.”
“Or one of those ads they show at the movie theater, before the previews,” Sasha said.
“Is there anywhere else a lot of people go, where we could afford to place an ad?” Caley asked.
But no one could think of anything.
“I guess flyers are the only thing we can do,” Kim said with a sigh. “Maybe we can print them on bigger paper so we can fit more photos on. And maybe more people will read them this time.”
And that was when I came up with the perfect solution. “Everybody reads Your Roxbury Park,” I said enthusiastically. “I wonder if there’s any way we could get the paper to print some of our photos.”
Tim frowned. “It’s a great idea but it seems like kind of a long shot.”
Caley was shaking her head. “I bet they get hundreds of ideas every week since they’re so popular.”
I felt my spirits sink. But then Alice cleared her throat. “Actually, thanks to the Dog Club, you guys have a bit of an in at The Roxbury Park Gazette.”
We all looked at her, confused.
“Mrs. Washington,” Alice said with a smile. “Gus’s owner. She’s the features editor for the paper. And unless I’m very much mistaken, she adores the Dog Club and would be happy to help out.”
A current of excitement zipped across the room.
“I so didn’t know that,” Caley said.
“It’s perfect!” Sasha bubbled. Mr. S heard her happiness and pranced over for a hug.
“Do you really think she’ll do it?” I asked Alice.
She spread out her hands and smiled. “Only one way to find out,” she said, then headed into her office, Oscar at her heels.
“Taylor, you should be the one to ask her,” Sasha said immediately.
“Yes,” Kim agreed. “They’re your pictures and it was your great idea.”
Usually I was comfortable talking to anyone, but this kind of intimidated me. What if I messed it up and ruined our big chance to save our club? “Maybe Caley or Tim should do it,” I said.
Caley shook her head. “This is all you, Taylor,” she said. “And you’re going to totally rock it.”
“She said it,” Tim added. “You’ll be great.”
I wasn’t so sure, but everyone was clearly decided.
We took the dogs into the backyard for an afternoon of fetch, dog tag, and sun. As always I had a blast with the dogs and my friends, but a corner of my mind was thinking about Mrs. Washington, planning what I would say, what pictures I would show her, and hoping I didn’t make a mess of things.
By the time Mrs. Washington arrived, I was ready. I let her greet Gus and then headed over.
“I was hoping I could show you something,” I said, holding up my camera. “A picture.”
“Sure,” she said cheerfully, leaning over to see the image I’d selected. It was from a few weeks ago when she’d been a little late getting Gus. Maybe he’d known because he’d been especially exuberant when she arrived, bounding up to meet her. I’d captured the moment when his feet were off the ground, his face filled with joy as his nose touched her cheek. Mrs. Washington was bending down, beaming, and the whole image had a golden hue from the setting sun shining through the windows.
“Oh, Taylor,” Mrs. Washington said as she gazed at the photo. “It’s breathtaking. You really are a talented photographer.”
I hadn’t expected that and for a moment I was too overwhelmed to speak. An actual newspaper editor had called me talented! But then I focused.
“I’m so glad you like it,” I said. “Because I was hoping”—I paused to wave my arm toward the others—“we were all hoping that you might consider putting a few of our pictures in Your Roxbury Park.”
“Oh,” she said.
I couldn’t read any meaning into that one word so I continued, talking too fast because I was so nervous.
“See, the thing is, there’s another doggy day care in town, and we aren’t getting any new clients. We were hoping that if we made a montage of photos and it was in Your Roxbury Park, people would see and want to sign up for our Dog Club.” She didn’t say anything, so I went on, babbling now. “The pictures would all be like this—dogs playing and stuff—so people can see how much fun the dogs have at the club.”
I stopped because I was out of breath, but still Mrs. Washington stayed silent, absently rubbing Gus’s ears.
I glanced back at Sasha and Kim, who both looked confused. Tears pricked my eyes. I’d blown it. I’d said too much or the wrong thing or—
“It’s a great idea,” Mrs. Washington said, her face breaking into a smile. “I love it.”
I was so relieved and happy that I couldn’t contain my squeal of joy. Kim, Sasha, Tim, and Caley were cheering, and with all that excitement the dogs went nuts, racing around happily, like it was all a big party. Which it kind of was.
“If you get me the photos by Wednesday, they can be in next Sunday’s Your Roxbury Park,” Mrs. Washington said over the din. “I think my boss will be fine with bumping the fall harvest pictures we’d planned to run until the following week.”
I thanked her about fifty times and then let her walk out with Gus.
“You did it,” Kim said, throwing her arms around me.
“When people see those pictures, they’ll be lining up for our club,” Sasha said, wrapping her arms around both of us.
I couldn’t stop smiling. “I hope so,” I said. “I really hope so.”
18
A few days
later Kim and I waited at the corner for Sasha.
“She’s pushing it,” Kim said in a worried voice. “We’re going to have to go in a minute.”
But just then we saw Sasha racing up the block, backpack thumping on her shoulders as she ran.
“Sorry,” she said when she reached us. She was sniffling a little and her eyes were red.
“Sash, what’s wrong?” I asked.
“Just my mom,” Sasha said, her chin trembling as we started toward school. “She’s really mad at me.”
Kim and I were on either side of Sasha, leaning in protectively, and we exchanged a glance.
“About the math stuff?” Kim asked gently.
“Yeah,” Sasha said. “And she caught me up late last night trying to finish my reading for English.”
“Wasn’t she glad you were getting it done?” I asked. It seemed like staying up late now and then shouldn’t be a big deal if Sasha had work to get done.
“No,” Sasha said, chin wobbling. “I mean, she wants me to get it done but she said I need to get it done earlier. But I just can’t fit it all in!”
As Sasha rubbed her eyes and Kim gave her a hug, I decided it was time for action. After all, we’d come up with plans to take on Pampered Puppy and Brianna—now we needed to tackle Sasha’s schedule. “We are going to fix this,” I announced as we stopped for a red light.
“We are?” Sasha asked.
“Yes.” I nodded firmly. “There has to be something you can change in your schedule to give you a little more time, and we are going to hunt it down.”
Sasha laughed, which made me feel good. At the very least, my plan was cheering her up!
Kim was nodding thoughtfully. “Taylor’s right,” she said. “We just need to rework your schedule.”
“How?” Sasha asked.
“We go through everything you do every day, starting from when you wake up all the way until you go to bed,” I said.
“Okay,” Sasha said agreeably. “I wake up at six thirty, I walk Mr. S, I shower, I eat, and then I meet you guys. Except I’m always late.”
“Maybe you can shower at night?” Kim asked.
