I So Don't Do Spooky (23 page)

“Hi, Mom!” Sam says. “Did you get off work early?”

And he has this look on his face that kids get when there's a surprise. Like if the ice cream truck unexpectedly drives up your street in the winter and your mom lets you buy a treat. Giddy and happy and excited. A look I haven't seen much on Sam's face since our mom died. A look I helped give him today.

“Sherry's here too,” Sam says. “She actually bought this Blizzard for me.”

I can't hear my mom's response.

Sam nods. “Yeah, she is a great sister.”

Mrs. Howard prods me in the small of my back. “Let's give them some privacy.”

I plod through Dairy Queen and out the door, then flop cross-legged on the sidewalk. I twirl strands of hair around my finger while my ice cream melts. Tears stream down my face.

S
aguaro Middle School is a hotbed of gossip, and I'm usually in the know.

I return to school the next day, Friday, and learn a couple of newsworthy items.

First off, Candy's now tutoring Kyle in English. And they're an item. This is not a case of opposites attract. This is a case of similar mean people attracting. The entire student body is happy because Kyle and Candy will keep each other busy and out of everyone else's business.

Second, Earring Girl, one of the cool eighth graders, stops me while I'm crossing the courtyard. “Sherry, right?”

“Yeah.” I'm eyeing her absolutely adorable scoop-neck
T-shirt. It's dotted with a gazillion rosebuds. “Love your shirt.”

Earring Girl grins big, practically from hoop to hoop. “Thanks. It's from the Rack. I'm doing all my clothes shopping there from now on.”

I keep a smile glued on my face, but, uh, yikes. If all those eighth-grade girls do all their shopping at my store, the clothes will be über-picked-over.

“So I found out The Ruler is your stepmother.” Earring Girl pulls down on her shirt and smoothes out the wrinkles. “And I owe you for the clothing tip. Here's the deal. Kyle's planning to big-time TP your house tonight.”

“Thank you.” I skip away, my brain churning out a really fun idea. A fun idea called “Kyle Is Foiled by a Mother Ghost and a Ghost Wren While TPing My House.”

I skip all the way over to the giant stone saguaro statue, where I'm meeting Josh. He's already there, his back against the cactus. He swoops me up in a big, strong hug. I just hang for a second, enjoying the scent of chlorine + laundry soap and the warmth of his T-shirt. Finally, we break apart.

“Sherry, what's the deal with you and Junie going ghost hunting alone in the middle of the night?”

“It was a mixture of too much candy, too little sleep and a couple of crazy girls.”

“I thought you were done with ghost stuff,” Josh says.

“Yeah, well, we are now. Especially because we're both grounded.”

“Bummer. For how long?”

“I think I can talk my dad and The Ruler into a week.”

“That's it?” Josh takes a Sharpie from his back shorts pocket. “A week?”

“Because I'm gonna ace today's science test. Seriously, there's nothing about genomes and mitochondria and cell nuclei that I don't know.”

“Impressive.” He waves the Sharpie in the air. “I'm ready to sign your cast.”

I stick out my arm.

He reads Sam's message aloud. “‘Einstein rules. Ghosts rule. Karate rules.'”

Then he tilts his head to read what The Ruler wrote. “‘Sherry, you make the world a better place.'”

Josh's flipping off the cap, when someone taps my shoulder. I turn.

“Can I sign?” Nick asks.

Josh hands Nick the marker, and I offer him my arm. I don't even hesitate. Because if my best friend, Junie Carter, thinks Nick is okay, well then, I'm gonna think Nick is okay. Junie is finally jumping on the social train, and I'm chugging right along with her. Besides, Nick and Junie are my ticket to the romantic world of double dating. After my science test. When I'm not grounded anymore.

Nick signs in cursive.

To Sherry, my new friend. Here's some free advice. Next time, take the bus
.

I smile. Weakly. While I'm willing to chill with Nick, I can see it's not going to be easy schmeasy.

Junie jogs up. “My turn, my turn.” She snatches the marker and leans against Nick, thinking. Then she writes,
Sherry, I will always be your partner in crime. Junie xo
.

She looks me straight in the eyes. “You okay?”

She's referring to the text I sent her earlier. The text where I explained how I gave my Real Time to Dylan. And how I gave my bonus Real Time to Sam.

“I'm totally okay.” And I mean it. “So, guys, any ideas for our first double date? When Junie and I are off restriction, that is.”

“What should we do?” Junie's so excited, her freckles are popping out.

“Let's TP Kyle's house. With loads of toilet paper, plastic forks in the lawn, Saran Wrap around the cars. The whole nine yards,” I say.

“I'm in,” Josh says. “I bet my mom'll drive.”

“I've never done anything like this before,” Nick says. “Double-dated or TPed.” He grabs Junie's hand. “It'll be fun.”

“My parents shop at Costco,” Junie says. “I'll bring the toilet paper.”

The bell rings. Junie and Nick scurry off to class.

Sharpie in his hand, Josh looks at me. “I didn't get to sign.”

I hold up my cast.

He writes:

Sherry Holmes Baldwin, you're the best!