Free Mia's Recipe for Disaster by Coco Simon

Alexis had bought two tablecloths, one orange and one black, and I folded them and draped them so that you could see both colors on the table. Then Katie set up the two round black tiers that we used to hold our cupcakes (we have two sets, white and black, and they manage to work for all kinds of events). I took some of the cobwebby stuff that Alexis had bought and piled it all around the tiers.
    â€œSpooky!” Katie said, standing back to get a good look.
    â€œAnd now, the cupcakes,” Emma said, holding up the carrier. “I think we should put a mix on each tier.”
    â€œGood idea,” Alexis agreed.
    Mrs. Ricco came over to watch. “Oh my gosh, these look yummy!” she said. “I just have to taste one.”
    Alexis handed her a jack-o’-lantern cupcake. “This one is pumpkin, our new flavor.”
    Mrs. Ricco didn’t grab a napkin or anything. She ripped off the wrapper and bit right in.
    â€œThis is delicious,” she said after her first bite. Then she walked toward the stairs. “Angelo! Come and see the delicious cupcakes these wonderful girls made for you.”
    Ten seconds later a little boy in a Spider-Man costume (without the mask) came bounding down the stairs.
    â€œCupcakes! Yay!” he said. Then he looked at Emma. “Where’s Jake?”
    â€œHi, Angelo! He’ll be here soon, when your party starts,” Emma promised.
    Then the doorbell rang. Mrs. Ricco sighed. “That must be my sister, Laura. She’s always early. I’ll be back down with the goody bag stuff!”
    We set up the cupcakes neatly on the tiers and then got to work putting candy and Halloween stickers into the paper goody bags Mrs. Ricco had bought. When we were finished, I asked Emma if she could try on the dress before the party started.
    â€œOh, sure,” Emma said. “I almost forgot.”
    She got her bag and then pulled a length of gray satin ribbon from it. “I was thinking that I’d use it to tie my hair back,” she explained. “You know, to put more emphasis on the dress. I think it will match perfectly.”
    â€œThat’s a great idea,” I said, glad Emma had thought of it. “And did you bring the shoes?”
    When you’re fitting a dress on a model, it’s important she wears the shoes that go with it. The shoes you wear will affect the length of the dress,and I wanted to make sure everything was perfect.
    Emma pulled out a pair of silver high heels. “Luckily, Mom and I are the same size.”
    â€œThey’re perfect!” I cried. “Come on, let’s get you fitted.”
    We went into the laundry room, and Emma gasped happily when I unzipped the garment bag.
    â€œMia, it’s beautiful!” she cried.
    â€œGet changed and then call me, and I’ll zip you up,” I said, closing the door behind me.
    On the floor above, I could hear the doorbell ring again, and some kids were starting to come down the stairs, followed by their parents. I felt bad doing the fitting while the party was going on, but I promised myself it wouldn’t take long. Besides, I could see Alexis and Katie busily helping the kids with the cupcakes and snacks that Mrs. Ricco had put out.
    Then I heard the laundry door open behind me, and I turned as Emma stepped out. She looked absolutely beautiful! The long, gray dress fit perfectly on her and made her look tall and glamorous.
    The moms in the room came running up to us.
    â€œWhat a beautiful dress!” said one.
    â€œIsn’t it amazing, Laura?” asked Mrs. Ricco. “I love the cape.”
    Another mom stepped up to Emma. “I wish I had somewhere to wear this,” she said, looking at me. “I would hire you in a second to make me one just like it. In my size, of course.”
    You know that expression “beaming with pride”? Well, I must have been beaming like a lighthouse. The dress looked exactly how I’d hoped it