Free Monkey Business by Leslie Margolis

“Except I’ve been using it to make cupcake tops instead. So what if we did that with the frosting on top? I mean, how awesome would that be?”
    â€œOr what about cake pops?” asked Claire. “They hardly take up any space because they’re the size of lollipops. I think you can even buy a cake-pop holder. This keeps getting better and better.”
    â€œOr at least sweeter and sweeter,” I said. “The other day I went out to this bakery with my mom and Ted. My mom has a huge sweet tooth now, thanks to the pregnancy, which I’m totally benefiting from. Anyway, they sold frosting shots.”
    â€œWhat’s that, like a bullet made out of frosting?”asked Claire. “Do you shoot it out of a gun made of cake?”
    â€œNo, no, no,” I said. “It’s in a little shot glass. Like how grownups can order a shot of espresso, or cowboys order shots of whiskey in those tiny little glasses? This is the frosting version.”
    â€œYou mean you can get all the frosting without having to bother with the cake part? That sounds amazing,” said Claire, her eyes getting way wide. “We’ve got to sell frosting shots. That’s way better than mini-muffins. Awesome idea, Annabelle!”
    Emma looked at Yumi, who rolled her eyes.
    â€œWhat?” Claire asked Emma.
    â€œNothing,” said Emma.
    â€œNo, I saw you roll your eyes just now, and you and Yumi gave each other that look.”
    â€œWhat look?” asked Yumi.
    â€œYou know!” said Claire.
    Yumi shook her head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
    Emma turned to me. “Frosting shots sound good, but on Monday we all agreed to lemonade, and I think we should stick to it.”
    â€œI’m not saying we shouldn’t sell lemonade,” said Claire. “I’m just saying we should also sell frosting shots. I mean, think about it—lemonade stands are as old as time. But lemonade-and-frosting-shot stands? We might very well be the first ever!”
    â€œWhat if we combine the two and sell lemonade-flavored frosting shots?” asked Rachel.
    â€œAnd lemonade, too?” asked Claire. “Or just the frosting shots?”
    â€œGood question,” said Rachel. “What do you think, Emma?”
    Emma gave the rest of us a pained expression. “I think we should stick to the original plan.”
    â€œMini-muffins?” asked Claire.
    â€œNo, lemonade!” Emma shouted.
    â€œYou don’t have to yell,” said Claire. “I’m sitting right across the table.”
    â€œI know, but I’m frustrated because you can’t just change your mind!”
    â€œOf course I can,” said Claire. “People change their minds all the time. It’s not good to be so rigid.”
    â€œGah!” Emma buried her head in her hands.
    â€œNow you’ve got this sour-lemon expression on your face,” said Claire.
    â€œI do not,” said Emma, glaring at Claire.
    I didn’t want to get in the middle of things, but Claire was right. Emma totally looked like she was sucking on lemon slices. And I kind of understood why. She’d worked hard on the business plan and had a good reason to want to stick to the lemonade. On the other hand, it was hard to beat Claire’s enthusiasm. And mini-muffins did sound delicious.
    â€œLet’s just try selling the muffins,” said Claire. “I really don’t think it has to be a big deal. A lemonade–bakesale will only bring in more money for our concert tickets, which is what this is all about. Right?”
    â€œWell, what about the sign?” asked Emma. “You already made it, and there’s no room to add anything about muffins.”
    â€œMaybe we don’t have to advertise it,” said Claire. “Maybe the muffins will come as a nice surprise.”
    â€œIf we sell muffins, I think we need to advertise the muffins,” said Emma.