Free Claudia and Mean Janine by Ann M. Martin

the rest of her body.”
    â€œThe hospital is going to provide her with some therapy every day,” said Mom. “But Dr. Marcus said that the more stimulation she gets, the faster she’ll improve. Your father and I realized that if we each took a couple of hours off from work every afternoon, one or the other of us would be here from about two o’clock, when she’ll return from therapy, until six.”
    â€œWell …” Janine said slowly.
    But I interrupted her. “I’ll spend the mornings with her! I can switch to Saturday art classes.” It was the least I could do, considering I’d nearly killed her.
    â€œOh, that would be
wonderful,”
said Mom enthusiastically. “Just what she needs.”
    Janine looked a little disappointed. “Oh,” shesaid, “I suppose it
would
be an exercise in futility to attempt to rearrange my course schedule. But what about your club’s play group, Claudia?”
    I paused. Good question. Then I put my nose in the air. “What’s a silly old play group compared to Mimi?” I said loftily. But for some reason, I didn’t feel nearly as good about my decision as I sounded.

Wednesday
Today’s play group was over hours ago and I’m still laughing about what went on. Now this is an example of something great that probably could never have happened in New York City. It started when David Michael brought Louie to the play group. Just to set things off on the wrong foot, it turns out that Jenny is afraid (and I mean terrified) of dogs. Remember that for the future, you guys. Then David Michael decided we needed to give Louie a bath. That’s when the trouble really began. When the morning was over, Louie was the only one who wasboth clean and dry. Thank goodness Jenny was wearing her smock.
    Claudia—we miss you!
    It was nice of Stacey to say that. I missed the play group, too. But Mimi was more important. Luckily, the other club members agreed with me. They’d been disappointed when I’d said I’d have to drop out of the play group. But they’d understood. They all wanted Mimi to get well as much as I did.
    Anyway, Stacey called to tell me about the Louie-washing. When she got to certain points in the story, she would start laughing again, and laugh so hard she could barely speak.
    The reason Louie went to the McGills’ was that Mrs. Thomas made him go. The Thomases were moving the next day, and Louie was in the way. Anyway, Mrs. Thomas sent David Michael to the play group with Louie in tow. And she sent over five dollars for each of them. The money was accompanied by a note that said:
    Dear Kristy,

Please, please, PLEASE watch Louie this morning and don’t send him home before 12:30. He nosed through the garbage right after you left, and strewed spaghetti all over the kitchen floor. Thank you.
    Love, Your Old Mom
    When David Michael came over, it was about nine-thirty, and Jenny, Mallory, Claire, Margo and Nicky, Suzi and Buddy, Charlotte, Nina and Eleanor, and Jamie had already arrived. Louie was kind of wound up, so he galumphed into Stacey’s backyard, barking happily.
    â€œOhhhhhaughhhhh!” shrieked Jenny, as Louie bounded over to the art table and stuck his wet nose in her face.
    â€œUh-oh,” said Stacey. “David Michael, move him away from the art stuff, okay?”
    â€œOkay,” said David Michael. “Here,” he added, handing Kristy the money and note from their mother. Then he tugged on Louie’s collar and hauled him to another part of the yard.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Stacey asked Jenny, picking her up.
    Jenny was wearing her smock. She had barely taken it off, even at home, since the time Andrew the monster had told her to wear it every day. Apparently, her mother was somewhat upset about that, because with the smock on, she couldhardly show off Jenny’s gorgeous wardrobe.
    â€œI don’t like him,” Jenny