Free Kristy's Big Day by Ann M. Martin Page A

“Now come over to the arts and crafts table and forget about the Martians.”
    Dawn settled her charges with Fran and the other kids. They began to work busily. She was helping Berk put a nose on his puppet when she heard a crashing noise behind her. She looked around and saw a branch falling from a tree nearby.
    â€œMartians!” Karen screamed. “Aughh!” shrieked David Michael and Berk. “I want my mommy!” cried Tina. “Martians?” asked several children. “Coming to get us!” Karen told them. “They’re going to attack! They’re here already! We have to hide!”
    Every single child at the art table scrambled out of his or her seat and rushed for cover. Fran turned to Dawn, looking slightly cross. “I’m sorry,” Dawn said quickly. “I don’t knowwhat got into her. I’ll take her home as soon as I help you find the kids.”
    â€œThat’s all right,” said Fran. “Another counselor will be here in about ten minutes. He can help me. Please take her home now, okay?”
    â€œOkay.” Dawn paused, then added, “I really am sorry.”
    Fran nodded.
    â€œKaren Brewer!” Dawn called. “Berk! David Michael. I want you three to come out right this minute. Do you hear me?”
    Nothing.
    â€œThere are
no Martians,”
Dawn added. “Just me. And I’m getting mad.”
    The blue group crawled sheepishly out of a storage shed.
    â€œCome on,” said Dawn. “We have to leave.” She wondered if she should tell Karen to apologize to Fran, but Fran looked busy and annoyed. Dawn hustled the three kids away.
    As they walked home, she gave them a talk about telling stories and scaring children, and Karen became grave and concerned. She promised not to mention the Martians again. David Michael and Berk promised, too.
    The bluebirds were the first group to return to my house that day, even beating Mary Anne andthe babies. They were on their best behavior all afternoon, and Tuesday passed quickly.
    Late that night, after my lights were out and I was in bed, something occurred to me. Wedding presents were starting to arrive at our house. The wedding was then just about three days away. I would have to get a present for Mom and Watson, but what? What do you get for your mother and a millionaire? They already had everything they needed and could buy anything they wanted.
    I lay awake thinking. My present had to be just right.

Wedding Countdown:
Wednesday—three days to go
    Â 
    Wednesday, June 24th
This is a confession, you guys. I know you think I’m so sophisticated, since I’m from New York and my hair is styled and everything, but no kidding, my favorite movie is Mary Poppins. I’ve seen it 65 times. (That’s because we bought the movie so that I could watch it whenever I want, and I watch it at least once a week.) I know it by heart. Anyway, when I saw that it was going to be at the Embassy Theaterfor a “special engagement,” I decided I had to have another chance to see it on a big screen. That’s one reason I was so determined to take the red group to it. Besides, since it’s my favorite movie, I was sure Luke, Emma, and Ashley would love it, too. Believe me, if I’d had a crystal ball to see into the future, I would never have taken them.
    Stacey didn’t mention it in her notebook entry, but one o’clock on Wednesday marked the halfway point of the Baby-sitters Club’s adventure taking care of fourteen children. Two and a half days were behind us. Two and a half days were ahead of us.
    Of course, we’d had our share of problems.
    There was Dawn’s experience at the playground, for instance. “I keep thinking of all those scared children,” she said. “Especially the ones who ran home. I hope they found mommies or daddies or big brothers or sisters who told them not to worry. And Karen can’t ever show up atthat