Free Close to Famous by Joan Bauer

almost got knocked over by Angry Wayne storming in.
    â€œHello, sir.”
    He didn’t say anything.
    â€œI brought the muffins and the—”
    He hit the buzzer on the wall and stood behind the grill.
    â€œIt’s my best batch ever,” I whispered, and went outside where Barry and Larry were trying to get their tarantula to climb a rock.
    â€œWe’re saving up for a black widow spider,” the short boy said. “Then we’ll rule.”
    â€œAre you Barry or Larry?”
    â€œLarry.”
    The taller one stepped forward. “And that would make me . . . ?”
    â€œDifficult,” I said.
    Larry broke up at that.
    I headed to Marigold Hill, Miss Charleena, and who knew what else.

Fifteen
    I PUT ON my TV smile and knocked at the back door.
    Miss Charleena opened it, not smiling. She was wearing a bright red shirt, white jeans, and a necklace with a silver circle.
    I gulped. “Hi, Miss Charleena.”
    She didn’t say hello. She gave me a long list—two pages stapled together on pretty blue paper.
    Not a list! Just tell me!
    â€œI’m feeling weak,” she said. “I’m going to lie down. I do not like being disturbed.” She walked away, her heels click clicking.
    I looked at the list and my mind closed up. I could make out a few of the words like dogs , food, and don’t .
    Don’t what?
    Feed the dogs?
    Feed the dogs food?
    I pictured Macon getting fired and never getting his movie camera, all because I couldn’t read.
    I’m so dead.
    The phone rang and rang. Am I supposed to answer it? It stopped ringing, then it started again. Maybe Miss Charleena was too sick to answer it. I reached for the phone. “Miss Charleena’s house. This is Foster speaking.”
    â€œ This is Charleena Hendley. Why do I not hear the sounds of you getting down to work?”
    I gulped.
    â€œSurely, I’ve given you enough to do.”
    â€œYes ma’am, the thing is . . .”
    â€œ What is the thing?”
    How do I tell her? “I’m having a little trouble reading your handwriting. It’s real pretty and all.”
    â€œOh, for heaven’s sake!” She slammed the phone down.
    Now what do I do? I didn’t hear anything for the longest time, then Miss Charleena’s click clicking sounds were coming toward the kitchen. I stood at attention as she entered. She looked at me, not impressed. “ Here is a computer printout of your tasks.” She handed me a sheet of paper that was plain as anything, if you’re a reader.
    I took a big breath. “I want to do everything like you want it, Miss Charleena, and I appreciate you trusting me in your house. Could we just go over this list and then you can get back to resting?”
    She looked at me for a minute. I didn’t dare breathe. Then she sat at the table and began to read from the list, but not in a normal person’s voice, like the great actress she was.
    â€œFeed the dogs, Foster. The food is in the cabinet above the refrigerator. They like some chicken breast chopped fine mixed in with their food and a little bacon or shaved parmesan on top. That’s in the refrigerator.”
    My amazing memory clicked this into place.
    â€œAre we clear so far?”
    I nodded. She looked at me like she was trying to figure something out. “Why don’t you read the second item?” She pushed the list toward me.
    I pushed it back. “I’d like you to do it.”
    She held it out to me. “Go ahead.”
    I looked at the mess of words and shook my head. “I wish you’d read it, Miss Charleena. I didn’t bring my glasses.”
    She looked at me again. Then she read, “Water the plants outside, but only at the roots. If you water the petals they will get brown and I will not be happy.”
    â€œI want you to be happy.”
    â€œGood.” She handed me the list.
    â€œIs that it?” I asked.
    She put her