Free Lone Bean by Chudney Ross Page B

alone in your bedroom.
    â€œThis is my fault,” she said before she left. “I knew I shouldn’t have let you hang out with that girl.”
    â€œNo, it’s not. It’s my fault. I was just so lonely without Carla, you know.”
    â€œI know,” she said, then headed back downstairs.
    I plopped myself down on the floor and ate my grilled cheese. Dad had made it just right. I dipped the grilled cheese in the soup and gobbled it all up. When I was done, I got back to practicing the violin. I played and played and played . . . anything to stop thinking about Carla.
    It was getting late. It must have been almost bedtime, which meant that Mom was sure to be home any minute. I started getting nervous. What if Mom and Dad didn’t believe me? What if they yelled and screamed? What if they got so mad, they made me go live at Grand Mommy’s?
    I went to the bathroom and washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put on my favorite pajamas with the clouds on them. And waited. Just as I climbed into bed, Mom and Dad came into my room. Dad still looked mad and Mom looked worried. I don’t know which made me feel worse.
    â€œBean, we are very disappointed,” Dad started. “You have always been such a good girl.”
    â€œWhat’s going on, baby?” said Mom. She sat on the edge of my bed.
    â€œIt was all a big mistake. I missed Tanya and Carla, and I thought being friends with Tanisha was a good idea, but it wasn’t.”
    The tears started to fall from my eyes and down onto my sheets. I told Mom and Dad everything while Mom wrapped her arms around me and held me tight.
    â€œI’m so sorry,” I cried. “I messed up big-time.”
    â€œIt’s okay to make mistakes as long as we learn and grow from them,” Dad said.
    I didn’t think I had grown any bigger, but I had learned for sure.
    â€œI’ll be better. I promise.”
    â€œAnd tomorrow you have to tell Carla how sorry you are,” Mom said as she gave me a warm hug.
    â€œI will,” I agreed.
    â€œYou’re still grounded for the rest of the week,” Dad said. “No computer. No TV. No playing outside.”
    I didn’t want to be grounded, but before they left, Dad hugged me too, so I knew everything was gonna be all right.
    They turned out the lights and closed the door. This time, they left it open just a crack like I like it.
    I tossed and turned all night. I was scared to face Carla. The night seemed to last forever, but still the sun came up too soon. I covered my head with my blanket to block my eyes from the sun rays. I was hoping I could hide there for the rest of third grade.
    â€œBean, get up!” Gardenia yelled.
    â€œ Ughh . . . ,” I moaned, hoping she would leave me alone.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you?” She yanked the covers off my head.
    â€œI’m sick!” I said, thinking fast.
    â€œNo, you’re not. Now get out of bed, so you don’t make us all late.”
    â€œ Aggggh . . . uggggh . . .” I winced, using my best acting skills. I was the star of the second-grade holiday play last year, you know. Okay, maybe not the actual star, but I played the star at the top of the tree, which was a very important role.
    â€œI think Bean isn’t feeling well,” Gardenia called out to Dad.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” he asked as he placed his warm hand on my head.
    â€œMy head is killing me. My stomach feels icky. My eyes are blurry and my hangnails are hurting!”
    â€œWow!” Dad exclaimed, surprised at how sick I was. “We’d better get your mother to come check on you.”
    Mom’s a nurse, as you know, so she was gonna be much harder to fool than Dad.
    â€œYou’re not feeling well, baby?” Mom slid into bed next to me.
    I squinted my eyes and hugged my knees as I listed my symptoms again. This time, I threw in a cough and a couple moans and groans for effect.
    â€œLooks to me like