Free Star Rider by Bonnie Bryant Page A

she said without blinking.
    “Yes’m,” Skye said, nodding meekly.
    When the four of them were pretty sure the waitress was out of earshot, they exploded into laughter.
    “Best performance in a supporting role!” Stevie announced when the laughter had died down.
    “Aw, pshaw!” Skye said.
    “Not you. Her!” Stevie told him. That made them all giggle some more.
    When the pizza came, it was delicious, although nobody could tell, or remember, which slices were supposed to have which ingredients on them. The extra cheese covered everything and nobody cared.
    They wanted to talk about the party as they ate, but they got sidetracked by talking about Colonel Hanson. The girls tried to describe him for Skye.
    “He loves old movies,” Carole said. “We sometimes stay up really later, munching popcorn, and watching the golden oldies. He likes anything about the Marine Corps, particularly if it stars John Wayne.”
    “
Sands of Iwo Jima!
” Skye blurted out.
    “Number-one favorite,” Carole confirmed.
    “Me, too,” said Skye.
    “He also likes anything that has to do with the fifties and sixties,” Lisa told Skye. “He can sing all the verses of everything Elvis Presley ever recorded. And the Everly Brothers, and even Bill Haley and the Comets.”
    “ ‘Rock Around the Clock’!” Skye said. “I love it!”
    “You’re going to love him,” Carole said. “I’m sure of it.”
    “Especially if you like the old jokes he tells,” Stevie said. “He can go for hours with shaggy-dog stories, and elephant and grape jokes.”
    “What’s big and purple and lives in the sea?” Skye asked Stevie.
    “Moby Grape,” she answered immediately. “Yes, indeed, you have passed the test. You’re going to love Colonel Hanson.”
    “If we manage to put together a birthday party for him,” Carole said ominously. “Now, where’s your list, Lisa?”
    Lisa stuck her hand into her pocket and produced her list. It was neatly written and organized.
    “Okay,” she began. “The first part of the list is the menu, and then there are the things we need to buy for that. That section is followed by everything we need to make this a real birthday party.”
    Stevie looked over her shoulder. “Crepe paper? Snappers? Hats? What is this—his fortieth or his fourth?”
    “Who cares? It’s a birthday party, isn’t it?” Lisa said.
    “What a great idea! What are you going to put in the goody bags?” Skye asked.
    “My personal favorite is candy corn,” Lisa said. “But I could be talked into bubble gum or licorice.”
    “We’ve got some serious shopping to do,” Skye said. “Where to first?”
    “This way,” Stevie said, pointing to the checkout counter at the restaurant.
    They each chipped in and paid their bill. Then they began their work in earnest.
    They found a paper specialty store that had great party hats and balloons. They bought one of each for each guest. Then Skye suggested they get some noisemakers.
    “Where will we go for that?” Lisa asked.
    “I think I remember some in the party section of the variety store,” Carole said, recalling her trip to the mall earlier in the week with Stevie. “It’s over this way.” She took them to the left.
    There was nothing along that aisle but shoe stores.
    “I think we’re turned around,” Stevie said. “We’re headed right for Jeans’ Korner. It’s a great shop for girls’ jeans, but not much for noisemakers.”
    They started to turn around when a couple of girls from the class ahead of Lisa’s emerged from Jeans’ Korner.
    “Oh, it’s Lisa!” the first one nearly shrieked. Her name was Patty, and she was prone to hysterical shrieks. Shebegan running toward Lisa. “Is it true?” Patty asked breathlessly. “Are you really working with
Skye Ransom
!” She grabbed Lisa’s arm dramatically.
    Lisa flushed with embarrassment. She had no idea what to say.
    Patty seemed to sense this was slightly embarrassing for Lisa. She looked at her friend’s