Free Fabulous Five 013 - The Christmas Countdown by Betsy Haynes Page A

new friend and that Jo-Jo was getting a home, but her
heart was breaking over Rainbow.
    Why had that other family had to watch TV tonight? And why
couldn't they have picked some other dog besides Rainbow? Even though her
parents had been sympathetic, and her mother had even said she could look for
another dog after Christmas, Melanie knew that Rainbow was the only dog in the
world for her.
    After they got home from the shelter, Melanie and Jeffy
found a large cardboard box and cut the sides down on it. Then they dug through
the off-season closet in the garage and found an old set of curtains that their
mother said they could use for bedding.
    They put Jo-Jo into the box and gave him some of the food
that Mrs. Graham had given them to carry them over. The family agreed that it
was too late to take him over to Mrs. Miller that night and that they would
give him to her the next evening.
    After Jo-Jo was settled, Melanie slipped on her jacket again
and tiptoed out to the workshop. She stepped inside and flipped on the light
switch, looking down at the piles of blankets and rags her friends had helped
her assemble for the homeless dogs. How could she possibly take care of the
other animals when Rainbow would be with someone else? Why did I start this
whole thing in the first place? she asked herself. I wouldn't have, she thought
angrily, if I had known how much it was going to hurt.
     
    Melanie dreaded going to school on Thursday morning, but when
she got there she noticed a large crowd gathered by the fence where The
Fabulous Five stood every morning. Besides her friends, there were the boys and
Mona Vaughn. Not only that, they were all talking at the same time.
    "There she is!" shouted Jana when she saw Melanie
coming toward them.
    "It's fantastic," cried Christie. "Everyone
saw us on TV last night, and lots of kids have come up and contributed already
this morning."
    Melanie tried to smile, but she couldn't.
    "What's wrong?" asked Jana, stepping forward and
taking Melanie's hand.
    Quietly Melanie told them about Rainbow. Nobody said a word
for a moment, and even though Melanie knew that her friends were all
sympathizing with her, the ache in her heart would not go away. Finally she
looked up and said, "There is some good news, though. Mrs. Miller is going
to get Jo-Jo, the little white dog in one of Garrett's pictures. We're taking
him to her tonight."
     
    "MELANIE!" Jeffy came running down the hall, his
feet pounding like a herd of football players. "Melanie! Dad's home!"
he shouted as he hurtled into her room. "It's time to take Jo-Jo to Mrs.
Miller."
    "I heard you the first time you yelled! I'm coming."
    When Melanie got to the kitchen, Jeffy was jumping up and
down trying to hurry his father. Mrs. Edwards was smiling and taking off her
apron.
    "Give me a chance to get my coat off at least,"
said Mr. Edwards.
    "I'll take your coat to your room," Jeffy
volunteered.
    Melanie hadn't seen him so excited since last Christmas when
he got his first video game. She knew her father's coat would end up wadded on
the bed, if not on the floor. Jeffy was too wound up to even think about
hanging it up.
    When everyone was reassembled in the kitchen, Mrs. Edwards
said, "I found a box that I think Jo-Jo will fit in nicely, and we can
surprise Clare by letting her open it. Melanie, you and Jeffy get him, and I'll
get the box."
    "I can get him by myself," said Jeffy, scampering
toward the garage door.
    "Jeffy!" His father's commanding voice brought him
to a screeching halt. "Take it easy, Son. I know you're excited, but let
Melanie help. This is a family project, you know."
    Melanie sighed. She didn't really feel like helping. It was
going to take all her energy to act happy when they gave Jo-Jo to Mrs. Miller.
    The little white dog fit perfectly in the box. The last
thing Melanie saw was its little black eyes looking questioningly up as the lid
was closed over it. Mrs. Edwards put a stick-on Christmas bow on top.
    Melanie and Jeffy each