Free Ripple Effect by Sylvia Taekema Page A

that role on the crew list, but I assumed that was because, well…” She looked around. “Isn’t it obvious?”
    Mr. Bartholomew laughed—a big, booming laugh. “You know, Julia,” he said, “I was going to do that job myself, but if you would be willing to take it on, that would be excellent. Thank you for offering.” He paused. “Well, then, let me introduce Dorothy, everyone. Neta?”
    Neta looked like she’d swallowed the script.
    “Me?”
    “You.”
    “Dorothy?”
    “Of course.”
    Neta rose to her feet uncertainly.
    “Take notice, everyone. This girl can sing!” said Mr. B.
    The shoes! The blue-and-white shoes! “That was you?” Dana asked. “In the bathroom? Singing?”
    Neta blushed. “The acoustics are good in there.”
    Dana sighed with relief. Everyone else jumped to their feet and cheered.

Nineteen
    THE STUDENTS SCATTERED , looking at lists, talking about the play and their roles in it. Jason and Mickey were already telling the costume crew what they had in mind for the Tin Man and the Lion.
    “Everyone,” called out a grinning Mr. B. after a moment, waving his hands to get the class’s attention, “listen up, please. There’s one more cast member I want you to meet. Have a seat for a minute, and I’ll bring him right in.”
    Mr. B. disappeared backstage while the students sat down again.
    “Who do you think he means?” asked Neta.
    “Not a clue,” said Dana. “But I think we’re about to find out.”
    Mr. B. came back in carrying a box. “Class,” he announced, “I’d like you to meet Bitsy. My sister, who lives close to the school, has generously agreed to let her little dog play the part of Toto in our production.”
    A bad feeling descended on Dana. A little dog? Close to the school? No, she thought, it couldn’t be. But it was. Buddy! The little dog peeked over the side of the box, looked around at everyone and gave a sharp little bark. Then he jumped out and ran straight to Neta.
    “Look out!” Dana warned. But Bitsy didn’t bite or growl. Instead, he jumped up and began licking Neta’s face furiously.
    “Look at that,” said Mr. B., chuckling. “It seems you’re friends already.”
    “Oh, Dana, look,” said Neta. “Isn’t he sweet? Isn’t he just the cutest? Here, do you want to hold him?”
    “No! Uh, that is, we’ve met before, and I don’t think Bitsy likes me.” Bitsy jumped over into Dana’s lap and began licking her face.
    Neta looked at Dana, eyebrows raised. “Sure it wasn’t some sort of misunderstanding?”
    Mr. B. reached out for Bitsy and held the squirming pup in one arm. “Well,” he said, rubbing the little dog behind the ears, “as long as we don’t put any of our cast members on bicycles, I think things will work out fine. My sister did warn me that Bitsy has a thing about moving bikes.”
    Bikes ? Dana rolled her eyes and smiled.
    Everyone crowded around to see Bitsy.
    Julia appeared beside Dana. She already had a pen and paper in her hand. Tomorrow, thought Dana, she’d probably come wearing a beret and snapping one of those “Take 2” signs.
    “Well,” said Julia, “parts for everyone, and Toto too.”
    Dana laughed. “He seems to like Neta. I think she’ll make a great Dorothy.”
    Julia nodded. “Yes. She’s probably good with dogs too. She has two of them, and her mom is a veterinarian.”
    “I didn’t know that,” said Dana. She wondered what else she didn’t know about Neta. She thought maybe she’d like to get to know her better.
    “Cast meeting tomorrow,” said Julia. “Here’s a reminder.” She scribbled out the message and peeled the piece of paper off for Dana.
    Dana stared at the paper. She felt a strange, prickly sensation all over.
    “Is there a problem with meeting tomorrow?” asked Julia.
    “What? No.” She shook her head. “Julia, you have frog-shaped sticky notes?”
    “I wish. Aren’t they the greatest? They’re Janelle’s. You’re sure you can make it tomorrow?”
    Dana took the