Marion Takes a Break Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1: Too Much to Do

  Chapter 2: Marion Makes a Mess

  Chapter 3: One Wrong Step

  Chapter 4: Friends to the Rescue!

  Chapter 5: Back to School?

  Chapter 6: Broken Dreams

  Chapter 7: The Plan

  Chapter 8: The Sixth Kitten

  Chapter 9: Kittens and Cookies

  Chapter 10: Surprise!

  ‘Amy Meets Her Stepsister’ Excerpt

  About Callie Barkley

  Too Much to Do

  In the school cafeteria Marion saw Amy, Ellie, and Liz sitting near the window. Marion hurried over. She hoped she would have time to eat her lunch. The recess bell was going to ring in just ten minutes!

  “What took you so long?” Amy asked. She scooted down the bench to make space for Marion.

  “I couldn’t find my lunch!” Marion said, sitting down. “I thought it was in my cubby, but it was actually in my backpack under my ballet shoes and leotard.”

  I’ve got to get organized! Marion thought as she started to eat. Better add that to my to-do list!

  Marion was good at making lists. It helped to keep her busy life in order. Now that it was fall, Marion was busier than ever! She worked very hard in school and always got perfect grades. She also had piano lessons and ballet class every week.

  Then there was her horse, Coco. Marion went to the stables at least three times a week. Having a horse was a lot of work, but Marion loved every bit of it.

  “So what were you talking about?” Marion asked. She took a big bite of her sandwich.

  “The kittens!” Ellie exclaimed. There was a new litter of kittens at The Critter Club, the animal shelter that the four girls helped run in their friend Ms. Sullivan’s barn. The girls had met Ms. Sullivan when they found her lost puppy, Rufus.

  After that, Ms. Sullivan decided the town needed an animal shelter. She had an empty barn; Amy’s mom, Dr. Purvis, had a lot of advice to offer since she was a veterinarian; and the girls had lots of energy—plus a love of animals.

  So The Critter Club began! Since then the girls had helped bunnies and a turtle. They had even done pet sitting over the summer. Now it was up to them to find homes for an entire litter of kittens!

  The kittens’ mother was a stray cat. When a teacher found them all behind the school, she brought them to the vet clinic. Dr. Purvis had suggested that the five healthy kittens stay at The Critter Club, and the girls were very excited to help take care of them!

  “The mother cat and one kitten are still at the clinic,” Amy told her friends. “My mom said that the mama cat needs more rest. And even though the tabby kitten’s injured paw is getting better, he still needs to heal for a while longer too.”

  The girls took turns helping out at The Critter Club after school and on weekends. “Liz and I had such a great time at the club yesterday afternoon. Those kittens are just so cute!” Ellie squealed.

  “That’s the thing,” Amy said, “it should be easy to find homes for them. I was thinking . . . what if we have a big party at The Critter Club? People could come meet the kittens!”

  Marion, Ellie, and Liz all nodded. “That’s a great idea!” said Liz. “Everyone would see how cute they are!”

  “We could have music!” Ellie suggested. She loved to perform. “I could sing!”

  “We could get dressed up!” Marion added. She had a silver dress that would be perfect.

  “We could put up pretty lights—and some artwork!” said Liz. She was an amazing artist. Marion imagined how wonderful Liz’s paintings would look hanging around The Critter Club. They would really jazz up the barn!

  Just then the recess bell rang. Marion chewed fast, trying to finish her sandwich. Then the four friends headed outside. It was autumn in Santa Vista, but in their part of California, it never got too cold.

  Amy walked next to Marion. “Maybe we’ll think of more party ideas this afternoon,” said Amy.

  “This afternoon?” Marion mumbled. Her mouth was still full.

  “Yeah, at The Critter Club?” Amy said. “It’s Monday—our day to help out. Remember?”

  Marion had forgotten! It wasn’t like her to get her schedule mixed up. “Uh? The Critter Club? Of course I will be there!”

  Marion Makes a Mess

  If we finish early, I’ll have time to ride Coco before dinner, Marion was thinking.

  “Marion, I think you fed that kitten already,” Amy was saying.

  Marion looked down. The light gray kitten wasn’t drinking. He didn’t seem interested in Marion’s bottle of milk. “Oh! You’re right!” Marion exclaimed. “What am I doing?”

  She and Amy were at The Critter Club, feeding the tiny kittens.

  Dr. Purvis had told them that the kittens were only about five weeks old! Feeding such young cats was tricky. Luckily, Dr. Purvis had shown the girls just what to do. She had even made them a poster to remind them of the steps.

  Marion and Amy had come to the club right after school. Marion had been rushing around ever since. She really wanted to get to the stables to ride Coco. They had a big competition coming up. Marion and Coco had won it last year, and Marion had her sights on taking the blue ribbon again this year. There was a good reason blue was her favorite color!

  The only thing was, they would need some extra practice if they wanted to win.

  Marion warmed a bottle for the black kitten. But hurrying across the barn, she dropped it on the barn floor and had to make up a new one. Then she knocked over the bottle warmer, spilling the water inside. Next, Marion didn’t screw a bottle top on tight enough. Some milk spilled on the white kitten.

  “Oh, for goodness’ sake!” she cried. “I just can’t do anything right!”

  Amy came over. “Marion, are you okay?” Amy asked kindly. “You don’t seem like yourself.”

  She’s right, thought Marion. I’m not myself. I never, ever mess up this much! Marion was used to getting things right the first time.

  She sighed and wiped up the milk. “I’m fine,” she said. “Just in a rush!” She looked up at Amy. “I need to get to the stables before dinner. We have a competition coming up, and Coco and I need some extra practice.”

  Amy smiled. “Oh, I get it now,” she said. “Well, I can finish up here if you need to go.”

  Marion studied Amy’s face. “Really?” Marion asked. “Are you sure?”

  Amy looked around. “We’re almost done anyway,” she said. “Really! You should go. Say hi to Coco for me!”

  Marion felt so lucky to have such a great best friend. She gave Amy a huge hug. “Thank you!” she said as she turned to go. “You are the best!”

  One Wrong Step

  That afternoon Marion rode Coco until the sun started to set.

  The next day, Tuesday, she headed to the stables right after school. She and Coco worked on walk, trot, canter, and gallop all afternoon.

  Then on Wednesday afternoon Marion had her riding lesson. She and her teacher worked on some low jumps.

  By Thursday Marion was starting to feel ready. “We’ve got two more weeks, Coco,” she said to her pretty brown horse. Marion was brushing Coco in her stall. “Two weeks until the show. I know we can do it.”

  She looked over at the stall door. Coco’s ribbons hung in a row. “We’ll get you another blue ribbon to hang up!”

  Marion said good-bye to Coco before heading to the changing room. She loved her riding outfit—her tall boots, her breeches, her crisp, navy blue jacket, but Marion also loved what she’d worn to school that day. It was her favorite fall outfit: her corduroy skirt, lavender cardigan, purple tights, and purple flats. She was excited to put them back on!

  “Marion!” a voice called fro
m outside her dressing cubby. “Are you there?” Marion knew that voice. It was her six-year-old sister, Gabby. She took riding lessons at the stable too. Gabby was going to compete in the junior division at the horse show. “Come on! Mom and I are waiting in the car!”

  “Uh, I’m coming!” Marion called. She hurried to pull on her tights, but pulling on tights fast was very hard to do. Marion stepped into her flats and hurried outside. She saw her mom’s car by the corral fence. Marion ran across the stable yard.

  Halfway there she stepped in a dip in the gravel path. Her left foot twisted in a strange way when she landed.

  “Ow!” Marion cried. She felt a sharp pain in her ankle. Her leg gave out and she fell onto the gravel. “Ow! My ankle!” It felt so weird—and hurt so much!

  When Marion didn’t get up, Marion’s mom and sister ran over from the car.

  What happened next was a big blur. Marion’s mom and sister helped her up, but she couldn’t walk. Standing on her ankle hurt way too much so Marion’s mom gave her a piggyback ride to the car. They drove straight to the hospital, where Marion’s dad, a doctor, met them in the emergency room.

  Dr. Ballard examined her ankle and ordered an X-ray. Marion began to worry.

  Before long, Marion’s dad put his hand on her shoulder. He held the X-ray up to the light.

  “Bad news, kiddo. It looks like you have a pretty bad sprain,” he said. “You’re going to need a cast.”

  “A cast?” Marion was shocked. “For how long?”

  “At least three weeks—maybe four,” her dad said. “You’ll have crutches to help you get around, but you will need to take it easy for a while. But guess what? Casts come in all kinds of cool colors!”

  For once Marion didn’t care about fashion. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. This wasn’t happening! “No, no, no! I can’t be in a cast for three weeks! Dad, the horse show is in two weeks!”

  Her dad put down the X-ray. He took Marion’s hand. “I’m really sorry, honey,” he said. “It’s going to take time for your ankle to heal.” He sighed a big sigh. “I’m afraid the horse show is out.”

  Friends to the Rescue!

  Marion closed her book and tossed it onto the sofa. She just couldn’t concentrate.

  It was Friday afternoon. She’d had the cast less than twenty-four hours, and already she was tired of it. She had missed school because she wasn’t used to walking with the crutches yet.

  “By Monday you’ll be a pro,” her dad had said that morning. “Then you can try them at school.”

  Monday couldn’t come soon enough for Marion. I’m missing everything! she thought. I can’t go to ballet next week. I can’t ride Coco. I don’t even know what’s going on in math class!

  Marion’s mom was home with her, so Marion’s dad picked up Gabby from her riding lesson at the stables. She walked in with her riding clothes still on. Marion couldn’t help feeling envious.

  What’s worse than not being able to ride in the horse show? she asked herself. Having a sister who is riding in the horse show. Marion knew it wasn’t her sister’s fault. Still, it was going to be so hard to watch Gabby ride when Marion couldn’t.

  Just then the doorbell rang. Marion heard her mom open the front door. Moments later Amy, Ellie, and Liz poked their heads in to the family room. “Can we come in?” Amy asked.

  “Yes!” Marion cried. She was so glad to see her friends.

  Ellie handed Marion a very pretty bouquet of flowers. “At school Mrs. Sienna told the class about your ankle!” Ellie said.

  “We had to come see you,” added Liz. She gave Marion a get-well card she had made.

  “We thought you might need cheering up,” said Amy. “Oh, and these.” She handed Marion a tin. Marion opened the lid. Inside were Amy’s mother’s famous oatmeal raisin cookies. They were Marion’s favorite.

  Marion forced a smile. “Thanks, guys,” she said. She put the flowers, the card, and the cookies next to her on the coffee table.

  “Wait,” said Amy. “Aren’t you going to have a cookie?”

  Marion shrugged. “Not right now,” she said with a big sigh. “I’m not hungry.”

  Amy looked at Ellie and Liz. “Uh-oh,” Amy said. “Not hungry for her favorite cookies? She does need to be cheered up.”

  Ellie giggled. “Well, then, let’s tell her,” she said. “Listen, Marion. About the sleepover tonight—”

  Marion slapped her forehead as it hit her. “The sleepover!” she cried. “Today is Friday! I forgot!”

  The four girls had a sleepover almost every Friday night. They each took turns hosting. Marion knew that this week it was at Liz’s house.

  “Oh,” she groaned, “another thing I can’t do!” She wasn’t feeling up to getting off the sofa—not until she could practice more with her crutches.

  “Yeah,” said Amy. “We thought you might not be able to come to Liz’s.”

  “So we brought the sleepover to you!” said Liz.

  Marion gasped. “Really?” she said. “You mean we can have it here instead?”

  “Sure!” Liz said. “I’ll host next week instead. Now, you’ve got to let me sign your cast!”

  “Ooh! Me too!” said Amy.

  “Me three!” said Ellie.

  “Sure!” Marion said. Then she smiled—for real this time.

  Back to School?

  On Monday morning Marion woke up feeling excited. After practicing with her crutches all weekend, her mom and dad had agreed she could go back to school!

  Marion hopped on her good foot to her closet. She wanted to pick out the perfect outfit.

  Then she realized something. She couldn’t wear tights or leggings. They wouldn’t fit over her cast. And—Marion gasped—she could only wear one shoe!

  None of my favorite outfits will look as good with this cast! she thought.

  Marion had to wear her least favorite jeans. And for her one shoe, her mom wanted her to wear a sneaker. “Comfort and grip. That’s what you need!” Mrs. Ballard said.

  Marion checked her outfit in the mirror. “This day is not off to a good start,” she said grumpily.

  At school things didn’t get much better. It took her forever to get from the drop-off circle to her classroom. She was the last one in her seat. Marion hated being last.

  In gym class Marion couldn’t play kickball. She had to sit on the bench and watch. Amy, Liz, and Ellie took turns keeping her company.

  At lunchtime Marion couldn’t carry her lunchbox and walk on crutches at the same time. Amy was happy to carry her lunch for her, but Marion didn’t like the feeling of not being able to do things on her own.

  As the week went on, Marion got more frustrated. At her piano lesson her cast made it hard to use the foot pedal. None of Marion’s songs sounded right.

  At ballet class, all the students were learning new moves. Marion went so she could at least see the steps. But she couldn’t practice them. Wow, everyone looks so graceful, she thought. She wished she were up there, right in front.

  Hardest of all was visiting Coco. The stables were very busy with riders getting ready for the horse show.

  Marion fed Coco a carrot and brushed her mane. “I’m so sorry, Coco,” she whispered. “You have worked so hard to win. I’m just a huge failure—at everything.”

  Broken Dreams

  Finally it was Thursday—Marion’s and Amy’s turn after school at The Critter Club. At last! thought Marion. Feeding the little kittens is something fun that even I can do with this cast!

  It turned out this wasn’t exactly true. Marion couldn’t get around on crutches while holding a kitten in her arms. And she definitely couldn’t get around with a kitten and a bottle.

  “That’s okay,” said Amy. “We’ll feed them together. You hold this one. I’ll get the bottle.”

  That’s when Marion’s frustration bubbled over. “I can’t do anything right!” she burst out. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I took one wrong step, and now my ankle is sprained! This cast will be
on for weeks. And everything keeps on going without me! I’ll never be able to catch up!”

  She covered her face with her hands and sobbed. Amy hugged her tight.

  “Oh, Marion, it’s okay! You’re going to be better so soon!” Amy said. “You make it sound like everything is a big race, but it isn’t. You don’t have to be number one all the time.”

  Amy let go of Marion. She looked her right in the eye. “You know, we all love you for you,” Amy said. “It’s not because you get awesome grades, or play piano amazingly . . . or dance like a pro . . . or win blue ribbons with Coco. Should I keep going?”

  Marion laughed through her tears. “No, that’s okay,” she said.

  Amy smiled. “It must be really hard not to be able to do your favorite things, but maybe, for now, just think of the things you can do.” Amy looked down at the kittens. “Like feed these fuzz balls.”

  Marion wiped her tears. She took a deep breath. “You’re right,” she said with a smile. “Thanks, Amy.”

  Then, the girls fed the kittens—together.

  The Plan

  The next day at school Amy had great news.

  “Mom says the kitten with the injured paw is doing much better!” she told the girls at lunch. “He can go home—well, he could if he had a home.”

  “Yeah,” said Liz. “Too bad none of the kittens have been adopted. Hey! He could come stay at The Critter Club too, right?”