Puppet Pandemonium (11 page)

But before she could finish, the bell in the courthouse started ringing and everyone in Franklin knew the big trophy was ours. Ms. Matilda handed the trophy to Mr. Sims and our class ran up on the stage, yelling and jumping up and down. Ansley did cartwheels across the stage, and Bubba was high-fiving
everyone in sight. And then I was on top of Murray's shoulders, Betsy Ross dress and all, being paraded around the stage.

Waldo had given me the courage I hadn't thought I'd ever find. The play was over, and I'd helped win back the trophy for Franklin Elementary. I had come to Franklin feeling lonely and shy, but I had made new friends. Real, true friends.

When I looked up at the bell tower, I saw something that made me grin even more widely than I already was grinning: a bright shock of curly red hair.

G
ram and my parents ran over to me.

“Baker!” Gram said, throwing her arms around me. “I knew you could do it.” Mom and Dad were proud too. Mom had so many people coming up to congratulate her that I thought her idea about running for mayor might actually happen.

Mr. Sims was running around pleased as punch. Like me, he had learned a good lesson: never underestimate small-town kids. They can accomplish big things. And no matter where you live, if you have a friend you can talk to, like Waldo, things are bound to work out okay.

Gram had to get back to Seattle, but she promised to come back for Christmas, which was just around the corner. Sam's parents were flying him out to see us over the holidays. I couldn't wait to show him that living in a small town really was an adventure.

“Baker!” Hannah called down from the top of the tower. She hadn't stopped ringing the bell. “Catch!” I watched as something small fluttered down to the ground. Murray and I ran over.

On the grass were two suckers.

I smiled. They were both red.

About the Author

During her career as a puppeteer,
Diane Roberts
has entertained thousands of children across the country, most often in the great state of Texas. She's performed with Ricky Raccoon so many times that she often continues talking with her right hand long after the puppet has left the stage. She and her husband, Jim, live in Fort Worth. They are the parents of three grown children and have six grandsons. This is Diane Roberts's second novel for Delacorte Press.