Casting Call

After school, I ate a snack with David Michael and Andrew. Then it was time to go to Hannie’s house. She had called a meeting for everyone who wanted to be in the Christmas pageant. (I guess Hannie was going to be in charge of the pageant this year. Maybe I could be in charge another year.)

David Michael had been in the pageant before and wanted to be in it again. Andrew wanted to be in it, too. So the three of us went across the street together. I knocked on the door. Linny answered it. (Linny is Hannie’s brother. He is nine going on ten.)

“Come in,” he said. “We have been waiting for you.”

The living room was filled with kids from the neighborhood. They were Scott Hsu, who is seven and Hannie’s pretend husband; Timmy Hsu, who is five; Callie and Keith Bates, who are four-year-old twins; and Maria Kilbourne, who is eight.

“Attention, everyone,” said Hannie. “I know some of you are here for the first time. So I will explain everything as we go along.”

I watched Hannie lead the meeting. I felt bad that I was not in charge. But only a little bit. After all, Hannie is a Musketeer. The Three Musketeers’ motto is one for all and all for one.

“We are going to put on the story of the Nativity, just like last year,” said Hannie. “We will need to cast the parts of Joseph, Mary, the three Wise Men, the angel, some shepherds, and some animals.”

I raised my hand to ask a question. I did not want to interrupt Hannie while she was talking.

“Yes, Karen?” said Hannie.

“How will we decide who gets which part? Will we draw straws or something?” I asked.

“I have already assigned the parts. It took me a long time, but I think you will all be happy,” replied Hannie. “I will tell you which parts you are playing as soon as I find my list. I know I have it here somewhere.”

Hannie looked in all her pockets. Finally she pulled a crumpled paper from the back pocket of her jeans.

She read out the parts: Andrew and Callie were playing the animals. Timmy and Maria were shepherds. Linny, David Michael, and Keith were the three Wise Men. Scott was Joseph. Hannie was the angel.

“Baby Jesus will be played by one of my dolls. And I want Karen to have the part of Mary,” said Hannie.

“Hey, how come?” asked Linny. “That is supposed to be your part. You play Mary every year.”

“This is Karen’s first year in the pageant,” said Hannie. “I want her to have this important role.”

Hannie smiled at me. I smiled back. But I was not happy. I did not want to be Mary. I was not happy. I did not want to be Mary. I was dying to play the angel. It was the only part I truly wanted. The angel would get to wear wings and a halo. I would give anything to switch parts with Hannie.

But I could not say so. Hannie was being nice to me. I decided that even though I was not going to play the angel, I had to act like one.

I smiled at Hannie and did not say a word.