Rosie does a dress rehearsal on the Sunday before the pageant, which is on July 14. Only a week away. I can’t believe how fast summer is going.
Beth thought a practice would help Rosie relax. Yee, Anise, and Bailey came over to help Rosie get ready. They’re all upstairs now, chattering like crows in a corn patch. I’m sitting downstairs in the living room. Waiting.
The cheerleading squad comes downstairs to wait with me for Rosie’s grand entrance, which had to be delayed. Nerves reached Rosie’s bladder and tights had to be removed so she could pee.
More waiting and fidgeting. Bailey brings up Bruno.
“I bet his dad buys him another dog. And this one will cost five hundred big ones.”
“He really does spoil Justin.” Anise gives her head a shake. “And his little sister, too. Their stuff takes up half their garage, and their basement, too, I hear.”
“People have different ways of showing their love.” Yee lets out a long sigh. “My parents burn incense to the ancestors when I bring home an A.”
The others laugh, but I hang on to Yee’s words for a while.
“Justin told Chief Beaumont he doesn’t want another dog,” Anise says. “I saw him ride his bike over to the chief’s house one afternoon. That’s when he told him.”
“And of course, you were just close enough to overhear them,” Yee says, looking all-knowing.
“I made sure of it.” Anise gives her a smug grin. “Anyway, I guess Justin’s dad made him go apologize to the chief for the mess he made. And when the chief told him he would do better with the next dog, Justin said he didn’t want one.”
“Why?” Bailey says.
“ ’Cause he really loved Bruno,” I say. I’m remembering the way Justin cried when Bruno died.
“He told you that?” Yee’s eyes telegraph she’s not convinced.
“Sort of.”
Mom and Beth come in and announce that the practice is about to begin. When Rosie walks down the stairs, I can hardly believe it’s my bratty little sister. Shining like gold, her hair is braided around her head like Princess Leia’s in Star Wars. And the costume Bailey designed looks elegant. Professionally made. When Rosie changes into her Chippewa costume and does her modern dance, everyone stands. Applauding.
“Thanks.” I smile at the cheerleading squad as they leave. “I owe you. Big-time.”
“Don’t worry.” Yee grins. “I won’t let you forget.”
“You can double that,” Anise says.
“Triple it,” Bailey says.
They leave in a troop, giggling like they know something I don’t.
I stop Rosie as she’s going upstairs to change. “What about the third costume? You know, the glittery one for when you win the tiara.” In spite of Sid’s talk with Rosie, I know she thought she still had a chance to win.
“Well, I talked to Bailey and Yee and Anise and, and . . . I decided that was dumb.” Serious eyes match the serious words. “I may not win, but it’s okay ’cause this has been the best summer ever.”
Where did the brat who whines all the time go?
“Win or lose, you’re a princess, Rosie. You look . . . splendid.”