WE HAD A BIG steak dinner to celebrate Shoelace’s return. Dad and Michael joined us. Dad brought his famous Caesar salad, and I ate a whole bunch of it ’cause now that Jared and I are finished, I don’t have to worry about garlic breath. As part of our now-nightly ritual, we did “Truly thankful,” which didn’t seem as barfy as usual because I really was truly thankful that Stewart’s cat was home.

After dinner, I took Michael up to my room and told him about my idea. He said he’d be more than happy to help, and he gave me a hug. “That’s a bold and inspiring plan, Ashley.”

Then Mom came in and I told her, too, and she actually started to cry. She put her arms around me and held me tight. “I’m so proud of you.”

!!!

My heart started beating really fast, because if I am one hundred percent totally honest, people don’t say stuff like that to me very often.

I stayed up super-late, drawing my ideas on the sketch pad Dad had gotten me for Christmas. At lunchtime, I found Claudia, Violet, Phoebe, Melanie, Larry, Sam, and Jeff in the cafeteria, and told them what I was thinking.

“It was Larry who gave me the idea. I started thinking, why not? Why couldn’t we have protection squads?”

“Protection squads?” Claudia repeated as she blew a bubble with her gum. She sounded skeptical.

“Think about it. If we can get enough people interested, we can all do different shifts.”

They looked at each other. Phoebe spoke first. “It’s not a bad idea. We could take turns walking with Stewart to classes, and to his house after school.”

“No reason why we should just do it for Stewart,” Sam said. “We could do it for other kids, too.”

“I bet I can get the Mathletes involved,” Phoebe said.

“I can work on the Drama Club,” Jeff added.

“Ditto the Dungeons and Dragons Club,” said Larry. I didn’t point out that I was pretty sure he was the sole member, since it was the thought that counted.

“Bet I can get some of the volleyball team to help out, too,” said Claudia, less skeptical.

“Once I have all the names, I can draw up a schedule,” said Melanie. “I’m good at scheduling.”

“And of course,” I said, “we have to stand out. Which is why I took the liberty of designing our outfits.” I took out my sketch pad, flipped it open, and placed it on the table. They gathered around for a good look.

“Wow,” said Jeff. “Your sketches are great.”

I wanted to kiss him.

“I like the shirts,” Violet said. “You think we could get those colors?”

“I know we can.”

“What’s with the funny hats?” asked Larry.

“They’re called berets,” I explained. “They’re French.”

“So…why do we have to wear French hats?” asked Sam.

“To stand out!” I replied, feeling a bit exasperated. “There’s no reason why we can’t protect Stewart and look stylish at the same time.”