I had to get past Bryce and Shelly。 They deserved
each other—let them have each other!
But in my heart I knew that just like the new grass; I wasnt strong enough yet to be walked
on。 And until I was; there was only one solution: I had to
stay away from him。 I needed to rope him out of my life。
So I closed my ears to the news of basket boys and steered clear of Bryce at school。 And
when I did happen to run into him; I simply said hello
like he was someone I barely even knew。
It was working; too! I was growing stronger by the day。 Who cared about auctions and basket
boys? I didnt!
Friday morning I got up early; collected what few eggs there were in the coop; watered the
front yard; which was by now definitely green; ate
breakfast; and got ready for school。
But as I was running a brush through my hair; I couldnt help thinking about Shelly Stalls。 It
was auction day。 Shed probably been up since five;
making her hair into some impossibly pouffy do。
So what? I told myself。 So what? But as I was throwing on my windbreaker; I eyed my money
tin and hesitated。 What if …
No! No…no…no!
I ran to the garage; got my bike; and pushed out of the driveway。 And I was in the street and
on my way when Mrs。 Stueby flew right in my path。
“Julianna;” she called; waving her hand through the air。 “Here; dear。 Take this。 Im so sorry
its taken me this long to get it to you。 I keep missing you
in the mornings。”
……… Page 85………
I didnt even know how much she owed me。 At that moment I didnt care。 All I knew was the
top bill in her hand was a ten; and it was striking terror
in my heart。 “Mrs。 Stueby; please。 I …I dont want that。 You dont have to pay me。”
“Nonsense; child! Of course Im going to pay you。 Here!” she said; and waved it out for me to
take。
“No; really。 I …I dont want it。”
She wedged it in the pocket of my jeans and said; “What utter nonsense。 Now go! Go buy
yourself a rooster!” then hurried back up her walkway。
“Mrs。 Stueby… Mrs。 Stueby?” I called after her。 “I dont want a rooster… !” but she was gone。
All the way to school Mrs。 Stuebys money was burning a hole in my pocket and another in
my brain。 How much was it?