Karen's Secret by Ann M. Martin

Author:Ann M. Martin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2016-08-23T04:00:00+00:00

Natalie’s Operation

“Hi, Natalie!” I said happily. It was Wednesday morning. I had been feeling happy ever since I found out that Natalie did not have to go to the hospital.

“Hi,” mumbled Natalie. She did not sound happy. Wednesday was the day of her speech class. She would have to leave as soon as Ms. Colman had taken attendance.

When she left, you know what happened? Jannie Gilbert burst into tears.

“Jannie, what is wrong?” asked Ms. Colman.

“It’s … it’s awful!” cried Jannie.

“Tell us what is so awful. We will try to help you,” said Ms. Colman.

“It’s … not … me. It’s … Natalie!” said Jannie.

Poor Natalie? Poor Jannie! She was sobbing and gulping and hiccuping.

“What about Natalie?” asked Ms. Colman. (Ms. Colman is very patient. That is one of the reasons I like her so much.)

Jannie blew her nose. Then she said to Ms. Colman, “Someone told me Natalie is going to have an operation. Is she going to the hospital soon?” asked Jannie.

“An operation?” said Bobby Gianelli. “I heard she was going to a special eye doctor. I heard she was going blind!”

“She is not going blind,” said Hank. “She is going to speech class.”

Wait a minute! How did Hank know Natalie was going to speech class? I had not told him.

“Everyone calm down,” said Ms. Colman. “Natalie is not going to the hospital for an operation. And she is not going blind.”

“Then why does she keep getting called out of the room?” asked Ricky. (I had not told Ricky the secret, either, even though he is my husband.)

“Hank was right,” said Ms. Colman. “Natalie has been going to speech class. She has a slight lisp. The speech teacher is helping her correct it. That is all.”

“Oh, boy! That’s a relief,” said Bobby. Sometimes even Bully Bobby can be nice.

“I am glad I told you what was bothering me,” said Jannie. “I feel much better now.”

The next thing we knew, the door opened. It was Natalie. Everyone stared at her. Her face turned as red as a cherry.

“Hey, Natalie!” called Hank. “How was your speech class?”

“We were all very worried about you,” said Jannie.

“We thought you were going to the hospital,” said Ricky. “But Ms. Colman told us you go to speech class.”

“Hey, I was the one who told everyone about the speech class,” said Hank.

“But,” said Natalie, “how did you know about it, Hank? The only person I told was Karen Brewer. And she was not supposed to tell anyone else. She was supposed to keep the secret.”

Uh-oh. Suddenly everyone was staring at me.

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