The Cupid Chronicles by Coleen Murtagh Paratore

Author:Coleen Murtagh Paratore
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: SOC035000
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: 2006-12-04T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

Dancing for Dickens

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet …

—Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

“You and Tina make quite a tag team,” Sam says to us at Mama Java’s Cafe. Stella had to hurry home, but Sam said we should celebrate. Tina ordered a double mocha cherry fusion carmellata cappuccino grande. Sam and I got hot chocolate.

“The scene was perfectly executed,” Dr. Swammy agrees, sipping his ginger tea. “Bravo, ladies. I expect you both to try out for the spring play.”

“Willa wasn’t acting tonight,” Sulamina Mum says. “That was straight from the heart.” She pats her fist against her hefty chest. “Good job, little sister.”

“We’re proud of you, honey,” Nana says. “And you too, Tina.”

Gramp Tweed winks. “Couldn’t be prouder.”

Tonight was a huge success. I can’t wait to tell Mrs. Saperstone. Mr. Sivler kept objecting, but Phoebe Slingerlands said “give them till winter’s end” and the council agreed to table a final decision until February 15. If we raise $10,000 by then, they will petition the bank to extend the mortgage on the remaining $40,000.

Now all we have to do is raise $10,000. Ten thousand dollars.

Tina and I start writing ideas for fundraising events on a napkin.

“Did you know the Beatles wrote some of their best lyrics on napkins?” I ask.

“No, Willa, I didn’t. That’s fascinating.”

“Okay,” I say. “November.” When I tell Tina about the Turkey Tango I think she’ll flip, but she says “are we stuck with the name?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, no problem. We’ll find a way to make it fun. Now, December … Let’s have a prom. We can call it the Snow Ball.”

“But doesn’t it take months to plan a prom?”

“You’re right,” Tina says, sadly.

“How about a winter carnival?” 1 suggest. “We could still call it the Snow Ball. We’ve got cross-country trails behind the inn and Sam’s making an even bigger ice-skating rink this year. And maybe we could have a snowman-making contest …”

Mum’s on board. Tina’s miles away. “How does that sound, Tina?”

“Cold, Willa. It sounds cold. We’ve got to think fun. Wait … I know!” Her face brightens. “How about a winter beach party? We can dump sand on the floor, hire a DJ, get some grills going with hot dogs and burgers, wear our bathing suits!”

I write down December Beach Party. “I still like the snowman idea.” I’d rather wear a snowsuit than a bathing suit next to Tina and Ruby.

“Sure, well, maybe we can do that too,” Tina says without conviction.

“Now, January,” I say. “How about a Rock ’n’ Roll Bowl-for-Books night?”

“Sounds like fun,” Mum says, taking a sip of her coffee.

Tina crinkles her nose. “Bor … ing. We can do better.”

“What’s wrong with bowling, Tina? I like—”

“We’ve got to think boys here, Willa, boys. In January every boy in Bramble will be thinking Super Bowl. The Pats have a shot this year.”

“Okay,” I say. “February’s easy Valentine’s Day. How about a fancy dance?”

“Now you’re talking, Willa. We know who you’ll be slow-smooching with.”

“Shhh,” I say.

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