Abby's Lucky Thirteen by Ann M. Martin

Author:Ann M. Martin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2015-07-14T16:00:00+00:00

Jessi knows the Braddocks well and had a regular sitting job with them for a while not long after they moved to Stoneybrook. They are energetic and upbeat, and all the BSC members like baby-sitting for them. Both seven-year-old Matt (who is profoundly deaf and communicates in American Sign Language) and nine-year-old Haley (who can talk as fast in sign language as she can speak) are athletic and competitive. Matt plays for the little kids’ softball team Kristy coaches, the Krushers, and they are normally ready for any adventure.

Until the no-television rule broke out among the parents.

Prepared by what had happened with Claudia, Mary Anne, and Mallory the previous week, Jessi wasn’t too surprised when Mrs. Braddock told her that there were snacks in the kitchen, the phone number where she could be reached was by the phone, and that the children weren’t allowed to watch television. (The Braddocks have a special cable box that prints what people are saying on the screen.)

Jessi said, “Okay.”

“Haley and Matt are in the basement,” said Mrs. Braddock. “The television ban has been in effect for more than a week now, so they’re over the initial shock. But they are still not taking it well. Good luck.”

“Thanks,” said Jessi glumly to Mrs. Braddock’s departing back.

Sure enough, Matt and Haley were in the basement.

“Hi,” said Jessi, signing and speaking.

Matt looked up. He signed hello. Unenthusiastically. Jessi could see that he and Haley were playing cards.

Also unenthusiastically.

“It’s a beautiful day out,” said Jessi. “Why don’t we go outside?”

Matt shrugged. Haley shrugged.

Then Haley said, “Do you get to watch television at home?”

“When I want to. But I don’t watch that much television. There’s too much else to do,” said Jessi. She was telling the truth.

But Haley scowled and asked, “Did Mom tell you to say that?”

“No!” exclaimed Jessi. She was indignant.

“We can’t watch television at Vanessa’s either,” Haley told Jessi, referring to Vanessa Pike. “But if we went to visit Becca, we could.”

“Becca’s not home this afternoon,” said Jessi firmly. She didn’t mention that Becca had suddenly begun to watch a lot less TV ever since she’d heard about the ban.

“Oh,” said Haley.

She looked down at the cards. Then she and Matt had a rapid conversation, only some of which Jessi could follow. Matt shook his head. Haley signed some more. Finally Matt signed, “Okay” and got up.

“We’ll go outside,” said Haley, as if she and Matt were doing Jessi a big favor.

“Gee, thanks,” said Jessi, but the sarcasm was wasted.

They went out to the front yard. Matt signed, “Play pitch.”

“Why not?” said Haley. Matt dashed back into the house to get the gloves and baseball.

Haley remarked, “Life without television is stupid.”

“Ummm,” said Jessi.

“ ‘I mean, what are we supposed to do?”

This, Jessi recognized, was a rhetorical question, which meant that Haley didn’t want an answer. Jessi was right. Haley stormed on, “So what if we watch a lot of television? Everybody does!”

Not anymore, thought Jessi, remembering the Pikes and the Prezziosos and the Arnolds. And Becca.

As if on cue, Claudia, who lived nearby, walked down the street with Mal.

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