In the hospital we found out how much we had in common. Most importantly, this is where we discovered we were (and still are) Josh Taylor’s absolute biggest fans!
Wait a second … we are his biggest fans … Rachel and me … could it be that easy? Of course it is. I just figured out a plan, a brilliant plan. I’ll call Rachel! She’ll know exactly what to do. Problem solved! I told you I’m no dummy.
“
3
The Highs and Lows of Celebration Pizza
Hey, Mrs. Carter, is Rachel around?” I say into the phone.
“Well, she is supposed to be in her room doing her homework, but you know Rachel.”
So, I told you Rachel is smart, but the weird thing is she hates pretty much everything to do with school, especially homework. Her mom is always on her case about this. I guess it makes sense though since her mom is a teacher, well actually a university professor. She teaches holistic nutrition, which, according to Rachel, just means she teaches people how to be completely obsessed with organic food. Rachel’s dad is a pediatric surgeon. So, it’s not surprising that Rachel’s IQ is like over 140, not that she seems to care. This is the one thing I don’t get about Rachel. I’d love to be smart like that. I know it drives them crazy when she goofs off, which I hope she’s not doing now, but I know she probably is.
“Rachel Lynn Carter!” I hear her mom bellow. “Turn the music down! What are you doing?”
I hear Rachel mumble something in the background. She’s probably doing a Josh portrait again. She’s super talented, and she should be; she gets lots of practice. I think every girl in our class has at least one of her Josh Taylor sketches.
“What’s up?” she says, with a sigh.
I can tell by her voice that I was right; she’s in trouble again, but right now I’ve got much more important things on my mind.
“You are not going to believe what I am about to tell you!” I squeal.
“What?”
“It’s the best news!”
“What!”
“Oh, you are going to be so excited!”
“What is it?”
“Well, how would you like to see …”
“Wait …” she cuts me off in midsentence. “My mother is freaking! I have to go. Call you later.”
Then there’s a click and a dial tone.
This is beyond terrible on so many levels. I didn’t get to tell her about Josh, and she didn’t get to help me with my plan!
Suddenly, as if by magic, the phone rings. Thank god!
“Hey!” I say anxiously. “Wow, that was fast! So, like I was saying, how would you like to see …”
“Hannah, what are you talking about?”
“Oh, Dad … it’s you.”
“You were expecting someone else?”
“Yeah, Rachel.”
“Well, never mind about that now,” he says. “Tell your mom I’m bringing home pizza and I’ve got some exciting news.”
Hmmm … pizza … exciting news? What a coincidence! We both have exciting news today. Unless his exciting news and my exciting news are the same exciting news! It must be! I mean what else could it be? I bet Mom felt bad and called him, or maybe he heard it on the radio. Well, one thing is for sure, he wants to surprise me and he’s bringing home pizza to celebrate! My dad is so cool!
“Tell me now! I can’t wait until you get home,” I squeal.
“You’re just going to have to wait, but it will be worth it. I promise!” I can hear the smile in his voice.
Well, that’s proof enough for me; Josh Taylor here I come!
I’m going crazy waiting for Rachel to call, which hopefully will be soon. I mean this is way too exciting to keep to myself!
About fifteen minutes later, Dad arrives home with our “celebration pizza.”
“Hi, honey,” he says, smiling as he puts the box down on the counter.
“Hi, Dad. I can’t wait to hear your news!” I say, beaming. His smile gets even wider and he throws me a wink. A wink! You know what that means …
At the table, even though I’m sure I know what’s coming, I’m still sitting on pins and needles, barely tasting my supper, waiting to hear those words: Sweet Hannah, we’re taking you to the Josh Taylor concert!
And then I’ll say (for Mom’s benefit), But Dad, I can’t go to the concert. I have no money to buy a ticket.
Then Dad will say, Oh darling, you don’t need money. We want to take you because we know you are Josh Taylor’s biggest fan!
And then I’ll look into my mother’s eyes and she’ll see how happy I am, and she’ll look into my father’s eyes and see how happy he is, and then she’ll reach across the table and take our hands in hers, smile, and say, Okay you can go to the concert and we will totally pay.
“Hannah, lift up your glass, your dad is making a toast!” Mom frowns.
“What … now?” I stammer. Oh, here it comes! I can hardly wait! Okay, pretend to look surprised.
I lift my glass of Coke and Dad starts, “Today I learned some very exciting news. I think you’re going to be very …”
Just then the phone rings. Mom gets up.
“Hannah, it’s Rachel.” She gestures for me to make it quick.
“Hi,” Rachel whispers, “tell me what’s going on, but do it fast ’cause if Mom catches me on the phone, I’m dead.”
“Hi,” I say quickly, “I can’t talk now because we’re eating supper! I’ll call you back later!” I slam down the phone and rush back to my seat at the table. “Okay, Dad, as you were saying?”
“Okay,” he says, raising his eyebrow. “This afternoon I got some wonderful news. Actually, it’s great news for all of us! I just found out I’m getting a big promotion at work.”
“But Dad, I can’t go to the concert. I have no money to buy a ticket,” I say with a sigh.
Dad shakes his head. “Hannah, what are you talking about?”
“You just said you were taking us to the Josh Taylor concert, and I said I don’t have money for a ticket.” I glance over at my mom, who is frowning.
“I didn’t say anything about a concert.” He looks confused.
“You didn’t? I’m sure you just said you were taking us to the concert. Didn’t you?”
“No, Hannah, I said I got a big promotion at work.”
“Promotion?” I repeat dumbly.
“Yes,