Poor Mallory!

Maybe being a “princess” isn’t so great. Would you always wonder whether people liked you or whether they liked the things you could do for them.

If Daddy got fired,” Claire began thoughtfully, “what would... what would change? I’m not sure …” “We would have to be very careful with our money,” said Mom. “We couldn’t buy extras or go on trips. And your dad would stay at home and look for a new job. He wouldn’t be happy about that,” she added. “Why not?” asked Margo. “Because looking for a new job, especially when you’ve been fired, is not easy. Dad will have to hear people say no to him a lot. He might start applying for jobs that are below the level of the one he’s got now, and people still might say no. He’ll call companies and hear other people say that there aren’t any jobs at all. It would be like going over to your friends’ houses and hearing each one of them say they don’t want to play with you.” “Ooh,” said Claire softly. That had hit home.

means. Kristy’s stepfather is the King of Clichés. I knew that Kristy would be able to explain the gift horse thing. She said it means don’t turn down an offer you really need, or something like that. So I relaxed about the third interview.) * * * On Friday, unfortunately, I wasn’t

You want to ask Charlotte to come over, too?” Becca asked

It was one of the best nights of my life.

Do you have any pets?” asked Max. “Just a hamster. We used to have a cat, though.” “We have a cat,” said Amanda. “Her name is Priscilla. She’s a snow-white Persian and she cost four hundred dollars.” Four hundred dollars for a cat? I thought. Boy, you could get one free at a shelter. And you could certainly spend four hundred dollars on better things, like groceries.

That is so mean!” cried Mary Anne. “Why would Nan White start something like that? Well, actually I can see why she would do that, but why would Valerie and Rachel join in and laugh and stuff?” “I don’t know,” I replied. “I’m glad they’re not close friends. If they were, I’d feel like a real outcast. Instead, I just feel … hurt, I guess.” “You have every right to feel hurt,” spoke up Jessi. “They were being cruel.” “I wonder why some kids always want to hurt other kids,” I mused. “I don’t know,” said Jessi slowly. “I guess Nan was just born that way.

My dad lost his job,” I whispered to her. (I didn’t want my family to know that I was already spreading our bad news.) “He did?!” Jessi squeaked. “I don’t believe it. How stale.” She paused. “Mal? Is there anything I can do?” I thought for a moment. “Not really, I guess. Just … just let me lean on you when I need to. My brothers and sisters are all leaning on me.” “Boy,” and Jessi. “If they lean on you and you lean on me, I might fall over.” “Please don’t,” I said, giggling.

During this entire discussion, Dad hadn’t said a word (except to chew out Jordan). Now I studied him and decided he looked almost angry. Why? I wondered. I thought we were all being pretty cooperative and accepting. Mom was going to get work, I had said I’d baby-sit for free (and without any help; Mom usually insists on two sitters at our house), and my brothers and sisters and I had barely griped about cutting back or losing our allowances. I would have thought Dad would be proud, or at least pleased, but he certainly didn’t look as if he felt proud or pleased which made me feel confused.

Oh, Dad,” I said, letting out a breath. “I’m sorry,” said Dad simply. “Hey, you don’t have to apologize,” I told him quickly. “It wasn’t your fault.” “He got a pink slip,” Claire spoke up. She was sitting on the floor, playing with Vanessa’s hair. “He got it at five o’clock.” “Those stinkers!” I exploded. “Why did they wait so long to tell you? Why didn’t they give out all the slips in the morning, instead of driving people crazy making them wait all day?” “I don’t know.” Dad sighed. “Maybe they were still making decisions about who should go and who should stay. Those aren’t easy decisions.” “Well, I still think the people who run your company are really stale.” “Look,” said Dad, sounding cross. “I got fired and that’s that. I don’t want to spend all night discussing it.” “Okay. Sorry,” I replied. I was taken aback. Mom and Dad usually don’t talk that way. My brothers and sisters and I do sometimes, but not our parents and especially not Dad. He’s a sensitive, gentle person.