Read The Truth About Stacey for Free Online Page A

me,” said Kristy’s mother.
    â€œWho?” asked Kristy suspiciously.
    â€œCome in the kitchen.”
    Sitting at the kitchen table was Jamie Newton. He was drinking milk and coloring in a coloring book.
    â€œJamie!” cried Kristy. “Hi!”
    â€œHi there, Jamie,” I said.
    â€œHi-hi,” answered Jamie cheerfully.
    â€œWhat are you doing here?” Kristy asked him.
    Jamie glanced at Kristy’s mother.
    â€œGo ahead and tell them your news, sweetie,” said Mrs. Thomas.
    â€œMy mommy’s having a baby,” he announced. “She’s at the hospital.”
    â€œHaving the baby?
Now?”
asked Kristy, sounding dismayed.
    â€œKristy, I know you girls had plans for helping the Newtons out,” her mother said, “but the baby started to come late this morning. Several weeks ago, the Newtons had asked me whether I’d be able to watch Jamie if the baby arrived at night or while you girls were in school. I told them I’d be glad to. When Mr. Newton called me at work to say that it was time for him to take his wife to the hospital, I told him just to drop Jamie by my office on the way.”
    â€œOn the way!” said Kristy. “But you work in Stamford.”
    â€œI know. The Newtons’ doctor is with the Stamford hospital, though, so I really was on their way. Jamie worked very hard with me today, didn’t you, Jamie?”
    Jamie nodded proudly.
    â€œHe made a picture for the baby and read some books and copied things on the Xerox machine.”
    â€œAnd we had lunch together,” added Jamie.
    â€œThat’s right,” said Mrs. Thomas. “We ate in the cafeteria.” She looked at her watch. “And now, girls,” she said. “I’m leaving Jamie in your capable hands and going back to the office for a few hours.”
    I got the distinct impression that Mrs. Thomas hadn’t gotten much work done that day.
    â€œBut, Mom, wait! What about the baby?” asked Kristy. “Don’t leave us hanging!”
    â€œYeah!” I exclaimed. “What did Mrs. Newton have?”
    â€œSorry, no word yet. Mr. Newton promised he’d phone as soon as the baby is born. He knows to call here after three o’clock.”
    â€œWell, how long does it take?” asked Kristy indignantly. “I mean, to have a baby?”
    Her mother smiled. “It depends on the baby. You took twenty-four hours.”
    â€œWow,” I said.
    â€œTwenty-four hours!”
cried Kristy. “Oh, no. I cannot wait that long.”
    â€œWell, maybe this baby will come faster. Now listen, Jamie’s going to stay with us until his father comes home from the hospital. Since he may be spending the night, why don’t you gethis pajamas and things, but stay around here the rest of the time. It’ll be easier for Jamie than going back and forth. Here’s the key to the Newtons’ house. I’ll pay you for sitting this afternoon, by the way. And I’ll be home by six-thirty.” Mrs. Thomas kissed Kristy good-bye and waved to Jamie and me. Then she was gone.
    â€œWell, this isn’t exactly the way I’d thought things would work out,” said Kristy, “but it
is
a pretty exciting afternoon.”
    â€œI’ll say! … Hey, where are your brothers?”
    â€œYou mean Sam?” teased Kristy.
    â€œWe-ell …”
    â€œLet’s see. Today’s Monday so it’s Charlie’s day to watch David Michael. Oh, I bet he met David Michael at school and took him back to Stoneybrook High to watch cheerleading practice. Sam’s probably with them.”
    â€œCheerleading practice?”
    â€œYeah. David Michael loves it. He comes home
    and shows us the cheers.”
    I giggled.
    â€œSo, Jamie,” said Kristy. “What do you think? You’re going to be a big brother pretty soon.”
    Jamie shrugged and continued coloring.
    â€œWhat do you want?” I