Fabulous Five 013 - The Christmas Countdown (7 page)

Melanie could scarcely believe how things were turning out.
What had started out as an idea to sim-ply save some homeless animals from
being put to sleep on Christmas Eve day had grown into a super way to bring
love and companionship to a group of elderly people. It was going to be the
best Christmas ever. Except for Rainbow, she thought wistfully. Someone would
have the dog, but it wouldn't be she.

Melanie couldn't wait to tell everyone about their good luck,
but she decided to let them know all at one time. So she telephoned each of the
kids who had worked on the pet project and told them to
definitely
be by
the fence before school in the morning because she had
big
news.

"Okay. What's the big news?" asked Shane on Friday
morning when everyone was assembled by the fence.

"Yeah," said Keith. "This had better be good.
I need to get in and review my history notes for a test."

"It is big news,"
said Melanie, pausing for
effect. And then she told them about her conversation with Mrs. Crenshaw and
that she had told Melanie that she would talk to the other nurse's aides and
visiting nurses and get the names of elderly people who would like to have pets
and whether each one would prefer a cat or a dog. She was going to call Melanie
after work that evening. "Then all we have to do is make arrangements to
call the people who want pets to be sure they'll be home and then get the
animals from the shelter on Christmas Eve day and deliver them."

"Wow!" said Randy. "That's awesome!"

"Right on!" shouted Matt as he hugged Mona.

"I can't wait to tell Igor," said Shane. "His
tail curls up every time I mention those cats sleeping in his box."

Everyone cheered and congratulated Melanie.

"It looks as if we've done it," said Jon.

"Not until we've collected that last fifty-one dollars
and seventy-seven cents," said Christie. "Until we get that, there
will still be
two
animals left at the shelter that might be put to
sleep."

"One," Melanie corrected her. "Don't forget
Rainbow. She's already been adopted." Then, sighing, she added, "That
takes the amount we need down to twenty-six dollars and seventy-seven cents."

"We've still got today and tomorrow to get the money,"
said Katie, giving Melanie's hand a sympathetic squeeze.

"How much did we collect at lunchtime today?"
asked Tony. They were all seated in the corner booth at Bumpers.

"Three dollars and a dime," said Christie.

"Is that all?" asked Randy.

"That's it," Christie assured him.

"And there was only one contribution in the mail, and
it was five dollars," said Melanie. "It was from someone who had sent
in money before, too. A Mrs. Glosner." She had remembered the shaky
handwriting from before.

"Gee, we still need over eighteen dollars," said
Mona.

"All the kids are tapped out," said Keith. "They've
given all their extra allowance and lunch money."

"I guess we're just going to have to hit our parents up
again," said Scott.

"I've gotten everything I can get out of mine,"
said Matt.

"Well, we've still got tomorrow," said Melanie.

"But it's Saturday," Katie said dejectedly.

"We're so close," insisted Jana. "We can't
leave any of the animals there to be put to sleep."

"Yeah. And I keep thinking about what you said about
elderly people needing pets for companions," said Beth. "You know, I
don't think we should quit after we've paid for these animals and given them to
people who need them. There are more of both, and it seems like a shame that we
can't get them together."

"I agree," said Katie.

Melanie felt tingly all over. She knew where the conversation
was headed, and she was thrilled. "Me, too. It doesn't
have
to be
the Christmas season to help. Why don't we all agree to continue saving money
all through the year to buy cats and dogs to give to people who need them?"

"I second that motion," said Shane, smiling at
her.

"Well, for now, assume that we'll have the money for
all thirteen cats and dogs," Melanie said, getting back to business. "Who
can get their parents to deliver the animals?"

"I can!" said Mona, waving her hand.

"There are thirteen animals and sixteen of us,"
said Christie. "That means that some of us can be partners and deliver
them together. That way no one will be left out."

"That's a good idea," Melanie said. "Shane
and I will be partners, and we'll even deliver two. Who else wants to be
partners?"

"That sounds great!" said Jana. "Randy and I
can deliver two, also."

The others began pairing up and deciding how many animals
they could take. In spite of everyone's talking at once, by the time they were
ready to leave Bumpers, every single animal had a ride to its new home.

"Melanie! Telephone!"
Jeffy shrieked in her
ear.

Melanie was barely able to uncross her eyes by the time she
picked up the phone.

It was Mrs. Crenshaw. "I've got the list of names for
you, Melanie. In fact, I've got more than the thirteen that you asked for."

"That's great, Mrs. Crenshaw," Melanie said. "We're
going to try and get more donations for animals after Christmas, too. We hope
to get more pets for the elderly."

"This is a wonderful thing you kids are doing, Melanie.
You don't know how much happiness you're going to bring to thirteen old people
on Christmas Eve."

Suddenly a sad feeling came over Melanie. "I'm not sure
that we're going to have the money to give pets to all thirteen. We've only
collected enough for twelve animals so far."

"Oh? Well, have I got good news for you," said
Mrs. Crenshaw cheerfully. "The aides and nurses that I talked to were so
impressed with what you are doing that they all wanted to contribute. Would
eighty-five dollars help you out? That's how much they donated."

Melanie looked at the telephone she held in her hand.
Eighty-five dollars?
That would be more than enough
. They could even
adopt an extra pet for that and have some left over to build their savings for
more.

"Oh, Mrs. Crenshaw. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
exclaimed Melanie. "I love you."

Mrs. Crenshaw laughed and told Melanie that rather than
reading the list of names over the phone, she would stop by on her way home and
drop it and the money off.

Melanie was dancing when she went into the kitchen to tell
her mother the news.

Melanie couldn't believe the size of the crowd in front of
the animal shelter. It was four o'clock on Christmas Eve afternoon and there
were cars lined up all the way down the block. The Edwardses had been the first
to arrive so their car was parked right in front of the shelter. Beth Barry's
family's van was parked right behind it, and Shane's father's orange Volkswagen
with the flowers and the butterflies painted on the sides was stopped, letting
Shane out. Inside, the foyer was crowded with the kids and their parents.

"All right, everyone," Mrs. Graham said loudly so
she could be heard. "I'll have Charles bring the animals in one at a time.
I'd appreciate it if the family who is going to be responsible for it will come
forward and sign a release paper. Remember, I need to have
all
the
signed adoption papers back here by the end of the next week."

Charles had exchanged his baseball cap for a red Santa's
hat, and he brought the Labrador retriever out first.

"He's ours!" yelled Keith, and he, Beth, and her
parents made their way through the people to get him and complete the
paperwork.

As Charles brought the animals out one by one, Melanie felt
a swelling of pride in her chest. Each of the dogs pranced out excitedly, as if
they knew they were going to a
real
home. The kittens and cats seemed
more afraid, but they relaxed once they were safely in the arms of the boy or
girl who reached out to take them. This could be the most exciting thing I've
ever done, Melanie thought.

"We've had several donations from people who saw the
television coverage," said Mrs. Graham to Melanie. "And three people
called to say they'd stop by later today to see if we had any dogs left for
adoption. Thanks to you boys and girls, the animal shelter may be empty for
Christmas."

Melanie and Shane exchanged thumbs-up and smiles.

When Charles brought out the poodle named Jocko, Melanie
said, "That one is for us." One of the names on the list of the
elderly had been familiar to her, and she thought the poodle might just be the
right pet for that person. Mrs. Martha Glosner must be a special person because
she had donated twice to their fund by mail.

When Melanie had called her on the phone to tell her she
would be bringing her a little friend, Mrs. Glosner had been overjoyed. She
said she loved animals but couldn't afford one herself, and her donations had
been her way of helping out as much as she could.

After the poodle, the Edwardses and Shane claimed possession
of the Persian cat with the pushed-in face. While her father signed the release
and got the adoption papers for the animals, Melanie glanced back to the door
to the room where the animals were, thinking about Rainbow. I wonder if her new
family has picked her up yet? she thought.

"There," said Mrs. Graham as Melanie's father
signed the last paper. "I believe that takes care of all the animals."

"No, Ma'am," said Charles. "You're forgetting
the one that didn't get adopted because the people changed their minds."

"What?" said Melanie. Her heart was racing. "Which
animal didn't get adopted?"

"Oh, yes," said Mrs. Graham. "I did forget,
didn't I?" Turning to Melanie, she said. "It's your little friend,
Rainbow. The family decided not to take her when they found out about her
condition."

"Her condition?" queried Mrs. Edwards, who had
come up to stand beside Melanie when Rainbow's name was mentioned.

"Didn't you know? I'm so sorry, I thought you did,"
said Mrs. Graham. Rainbow is, uh . . . she's going to be a mother. I guess it
was hard to tell when she was just in her cage or sitting down."

Melanie's heart leapt. Rainbow was still there! That meant
she still needed a home!

"Do you mean she's going to have puppies?" Mrs.
Edwards asked, her eyes wide and her mouth dropping open.

"I think that's usually what it means when dogs are
going to be mothers, Kathy," said Mr. Edwards, chuckling.

"Oh, Mom. You said we could have her before we knew the
other family might take her. We can't desert her now," Melanie pleaded,
bouncing up and down on her tiptoes. "Oh, please! She needs us more than
ever."

Mrs. Edwards turned and looked at her daughter, and Melanie
had never seen a more helpless look on her mother's face. "But . . ."
she started to say. Then she shrugged and ruffled Melanie's hair. "Bring
her out," she said softly.

Melanie sat amidst the piles of wrapping paper and boxes on
Christmas morning. The new sweater and skirt she had gotten from her parents
were folded neatly on the arm of the couch, the things her grandparents had
sent her were on the table in front of her, and she had the cassette tape that
Jeffy had given her in her hand. She was debating whether she wanted to get up
and play it or just bask in the pleasure of thinking about Christmas Eve.

The Edwardses and Shane had delivered the poodle to Mrs.
Glosner, who lived in the poorer section of town. She was widowed, just like
Mrs. Miller, and hugged the poodle nearly the whole time they were with her.
The poodle seemed to get to know her quickly and was prancing on its back legs
for her to pick him up again when they were leaving. Mrs. Glosner asked them to
come back and see her and Jocko anytime. Melanie and Shane said they would.

The cat with the pushed-in face went to a man named Mr.
Barton. Mr. Barton needed crutches to get around and had wanted a cat because
they were easier to care for. Melanie saw tears in his eyes when they were
leaving, and she and Shane promised they would visit him, too.

On the way to drop off Shane at his house before going on
home, Jeffy had watched the outdoor Christmas decorations they drove by, and
Melanie had snuggled Rainbow up close in her lap. Beside her, Shane was quieter
than usual.

"What are you thinking about?" she asked.

He smiled at her. "Pets, I guess. I never thought about
not having a family before and having only a pet to talk to. Igor's great, but
he's sure not a substitute for my mom and dad, no matter how weird they are."

"I know what you mean," she said. "You know,
we promised both Mrs. Glosner and Mr. Barton that we'd visit them. I want to
keep that promise."

"Me, too. We'll do it." Shane took her hand and
folded it between his two. She rested her head on his shoulder. She had known
that this was going to be a good Christmas for several people, including her.

"Where's Rainbow?" asked Jeffy, bringing Melanie
back to the present.

"I imagine she's still in the basement," said his
father.

"Oh, boy! She's missing all the fun." Jeffy
scampered through the boxes and papers and headed for the basement.

"The poor thing's taking a nap," called Melanie. "Why
don't you just let her rest? She's had a lot of excitement the past couple of
days."

Jeffy ignored her and tromped down the basement steps.
Melanie had just decided she would go to her room and listen to the tape when
she heard Jeffy shout.

"HEY, EVERYBODY! COME HERE! COME HERE!"

Melanie followed her parents through the kitchen and down
the stairs.

"Oh, my," her mother exclaimed.

Melanie peeked between her parents to see what they were
looking at. There, in the bed that she and Jeffy had made for her, lay Rainbow
and eight wiggling, squeaking little puppies, hardly bigger than mice. One was
black, one was white, one was brown, and one was red, for each color in Rainbow's
coat, and the other four looked exactly like her.

"They're beautiful!" cried Melanie.

Rainbow looked up at her, and Melanie could swear she was
smiling.

"Now, that's what I call
pets!
" cried
Jeffy.

"You haven't thrown away that list of people who need
pets, have you?" asked her father.

"Larry! How could you think of giving these adorable
things away," said her mother, kneeling down next to the box and picking
up a puppy in each hand.

The rest of the family stared at Mrs. Edwards in disbelief
for an instant and then turned to each other and smiled.