Read Online Kristy's Great Idea by Ann M. Martin - Free Book Online Page B

kids are cute. Karen is five and Andrew is three. I think Kristy would like them if she ever baby-sat for them. Are you reading this, Kristy? I hope so. Well, Kristy said this notebook is for us to write our experiences and our problems in, especially our problems.
    And there were a few problems at Watson’s house. When I said Andrew and Karen were cute, I mean they were cute looking. They were cute acting, too, most of thetime. But sometimes Karen was a pill. That was one problem. Another problem was Boo-Boo, the cat. The biggest problem was Mrs. Porter, the next-door neighbor. Anyone else who sits for Andrew and Karen should know about Boo-Boo and Mrs. Porter ahead of time.
    Watson picked up Mary Anne at 8:45 Saturday morning and drove her to his house. He lives all the way across Stoneybrook, so it’s hard to get to his place by bike.
    According to Mary Anne, Watson was very nice to her in the car, which was to be expected. He always makes an extra effort to be nice to me, since he knows I don’t like to have him around, so of course he would be nice to my best friend.
    Mary Anne says that Watson lives in a very pretty, big house. I guess he has a lot of money. He’d have to, the way he throws it around, buying Chinese food right and left and taking my mom out on dates almost every night. Anyway, the house is large, and Andrew and Karen have neat rooms. And
toys.
Mary Anne had never seen somany—gigantic stuffed animals, dolls, a train that you could really ride around the backyard, cars, bikes, a playhouse, costumes to dress up in. It was incredible, kind of like being in Toys “R” Us.
    Watson turned out to be not only a very good father but a very organized customer. The first thing he did was introduce Mary Anne to Andrew and Karen, whose mother had just brought them over. Then he showed her their rooms, took her back downstairs, showed her where all the stuff was for making lunch, and finally pinned up a list of phone numbers she might need.
    And then he brought out Boo-Boo.
    From what Mary Anne told me, Boo-Boo must truly be a boo-boo. What a mess of a cat. He was gray with big yellow eyes that were kind of handsome, but he was
fat.
He looked like a pillow with legs attached. When he stood up, his stomach touched the ground, and when he tried to run, it swayed back and forth. He was gross.
    â€œHe weighs seventeen pounds,” Karen said proudly.
    â€œWe think he belongs in the
Guinness Book of World Records,”
remarked Watson.
    Mary Anne couldn’t figure out why Watsonwas showing Boo-Boo to her. Okay, he was really, really fat. So what? Certainly he didn’t need to be fed.
    Watson cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses. “There are a few things you should know about Boo-Boo,” he said.
    Now, Mary Anne is not the bravest person in the world, and she said that right then she began to feel just the teensiest bit afraid. She put her finger in her mouth and bit at the nail.
    â€œThe first thing,” said Watson, “is that Boo-Boo bites if provoked. And scratches.”
    â€œHe’s an attack cat,” added Karen.
    â€œIt’s best if you just steer clear of him,” Watson went on. “I’d offer to confine him while I’m gone, but he doesn’t like that much.”
    â€œHe gnawed the laundry room door all up,” said Karen.
    â€œJust try to ignore him.”
    Mary Anne nodded.
    â€œWhatever you do, don’t touch him,” added Watson.
    Mary Anne nodded again.
    â€œWell, I guess that’s it. Any questions?”
    â€œNo, not really. Lunch at twelve-thirty, right?” said Mary Anne.
    â€œRight.”
    â€œWhat about Mrs. Porter, Daddy?” asked Karen.
    â€œOh, I think she’s on vacation,” replied Watson. “No need to worry about her.” He turned to Mary Anne. “Mrs. Porter is an elderly woman who lives next door. She’s a bit on the eccentric side and Karen is convinced