As Told by Ginger copyright Viacom

Chapter 5: Dodie Bishop

Dodie Bishop watched the cars pull up to the curb, drop off kids, those kids saying 'good-bye' to their mother and/or father, and the cars drive off again. She kept hoping that Ginger's mom's Volkswagen was one of them. But it wasn't. She sighed. If Ginger was sick, nobody had called to tell her about it. And Ginger wasn't on the bus, either.

"I don't think she's coming, Dodie," Macie said beside her.

"But Mrs. Foutley would have called if Ginger was sick something."

"Maybe she did call after we had already left. It's not we have cell phones or any thing."

Dodie nodded. And reluctantly left her spot near the curb. Sadly she had to admit to herself that Macie was right. Ginger wasn't coming to school today. As she turned away from the street, she caught sight of Courtney's limo pulling up.

They walked toward the middle school with their heads hung low. They didn't want to face the day without their friend. Dodie knew what she was feeling. She could only guess what Macie was feeling, but she felt safe to assume that what was Macie was feeling.

"Hey, guys! Wait up," Dodie heard from behind her. She and Macie froze. Slowly they turned around.

"Ginger?" Dodie was surprised. Ginger was walking beside Courtney and only slightly behind from the limo. "I thought that you weren't coming to school today."

Ginger rolled her eyes upward. "Jeeze, Dodie, I'm only running a little late."

"I called your place, but nobody was home," said Macie. Dodie raised an eyebrow. Why hadn't she told her that? It would have helped her case.

"We were, uh... out." But Ginger provided no explanation.

"That's right, Podie. We were out this morning on a very important errand," Courtney said.

"Both of you?" Dodie said.

"That's right, Stacie." Courtney turned to Ginger. "See you after first period." And she broke away from the trio.

"What was that all about, Ginger Foutley?" Dodie accused. She was tired of being out of the loop all the time. She was barely aware of the fact that wasn't exactly true, but she was miffed that her best friend wasn't sharing a big, juicy secret with her. "I'm your best friend. Remember?"

"Oh, I'm sure that she'll get your names right one of these days."

"No, that very important errand you had this morning."

Ginger stared back at her for a long moment. Then she hung her head low and went ahead to the middle school. Something was definitely up. Dodie knew her best friend, so she could tell. "Macie, I'm afraid that we're going to have to resort to some rather drastic action."

Macie gasped. "You mean?"

"Yes, we're going to have to spy on her."

First period was English. They had another paper due that day. Dodie laid her head down on the table. She was doomed. She had forgotten her piece on the history of the button and the fly, that is, the zipper. When it's time to turn in their papers, the truth would be revealed. And Dodie was so proud of that paper too. She had put her heart into it.

And it was still at home.

Dodie groaned. Would this day never end?

"Dodie Bishop," the intercom cackled, "would you please come to the office please?" She sat right back up. What? "Dodie Bishop, please come to the office please. That is all," the principal finished.

"Oh, great. Now what?"

"I'm sure that it's nothing," Macie comforted. "It could be medal or an award."

Dodie gave her a look as she got up. If they were giving something like that, they would present to her in front of class. She did not like this. She didn't like it at all. She went to the teacher at the front of the class.

As she was getting the pass from the teacher, the intercom spoke up again. "Ginger Foutley to the principal's office."

Dodie swallowed. It was getting a hollow feeling in her gut. Something must have to Mrs. Foutley, she thought. Which was a most ridiculous thought, as the Bishops weren't Ginger's godparents and Ginger's dad was still very much still alive. No, it was something else.

They stared at each other as Ginger stood up. Time to meet their fate.

Two minutes later, they were in the front office. They sat in the front office, waiting for Principal Milty to call on them.

"Do you know anything about what's going on," Dodie asked.

Ginger shook her head.

"I was afraid of that."

Ginger put her hand on Dodie's. "Maybe one of your aunts died, Dode." She offered Dodie a weak smile. "Though I doubt it."

The receptionist looked up from her typing. "You can go in now, Dodie."

"Wish me luck, Ginger."

"All right, Dodie," she said. When Dodie was up, she added, "Good luck."

Dodie went into the Principal's office. Inside Principal Milty pointed invitingly toward the chair in front of his desk. And he looked very serious. "Have a seat, Dodie," he said.

She frowned as she sat into the chair. "You called me, Principal Milty."

"This is the toughest part of the job," he said almost too softly for Dodie to hear. "It's your Aunt Harriet." Dodie blanched. "She's missing."

"Then she might be alive?"

"Yes, I suppose."

"Then there's hope I suppose," Dodie grinned. "When exactly did she disappear?"