CHAPTER 4: Who Made The Cut?

That evening, the four of us were sitting around the kitchen table, and having dinner, which was lasagna and garlic bread. In addition to Nannie's Swedish meatballs, lasagna is one of my all-time favorite foods.

"So, how'd it go?" Mom asked as she took a bite of lasagna.

"Oh, it was great," I said. "I think both of us did really well."

"I know you did," Andrew said doubtfully.

"What do you mean?" Seth asked as he helped himself to another piece of garlic bread.

"Well," Andrew said, taking a sip of milk, "I had a little trouble with the dance routine, and when it was my turn to sing, Mr. Drubek said he couldn't really hear me. And he was even in the front row, too. I just don't think I made it."

"Oh, you did all right, Andrew," I said, patting his arm. "I'm sure you'll make it."

"I don't know."

"Hey, remember when you played Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol when you were four?"" I reminded him. "You were great! And besides, your part was a million times better than mine!"

That managed to cheer Andrew up a little. "Thanks, Karen," he said.

"I have an idea," Seth spoke up. "Since Monday is a holiday, how about if the four of us go to the old Stoneybrooke Village for the afternoon?"

"That's a great idea!" I exclaimed. I'd been there on a field trip last year, and it was a lot of fun. Besides, it would be a great way for Andrew and me to get our minds off whether or not we were in the Stoneybrook Kids.

The following Tuesday after Memorial Day, my friends and I were on our way to lunch when we passed by Mrs. Titus' office. Sure enough, there was the list. When we were able to get a closer look, here's what we saw:

THE STONEYBROOK KIDS

AGE 7 GROUP: Andrew Brewer, Johnny Hobart, Jamie Newton, Jenny Prezzioso

AGE 8 & 9 GROUP: Claire Pike, Rosie Wilder

AGE 10 GROUP: Karen Brewer, Nancy Dawes, Bobby Gianelli, Pamela Harding, Hannie Papadakis, Druscilla Porter, Hank Reubens, Jackie Rodowsky, Natalie Springer, Rick Torres

AGE 11 GROUP: Scott Hsu, Nick Pike, Becca Ramsey, David Michael Thomas

ALTERNATES: Omar Harris, Tim Hsu, Melody Korman, Nina Marshall, Myriah Perkins, Archie Rodowsky

The three of us just stood there, our mouths hanging open, and our eyes as big as Frisbees. I just couldn't believe we'd made it. I was particularly surprised that Andrew was in it, too, but Pamela and David Michael, not so much.

Just then, Andrew happened to be passing by. He came up to look at the list, and gasped. "I don't believe it," he whispered. "I made it."

The next thing I knew, Andrew was yanking on my arm and saying, "Karen! We made it!"

My friends and I looked at each other, then at the list, then back to each other, struggling to get a single word out. Instead, this is what came out: "AAAAAAHHH!"