On a Saturday morning, Claudia decided it was a good idea to head out and see Kristy for a bit.
Hope Kristy wouldn't mind having a friend for a while. She got her car keys and then headed into the garage and headed straight to Kristy's mansion.
Yes, she lives with her mom, stepfather, and a few of her other siblings.
Claudia parked in the driveway when she arrived. So she opened the car door after turning off the ignition and locking it.
She rang the doorbell.
Claudia didn't have to wait very long for somebody to let her in. Karen, Kristy's stepsister, was the closest to the door.
"Hi, Claudia."
"Hi, Karen. Is Kristy around?"
"Come in and I'll show you where she is."
"Thank you, Karen. I don't think I will stay here for very long."
"That's okay. I'll tell Kristy you're here. Is she expecting you or something?"
"No, she's not. I just decided to stop by."
Claudia didn't pay any attention to see there were several suitcases in the living room. She only wanted to say hello to Kristy, even though they had their meeting at her house yesterday.
"Kristy, you have a visitor," Claudia heard Karen say.
"Who is it?" Kristy asked.
"Claudia."
"What is she doing here?"
"I don't know. She didn't really tell me anything."
"Tell her I'll be right with her."
"Okay."
Then Karen returned.
"She's on her way."
"What have you been doing?"
"Nothing much. You're busy with baby – sitting."
"Yes, we are," Claudia said once she saw Kristy join them.
"I'll leave you alone then," Karen told them.
"Why don't you hang out with David Michael for a while?" Kristy asked.
"I don't think so, but thank you anyway."
David Michael is one of Kristy's brothers.
"Claudia, what are you doing here?" Kristy asked.
"Just wanted to drop by," Claudia answered.
"Before I forget, Claudia, I didn't mention it at the meeting yesterday because I had something else on my mind."
"What is it that you forgot?" Claudia asked her.
"I wanted to know if you wouldn't mind being president of the BSC for a week."
"What's going on?"
"A family member passed away last week and I didn't hear about until Monday."
Claudia hugged her friend.
"I'll be glad to take over. I can pass this on to the other girls."
"Thank you, Claudia."
"What happened to your relative?"
"My great – aunt passed away," she answered and started to cry.
Claudia kept hugging Kristy.
"Sorry, Kristy. I wouldn't mind being president for a week."
"Dawn might want to be vice – president for a week if she's interested."
"I'll say something to them after I leave."
"You can call from your house, right?"
"Yes. How old was your relative?"
"In the hundreds."
"That's pretty long."
"Yes, it is," Kristy agreed.
"Were you close?"
"I wouldn't say that. We didn't see her very often to answer your question, Claud."
"Remember how close I was to Mimi?"
"Yes, I do. It's not the same thing with my great – aunt."
"Thank you for letting me know about taking over on Monday."
"You're welcome."
Kristy began to calm down, and the hugs from Claudia seemed to help.
"Is your aunt from here?"
"No. Somewhere else."
"Where?"
"Nevada."
"That means you're going to be flying."
"Yes," Kristy answered.
Claudia kept hugging Kristy for a while longer.
"Just let me know when you're coming back," Claudia told her.
"I will."
Claudia could tell that her friend was trying not to cry in front her, even though they'd been friends for a long time.
"I'd better get going, Claud. We leave first thing in the morning."
"Who's driving?"
"My mom," was the answer.
"Sorry you wouldn't be in school with us."
"That's all right. Mom's already called the principal about it."
"You mean earlier today?"
"Yes," Kristy answered.
"Hope you get there safely."
"We will. You can tell me everything when I get back how the meetings went."
"I plan to do that."
This wasn't the first time Claudia's been acting as president.
That means she could talk to Dawn and see what she thinks of the vice – president thing since Kristy already asked her about president.
Claudia thought of Dawn since she was the alternate office of the BSC.
They'll talk about it later.
"Do you want me to help with anything?"
"No, we're already taking care of things already, but thank you for the offer."
"You're welcome, Kristy. I'll go back home and call the other girls. Do you want me to call you in Nevada or do you want to call my phone?"
"Your phone would be the best way to go, Claud. I'll call when we come in from the flight."
"I need to know that. Talk with you soon, okay?"
"Okay. Thanks again."
When Claudia left Kristy's house, she thought it was a perfect time to call an emergency meeting of the Baby – sitters Club to share the news Kristy had just given her.
They hardly have emergency meetings, and this was one of them.
Time to call the other girls.