Once she made it back home, Claudia called all of her friends so they would know about what's going on with Kristy to share the news she just heard from their friend.
Mary Anne and Kristy might be best friends, but Claudia wasn't sure if Mary Anne knew about the news or not, so this was why Claudia called this meeting.
Jessi was the first to show up at the house.
"Hi, Claud. What made you call this meeting for?" Jessi asked once she sat on Claudia's bed.
"You'll find out. It's not good, but I just want the other girls to be here and see why I called this meeting."
"Is Kristy coming?"
"No, this meeting is about her and she wanted me to share with you girls."
"I see what you mean."
Mary Anne, Stacey, Dawn and Mallory arrived next.
They noticed that Kristy wasn't there.
"What's this meeting all about?" Mary Anne asked, joining Jessi on the bed with Stacey.
"I called this meeting because of Kristy."
"So that means she won't be here?"
"That's right, Dawn."
"Tell us the news, Claudia," Stacey said.
"Well, I stopped by Kristy's place a while ago. Her family looked like they were getting ready for vacation."
"I don't remember hearing anything about vacation," Mary Anne told her.
"Did Kristy ever tell you what was going on?" Claudia asked, thinking about Kristy's relative.
"About what?" Mary Anne asked.
"She's your best friend," Stacey reminded her.
"I know. Something doesn't sound right," Mary Anne told Stacey.
"Why do you say that?"
"I think Kristy wanted me to hear about it before I called this meeting."
"Come on, Claudia. Just tell us."
Claudia wasn't so sure how to tell them about Kristy's aunt that died recently.
"Well, when I showed up, Karen answered the front door when I rang the doorbell. She said something, but let Kristy share the news instead since I was her friend in the first place," Claudia began.
"What sort of news is that's making her go on vacation?" Stacey asked.
"It's not vacation, Stacey. It's a funeral they're going to."
"No wonder you're trying to figure out to share with us," Dawn told her.
"That's right. I had to figure that out before you showed up."
"I don't remember hearing about that, even though we're best friends."
"I thought she would've said something."
"No, Claudia. I will call Kristy later and tell her how sorry we are about her relative."
"It was a great – aunt is what Kristy said."
"Did she cry when you were over there?"
"She sounded like that she almost did, but didn't want to do it in front of me, even though we've been friends for a long time."
"So that means Karen and Andrew are going along," Jessi said.
"Yes, they are. Karen was carrying a few suitcases with her when she let me inside."
"Was she the only one there when you showed up?"
"At the door she was."
"Was Karen in tears also?" Mary Anne asked.
"No. Just Kristy. I didn't see anybody with her either," Claudia answered.
"Dawn, maybe we should go over to Kristy's house instead of calling her later. What do you think?"
"We can go together, Mary Anne."
"I think since Kristy's my best friend, I should be the one to call her before we show up without saying anything first."
"Good point," Dawn replied.
The other girls didn't have any plans for today, so there was no reason to go home anytime soon.
Claudia looked around her room and see what kind of candy that was leftover from yesterday's meeting.
"What are you looking for?" Stacey asked.
"Junk food. What else?"
"You look like you're looking for something that's not food," Jessi said.
"I know. Do you and Dawn want anything?" Claudia asked her friend.
"We're good, thanks, Claud," Dawn answered.
Even Stacey agreed with Dawn that she was okay without having a snack.
"Since you said that you were at Kristy's before calling the meeting, what does she want?"
"Well, she asked me to take over as president until she comes back after a week."
"She did? So that was why you were over earlier?" Mallory asked.
"No. I just wanted to say hello and what's up. That's when she asked me to take over as president while they're out to a funeral," Claudia answered.
"I'd better go call Kristy later today and tell her we heard about her relative that died."
"I'll go, Mary Anne," Dawn agreed.
"All right. You can go, Dawn," Mary Anne told her stepsister.
"We'll call Kristy's house first," Dawn replied.
"That's a good idea. Claudia, did you call Kristy before you drove over?" Stacey asked.
"No, but she accepted anyway."
"That's a good thing," Jessi said.
"Unless you all want to come, that's fine," Mary Anne told the other girls.
"Thanks, Mary Anne, but we'll leave this to you and Kristy. You both need time alone before she leaves," Claudia told her.
"I like the idea, Claud."
"A couple of us have to baby – sit, so we can't come with you and Dawn."
"That's all right, Mallory. Maybe when Kristy comes back, we can."
"Did Kristy say how they're going out to the funeral?" Mallory asked.
"Flying," Claudia answered.
"We should go to Nevada sometime," Jessi replied.
"I don't know about that. Some of the areas in that state are really hot," Mary Anne said.
"We'll have to talk with Kristy about that and see what she has to say."
"Maybe one of us will have a great idea when she's gone."
"Probably, Dawn. Just don't know."
All the girls liked Dawn's idea on having a great idea while Kristy was gone, but she's usually the one who gets them half the time.
"If we did have that happen, then Kristy would miss out," Mallory replied.
"True. Kristy almost cried in front of me when she asked me to be president."
"I can't blame her. Let's go see her later, Dawn."
"Good idea, Mary Anne. Are we done yet, Claudia?"
"Yes, we are. This is all I have to share with you girls."
"Some of us are off to baby – sit," Jessi told her.
"Have fun."
"We will."
"Stacey, let's get over to my house for the kids," Mallory said.
"I'll follow you."
Mallory has a big family, so that's why they have two sitters most of the time.
The girls left as Stacey and Mallory were first since they had a job to do.
"See you next time, Claud."
"I'll look forward to it."