Kimberly Willis Holt - Piper Reed, Forever Friend

The author and publisher have provided this e-book to you for your personal use only. You may not make this e-book publicly available in any way. Copyright infringement is against the law. If you believe the copy of this e-book you are reading infringes on the authors copyright, please notify the publisher at: us.macmillanusa.com/piracy.

To Shannon, my first reader (who happens to be the best daughter), and to Jerry, forever and ever

K. W. H.

CONTENTS

A Fish Tale

In December, Chief got his new orders from the U.S. Navy. We were moving to Norfolk, Virginia. Id be saying good-bye to the Gypsy Club that I started here, but since Michael and his twin sister, Nicole, had moved to Norfolk last month, I already had two friends there. Enough for a new Gypsy Club. I couldnt wait for my new adventure to begin.

When we moved to Pensacola, Florida, fifteen months ago, thered been five of usChief, Mom, my sisters Tori and Sam, and me. Now two more had joined our familyour dog, Bruna, and Sams goldfish, Peaches the Second.

Bruna would be moving with us, but not Peaches the Second. Sam pitched a big fit when Chief broke the news. Thats not fair! Just because Peaches the Second is a fish?

Sam, just think about it, I said. This is what it would be like for Peaches the Second trapped in a plastic bag on a long car ride. I sucked in my cheeks and crossed my eyes. Then I rocked side to side.

Even Tori glanced up from her poetry book and laughed. And she hardly ever cracked up at anything I did. I guess thirteen-year-olds dont have a sense of humor. At least I had three years to go before I lost mine.

Chief patted the spot next to him on the couch. Come here, Sam.

Sam plopped near him, but crossed her arms over her chest. But, Daddy, whats going to happen to Peaches the Second?

I placed my hands over my heart, trying to look sad like someone at a funeral. Most goldfish eventually experience the great flush in the sky, I said.

The what? Sam asked.

My fingers flushed an imaginary commode handle in the air, and I said, Ker-plunk!

Sam burst into tears.

Tori slammed her book shut. Piper Reed, you are mean!

Piper, Chief said, you arent helping matters. He wrapped his arm around Sam and said, Sweetheart, the drive would be too long for Peaches.

Peaches the Second, Sam corrected him.

Chief hit his forehead with a flat palm. Of course, Peaches the Second. Then he winked at me. Yes, she could uh

I began to sing the only funeral song I could remember. In the sweet by and by

Chief lowered his eyebrows at me just as Mom walked into the room with a laundry basket.

Why dont you give Peaches the Second to Brady? I asked.

Thats a great idea, Piper, Mom said. Brady loves Peaches.

THE SECOND! Sam yelled.

Mom sighed. She was sorting through the laundry, tossing the unmatched socks into a pile. Chief kept a sack of unmatched socks and tried to match them up each time he did laundry. He called it the Single Sock Looking for Love Sack. Mom ignored the sack and threw them into her art bag for sock puppets or some other art class project.

When Tori had found out, shed said, Moms and Dads sock systems totally contradict each other.

Yep, Id said, and thats why the Reed family goes around sockless most of the time.

Then Mom pitched one of my favorite socks in her art project pile, the one with jets all over it.

Wait! I dashed across the room and rescued it. Once the sock was safe in my hands, I asked Sam, So what do you think about giving her to Brady?

But I dont want to give Peaches the Second to him, Sam whined. Then I wont have a fish. She puckered up her lips and started that pretend cry she used whenever she couldnt get the tears to come.

Chief stood up and headed toward the kitchen. Sam, if you give your fish to Brady, well buy you a new one when we get to Norfolk.

Sam wiped her phony tears with her shirttail. How about two?

The pantry door squeaked open, and Chief pulled out a loaf of bread. Okay, two goldfish.

Sam should be a lawyer. She knew how to get Chief to cave in. He was at his weakest when he was hungry.

Everyone grab a plate, Chief called out. Im making tuna fish salad sandwiches for dinner tonight.

What? Sam squealed. How could you?

Chief didnt say goldfish sandwiches. A picture of Peaches the Second flopping between two pieces of rye bread flashed in my mind, and I started laughing.

Whats so funny? Sam asked.

Nothing, I said. Its kind of a private joke.

Tori chuckled. That sounds fishy.

Even I cracked up. That was the first time in her entire life my big sister, Tori Reed, said anything funny.

Last Day

Moving to Norfolk would be like no other move. Usually when Chief was assigned to a different place, I had to make all new friends. The best part about these orders was that Michael and Nicole were already there. Maybe they had started recruiting members to the Gypsy Club. Then it would be the biggest and best Gypsy Club in the world. My heart skipped beats just thinking about that.

Thursday was my last day at the Blue Angels Elementary School. We couldnt have a going-away party at school because most of the students were military kids. If we had a party every time someone moved, wed be throwing a party every couple of weeks. Although in my opinion that would be a lot more fun than learning about history and fractions. My last day kind of felt like a party anyway because everyone was super nice to me. Even mean ole Kirby, who was never nice.

At recess, Stanley said, I can give you my e-mail address again if you lost it. All of my friends in Norfolk must have lost mine when I moved here. I havent heard a word from them.

I still have your e-mail address, Stanley. You and Hailey will be the first ones that I write. Of course it might take me a while since Ill be unpacking, and Ill have to visit Michael and Nicole. Well have a lot to catch up on.

Stanleys shoulders lifted. Dont forget my grandfather lives in Virginia Beach, which happens to be very close to Norfolk.

How could I forget? Stanley had been telling us ever since Michael and Nicole learned they were moving there.

At the end of the school day, Ms. Gordon said, Piper Reed, good luck in Norfolk. Well miss you. When she said that, her eye didnt twitch one bit.

I didnt want Ms. Gordon to be sad. So even though she wasnt my favorite teacher, I said, If you give me your e-mail address, Ill write to you.