Fabulous Five 013 - The Christmas Countdown (6 page)

Once order was restored and all the animals were back in
their cages, Melanie approached Marge Whitworth, who was talking to her camera
crew.

"I guess you won't be able to use our story now, will
you?" she asked.

The anchorwoman threw back her head and laughed. "Of
course I will. In fact, I'll use it on both the six- and eleven-o'clock news.
If that wild scene doesn't point up the need for people to help out the
shelter, nothing will."

Melanie passed on the good news to the rest of the kids, who
were congregated outside. Then she hurried home, feeling exuberant. They were
going to get the publicity they needed after all. Now surely the money would
come pouring in as well as offers for homes for some of the animals.

"Guess what!" she called as she raced into her
house and sailed into the kitchen. "We're going to be on the news at both
six and eleven."

"Catch your breath," said her mother, "and
speak more slowly. What are you saying?"

Melanie gasped and then went on to tell her mother about the
dog-and-cat fight during the taping of the TV spot. "But Marge Whitworth
says she's going to run it anyway. She says it will get more attention than if
the animals had all behaved."

"That's great, sweetheart. We'll be sure to watch. In
fact, we'll tape it on the VCR if you'd like."

Melanie nodded and had started up to her room when her
mother called to her.

"I thought you'd like to know that I went over to Mrs.
Miller's today, and on top of everything else that's happened to her, the poor
soul twisted her ankle going down her stairs. The Visiting Nurses Association
is sending a nurse's aide over to help her with her cooking and chores for a
couple of days. I told Mrs. Crenshaw, the nurse's aide, that I'd look in on
Clare this evening. You know, Melanie, I think your idea of getting her another
dog to take her mind off Duchess might just be what she needs. Since Clare
lives alone, she doesn't have anything else to occupy her mind, and now with
the bad ankle, she's awfully blue. This is not going to be a good Christmas for
her."

Melanie spun around and hugged herself for joy. This was
exactly the opportunity she had been waiting for to put her plan about Rainbow
in action. "Can we go look for a pet for her this evening after we watch
the six-o'clock news? Mona said the shelter is open until eight o'clock so
people can go after work."

"I don't see why not," said her mother, and
Melanie thought she would die from relief.

When her father got home, Melanie told him about the
television taping at the shelter. He helped her set the VCR so that they could
get a permanent copy of her television debut, and the whole family gathered
around the set as the news came on.

Marge Whitworth opened the broadcast with a few stories of
national interest. Then she talked about a robbery on the east side of town.
Jeffy was getting fidgety, and Melanie could hardly sit still herself. Finally
the big moment arrived.

"In other news around town, I spent some time at our
local animal shelter this afternoon filming a very special Christmas project,"
said Ms. Whitworth.

Her face disappeared from the screen for an instant, and when
it reappeared, she was in the animal shelter, standing in front of all the kids
and their animals.

"This is it!" shrieked Melanie.

Jeffy jumped off his stool and ran to the television,
jabbing the screen with his finger. "There you are! Melanie, you're on TV!"

"That's what I told you, silly," said Melanie.

She motioned him to be quiet as the anchorwoman began
speaking. "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm here at the local animal shelter
today . . ."

Melanie sat spellbound watching herself and her friends on
television. But as much fun as that was, it was Rainbow whom she couldn't take
her eyes off of. The little dog was so gentle, even when the others went wild,
and the way she snuggled close made tears of longing come to Melanie's eyes.

Everyone was laughing like crazy by the time the segment was
over.

"That was an awfully nice dog you were holding,"
said her mother. "In fact, I'd say it was the pick of the bunch."

Melanie wanted to grab her mother and hug her, but she didn't
dare. It was critical that she didn't blow her chances of getting Rainbow now,
just when it was time for her parents to meet the dog in person.

A few minutes later the family got into the car for the
drive to the shelter, but before she left the house, Melanie hurried to her
room for the one special thing she wanted to take along.

"Wow!" said Jeffy as they walked into the animal
shelter. "Look at all the cages. And there are cats and dogs in all of
them." He ran forward and dropped to his knees in front of one cage, his
hands gripping the wire bars. The yellow cocker spaniel inside licked his nose,
making Jeffy giggle.

Besides the garland along the top of the cages, the shelter
employees had added brightly colored bows to the cage doors. The room looked
cheerful, and Mrs. Graham was showing animals to two other families. A little
girl was holding a dachshund that wiggled in her arms until Melanie thought she
might drop it. The other family had a cat with a pushed-in face that made it
look as if it were crabby.

"See," said Melanie, pulling her mother by the
hand to the cages. "Aren't they all just gorgeous?" She watched her
mother's face closely to see her reaction. She knew that this would be her last
chance to change her parents' minds about getting a pet.

Mr. Edwards followed as they walked along the rows looking
at the animals. The sternness had melted out of her mother's eyes as she looked
at the animals, and Melanie's heart quickened. Was her mother's resolve not to
get a dog weakening?

"Look at this little dog," said Melanie, pointing
to a cage that contained the small white dog that Garrett had photographed on
Saturday. It looked more like the end of her mother's dust mop than an animal.

Mrs. Edwards stuck her finger into the cage. The black
button nose sniffed at it and then its little pink tongue flicked out and
licked it. Mrs. Edwards smiled the way Melanie remembered her smiling when she
held Jeffy when he was a baby.

"Isn't he sweet," her mother cooed.

"I'll bet Mrs. Miller would like a dog like that,"
said Melanie. "He's not very big and he would be easy to take care of."

"Maybe so," her mother answered.

"Look! Look!" squealed Jeffy. A kitten had its paw
stretched out as far as it could reach and was swatting at him. Jeffy swatted
back gently with his forefinger.

"Can we get one? Oh, can we, please?" he pleaded.

"We're here to look for a dog for Mrs. Miller, not for
us," said Mrs. Edwards.

"Daddy talks about the dogs he had when he was little,"
said Jeffy. "Why can't we have one?"

Mrs. Edwards looked at her husband, her eyes pleading for
help. He had a noncommittal half-smile on his face and didn't say a word.

Now's the time if it ever will be, Melanie thought. "Let
me show you someone special." She gripped her mother's and father's hands
and pulled them toward the end of the row of cages. Jeffy followed, trying to
look in all directions at once.

Rainbow raised her head as they approached her cage and
wagged her tail in greeting. Melanie thought she could see recognition in the
big brown eyes. She wondered if the dog knew that she was trying hard to help.

"Hello, Melanie." Mrs. Graham had left the other
people. "Are you here to visit your friend?"

"Yes, Ma'am. Can we let her out?"

"I don't know if that's necessary," said Mrs.
Edwards.

"Surely. It's no problem at all," said Mrs.
Graham. "Here, let me do it." She opened the door and then returned
to the other people.

Rainbow looked at them tentatively, as if she were surprised
at the door's being open. Then she came out wagging her tail and sat pressing
her shoulder against Melanie.

"Look! She's smiling," said Jeffy. "I didn't
know dogs could smile."

"Some dogs do," said his father. "It's their
way of showing they're glad to see you."

Melanie caught the look of hopelessness in her mother's eyes
and knew she was breaking. She stroked Rainbow's silken sides as Jeffy held her
head and talked to her.

As the family hovered around the dog, Melanie put the last
part of her plan into action. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a big
Christmas bow with a ribbon attached that she had brought especially for
Rainbow. She carefully put the bow on the back of Rainbow's neck and tied the
ribbon under her chin. She looked beautiful.

"Rainbow is one of the animals that will be put to
sleep on Christmas Eve if someone doesn't take her," Melanie said quietly.
She heard her mother sigh. It was the same sigh Melanie had heard her make when
she had given in on other things. "Can we take her when we come to get the
animals? It won't cost us anything, and Jeffy and I will take care of her. We
promise."

"Yeah, we promise!" shouted Jeffy, jumping up and
down in his excitement.

Mrs. Edwards stood there while her family stared at her,
waiting for her next words. She shrugged. "I suppose a grown dog wouldn't
be as much trouble to train as a puppy. But we'll put a schedule on the
refrigerator showing whose week it is to take care of her," she added
sternly. Mrs. Edwards reached down and patted Rainbow on the head, and the dog
leaned against her.

Just then Mrs. Graham walked up to them again. "Oh,
Melanie. You'll be glad to hear that Rainbow will be getting a home. Just
before you got here, a family came in who had seen her on the six-o'clock news.
They're going to come back in the morning to sign the adoption papers and take
her home."

Melanie was thunderstruck. She couldn't even answer Mrs.
Graham. All she could do was hug Rainbow tightly while the little dog licked
the tears off her cheeks.

Melanie watched numbly as her parents paid for the little
white dog, whose name turned out to be Jo-Jo, and filled out all the adoption
papers stating that they would guarantee that he would be taken care of or they
would return him to the animal shelter. She knew she should be glad that Mrs.
Miller was getting a new friend and that Jo-Jo was getting a home, but her
heart was breaking over Rainbow.

Why had that other family had to watch TV tonight? And why
couldn't they have picked some other dog besides Rainbow? Even though her
parents had been sympathetic, and her mother had even said she could look for
another dog after Christmas, Melanie knew that Rainbow was the only dog in the
world for her.

After they got home from the shelter, Melanie and Jeffy
found a large cardboard box and cut the sides down on it. Then they dug through
the off-season closet in the garage and found an old set of curtains that their
mother said they could use for bedding.

They put Jo-Jo into the box and gave him some of the food
that Mrs. Graham had given them to carry them over. The family agreed that it
was too late to take him over to Mrs. Miller that night and that they would
give him to her the next evening.

After Jo-Jo was settled, Melanie slipped on her jacket again
and tiptoed out to the workshop. She stepped inside and flipped on the light
switch, looking down at the piles of blankets and rags her friends had helped
her assemble for the homeless dogs. How could she possibly take care of the
other animals when Rainbow would be with someone else? Why did I start this
whole thing in the first place? she asked herself. I wouldn't have, she thought
angrily, if I had known how much it was going to hurt.

Melanie dreaded going to school on Thursday morning, but when
she got there she noticed a large crowd gathered by the fence where The
Fabulous Five stood every morning. Besides her friends, there were the boys and
Mona Vaughn. Not only that, they were all talking at the same time.

"There she is!" shouted Jana when she saw Melanie
coming toward them.

"It's fantastic," cried Christie. "Everyone
saw us on TV last night, and lots of kids have come up and contributed already
this morning."

Melanie tried to smile, but she couldn't.

"What's wrong?" asked Jana, stepping forward and
taking Melanie's hand.

Quietly Melanie told them about Rainbow. Nobody said a word
for a moment, and even though Melanie knew that her friends were all
sympathizing with her, the ache in her heart would not go away. Finally she
looked up and said, "There is some good news, though. Mrs. Miller is going
to get Jo-Jo, the little white dog in one of Garrett's pictures. We're taking
him to her tonight."

"MELANIE!" Jeffy came running down the hall, his
feet pounding like a herd of football players. "Melanie! Dad's home!"
he shouted as he hurtled into her room. "It's time to take Jo-Jo to Mrs.
Miller."

"I heard you the first time you yelled! I'm coming."

When Melanie got to the kitchen, Jeffy was jumping up and
down trying to hurry his father. Mrs. Edwards was smiling and taking off her
apron.

"Give me a chance to get my coat off at least,"
said Mr. Edwards.

"I'll take your coat to your room," Jeffy
volunteered.

Melanie hadn't seen him so excited since last Christmas when
he got his first video game. She knew her father's coat would end up wadded on
the bed, if not on the floor. Jeffy was too wound up to even think about
hanging it up.

When everyone was reassembled in the kitchen, Mrs. Edwards
said, "I found a box that I think Jo-Jo will fit in nicely, and we can
surprise Clare by letting her open it. Melanie, you and Jeffy get him, and I'll
get the box."

"I can get him by myself," said Jeffy, scampering
toward the garage door.

"Jeffy!" His father's commanding voice brought him
to a screeching halt. "Take it easy, Son. I know you're excited, but let
Melanie help. This is a family project, you know."

Melanie sighed. She didn't really feel like helping. It was
going to take all her energy to act happy when they gave Jo-Jo to Mrs. Miller.

The little white dog fit perfectly in the box. The last
thing Melanie saw was its little black eyes looking questioningly up as the lid
was closed over it. Mrs. Edwards put a stick-on Christmas bow on top.

Melanie and Jeffy each carried one side of the package on
the way over to Mrs. Miller's. It wasn't heavy, and Jeffy could have carried it
by himself, but she was sure he'd drop it if he did. Melanie was surprised when
a lady in a blue uniform answered the door.

"Hello," she said cheerfully. "Come on in. I
was just finishing up my visit with Mrs. Miller." She stood back as the
Edwards family trooped in. Melanie and Jeffy came last, carrying the box
between them as if they were two wise men bringing a gift.

"This is my husband, Larry, my daughter, Melanie, and
my son, Jeffy," said Mrs. Edwards. "This is Mrs. Crenshaw," she
said to her family. "She's the nurse's aide I mentioned who is taking care
of Clare for a few days because of her ankle."

Mrs. Miller was sitting in a big overstuffed chair by the
window with her wrapped ankle on a footstool. Her face brightened slightly when
she saw the Edwards family, but she still looked sad and tired. Melanie noticed
that Mrs. Miller hadn't even bothered putting up a Christmas tree this year.
She knew it was because of losing Duchess, and she suddenly knew how Mrs.
Miller felt.

"Hello, Clare," said Mrs. Edwards in her most
cheerful voice. Melanie recognized it as the voice her mother reserved for
company or when Melanie brought home an A on her report card. "How are you
feeling today?"

"Fine," Mrs. Miller said with obvious effort.

"She's doing really well," said Mrs. Crenshaw, who
was putting on her coat to leave.

"Well, we've brought you something special that might
help cheer you up," said Mr. Edwards. He and Mrs. Edwards stepped back to
let Melanie and Jeffy come forward with their present. They put the box down on
the footstool in front of her chair.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" they all yelled in unison.

"My, what's this?" Mrs. Miller asked. Faint
scratching noises came from inside, and she raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"Be careful when you open it," Jeffy said
importantly.

Mrs. Miller removed the bow and her fingers fumbled at the
lid. Melanie watched her face intently, wandering how she would feel when she
saw Jo-Jo.

Finally, Mrs. Miller pulled the lid back and looked inside.
Her face was expressionless for a moment, and then Melanie heard a small
whimper, and Jo-Jo's white head popped up like a jack-in-the-box, and he licked
Mrs. Miller on the nose.

Melanie's eyes brimmed with tears when the look on Mrs.
Miller's face turned from astonishment to one of warmth as she looked at the
furry little creature. She took Jo-Jo and held him against her chest. The dog
squirmed in her arms and licked her cheek, all the while its tail whipped back
and forth like a furry little switch.

Maybe I shouldn't forget about all the other animals just
because I can't have Rainbow, Melanie thought. She'll have a good home, and all
the others need good homes, too. Just like Jo-Jo.

"Well, isn't that a nice present, Clare?" Mrs.
Crenshaw broke into the moment.

"His name's Jo-Jo!" blurted out Jeffy. "And
if you need someone to walk him, I'll do it."

Mrs. Miller smiled at him over Jo-Jo's shaggy white back.

Melanie's mother moved closer, and Jeffy reached out to pat
the dog's back.

"I think Jo-Jo's exactly what Mrs. Miller needed,"
whispered Mrs. Crenshaw to Melanie and her father. "She has been grieving
over the loss of Duchess and needed
something
to take her mind off it.
So many elderly people would benefit from the companionship of pets. Their
children are grown and have work and families of their own to take care of and
just can't spend the time with them." They moved toward the front door as
she talked.

"Most elderly people aren't able to work or get out of
the house because of their physical condition, and they spend an awful lot of
time alone with their memories. Pets give them something to care about and take
care of. It makes them feel that they're still useful. In fact, I've read that
elderly people who have pets live longer than those who don't. Many nursing
homes are starting to bring pets in to help the elderly. They even provide
protection."

"Protection?" Jeffy had followed them into the
foyer.

"Yes. You know a dog can hear a lot of things that even
you and I can't. They alert the elderly that someone may be at the door, and
most burglars won't go into a home where there's a barking dog. It's too bad
that all elderly people can't all have someone like Jo-Jo."

Melanie's mind snapped to attention. "Why don't they
all have pets?" she asked.

"Some are too disabled to take care of them, but many
just can't afford them. There are all the shots and the license to pay for
besides the cost of the animal itself."

"Do you know a lot of elderly people who would like a
pet?" asked Melanie.

"Why, yes, I know a few. I meet them in my work, just
as I met Mrs. Miller. You see, as an aide for the Visiting Nurses Association,
it's my job to visit the homes of elderly and disabled people and help them in
any way I can. There are a few of my people who would benefit from having a
friend like Jo-Jo."

"Do you know maybe . . . thirteen?" Melanie
persisted. She hoped her voice didn't sound too excited.

Mrs. Crenshaw looked at her inquisitively. "Thirteen? I
don't know that many personally, but I'm sure that if I asked the other nurse's
aides and visiting nurses I work with, we could come up with that many easily."

Melanie felt herself almost losing control as the excitement
built up in her. She started bouncing up and down on her toes and wanted to hug
Mrs. Crenshaw. Instead, she asked, "Could you get a list of their names
and addresses?"

"I guess I could," answered Mrs. Crenshaw. "But
why?"

"Because I've got
thirteen
more pets just like
Jo-Jo looking for someone to give them a home!
And they're all free!
"