The Friendship Bracelet Page 6

  Zoe nodded and said, “Yeah, and you know, I don’t want to be a downer, but Press—that’s my new father, Ethan—was asking last night if kids in the hospital spent a lot of time playing games, like electronic games on their phones. Are they really going to want to do this?”

  “This is something else they can do,” Olivia quickly pointed out, thinking, THREADS is too good an idea to be dead on arrival. “Seriously, they must need other activities,” she added.

  She reached into her new pink-and-gray-plaid backpack, the one that matched her new pink tank top with the fringe bottom. “I brought a notebook,” she said while opening to page one and picking up her pen. She wrote “THREADS” on top of the page.

  “So, Ethan, any ideas about how we should handle the hospital?” she asked.

  Ethan didn’t reply.

  After a dead silence which didn’t take long to become uncomfortable, Olivia realized that somehow they’d upset Ethan. She leaned over and asked him, “Are you OK? Is something wrong?”

  “This was a stupid idea!” he blurted out. He stood up and pushed all the supplies in front of Olivia. “You keep this stuff. It’s from Katonah Crafts anyway.”

  “Ethan, stop,” said Olivia, feeling alarmed. “Don’t be like that.”

  “Just forget it,” he muttered and stormed out of the yard, slamming the gate behind him. Startled by the noise, Carl started to yip. Everyone else was too stunned to say anything.

  Austen pushed back his chair and took off for the front. “Whoa, dude,” he said, catching Ethan by the arm. “What’s the problem?”

  Ethan looked down. “Let go of me,” he said.

  “Seriously, what is your problem?” repeated Austen. “My mom will help us.”

  “I’m fine,” Ethan said. “Just leave me alone.”

  Olivia felt awful. Ethan’s meltdown was bad enough, but in front of Austen and Zoe? And Carl?

  “Carl looks sleepy, doesn’t he? Maybe he’s going to take a nap,” Zoe pointed out. “I’ll put him in his crate inside. Maybe we should go down to Katonah Cupcakes?” She realized that a change of scene was needed, pronto. “Press is home. He’ll look after him,” she added.

  Olivia was packing up the friendship bracelet supplies into the shopping bag from Katonah Crafts. “Sounds good,” she agreed. “Can we drop these off at my mom’s shop first?”

  “Hey, we’re not going to quit just because Ethan freaked out,” Austen protested.

  Oh no, served! Olivia’s face turned as pink as her new top. What was I thinking? What if Austen thinks I’m a quitter? she thought.

  “No, you’re right. We’re not going to quit. Zoe, can we keep the supplies here?”

  The cupcake shop was a good idea. Olivia liked chocolate hazelnut, Zoe went for tres leches, and Austen said he was strictly a devil’s food man. When they emerged with their treats, little kids and their parents and caregivers were taking up all the room on the outside benches, but the gazebo down by the train station was empty, so they headed there.

  “This is cool,” said Zoe, looking at the round table and circular bench inside the airy space.

  “Kind of like school lunch,” observed Austin, hoisting his long legs over the bench.

  “Not in any of the schools I was in,” laughed Zoe.

  “How many have you been in?” Olivia asked, cutting her cupcake into neat quarters.

  “This will be my fifth if you count preschool. But this will also be my last, besides high school,” said Zoe. “Mama says so.”

  All three were quiet as they munched away at their treats. The most they could do was watch the traffic going down Main Street for a few minutes.

  Olivia’s father had long wanted to do something about that one-way street, she recalled. He always complained that there was usually some driver who made a wrong turn and caused a lot of commotion. That’s kind of like Ethan, Olivia realized, pleased with coming up with an image to illustrate his meltdown. He made the wrong turn and upset everybody.

  “So, Olivia,” said Austen after swallowing the last morsel of his cupcake, “what’s the story with this Ethan dude? Has he always been weird?”

  Olivia wished she had some milk. Her cupcake had way too much frosting, and her tongue felt glued to the top of her mouth. She started to cough and felt like a total klutz.

  Finally, her throat was clear and she could talk. “Ethan kind of keeps to himself. But he’s super smart. Maybe it was too much for him, being with other people? And we were asking him a lot of questions.”

  “I hope we didn’t scare him off. I mean, the guy does have a great idea. Why don’t we text him?” Austen suggested.

  “Or send him a selfie? I have my phone,” said Zoe, whipping it out. “Everybody put your heads together. Super, that looks super. Now what should we say?”

  Austen had a suggestion. “How about, ‘Knot for nothing, but we miss you’? Spelled k-n-o-t.”

  “That’s cute,” said Olivia, impressed that Austen was so nice. “Super. Send it, Zoe.”

  “OK, it’s sent,” she said, standing up. “But now I’ve got to get back to Carl.”

  “Right,” replied Olivia. All three crossed the street. Olivia waved good-bye, and the two cousins walked up toward Bedford Road. She had a date to Skype with Alex at noon, but now, she had some extra time since the meeting of THREADS had flamed out.

  Automatically, she headed down Main Street toward Katonah Crafts. The new clothing and accessory shop, Get Ups, was holding an early Fourth of July sale, and as she got closer, she could see they’d put bins of items on the sidewalk: scarves, flip-flops, tank tops, sunglasses. She tried on an oversize pair of glasses with leopard-print frames like Elin Pierson’s and laughed at her reflection in the shop window. They were way too diva. But pretty soon, her thoughts started to wander back to THREADS. What is bothering Ethan so much? Maybe I should ask Alex. She was always nice to him. She tapped out a quick message, beginning with “bracelet d’amitié” knowing that the French for friendship bracelet would snag Alex’s attention.

  With a sad feeling, she realized that even though she and Alex had been in Village Elementary with Ethan since kindergarten, she really didn’t known that much about him. Actually, she wasn’t even really sure where he lived—probably in the village. He was always there on his skateboard. And he didn’t seem to have too many friends either, ’cause if he had, why wouldn’t he have asked them to be in THREADS?

  The door to Magic Tresses swung open, and Elin Pierson herself came flying out looking seriously ticked off. She disappeared next door into Katonah Beans, and faster than an instant message, Olivia hightailed it down the block to Katonah Crafts.

  The late morning light was super bright and sunny, and the outer door was open. It took a few moments for Olivia’s eyes to adjust to the darker interior, but once they did, she could see someone was seated at the crafts table—a tallish, dark-haired someone, like Ethan Fleckman. And he was working on a friendship bracelet.

  Quickly, she turned her eyes toward the front counter, where Miss Ruth Ann was scanning the computer, probably tracking the inventory. “Good morning, Miss Ruth Ann,” she said. “How are you?”

  “Why, good morning, Olivia,” Miss Ruth Ann replied. “I’m fine, thank you so much.” She gestured toward the crafts table. “Your friend Ethan popped in bright and early.”

  Olivia nodded and was instantly worried. Will Ethan pitch a fit in here too? In front of Zoe and Austen was bad enough, but that can’t possibly happen in front of Miss Ruth Ann.

  Telling herself to stay calm, she approached the crafts table. When Ethan said nothing, she pulled out a chair and sat down.

  “Hi, Ethan,” she said in her gentle voice. “Can I see what you’re making?”

  He didn’t even look at her but stopped working and slid his unfinished project her way. In big letters was woven T H R E A.


  Olivia couldn’t believe it. “This is amazing!” she exclaimed. “You’re spelling out THREADS?”

  “Yeah,” he muttered.

  Miss Ruth Ann had walked over, and she leaned down to check out the project as well. She nodded in approval, saying, “Ethan is so clever.”

  “Yes, he is,” Olivia said.

  When Ethan didn’t reply, Olivia kicked his leg under the table and made a tiny nod toward Miss Ruth Ann.

  He took the hint. “Thank you, Miss Ruth Ann,” he said.

  Olivia thought, Mom’s rule number one in Katonah Crafts has always been to be nice to Miss Ruth Ann. Since Ethan practically lives here, he better obey it.

  “So does mean that you still want to do it? I mean, still want to have THREADS?” she whispered, almost afraid of the answer.

  “Yeah…I guess so.”

  “Super!” said Olivia, relieved. “I’ll text Zoe.”

  “No. I will.”

  “OK,” Olivia said with a shrug.

  Miss Ruth Ann was heading toward the big supply room off the rear of the main shopping area. “Olivia, would you help me for a minute?” she called out.

  “Sure,” Olivia said, pushing back her chair.

  “You’re getting nice and tall,” Miss Ruth Ann said to Olivia while closing the supply room door. “Can you reach that ream of printing paper up there on the middle shelf?”

  Olivia took down the paper and handed it over.

  “Thank you so much,” said Miss Ruth Ann. “Your mother told me about THREADS. Anything I can do to help, I will. You do know I volunteer at the hospital and can help you make contacts there?”

  “You can?” Olivia said. “That’s wonderful. I’ll tell Ethan.” She reached for the doorknob.

  “Just a second, Olivia. I hope you keep in mind that Ethan seems to be a loner, or maybe he’s just lonely. Many creative people are. Don’t lose patience with him.”

  “I won’t, Miss Ruth Ann. But that’s super good news about the hospital.” Olivia couldn’t wait to tell Ethan. She hurried back into the front of the shop, but the crafts table was empty.

  Ethan was gone.

  Chapter 20

  Four days later, the club met again in Zoe’s backyard. Everyone was knocked out when Ethan surprised them with friendship bracelets. “Thought we could wear these at the hospital,” he said, handing a bracelet to Zoe, Olivia, and then Austen.

  They were identical: brown and orange with the word THREADS woven in the middle. Olivia was astounded, first by the bracelet and then by how he’d gotten so much done. He’s like a machine, she thought in awe.

  “I put a blue bead on yours, Olivia, for loyalty. Zoe’s is yellow for happy, and Austen’s is brown, for confidence,” he explained.

  “Why is your bead black?” Zoe asked.

  “Uh, that’s for smart,” Ethan replied with a little blush.

  “Oh, really?” laughed Zoe.

  “That’s cool. Thanks, buddy,” Austen told him with a pat on the back. “Tie mine on, Zoe?”

  After all four members tied theirs on and were completely official, Ethan reached into his backpack.

  “And here’s a bigger one for Carl,” he said. “He’ll only be able to wear it for a while before he grows too much.”

  The wide band said THREADS CARL.

  “Oh, Ethan, this is so super!” cried Zoe.

  “Yeah!” said Austen, lifting up the pup to tie it on.

  “Seriously,” agreed Olivia.

  “I can make a bigger one for your dog, Sullivan,” Ethan told her.

  He is really getting into this, thought Olivia. “Super. I’ll measure his neck and text you, OK?”

  Ethan nodded in agreement and then said, “So Miss Ruth Ann said she can help us at the hospital.”

  “And my mom can help us too,” Austin added.

  Zoe was used to teamwork from being in sports. “Why don’t we start by making some samples? You know, easy for beginners, medium, and advanced?” she suggested.

  “I’ll do a few of the easy ones,” Austen laughed.

  “And I’ll help you,” Zoe piped up. “Maybe I’ll do a medium too?”

  “I’ll do the advanced,” offered Ethan.

  “Great!” said Zoe. “What do you want to do, Olivia?”

  Olivia surprised herself by blurting out, “I’ll make a flyer about THREADS. We can use it to meet with the hospital.”

  “Great idea, Olivia,” Austen agreed right away.

  “So let’s get to work and meet back here in a few days,” Zoe said. “I’ll text everyone?”

  With nothing else to discuss, they all stood up and got ready to leave. “Zoe, do you still have the supplies?” Ethan asked, looking around.

  “Yep. I brought out the bag before,” said Zoe, reaching down beside her chair and plopping it on the table. Only now it wasn’t what she expected. The supply bag was in shreds.

  Immediately, all four members leaned down and looked under the table. Carl was chomping away with flosses tangled all over his teeth and paws.

  “OMG!” Zoe cried. “Carl! Carl!”

  “That’s about as guilty as they come.” Austen laughed.

  Ethan slumped back into a chair and sat there, just staring at the soggy heap that was their supplies.

  “It’s not that bad,” Olivia said, quickly springing to the puppy’s defense. She started sorting out the dry ones from the wet, but there was too much damage. Soon, she had to give up.

  “Let’s go down to Katonah Crafts and pick out some new ones,” she suggested. “Mom will understand.”

  “I’m so sorry, everyone,” said Zoe, trying to untangle Carl from the big mess.

  “Oh, puppies are like that,” Austen pointed out.

  Ethan stood up. “Yeah, right,” he said.

  The meeting was over.

  Chapter 21

  “Mais oui. Yep, so Ethan got over his meltdown and THREADS is back on track,” Olivia was telling Alex on Skype.

  “Wonder what made Ethan freak out like that?”

  Olivia shrugged. “Maybe he’s moody, tu’sais? You know?”

  Alex laughed and said, “Oh, Ollie, I meant to tell you that you look really good. I like your hair in that long braid. Turn around. Is it a French braid?”

  “Yes! Camp Monroe starts this morning, remember?”

  “Cool! Hey, say hello to Mu Mu for me and send me a pic. I want to see her new braces, ses bagues.”

  “OK. Not sure she has ses bagues yet, but will do. Are you going to see Fabien?”

  “Yes! He’s in my French class later this afternoon. His family just moved here from Vermont, so his mom wants his French to be perfect. Oh, Ollie, my screen is cutting out…”

  “Love you!” cried Olivia, turning off the connection and heading toward the kitchen.

  Since it was time to get ready for camp, she reached for the peanut butter and jelly to make a sandwich when her dad came in with Sullivan from their walk.

  “OK, Ollie, do you have everything you need?” he asked.

  “Yes, Dad. I’ve done this before, remember?”

  Her father opened the pantry door and took out a fruit and nut bar. “Take this just in case you get hungry,” he said.

  “Dad, this isn’t preschool,” she laughed, stashing it in her backpack.

  Olivia and Alex had always loved camp. They had gone there since kindergarten. In fact, that’s where they first met and became instant BFFs.

  OK, so things have changed. At least Mu Mu will be there, she reminded herself as she headed out the side door. The morning was sunny and the air felt fresh. Like seashore Nantucket fresh, Olivia thought, remembering the beach cottage they had all gone to for a week every August. But no Alex this summer. That was going to seem weird. With a swift motion, she threw back the kickstand on
her bike and took off for the short ride to Monroe Park.

  When she arrived, the place was first-day crazy, swarming with parents and kids trying to find their groups. Olivia almost knocked over two little boys who bumped into her as they screamed and horsed around. They’re probably in the five/sixes, she thought. As she elbowed her way over to the picnic area where the counselors usually set up their tables, she noticed that most of the campers were way younger than she was. Maybe it was a good thing that this was her last year there. Was she outgrowing camp?

  But over by the snack bar, there was a familiar face. It was Mu Mu. Whew!

  Mu Mu spotted her too and waved. “Hey, hey!” she shouted, threading her way over. She planted herself right in front of Olivia and turned on a huge smile.

  All Olivia could do was stare.

  Spanning Mu Mu’s top and bottom teeth were bright-pink-and-green braces. “Well, what’s the verdict?” she asked.

  “Amazing!” replied Olivia, thinking, That is so bold!

  “Go big or go home, right?” said Mu Mu with a loud laugh.

  “Right!” said Olivia, who couldn’t help laughing too.

  “But you don’t you think they look too preppy?” Mu Mu asked with concern.

  “Oh, no,” Olivia said, shaking her head.

  A shrill whistle cut off their conversation. “Eleven/twelve girls! Eleven/twelve girls! Go to table six!” a counselor shouted into a bullhorn.

  Olivia and Mu Mu found their table, and soon, a small group started to form around them.

  A woman in her early twenties wearing a T-shirt and a whistle on a lanyard loudly clapped her hands. “OK, girls. I’m Ashley, and I’ll be your counselor.” And then she pointed to a young teenager beside her. “And this is Parker, your counselor-in-training or CIT. OK?”

  “Hi, everybody,” said Parker with a tiny wave.

  “We’ve made up name tags for today, so we can learn who’s who,” said Ashley. CIT Parker started walking around and giving each camper a tag.

  Olivia checked out the group. There was no one she knew from Village Elementary or flute lessons or anywhere else. As her eyes roamed, she noticed a couple of girls giggling and pointing at her. Mu Mu noticed too. “Hey, your name tag is on upside down,” she whispered.