How to Get Dirt by S. E. Campbell Read Free Book Online

here, Pickles, ” Miranda said.
    â€œ Me too, ” David said.
    â€œ But we do have something we need to tell you. ”
    Her blood ran cold. What was it? Were they going to tell her that her time here was up? She ’ d had such an awful day already. She couldn ’ t handle the thought of losing her family, too. She gripped their hands harder, as if doing that could keep her with them. Already, she loved them so much.
    â€œ Are you okay, Pickles? ” Miranda asked.
    â€œ Yeah, ” Pickles said, “ just tell me, please. ”
    Both Miranda and David exchanged looks.
    â€œ I ’ m pregnant, ” Miranda said, her face splitting into a grin. “ Isn ’ t that great? That was why I was so out of it today. I wanted to take the test, but I was nervous. ”
    Miranda was going to have a baby. Happiness mingled with sadness . Pickles wasn ’ t sure how she could feel two opposite emotions at the same time, but she could. She was glad Miranda was having a baby, but she knew something else too. In a case like this, she was a replacement child. The moment the baby came, she was going to be moving out.
    â€œ I ’ m so happy for you, ” Pickles forced out , her heart feeling as though it was going to crack in two .
    â€œ I have wanted a baby for so long, ” Miranda said, hugging her close. “ Both of us have. We tried and tried. Then we gave up and decided to adopt, which led us down the road to you. Now we ’ re finally getting what we ’ ve always wanted. A family. ”
    With a smile, Pickles allowed both of her foster parents to hug her. It became official, then . T oday was the worst day ever. She had to talk to Mrs. Beazley. She had to get all of these feelings off of her chest, before they crushed her.
    ****
    She knew Mrs. Beazley ’ s number by heart. She had called it often when she was at her old foster home. She had hoped she would n ’ t need to call Mrs. Beazley for help while she was with David and Miranda , yet here she was with the phone in her hand as she sat in her room. Downstairs, she knew her foster parents were watching a funny adult sitcom on television and they would not be up to check on her for a while.
    The phone rang three times before Mrs. Beazley picked up.
    â€œ Mrs. Susanna Beazley, social worker, ” Mrs. Beazley said.
    Pickles could tell by her voice Mrs. Beazley didn ’ t recognize her .
    â€œ Mrs. Beazley, it ’ s Pickles. ”
    Mrs. Beazley ’ s surprised gasp made Pickles smile. Her social worker always managed to make her feel loved.
    â€œ Is everything okay, Pickles? ” Mrs. Beazley asked. “ Your foster parents aren ’ t being mean to you, are they? ”
    â€œ No, they ’ re perfect, ” Pickles said. “ They are so perfect it scares me. I don ’ t know why. ”
    â€œ Could it be, Pickles , you ’ re afraid of being sent away? ”
    The question was an arrow straight to Pickles ’ heart. Amid an unstoppable flow of tears, she told her old friend everything . By the time she hung up the phone forty-five minutes later, she was all cried out but felt much better.

 
Chapter Ten
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    A persistent sound of knocking came from downstairs. Pickles ignored it and continued to draw her picture for art class. Vaguely, she heard Miranda open the door and say something . But it was the familiar voice who answered that brought Pickles ’ head up . Mrs. Beazley ! It was Mrs. Beazley. With a happy cry, Pickles dropped her pencil then left the room at a sprint .
    She hurtled down the stairs, jumped the last three, and then launched herself at Mrs. Beazley with her arms spread wide . Mrs. Beazley hugged her so hard air left her lungs in a squeak . Her heart sang with joy so great it took her breath away .
    â€œ What about me? ” asked a hopeful voice from the doorway .
    Pickles glanced around Mrs. Beazley . Prudence stood behind her , grinning and