Kristy and the Walking Disaster by Ann M. Martin Read Free Book Online Page A

except for Claire. She was stuck in the tree. Claudia had to lift her down.
    Boy, all I had to say was "Krushers" and the kids jumped to attention.
    I began assigning tasks. "Jamie," I said, "I know you're a little afraid of the ball. Can you throw it, though?"
    He nodded.
    "Great. I want you to pitch to Claire for awhile. She needs practice hitting the ball." And, I thought, if she actually did hit it, Jamie might try to catch it. (Either that, or he would duck it.)
    "Okay," said Claire and Jamie.
    "David Michael and Nicky, I want you to work on your pitching. You guys just toss the ball to each other, okay?"
    "Yup," they replied.
    This time I was prepared with more equipment. I'd asked the kids to bring along some of their own stuff so they would have enough to practice with.
    Our afternoon got underway. I'd assigned each Krusher something to work on, and I walked around and gave the kids pointers.
    "Hannie, run toward the ball," I shouted. "Don't wait for it to come to you. You have to go after it. ... Claire, keep your eye on that ball. . . ."
    I almost shouted Matt's instructions to him, too, before I remembered that he wouldn't hear me. I signed to him instead, and he looked confused. I'd probably just told him to go price an elephant or something. I wished Haley or Mrs. Braddock or Jessi were there to help.
    Claudia looked bored. She sat down in the grass and ate another piece of candy. Then she examined her fingernails.
    "Time for a manicure?" I asked her.
    Claud jumped. "Oh, sorry," she said.
    "Listen, could you toss the ball to Jamie for awhile?" I asked her. "You're good with him," (it never hurts to flatter people), "and I'll work
    with Claire. They're not getting much accomplished together."
    Claire was singing "I'm a Little Teapot" to Jamie, and every time she got to the part about "tip me over and pour me out" she released the softball from her underarm, which Jamie thought was hysterical.
    I let practice go on for about ten more minutes. Then I called, "Game time!"
    What a reaction! The kids jammed themselves around me. I had them count off in twos again, and as soon as the sides were organized, we got a game going. Right away, the kids were all business. Karen was the catcher for her side. She crouched behind home plate, wearing her mask and slamming one hand into her glove. "Attaboy! Attaboy!" she kept shouting, no matter what was going on.
    I let David Michael pitch. First up at bat was Matt Braddock. He swung the bat and fouled. David Michael, who barely knows any sign language, signed something that looked like "monkey." Then he remembered a softball sign, but it was the one for "safe." It took ages to get everything sorted out.
    When the first half of the inning was over, which was pretty soon (since after Matt was up, the next three hitters each struck out), I let our walking disaster go to bat first. He hit
    the ball and ran to second! While Linny Papadakis was at bat, Jackie stole third base. Then Myriah Perkins got in a single, Jackie ran for home, tripped over his feet, and was tagged out, just inches from the base.
    "Darn, darn, double, double darn!" he shouted.
    The other kids laughed, but not rudely.
    At the start of the second inning, I let Jackie be the catcher. Like Karen, he loved wearing the mask and mitt. You could tell he felt professional.
    Buddy Barrett was pitching now. He pitched to Jamie. Jamie concentrated, tried not to look scared, and ducked at the last minute. The ball slammed into Jackie's mouth.
    "Jackie!" I cried. "What happened to the mask? You were just wearing it."
    "I had to take it off, Coach," he replied. "I got my gum stuck on it. I wanted to see if I could make it look like a waffle by pressing it against the mask. You know, like you can do with Silly Put - Uh-oh!"
    "What?" I asked.
    "My mouth's bleeding! I think I knocked out my tooth. . . . No, it's just loose. Very loose."
    I may make comments about food to gross out my friends, but I'll tell you one thing