Natalie and the Downside-Up Birthday by Dandi Daley Mackall Read Free Book Online Page A

later.”
    Even Laurie gets big in her eyes at that one. I know she’s trying not to, on account of I know my friend that much. And ’cause I know Laurie so much, I know that Laurie LOVES to go bowling. And she never gets to go almost, ’cause there are too many people in Laurie’s family and not enough bowling money.
    Laurie doesn’t talk after this bowling news. She just makes a frowny face at Anna. Then a frownier face at Sasha. Then an I’m-sorry face at me.
    “Oh.” Sasha pulls out her very last invite card. “Almost forgot.” She hands that last invite to my bestest friend, Laurie. “This is for you.”

Chapter 14
Downhill from There
    “Cheer up, Nat,” Laurie says when we’re eating in the cafeteria.
    All around us, everybody is talking about Sasha’s party.
    “You know I’d never go anywhere but to your party,” Laurie promises.
    I thought this. That’s how bestest friends are. Only it’s very good to hear this in person. “Really, Laurie?”
    “Of course!” Laurie answers.
    “But what about bowling?” Once, Laurie said she’d rather bowl than color. And she loves to color.
    Laurie takes a big bite of her sprinkly cupcake. “It wouldn’t be any fun without you.” That’s what I think she says. But it’s hard to tell with her cupcake mouth.
    Laurie finishes her cupcake. “Kids are going to figure out the same thing, Nat. They know your party will be more fun ’cause you’re more fun than Sasha.”
    “I am?”
    “Sure.” Laurie snaps her lunch box shut. “So, let’s have a great classroom party. I can’t wait to eat another one of your cupcakes! Remember what your granny always says.”
    I try to remember. But Granny says a lot of stuff. “What?”
    “Keep your chin up. That way you’ll see God—or heaven, I can’t remember exactly—and everything else will start looking up too.”
    Laurie’s right. Granny does say that. Only she also has a saying about things going from bad to worse. And one that goes, “If you think things can’t get worse, use your imagination.” Plus also, other sayings about things going downhill. Like, “Things went downhill from there.”
    Miss Hines has us finish our work early. Then she says, “Class, will you please clear your desks?”
    Our teacher gives me her best smiley face and says, “While we’re waiting for Sasha’s mother to join us, Natalie, I’d like you to pass out your treats.”
    My heart gets very thumpy. “I have napkins in my pack. And juice boxes in my cubby.”
    “Sounds great!” Miss Hines says. “Why don’t you pick a partner to help you pass out your goodies, Natalie.”
    This is a great idea. I smile at my bestest friend. “Laurie!” Of course.
    Laurie passes out juice, and I pass out napkins. Then we both go get the not-smushed cupcake box from our teacher. We each take one side of the box.

    I am starting to think that Laurie picked the right saying of my granny. That one about looking up at God and other things looking up too.
    “Mother!” Sasha screams this so loud that I almost drop the not-smushed box of cupcakes.
    Sasha runs to her mother and says, “You’re late!” in a mean voice that would get me sent to my room to think about what I said.
    I wait for Sasha’s mommy to tell her to sit down and think about that voice. But she just looks at ourclock on the wall. “No, I’m not, honey. I’m a few minutes early.”
    “But it’s not fair!” Sasha whines. “Natalie already started her party. It’s our turn now!”
    Miss Hines whispers to Laurie and me, “Would you girls sit down for a little bit. We’ll pass out cupcakes a little later. Okay?” She gets up from her desk and helps Sasha’s mom with some of the sacks and boxes she’s carrying. “Plenty of time for both parties. Thanks for coming.”
    Laurie and I sit back down. Without cupcakes.
    Sasha’s mom runs back to the car for another load of stuff. The principal of the whole entire school helps her carry things and then leaves