The Newsy News Newsletter by Karen English Read Free Book Online Page B

already watering. "But I have to check in at my house first. I'll be right back."
    Deja goes into her own house through the side door that leads into the kitchen. Nikki is back just as she's putting the plate with two slices on it into the microwave. Nikki watches with Deja as it goes around and around on the carousel. While they wait, Deja hums a little tune. Then, as if she just remembered, she goes to the sink to wash her hands.
    "Here," Deja says, putting Nikki's slice on a paper towel.
    "I'm really hungry," Nikki says.
    Deja puts her own slice on a paper towel, then gets back to her tune while she carries it to the table.
    "When we're done eating, let's play jacks," Nikki says. "On your porch. We haven't played in a while." Jacks is a game Auntie Dee insisted on teaching Nikki and Deja. They're the only two girls at school who know how to play.
    "Okay by me," Deja agrees.

    They are just about to dig in when Auntie Dee appears in the doorway. She has their newsletter in her hand, and her head is cocked strangely to the side. She isn't saying anything. She's just staring at Deja with an angry face.
    "What have you girls done?" she says finally.
    "Our newsletter?" Deja's voice is strong on the word "our," but "newsletter" comes out in a near whisper.
    "Where'd you get this—this
news?
"
    Deja doesn't answer. Nikki thinks there's something in her auntie's voice that's making her be super careful.
    "We just got it from all around," Deja finally says.
    Nikki looks from Deja to her aunt and back to Deja again, happy she isn't the one being questioned.
    "I'm very disappointed." Auntie begins to read the headlines out loud. Coming out of her mouth with her angry voice, they do seem a tiny bit wild.
    "'Bug Problem at the Denvers'? Overpriced Food at Simply Delicious Health Food Store?' I am so
embarrassed
" She stares at the document in her hand as if words have temporarily failed her. "And you have that little Antonia child moved away and now at a new school, when Jo Markham, who baby-sits for them from time to time, told me Antonia's been in the hospital recovering from an operation. What's that about?"

    Deja is busy studying a corner of the kitchen floor.
    "I'm talking to you, young lady."
    "We thought she moved away."
    "When you're putting out information in a newsletter, you need to be sure you have the facts. You're not supposed to just guess at things," Auntie says.
    "But we really did think Antonia moved, and we saw the bug truck in the Denvers' driveway, and I heard you say the food at Simply Delicious is way overpriced and you said Puerto Nuevo's food is swimming in grease—"
    Deja stops because her auntie is holding up her hand in a way that seems to mean
Halt!
    "This is a problem. You two"—she looks toward Nikki, who is stunned into silence—"have insulted people and concerned yourselves with things that aren't your business."
    This could go on and on,
Nikki thinks, and now she's been pulled into the scolding when she'd hoped to remain on the outskirts. Nikki knows it's just a matter of time before Deja's auntie will be letting her own parents in on the problem.
    "We're going to suspend this little newsletter
activity, after one final issue. And then you're going to go up to Puerto Nuevo and Simply Delicious"—Auntie Dee stops then, and Nikki wonders if it's because she kind of likes the owner of Simply Delicious, as Deja suspects—"and apologize for maligning their businesses. By the way, Keyon Denver works for Bugs Away. He probably stopped by his house for some reason. That bug mobile you saw in the Denver driveway is the one he drives."

    Nikki looks down at her feet. Deja's auntie still isn't finished. She has more. "So your final newsletter will be one of retractions."
    Retractions?
Nikki thinks.
Is that anything like
extractions,
like when you go to the dentist?
    "And when did I give you permission to print out all those copies on my printer?"
    Auntie Dee waits. She crosses her arms.