Yeny and the Children for Peace by Michelle Mulder Read Free Book Online Page B

they’d be quiet. In fact, she was about to go and wait by herself for the school bell when Beto said, “So I guess you two haven’t heard the exciting news, then.”
    She and Juan shook their heads.

    Rocio put her hand to her mouth. “I can’t believe I forgot,” she said. “I was so excited about the carnival that I forgot to tell you the plans for October 25.”
    â€œIt’s gonna be great,” said David. “More clowns and jugglers and empanadas, and dancing again too. Celia said thousands of kids across the country are going to take part.”
    Yeny perked up. This sounded much bigger than Saturday’s carnival, and it was only two weeks away. Maybe if these carnivals kept happening, her father would eventually let her go. He’d see that it was only a bunch of kids having fun together, and maybe she could invite Elena, Rosa, and Sylvia along too.
    â€œWe’re meeting on the field again this afternoon,” said David.
    â€œI’ll be there,” said Yeny, “no matter what.”
    No one in Yeny’s family had to know about today’s meeting, she decided. Aunt Nelly and Papá were out working that afternoon, and her mother planned to visit someone. As long as she and Juan were home before their sisters returned from school, they wouldn’t have to explain a thing.
    A whole group of them hurried toward the meeting after school. Along the wide avenue and several smaller streets, they met with other children headed in the same direction. When they reached the café where Yeny’s father had waited the weekbefore, Yeny scanned the tables for him, just in case. A few men sat drinking coffee, and the same dog sat off to one side, one ear up and one ear down, but her father wasn’t there. She was happy that he had found a regular job—for more than one reason.
    Kids were starting to gather on the grassy field. Some white balloons were left over from the carnival a few nights before, and Yeny tried to imagine this entire area filled with dancing, laughing children. For a moment she forgot her problem with her parents, and she was just plain happy that the carnival had been a success. No matter what, she was going to be at the next one, and she’d see for herself how much fun it could be.
    By the time Yeny and her friends stepped onto the field, kids were pouring in from everywhere. Some boys were kicking a soccer ball. A few girls came holding hands, singing, and other kids chased each other. Then, in the distance, Yeny was amazed to see Rosa, Sylvia, and Elena slipping into the crowd. This meeting certainly
was
going to be big news.
    Maybe if they
all
wanted to go to the carnival, her parents would come to their senses and see that it wasn’t dangerous. Yeny felt more excited than she had since Saturday afternoon.
    Just past the balloons, a few adults stood around. They were dressed in good clothes, like they might work in offices, and they looked serious as they talked to each other. Yeny frowned, wondering if they’d come to break up the meeting. But thenCelia set up her fruit crate right next to them, and the grown-ups smiled at her. Celia saw Yeny and waved.
    â€œI’m so glad you could come,” Celia said. She introduced Yeny to the adults, who were from a church and a boys’ and girls’ club. “They offered to help us with our plans, if we need some adult help. Did you hear the news?”
    â€œAnother carnival, right?”
    Celia shook her head. “It’s something better than that.”
    Yeny didn’t understand. What could be better than a carnival?
    â€œThere’s going to be a vote!” cried Beto, punching a fist in the air.
    â€œWhat are you talking about, Beto?” Yeny asked. “Elections don’t have anything to do with kids.”
    â€œThis one does,” Celia said, stepping up on the fruit crate. “And it’s going to be huge. On October 25, kids