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“Mary, Jonathan, Kevin, Cordelia!” Ms. Frist called. I went up to Ms. Frist’s desk.
“Mary,” she said, “You, Kevin, Jonathan, and Cordelia are invited to lunch at my house!” She handed us four beautifully decorated envelopes. I opened mine carefully, so it wouldn’t rip. Then, I pulled out a cream, white card that said, “You’re invited to Ms. Frist’s house for lunch!” Ms. Frist was signed at the bottom with flourish. “P.S. Mary, I have a surprise for you.”
“Ring, Ring, Ring!” the bell rang.
I walked home and reviewed what had just happened. If you could read my mind, it might have sounded like this: I was invited to Ms. Frist’s house. I know there’s something special because she wrote surprise somewhere…. Then my thoughts faded away. I strode into the house thinking, “Tomorrow is Saturday!”
I went to my closet and changed into a simple loose nightgown. Then I flicked off the lights and fell asleep…
“Woof!” My maltipoo puppy, Pearl, jumped on me and showered me with kisses.
I stripped off my clothes and went into the shower (to get rid of the dog slobber). Three minutes later, I was done, and went to sleep.
The next morning I picked out a lovely white, sleeveless dress with a matching head band. I carefully slipped it on. I took out a comb and combed my hair with firm, long strokes. It took quite a while because my hair grew to my waist. Then, I slipped on the headband and took out my (only) white frilly socks. Then, I went back upstairs, put on brown and pink eye shadow, light blush, and blood red lipstick.
I decided to take off my headband and comb my hair into a bun on the top of my head. I carefully stored away my headband, and went downstairs. I put on my white high heels with pink jeweled flowers decorating the surface. Then (being 17) I took out my car keys and stepped into my bright pink van and drove slowly toward a tall, three-story house with a brass doorknob. Astonished, I quietly parked my car and rang the doorbell. I was greeted by Ms. Frist and Jonathan.
“Whew,” I thought. “I’m not the last one.”
Ms. Frist said,” Hello dear, come to the tea room.”
TEA ROOM? There was a tea room?! I was then introduced to Ms. Frist’s butler, Bob, and the two maids, Megan and Sarah.
Jonathan grinned at me and said, “Cool looking house, huh?”
“Yeah, it’s pretty cool,” I said.
“Mary,” Ms. Frist called.
“Oops,” I said. I then walked into the tea room. It was a cream-colored room with mirrors everywhere. Ms. Frist ushered me to a high chair at the end of the table. Then she told Jonathan to sit by my side.
“Ding Dong!!!” Cordelia and Kevin were here. They were the snobbiest siblings you could ever meet. Cordelia was in very short pants that barely covered her waist, and a shirt that showed her belly which was pierced. She gave me a sneer and sat down. Kevin did the same.
Ms. Frist sat down, too. She clapped her hands and immediately five servants came, each with a pitcher of water and a bowl. Ms. Frist held out her hands. The servant put a bowl under her hands and poured water over them to wash tehm. Cordelia did the same and tossed her head as the servant washed her hands. Kevin copied.
Unsure what to do, I held out my hands. Soon everyone had washed their hands.
“You’ll get used to it soon,” Ms. Frist said. SOON? This was only once! Maybe she ‘ll invite us to more tea parties.
My thoughts were interrupted by Ms. Frist ringing a bell by her chair. Quickly, a servant came carrying a platter full of bread. Then another servant came carrying five tea cups and a teapot. Ms. Frist motioned us to eat. She poured a cup of tea for each of us. Then she gracefully stood up, smoothed her dress, tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, and prepared to make an announcement….
Dr. Samantha Corch is a 4th grader who has just finished her first book! Listen to an interview with Dr. Corch to learn about what it was like for her to write Runway Mary! Learn about how she got the idea, how she overcame writer’s block, and who she wishes to thank for helping her along the way. Just push play!