Chicken Pox Panic, the by Beverly Lewis Page A

“What’s the map for?”
    Abby scratched her nose. “Shawn used to live in Korea when his name was Li Sung Jin,” she said.
    â€œI know—before we adopted him and Jimmy.”
    Abby leaned on the atlas. “When Shawn and Jimmy came to live in America, they had to leave their country behind.”
    â€œI know that,” said Carly. She played with her curls. “So what’s the map for?”
    â€œIt’s a double dabble surprise for Shawn’s tenth birthday. He’s going to have the best birthday cake ever!” Abby slammed the map book shut.
    â€œI don’t get it,” Carly said. “Why are you looking at maps and talking about cakes?”
    Abby smiled. “Just because.”
    She felt like a jitterbox inside. Birthday secrets did that. Always.
    Carly tiptoed closer. Now she stood beside Abby’s bed. “Please tell me.” Carly crossed her heart.
    â€œOK, OK. Here’s my secret” said Abby. “I’m going to make a cake in the shape of South Korea for Shawn’s party.”
    Carly jumped up and down. “Goody!”
    â€œRemember, you can’t tell anyone,” said Abby. “The secret could get back to Shawn.”
    â€œAnd that would be terrible,” said Carly. But she had a silly look on her face.
    â€œYou better not tell” Abby said. She slid under the covers.
    â€œOr what?”
    â€œOr you’ll be sorry” Abby said. She pulled the quilt up. “I feel lousy.”
    â€œChicken pox does that. Mommy said so.” Carly opened the door to leave.
    Abby was glad. She was tired of Carly’s chatter. And all that dumb cross-your-heart stuff.
    She hid the atlas under her bed.
    Then she fell asleep wishing she hadn’t told anyone about the cake.

THREE
    Abby woke up when Carly brought in a supper tray. On it was chicken soup and honey toast.
    Stacy Henry came for a visit. She was Abby s best friend.
    Stacy pulled a get-well card out of her pocket.
    â€œHere. I made this for you in art today.” She gave it to Abby.
    Abby read the card. It was a silly sad face with spots all over. It was Abby’s itchy gitchy chicken pox face.
    At the bottom of the card was a happy face— after the chicken pox.

    â€œHope you get well quick,” Stacy said. She untied her sneakers and pulled them off.
    â€œThanks,” Abby said. “I have to. My brother’s birthday is in two weeks.”
    â€œAnd Abby’s going to bake him a cake,” Carly said.
    Abby stared at Carly. She better not tell!
    Carly put her hand over her mouth. “Oops, I mean, Abby’s going to . . .”
    â€œJust be quiet,” Abby warned.
    Abby wanted to take back the secret. Phooey, little sisters—what a pain!
    Carly’s friend, Dee Dee Winters, sneaked into the bedroom just then. She giggled when she saw Abby. “I brought you something, Abby-pox.”
    She gave Abby a plastic ring.
    â€œThanks,” Abby said, sliding it on her pinky.
    Carly stood beside the bed. “Wanna see Abby’s spots?” She pulled back the covers.
    Dee Dee’s eyes got big.
    â€œCome look,” Abby said. She propped herpillows up behind her, showing off the bumps.
    â€œThey’re everywhere!” Dee Dee said.
    Abby leaned against her pillows and grinned. “They kept me out of school all week.”
    Stacy sat on the edge of the bed.
    â€œLook out or you’ll catch them!” Carly shouted, pulling on Stacy’s arm.
    Stacy smiled.”It’s OK. I had them last year.”
    Carly frowned. “You might get them again.”
    â€œMother says you only get them once,” Stacy said.
    â€œReally?” said Carly.
    Dee Dee crept toward the bed. “That’s why I came over. My mother wants me to catch them.” She held her breath like she was scared, but then she sat down on the bed.
    â€œWe could get them together,” said Carly.
    Dee Dee jumped up and