Queen of the Toilet Bowl by Frieda Wishinsky Page A

it,” I told her.
    â€œEasy for you to say. You sing like an angel. I sing like a frog. No, worse than a frog.”
    â€œMaybe you should get into the nun’s costume,” said Ms. Watson as she handed Liz Karin’s outfit. But just as Liz was sliding into the long black skirt, Karin walked in.
    â€œI was just about to call your house,” said Ms. Watson. “I was afraid you wouldn’t make it for the show. It’s late.”
    â€œI wasn’t feeling well,” said Karin.
    â€œAre you well enough now to go on?” asked Ms. Watson.
    â€œYes,” said Karin.
    â€œThen hurry into your costume. You don’t have much time.”
    Liz almost leaped out of the costume and popped it into Karin’s hand.
    For a second, Karin and I looked at each other and then Karin hurried to the dressing room.
    â€œI hear people,” said Liz. “The audience is arriving.”
    Suddenly the dressing room was filled with panicked cries.
    â€œOhmygod.”
    â€œI’m not ready.”
    â€œWhat if I forget my lines?”
    â€œMy zipper is jammed.”
    â€œI hate my hair.”
    â€œYou’re all going to be fine,” said Ms. Watson. “Everybody take a deep breath and remember we’ve rehearsed this. You know your lines. You’re ready. Five minutes to show time.”
    Liz gave me a hug. “You are going to be the best Maria ever,” she said.
    â€œThanks,” I said.
    â€œBreak a leg,” said Liz and she began to giggle.
    â€œThanks,” I said laughing.
    The music began. As I straightened my nun’s habit, I saw my left shoelace was untied. I bent over to retie it.
    When I stood up, Karin was standing beside me.
    For an instant we looked at each other.
    I smiled. “Break a leg,” I told her.
    â€œYou too,” said Karin, and she smiled back.
    Then the curtain rose.
    From that moment on everything was a dream. I sang, I remembered my lines. I saw my mom’s face glowing like a candle in church.
    But the best part was when, without saying a word, the whole cast joined hands like we were one family. Then we bowed together as the audience stood up and cheered.