The Bungled Bike Burglaries (The Gabby St. Claire Diaries Book 3) Read online

  I got so caught up in that and the lackluster we’re-being-polite applause for her that I almost missed my cue for places. I arrived on my mark just as Tommy Miller finished George Washington Carver.

  Then I was on.

  And I still didn’t really remember doing my monologue, but it must have been good because half the auditorium gave me a standing ovation.

  Then again, it could have been all for Brandon, who’d done his ten-second cameo appearance as Elvis when I talked about the newsprint.

  It didn’t matter though. I was doing this for Hope.

  Mrs. Baker came on and explained a bit about all the research I had done to develop the monologue and how happy she was to live in a time when people weren’t excluded from school on the basis of their color, race, or even gender, like back in the day. She urged everyone to take the next step.

  I had already decided to take a step in the right direction for Hope Q. and all those who deserved to have the public know about their struggles and triumphs.

  But it wasn’t easy.

  Dr. Hinkley came onstage, and I presented him with the time capsule. He thanked me on behalf of Hampton University, the museum, and people everywhere who would benefit from my contribution.

  I kind of missed the rest of what he said because the butterflies zoomed at warp speed, and I could feel their wings tickling the insides of my stomach.

  I wasn’t finished yet.

  Even though I had accidentally done Brandon’s channeling thing during auditions when the Diva’s snicker had ignited my performance, I still couldn’t do it whenever I wanted to. I had to content myself with Shakes on Eight and Unique New York to dissipate my jitters while Monica Teal did her monologue about Marie Curie.

  When Mrs. Baker introduced me as the final performer of the night, I had transformed once again into someone else.

  I could still hardly believe I pulled off writing and memorizing my second piece in less than twenty-four hours. But I kind of had to or else be grounded at home until I was old enough to go into a nursing home.

  I inhaled deeply.

  It was my turn. Again.

  The spotlight narrowed until I was the only thing visible onstage. I paused, took a second deep breath, and began.

  “Hi. I’m Nancy Drew, and I want to talk to you about the importance of being in the right place at the right time with the right people.”

  ###

  About the Authors:

  Kathy Applebee:

  Kathy Applebee is an author, playwright, and Virginia’s 2011 Middle School Science Teacher of the Year (according to the Virginia Association of Science Teachers). She is a frequent contributor to PLAYS The Drama Magazine for Young People and the drama ministry Fools for Christ. When she’s not writing, teaching, or directing plays, she can be seen on various stages in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Her favorite roles to date include the Wicked Witch of the West, Ouiser (Steel Magnolias), and Lady Macbeth.

  Christy Barritt:

  USA Today has called Christy Barritt’s books “scary, funny, passionate, and quirky.” Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times’ Reviewers’ Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword magazine’s Book of the Year. She’s married to her Prince Charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious—but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who's known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. For more information, visit her website at: www.christybarritt.com.