MacKenzie Isabelle Evans was the first one out of the car. She slammed the door and stood tapping her foot as Joseph and Trevor climbed out of the backseat. “You guys are slow as slugs,” she commented.
“You’d probably rather be outside messing around,” Trevor said. “I know I would!” He gazed longingly at the brilliant sunshine streaming through the big studio windows. “I have to help you because G.M. thinks I don’t suffer enough since I am home-schooled,” Joseph said. “I don’t have all those deadlines and stuff like regular school kids.”
Hannah Maria Estevez watched Mama open her purse. “I was sure I had everything I needed to fix supper,” Mama said. “But when I looked just now, I found out we don’t have enough rice. And I promised Papa I would make him Cuban rice tonight.” Hannah grinned at the thought of having Cuban rice with no rice. Nope. That wouldn’t work, for sure.
MacKenzie Isabelle Evans shuffled wildly through the papers on her desk. Where was that list? It wasn’t in her binder. It wasn’t stuck between the pages of her spelling book. It didn’t seem to be anywhere at all. “Mom!” Mac wailed. “I can’t find it!”
Joseph Anderson Donetti looked around the classroom. Nope. No missionary yet. Pastor Chuck had promised last week that they would have a special guest today. A real missionary. Joseph Anderson Donetti had heard about missionaries, of course, but he had never actually seen a real missionary before.
“Hold still!” Mrs. Pastor Chuck said. “Your beard will be all lopsided!”
Trevor pulled the sheet down as far as his nose so he could see Mom. “I don’t want to watch a baby,” he muttered crossly. “It’s one of the last days of my summer vacation!”
“Then get your clothes on! I’ll make you a sandwich you can eat in the car for breakfast. And don’t wear shorts!” she reminded him. “Wear long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt, and a vest. And gloves. The ice rink is cold as winter even though it’s summer outside!”
Joseph Anderson Donetti frowned at the news. “I thought Mrs. Randall would get well fast!” he exclaimed. “We’ve been helping her a lot!”
Hannah Maria Estevez swung slowly back and forth, back and forth on the long rope swing that Papa had made for her in the front yard. It was her favorite hot-summer-afternoon thing to do.