Hannah Smart, Operation Josh Taylor Read Free

lots of practice. I think every girl in our class has at least one of her Josh Taylor sketches.
    â€œWhat’s up?” she says, with a sigh.
    I can tell by her voice that I was right; she’s in trouble again, but right now I’ve got much more important things on my mind.
    â€œYou are not going to believe what I am about to tell you!” I squeal.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIt’s the best news!”
    â€œWhat!”
    â€œOh, you are going to be so excited!”
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œWell, how would you like to see …”
    â€œWait …” she cuts me off in midsentence. “My mother is freaking ! I have to go. Call you later.”
    Then there’s a click and a dial tone.
    This is beyond terrible on so many levels. I didn’t get to tell her about Josh, and she didn’t get to help me with my plan!
    Suddenly, as if by magic, the phone rings. Thank god!
    â€œHey!” I say anxiously. “Wow, that was fast! So, like I was saying, how would you like to see …”
    â€œHannah, what are you talking about?”
    â€œOh, Dad … it’s you.”
    â€œYou were expecting someone else?”
    â€œYeah, Rachel.”
    â€œWell, never mind about that now,” he says. “Tell your mom I’m bringing home pizza and I’ve got some exciting news.”
    Hmmm … pizza … exciting news? What a coincidence! We both have exciting news today. Unless his exciting news and my exciting news are the same exciting news! It must be! I mean what else could it be? I bet Mom felt bad and called him, or maybe he heard it on the radio. Well, one thing is for sure, he wants to surprise me and he’s bringing home pizza to celebrate! My dad is so cool!

    â€œTell me now! I can’t wait until you get home,” I squeal.
    â€œYou’re just going to have to wait, but it will be worth it. I promise!” I can hear the smile in his voice.
    Well, that’s proof enough for me; Josh Taylor here I come!
    I’m going crazy waiting for Rachel to call, which hopefully will be soon. I mean this is way too exciting to keep to myself!
    About fifteen minutes later, Dad arrives home with our “celebration pizza.”
    â€œHi, honey,” he says, smiling as he puts the box down on the counter.
    â€œHi, Dad. I can’t wait to hear your news!” I say, beaming. His smile gets even wider and he throws me a wink. A wink! You know what that means …
    At the table, even though I’m sure I know what’s coming, I’m still sitting on pins and needles, barely tasting my supper, waiting to hear those words: Sweet Hannah, we’re taking you to the Josh Taylor concert!
    And then I’ll say (for Mom’s benefit), But Dad, I can’t go to the concert. I have no money to buy a ticket.
    Then Dad will say, Oh darling, you don’t need money. We want to take you because we know you are Josh Taylor’s biggest fan!
    And then I’ll look into my mother’s eyes and she’ll see how happy I am, and she’ll look into my father’s eyes and see how happy he is, and then she’ll reach across the table and take our hands in hers, smile, and say, Okay you can go to the concert and we will totally pay .
    â€œHannah, lift up your glass, your dad is making a toast!” Mom frowns.
    â€œWhat … now?” I stammer. Oh, here it comes! I can hardly wait! Okay, pretend to look surprised.
    I lift my glass of Coke and Dad starts, “Today I learned some very exciting news. I think you’re going to be very …”
    Just then the phone rings. Mom gets up.
    â€œHannah, it’s Rachel.” She gestures for me to make it quick.
    â€œHi,” Rachel whispers, “tell me what’s going on, but do it fast ’cause if Mom catches me on the phone, I’m dead.”
    â€œHi,” I say quickly, “I can’t talk now because we’re eating supper! I’ll call you