Kid Power Read Free Page A

something,” I said.
    â€œI sure hope so,” she said. “So tell me. How’s Grandma?”
    We talked until Dad came home and then I told him all about the money I’d earned and the money I was going to earn. “I’m still not sure this is such a good idea,” he grumbled over supper, but I ignored him. I could tell from the three dollars in my wallet that this was one fine idea.
    The next day I decided to drum up some business. I walked over to Mrs. Edwards’ house and rang her bell. I could hear her coming to the door and waited until she did. Mrs. Edwards has arthritis and doesn’t walk too fast.
    â€œWhy Janie, what a pleasant surprise,” she said. “Come in, honey.”
    â€œThank you,” I said, feeling a little guilty. It didn’t seem right to be asking Mrs. Edwards for a job when she was just so happy to have some company. “How’re you feeling?” I asked.
    â€œAbout the same,” she said. “And how are you?”
    â€œI’m fine,” I said. “My mom got laid off though.”
    â€œIsn’t that terrible,” she said. “I was wondering if all those cutbacks would affect her.”
    â€œThey did,” I said. “And until she gets a new job, I’ve decided to earn some money on my own. You see, Carol and I were supposed to get new bikes, and now we can’t afford to, so I’m trying to earn money for mine.”
    â€œIsn’t that fine of you,” Mrs. Edwards said. “Tell me Janie, what kind of work do you think you’ll get?”
    â€œWell I’ve already gotten some jobs,” I said. “You see I’m calling myself Kid Power. I’m going to run errands for people. On Saturday I’m going to watch the kids at a yard sale.”
    â€œI think it’s just wonderful that you’re helping your family out this way,” Mrs. Edwards said. “Is there anything I can do for you?”
    â€œI was thinking about how you can’t get out very much anymore,” I said. “I was wondering if you’d like me to check in on you every day and see if there’s anything you’d like from the drugstore or grocery or library.”
    â€œWhat a good idea,” Mrs. Edwards said. “As a matter of fact, I would like having someone to run errands like that for me. It’s such a bother to get around, and there are times I feel so isolated. How much do you charge?”
    â€œFifty cents,” I said, giving Mrs. Edwards my newly created senior citizen discount rate. If I’d known about it the day before, I would have given it to Grandma.
    â€œMonday through Friday,” Mrs. Edwards said. “I usually have someone over during the weekends to keep me company.”
    â€œGreat,” I said. “Thank you Mrs. Edwards. Is there anything I can do for you today?”
    â€œIf you could return my library books, I’d really appreciate it,” she said. “They’re a couple of days overdue, and I’m so embarrassed about it. But now I’ll never have to worry about overdue books again.”
    â€œI’ll be glad to return them,” I said. “Do you want me to take any out for you while I’m there?”
    â€œNot today,” she said, and gave me a dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
    â€œBut the overdue fines won’t be very much,” I said as she handed the books to me. There were only two of them.
    â€œI’m sure you’ll earn it by summer’s end,” Mrs. Edwards said. “Besides, I like to reward such initiative and family spirit. Now run along, and I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
    â€œThanks a lot, Mrs. Edwards,” I said, and left, taking the books and the money with me. I went straight to the library and returned the books. Fifty cents a day would be $2.50 a week. That was $10.00 a month, maybe a little more. Added to the $3.00 I’d already earned, and