A Dream for Addie Read Online Free Page A

supposed to be a secret! Right?” I said to Constance.
    She smiled at me. “Something like that, yes.”
    I thought I had made an impression on her by that knowledgeable remark about actresses, and it seemed a good time to launch into the invitation to the style show. We all bombarded her with requests, and I even assured her she wouldn’t have to sit through the luncheon but could just come at the end of the show and hand out the awards. She listened patiently and then said, “I’m very flattered, but I really can’t.”
    She moved to the door and opened it.
    â€œI told you so,” Tanya hissed. “You and your stupid ideas!”
    I knew Constance had heard her. “Oh, clam up, will you?” I whispered angrily to Tanya.
    â€œI’m sorry, but it’s really impossible,” Constance said, giving me an apologetic look.
    â€œOh, that’s OK,” I said, trying to save face. I moved to the door, ready to leave.
    Suddenly Tanya grabbed my arm and said, in her phoniest “nice” voice, “Don’t forget to invite Miss Payne to dinner Addie.”
    I could have killed her. She was putting me on the spot with my own fib, right in front of Constance.
    â€œOh, uh …” I stammered.
    â€œHer father is your old friend, James Mills,” Tanya said to Constance.
    â€œJames Mills?” Constance said, puzzled. “I don’t think I remember …”
    â€œDidn’t you used to go out with him?” Tanya asked. “Addie said you did!”
    I was flushed with embarrassment. “Well, it was a long time ago,” I said to Constance. “Maybe you don’t remember.”
    â€œOh, James Mills!” Constance said suddenly. “I do remember him! He was a handsome devil. You tell him I said hello, won’t you?” Somehow she had sensed what was happening and had helped me out. I couldn’t believe it.
    But Tanya was not about to let me off the hook. “Addie wanted you to come to dinner. She said you’d want to.”
    â€œOh,” I said, panicking again and trying to move toward the door. “I suppose you’re too busy though.”
    â€œMaybe sometime soon,” said Constance, trying to help me out again.
    I began to go out, but Tanya grabbed my arm and pulled me back. “Her dad would just love to see you,” she said to Constance. “It was his idea to invite you.”
    I saw a look of amazement on Carla Mae’s face. She knew my dad better than that.
    â€œYou just let me know when,” said Constance, trying to put an end to the conversation.
    â€œSure,” I said, relieved and trying again to get out the door.
    â€œShe said it’s for Saturday night!” Tanya said, with an evil smile on her face.
    â€œSaturday?” Constance said, as though she wasn’t really sure what we were talking about.
    Suddenly I realized that I really wanted her to come to dinner, and I decided to plunge ahead.
    â€œUh, yeah,” I said. “Saturday.”
    â€œAren’t you going to tell her what time?” asked Tanya, interrupting.
    â€œWe eat at six!” I said, and I rushed out the door before Constance could say no.
    I heard her say, “Six?” in a puzzled voice, and then the others interrupted her with their good-byes before she could protest any further.
    Tanya was the last one out the door, and she stopped and gave Constance a little curtsy and said in her gushiest voice, “Oh, thank you, Miss Payne, it was so fabulous! I’ve never met a real star before!”
    As I looked back, I could see Constance standing in the gloomy old hallway, looking down at our bouquet of daffodils still in her hands.
    I could have killed Tanya for what she had done, but on the other hand I was delighted that the dinner invitation had been made. My problem now was how to break the news to Grandma and Dad. Especially Dad.
    By the time I got back to our house, Dad