Take Charge Read Online Free Page B

but she wanted to be honest. “I just want to dress like other kids. I don’t want to stick out … like
there goes that weird Latina girl
.”
    “Is that what your friends think?”
    “Maybe my friends don’t. But other kids do, Mom. Besides, I’ve been saving my babysitting money all summer long, and I just want to use it to buy some normal things, like some nice jeans and T-shirts — the kinds of stuff that other girls wear to school.”
    “But that’s not ladylike, Carlotta,” insisted Mom.
    “Listen, Lena,” said Tia Maria in a calming voice. “Carlie always acts like a lady, whether she’s wearing a frilly dress or old blue jeans. Why can’t you let her dress in a way that makes her feel good about herself?”
    Mom frowned. “I don’t know … ”
    “Please, Mom,” Carlie pleaded.
    Mom sighed loudly. “I’ll talk to your father about this, Carlotta.”
    Carlie looked at Tia Maria in time to see her wink. They both knew this would settle everything. Dad would side with Carlie.
    “Thanks, Mom,” said Carlie, giving her mom a big hug. “I’ll watch the boys while you make dinner.”
    “See,” said Tia Maria. “She’s a good girl, Lena. You should be proud.”
    Mom said a word in Spanish that Carlie didn’t understand, but she had a strong feeling she shouldn’t ask either. Instead she gathered up her little brothers and took them outside to play in the backyard for a while. It was actually Carlie’s special place — her secret garden — but she and Dad had fixed up part of it as a play area for the boys. She opened the lid to the sandbox, and both boys dove for the dump truck. She turned on the hose and began watering some of her flowers, listening as her brothers argued over whose turn it was to use the shovel now.
    “Hey, Carlie,” called Tia Maria as she came outside a few minutes later. “Mrs. Landers just called me on my cell phone, and she’s begging me to bring you again tomorrow. Chelsea is going to call and invite you tonight. But please consider it, mija. Mrs. Landers thinks that you made a good connection with Chelsea and she was so happy about it. Chelsea really likes you.”
    “Oh …” Carlie lifted up Pedro, who was crying because Miguel had thrown a handful of sand in his face. She held him on her hip as she brushed sand from his mouth and scolded Miguel. Carlie considered the invitation to the Landers’ and wondered how she could turn it down withouthurting anyone. She’d really been hoping to hang with her old friends tomorrow.
    “Not that you owe me anything …” Her aunt gave her a sly grin now. “But it does look like you’re going to get to wear what you like to school this year. That is worth a little something, isn’t it?”
    Carlie had to smile. “Yeah, that was good. Thanks.”
    “So will you go with me again tomorrow?”
    “Okay,” she agreed. How could she not?
    “Thanks!”
    The next morning, Carlie decided to give her mom a little test. What would happen if she wore her favorite khaki shorts and a T-shirt to Chelsea’s house today? Would Mom make her go back to her room and change into something more “ladylike”?
    “That’s not what you’re wearing to visit your new friend, is it, Carlotta?” Mom asked as she filled a bowl with Cheerios.
    “Yeah.” Carlie avoided eye contact as she slipped into a kitchen chair.
    “Maria says this Landers family is very wealthy,” said Mom as she helped Pedro into his booster seat. “She says they’re influential. Mr. Landers is president of the new bank. Don’t you want to make a good impression?”
    “It’s okay, Mom. In fact, yesterday Chelsea thought I looked kinda weird because I had on a dress. She evenmentioned it. I’m just trying to dress the way she does. I think it makes her more comfortable.”
    “Oh.” Mom seemed to consider this as she poured milk on Pedro’s cereal.
    Carlie hurried to finish her breakfast before Mom had a chance to come up with another reason why she should