Molly's Promise Read Online Free

Molly,” he said. “If you want to enter the competition, go through the front door.”
    The truth was, now that Molly had sung out loud, all she wanted to do was sing some more. She didn’t really want to compete—not with kids from school listening to her, especially Paige and the other girls.
    â€œPaige might be able to dance,” he said, “but you are a star. There is no doubt about that.”
    Molly climbed off his lap. “Thanks, Dad.”

    Later, as she lay in bed, Molly replayed her singing over and over in her mind. She loved how her voice had filled the room. If only her mom had heard her.
    Molly had broken her promise. She had given her mom’s gift away.
    â€œMom, I am so sorry. I couldn’t keep my voice inside any longer. It just had to come out.”
    She said sorry over and over again, hoping her mom would forgive her.
    As Molly fell asleep, she heard Billie Holiday singing “Summertime.” Although she had been dead for seventy years, Billie’s voice pulsed through Molly’s body.
    In the morning, Molly made a new promise.
    â€œWhen you come home, Mom, I will sing just for you,” Molly said. “It will be just you and me.”
    Her second promise didn’t feel exactly right, but it was the best she could think of. Her voice had always been her gift to her mom. It still was. Now if only her mom would come home and get it. One day, Molly thought, my mom will come home and ask, “What is your big surprise, Molly? Where’s the present you promised me?”
    Molly would take a deep breath and sing. Her mom would be amazed. “Molly,” she would say, “I had no idea. What a wonderful gift. Thank you so much for sharing it with me.”
    Molly felt a little better after she had made the new promise.
    The trouble was, now Molly didn’t know what to do about the competition. One minute she wanted to enter, and the next minute she didn’t.
    When she got out of bed, she found an envelope on the kitchen table. On the front it said, Here’s the registration fee. Go for it, Molly. You can do it. I love you, Dad .

Chapter Six
    Molly was dozing off during the morning announcements until Ms. Clarkson, the principal, said, “Forms for the Central Valley Youth Talent Competition will be available in the office during lunch hour. We need your fee and your form, fully completed. Don’t dally. The competition is just weeks away.”
    It was raining hard at lunchtime. Murphy was in the gym with the rest of the team, practicing for the game after school. Molly sat on the bleachers watching— and thinking about whether to pick up a registration form. A crowd of grade-eight girls stood nearby.
    â€œDarcie’s going to tap-dance,” said a blond girl with a purple, feathered hair band.
    â€œPaige is in my dance studio,” another girl said.
    â€œShe’s pretty good.” “She thinks she’s going to win,” said a girl with heavy eye makeup. “Have you seen her? She struts around like somebody crowned her the Queen of Talent.”
    â€œShe is soooo conceited,” the blond girl said. “But what about Devon? That guy can sing AND play guitar. He’s a star, baby. The next Mr. Bieber. What do you think, girls? Let’s put it together for our very own Devon Dempster.”
    A chorus of laughter, sighs and coos came from the girls all at once.
    Molly’s face burned. Why had she thought she could sing in the competition? Devon was not only the best-looking boy in the school but also talented at everything. He could walk onstage with his hands in his pockets and say his name and he’d win the competition. Someone said, “Mica can sing. Anyone know if she’s entering?”
    â€œProbably. She takes singing lessons,” said the girl with the eye makeup.
    Molly didn’t want to hear any more. She swiveled around, jumped off the side of the bleachers and sped