"With seven of us, it'll take no time," Kristy said. Everyone nodded enthusiastically.

"I could easily hang the paintings on the wall," I said, "and the lighting's not bad. I guess I'd have to figure out a date I could be finished; then that'll be the opening."

"It'll also give you something definite to shoot for," Stacey said. "I bet you'll work twice as fast."

"Yup," I said. "Then we can send invitations to my neighbors and all our clients — "

"And serve junk food as refreshments!" Kristy chimed in. "It's perfect!"

Well, I was pretty excited by then. We all were. Soon phone calls began interrupting us, but in between them we kept, planning and talking.

Everyone was in a great mood when Kristy adjourned the meeting at six o'clock. I was thrilled. My first show! But boy, did I have a lot of work to do. I pulled out my Milk Duds canvas for a quick touch-up before dinner.

My brush was in hand when the phone rang. (One of the only bad things about my

bedroom being BSC headquarters is that parents sometimes call during nonmeeting hours.)

"Hello, Baby-sitters Club/' I said impatiently.

"May I have Claudia, please?" It was Rosie's

voice. //

Hi, Rosie, it's me," I said. "What's up?"

"You won't need to come tomorrow," she answered. "My agent just called to tell me I have a commercial booking in the city tomorrow. My mom's going to take me in while my aunt takes care of Grandma."

"Congratulations, Rosie!" I said. "What's the commercial for?"

"The phone company," she said. "I play a girl calling her grandfather in Norway or something."

"Great!" I said. "I can't wait to see it."

"I'll get a tape of it, I guess," she said. "See you Thursday."

"Uh ... no, Friday/' I said. "A different sitter is coming on Thursday — Jessi Ramsey. She's a great dancer. You'll love her."

"Oh," Rosie said in a soft voice. "Well, 'bye."