Baby-sitters Agency. They were older than us and could stay out until all hours. A lot of our clients started using them instead, but the agency folded because the kids who worked for it weren't great baby-sitters, so now we're back to normal, glad that the new year is starting off smoothly.

Kristy rang the Kishis' bell, and Mimi answered the door. Mimi is Claudia's grandmother. She lives with the Kishis and watches out for Claudia and her sister Janine, since both Mr. and Mrs. Kishi work.

"Hello, girls," said Mimi in her pleasant voice. The Kishis are Japanese. Claudia and Janine were born in theUnited States . Both of their parents came toAmerica when they were little. Mimi was in her thirties, I think, when she leftJapan , so she still speaks with an accent. I like her accent. It's soft and nice to listen to.

"Hi, Mimi," we replied.

"How is the scarf coming, Mary Anne?" she asked. (Mimi taught me how to knit. She's helping me make a scarf for my father.)

"It's fine," I said. "I'm almost done, but I'll need you to help me with the fringe."

"Of course. Any time, Mary Anne."

I kissed Mimi quickly on the cheek. Then

Kristy and I got prepared to run up the stairs and into Claudia's room. We have to do it fast. If Janine is home, we like to try to get by her bedroom without having to talk to her.

Janine is a genius. Honest. She's only fifteen and already she's taking classes atStoneybrookUniversity . She corrects absolutely everything you say to her. Kristy and I avoid her as much as possible.

That day, we were lucky. Janine wasn't even home. When we ran by her room, it was dark.

"Hi!" we greeted Claudia.

"Hi," she replied, her voice muffled. Claudia had her head in her pajama bag as she rummaged around at the bottom of it. In a moment she straightened up, proudly holding out three Ring-Dings.