Junie B., First Grader_ One-Man Band - Barbara Park [5]
“I know you're upset about not being in the kickball game,” Mother said. “But everyone has disappointments in life, honey.”
I was still in a bad mood.
“I hate disappointments. I hate them,” I said.
Daddy patted me. “Yes, well, we all hate being disappointed, Junie B.,” he said. “But Mr. Scary said you can still do something fun in the tournament.”
I did a mad breath. “I hate that dumb tournament. I hate it,” I said.
Daddy squinted his eyes at me.
He said to please stop saying hate.
“I hate saying hate. I hate it,” I said.
After that, Daddy picked me up. And he carried me to my room for a time-out.
It was not unexpected.
I waited till he was gone.
“I hate time-outs. I hate them,” I whispered to my stuffed elephant named Philip Johnny Bob.
I hate them, too, Junie B., he said back.
I hate everything you hate. You and me hate everything exactly the same.
I hugged him very tight.
I love that guy.
After that, both of us flopped on my bed. And we calmed ourself down.
Pretty soon, Mother came and got me. And she took me back to the table.
I did not talk to Daddy.
Also, I did not talk to my baby brother named Ollie. ’Cause he is just learning words. And all he keeps saying is moo.
Mother tried to be nice some more.
“Are you sure you wouldn't like to be a cheerleader, Junie B.?” she said. “I know you couldn't jump up and down on your sore toe. But you could still yell and shout for your team.”
Daddy did a chuckle. “And yelling and shouting are right up your alley,” he teased.
I did not laugh at that remark.
Daddy poked me. “Oh, don't be so glum,” he said. “Being a cheerleader wouldn't be so bad, would it? Every little girl likes cheerleading.”
I rolled my eyes at the ceiling.
“But I'm not every little girl, Daddy. I am just me. Junie B. Jones. And I don't want to be a cheerleader. I want to be on the kickball team.”
Just then, my nose started to sniffle very much.
“I even had a daydream about it,” I said. “I was the star of the whole entire game. And it was very wonderful. Only now that is never going to happen.”
Mother gave me a hug. “Well, no one can be a star all the time,” she said. “It's just like I said earlier. Everyone has disappointments sometimes.”
“Right,” said Daddy. “And when life hands you lemons, you have to learn to make lemonade.”
I looked weird at that man.
“Huh?” I said. “What's lemonade got to do with this?”
Mother smiled. “It's just a saying, Junie B.,” she said. “It means that when life goes a little bit sour, you need to find a way to sweeten it up a bit.”
Just then, Daddy went to the refrigerator. And he took out three lemons.
“Here, look. I'll show you,” he said.
He held up the lemons for me to see.
“See what I have here?” he said. “They're just three sour old lemons, right?”
I did a shrug. “I guess so.”
Daddy grinned. “Ahhh … but maybe these sour lemons are more fun than they look,” he said.
Then, one by one, he threw each lemon into the air.
And WOWIE WOW WOW!
HE STARTED TO JUGGLE THEM!
I mean it!
He did!
My daddy juggled those lemons way high in the air! And I didn't even know that he had that talent!
I clapped and cheered very thrilled.
Ollie clapped, too.
Also, he said moo.
Then all of us started to laugh.
And Daddy did a bow.
“Do you see what I mean now?” he asked. “I turned three sour lemons into something more fun.”
“And you can do the same thing, Junie B.,” said Mother. “All you have to do is think of something fun to do in the kickball tournament. And then your sour situation will turn happy, too. Understand?”
I nodded very fast.
“I do, Mother! I do understand,” I said.
“And guess what else? I think I already know what I'm going to do!”
I jumped down from my chair. And I picked up the lemons from the counter.
“I think I'm going to juggle!” I said very joyful. “I'll juggle in Sheldon's halftime show! And then everyone will clap and cheer! And I will be the star of that whole production!”
After that, I stood in the middle of the kitchen, just like Daddy did.
And one by one, I threw each lemon into the air.
I kept my eyes on them very perfect.