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“It was wrong, Junie B. Jones,” she said. “It was wrong to disobey your grandfather. And it was wrong to invite yourself to be in Aunt Flo’s wedding.”

I sat up a little straighter.

“Flo,” I said kind of soft. “F-l-o spells Flo.”

Mother sucked in her cheeks.

“Yes…well, we’re all thrilled that you’re learning to spell. But this isn’t about spelling, Junie B. This is about disobeying your grandfather.”

I hanged my head way down.

“But I wanted to be a flower girl real bad,” I said. “I wanted to wear a long dress and show you I’m a grown-up lady.”

Mother did a frown. “I’m sorry, but that’s no excuse,” she said.

After that, I slumped way far over at the table. Only too bad for me. ’Cause my head got too close to my plate. And my hair got gravy on it.

I stared and stared at my gravy hair.

“Today is not actually going that well,” I said to just myself.

Just then, the phone rang.

Mother answered it.

Oh no!

It was Aunt Flo!

And she wanted to talk to me!

Mother handed me the phone.

I shook my head real fast.

“No, thank you. I don’t actually care to speak to her at this time,” I said.

But Mother kept on shoving the phone at me. And so I didn’t have a choice.

My insides felt shaky and nervous.

“H…h… hello?”

“Why, hello, yourself!” said Aunt Flo.

Her voice sounded jolly.

“I’m sorry about what happened today, Junie B.,” she said. “But I’ve got some good news for you. How would you like to be the alternate flower girl? Do you know what an alternate is?”

I shook my head no.

“An alternate is like a substitute, sort of,” she said. “Like if Bo gets sick and she can’t be in the wedding…you will step in and be the flower girl! Do you understand, honey?”

Just then, I felt a little bit happier inside.

“I do, Aunt Flo. I do understand,” I said.

“But wait,” said Aunt Flo. “I haven’t even told you the best part yet! Because even if Bo doesn’t get sick, we still want you to sit with the bridesmaids at the reception! How does that sound?”

My eyes got biggish and widish.

“Perfect! It sounds perfect!” I said real squealy.

I jumped down from my chair.

“Hey, Aunt Flo! This means I can still wear a long dress, right? And who knows? Maybe Bo will even give me a couple of flower petals for my very own!”

I kept on getting happier and happier.

“Thank you, Aunt Flo! Thank you for making me the alternate flower girl! ’Cause this day turned out happier than I thought!”

After that, I quick hanged up the phone.

And I zoomed all around the house like a rocket!

Also, I did a cartwheel!

And I standed on my head!

’Cause now Mother will get to see what a grown-up lady I really, really am!

7/Hope

Mother bought me a beautiful dress for the wedding.

It had golden puffery sleeves. And it came all the way to the floor.

Also, she bought me fancy pantyhose with glimmery shimmers on them. And brand-new shiny gold shoes.

I could not thank that woman enough!

I thanked her the whole time I was in the store.

“Thank you, Mother!” I said. “Thank you for my beautiful dress! Thank you for my fancy pantyhose! And thank you, thank you for my shiny gold shoes!”

I smiled real big.

“Now all I need is my blue fake bunny fur cape. And I will be all set!”

Mother shook her head.

“Oh no. No way,” she said. “We’ve spent quite enough for one day.”

I looked and looked at that woman. ’Cause she has no fashion sense, apparently.

“Yes, but I have to have a blue fake bunny fur cape, Mother,” I said. “Lucille says a blue fur cape adds elegance to any outfit. Lucille says—”

Mother interrupted my words. Her voice sounded scary in my ear.

“I don’t care what Lucille says,” she grouched. “No…fur…cape.”

I quick backed up from her.

“All rightie then,” I said kind of nervous.

After that, I helped carry my bags to the car. And I behaved myself all the way home.

Then I runned to my house with all my beautiful things. And I tried my flower girl dress on for Daddy.

And guess what else?

I walked all the way down the hall!

And I didn’t even trip!

Daddy gave me a thumbs-up.