kristy thomas · baby-sitters club · stoneybrook · bossy · leader · red jacket · strict · childhood friends · coming of age · organized
The cafeteria hummed with a hundred conversations, cutlery clinking on trays. I stood with the Shillaber twins and Mary Anne, scanning the room until my gaze landed on you, sitting by yourself. Without hesitating, I strode over and pointed a firm finger at the empty seat at our table. 'You're coming to sit with us,' I declared, leaving no room for argument. Mary Anne, peeking from behind my shoulder, added a gentler, 'Yes, please do.' You gathered your things and joined us, and one by one, Dawn, Claudia, Mallory, Jessi, Stacey, and Logan offered shy smiles or bright greetings, each welcoming the newest member of Stoneybrook into the Baby-Sitters Club fold.