Ellie McMillan, a little girl from the day-care center where the Unicorn Club volunteers, has run away from home - to my house! I know, you're thinking Lila Fowler and kids go together like grape juice and white carpet, but - believe it or not - I actually enjoy reading and playing hid-and-seek with Ellia. It's almost like having a little sister. The only problem is, she wants to move in permanently!
You see, Ellie's mom just started going out with a new guy, so Ellie's been spending alot of time with me. I guess she figures if her mom has a boyfriend, she doesn't need Ellie anymore. I promised Ellie O wouldn't tell any grown-ups that she's at my house, But Jessica and the other Unicorns say Ellie has to go, promise ot no promise. Is there a way to keep my word and get Ellie back home where she belongs?
Angels in disguise . . .
"Look out!" Elizabeth yelled as Allison Meyer knocked over a doll carriage filled with building blocks.
Evie, holding a struggling Yuky, said, "I think there's something in the water today. These kids are all acting crazy!"
Crazy was putting it mildly, I thought. I was sure glad I didn't have to deal with those other kids. Ellie was so good. Then again, maybe Ellie was good because of the way I treated her. If Ellie had been acting fresh, I would have talked to her instead of yelling at her the way Ellen yelled at Arthur Foo or Jessica yelled at Oliver. I think Ellie knew that. It was a matter of mutual respect.
"Ellie isn't acting crazy," I told Evie. "It's just a matter of knowing how to handle children."
Ellen rolled her eyes. "Get real, Lila," she said. "It's just a matter of giving them time out for about a month!" She glowered at Arthur.
I shrugged. "Well, it seems to me that some of us are able to handle children and some of us aren't," I said, smiling down at Ellie. Maybe it was silly, but I wanted to show the Unicorns that I knew how to take care of children. You didn't have to have a mom around to know how to do that.