The Miraculous Makeover of Lizard Flanagan by Carol Gorman Page B

way.”
    â€œIt gives your skin a rosy glow,” Mary Ann said. “Like the way your face looks after you’ve pitched a no-hitter.”
    â€œMy face is sticky with sweat after I’ve pitched a no-hitter.”
    â€œWithout the sweat,” Mary Ann said. “Just glowing and healthy looking.”
    It seemed dumb to put on something unnatural in order to look natural.
    â€œI’m not interested.”
    â€œBlush would be easier to wear than the skirt,” Mary Ann persisted. “Less noticeable.”
    I sighed. “I s’pose you’re going to be on my back till I try it.”
    Mary Ann grinned. “Right.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll try it,” I said. “But if I don’t like it, I won’t wear it!”
    After school, I met Mary Ann by the flagpole.
    â€œLet’s go to Whetstone’s,” she suggested.
    Whetstone’s Drug Store is on the way home. They have just about everything you could ever want to buy.
    We pulled open the heavy glass door and walked inside, and that’s when I thought of it.
    â€œWe can’t do this now,” I said, stopping abruptly.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause all the kids come here after school. Anybody could come in while we’re looking at blush!”
    â€œIt’s not a big deal, Lizard,” Mary Ann said. “Buying blush isn’t a crime, you know.”
    â€œYeah,” I said, “but if any of the guys come in here, I’ll never hear the end of it.”
    â€œThis’ll just take a minute,” Mary Ann promised.
    She took hold of my arm and steered me to the cosmetics department. I kept checking the aisles nervously. I didn’t see anyone, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there.
    Mary Ann stopped at the end of an aisle. “Here’s the blush. Let’s see what your color is.”
    I looked over my shoulder. “Just give me whatever you bought. Then let’s get out of here.”
    â€œOh, you can’t buy just any color,” Mary Ann said. “You should buy whatever complements your complexion.”
    â€œWhatever.” I glanced up the aisle. “Just do it fast.”
    â€œBesides, I got my blush at the hair salon,” Mary Ann said. “They don’t have the same brand here. Now give me your hand.”
    â€œWhat for?”
    â€œSo I can look at your skin color.”
    â€œIt’s flesh-colored,” I said. “Just like yours. Come on, hurry up.”
    Mary Ann grabbed my wrist and studied the back of my hand. “Everyone’s flesh tones are different.”
    â€œMary Ann, I’m putting it on my face, not my hand.”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter,” Mary Ann said. “This is how you check coloring. Here.”
    She brushed on a little blush from a sampler. “That’s pretty good.”
    I looked up then to see my brother turn the corner and start down the aisle with Stinky.
    â€œOh, no!” I snatched my hand from Mary Ann and turned my back on the guys. “Let’s go!”
    â€œWe’re not finished …”
    â€œI don’t care. Let’s go!” I dragged Mary Ann into the next aisle. “I don’t want them to see us!” I knew the guys were headed for the candy aisle. “Let’s stay here for a few minutes.”
    Mary Ann rolled her eyes but nodded.
    After about half a minute, I tiptoed around to peek up their aisle. They weren’t there.
    I turned back to Mary Ann. “Coast’s clear.”
    â€œGood,” she said. “Let’s go back. That shade wasn’t quite right for you.”
    â€œJust make it snappy.”
    At the cosmetics section, Mary Ann pulled out another sample. “Let’s try this.” She brushed a little on my skin.
    â€œThere,” she said. “See, it blends right into your own skin color.”
    â€œOooo, that’s nice, Lizard.”
    I hadn’t heard Sam and Stinky come up