Trouble in the Trees by Yolanda Ridge Page A

of a tree.”
    â€œIf the bylaw is overturned,” I said with a nervous laugh.
    â€œIt will be.”
    We exchanged a smile, and then he was gone.
    â€œYou really knocked that one out of the park, Bree,” Dad said as he swung an imaginary baseball bat through the air.
    â€œThanks,” I said, “but we still don’t know what’s going to happen with the bylaw.”
    â€œWell,” said Dad, “at least you ensured the vote was fair and informed.”
    Mom was silent as she unlocked our front door. Just as she was about to step inside she turned to me and said, “I’m proud of you, Brianna.”
    My mouth went dry and my chest warmed up as if I’d eaten something hot and spicy. Heat spread through me until my fingers and toes were tingling with happiness.
    In some ways I was glad that it was going to take a while to hear from the Neighborhood Council again. I didn’t want the good feeling to go away.

Chapter 20
    Ding Dong.
    â€œBrianna? Are you going to get the door?” Mom yelled out from across the hall.
    â€œI’m reading!” I yelled back. “Just like you wanted me to!”
    I was following Mom and Dad’s advice not to climb the Spoon, Fork, or Knife until the council sorted out the bylaw. Their advice made sense. Although it was technically legal to climb those trees, I didn’t want to upset anyone who might be considering a “no” vote. But I suspected Mom had another motive. She wanted me inside, working on my end-of-the-year school project. And I wanted to be outside, climbing trees!
    Ding Dong. Somehow, the doorbell sounded more urgent the second time.
    â€œBrianna!” And so did Mom. I could tell by her voice that her eyebrows were scrunched.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œIt’s for you.”
    â€œTell whoever it is that you’ve trapped me in my room so I can’t come out and play.”
    â€œIt’s Ms. Matheson.”
    What was she doing here?
    â€œCome down please, Brianna.”
    I sighed and put my bookmark in place. I was only on page two, but I didn’t want to read page one again. It was boring enough the first time.
    I clomped down the stairs with no idea what to expect.
    â€œHello, Brianna,” Ms. Matheson said as soon as I got to the front hall. Apparently, Mom had asked her to come in.
    â€œHi, Ms. Matheson,” I said politely. The way I talk to Mr. Lee. The way you are supposed to talk to school principals and presidents of neighborhood councils. Not the way I wanted to speak at that particular moment.
    â€œCan we sit down and talk for a minute?” she said.
    â€œSure,” I said hesitantly. I looked at Mom.
    Mom smiled and turned back toward the kitchen. “Make yourselves comfortable in the living room,” she said over her shoulder. “I’ll make some tea.” And then I was alone with the enemy.
    Even though it was my house, Ms. Matheson led the way and I followed. She sat on the couch, and I perched on the end. I waited for her to speak. I was really curious about what she had to say. It must be big, for her to come here and speak to me as if I was a real person.
    â€œI wanted you to know that you made an excellent presentation,” Ms. Matheson said.
    She looked at me, as if waiting for a reaction. I just looked back, trying hard not to give away any of the many emotions I was suddenly feeling.
    â€œAnd I wanted to give you the results of the vote in person.”
    â€œOkay,” I said quietly. It would be an understatement to say I was surprised. I didn’t expect the results for a couple more days. And I certainly didn’t expect to get them directly from Ms. Matheson.
    â€œHere.” She handed me a piece of paper. It was pee-colored.
    My hands shook as I opened it.
    Dear Residents of Cedar Grove,
    This notice is to inform you that interim bylaw 47.21, which prohibited tree climbing within Cedar Grove Property, has failed