Natalia Takes the Lead

Chapter Three

Ms. Andrews, the theatre teacher, is taking an extra long time introducing the auditions for The Wizard of Oz. Natalia’s done this twice before, with Oliver! and Annie. But this is the first time Natalia feels like she really has a chance to be a lead without being a strong singer. And so it’s really bothering her that Ms. Andrew feels the needs to do physical and vocal warmup, when all she’s going to do is pass out the audition pages for each role.

At the end, Zoe and Natalia meet an exhausted Emma at the front steps of Seaview House. They decide to wait to go inside together to meet the two couples who will be staying for three weeks with their dogs. The cutest little dogs, a black dog named Jasper, and a smaller tan terrier named Daisy are tied to the porch out back. The couples tell them they’re willing to pay the girls twenty dollars a day to walk the dogs twice a day.

The girls take the dogs out for their first walk. Daisy stops every few feet to sniff something new, while Jasper walks politely by Zoe’s side. Emma makes a comment that two dogs between the three of them won’t be so tough.

Natalia is scared to mention that two more dogs are coming. But Zoe knows her so well, so she sees right through that look on her face and knows that Natalia is hiding something.

Natalia blurts out that a wedding is coming to Seaview House, and they’re bringing two dogs with them. But at least the couple will pay the girls to take care of the two additional dogs. Emma is frustrated. She has both soccer and swim practice that week, and Zoe has school studying and the rehearsals for the show that will be starting soon. Natalia assures them that it’ll be fine—she’ll take care of everything.