Monkey Business (14 page)

“But who are we going to sell them to?” I had to ask.

“Everyone!” said Claire, throwing out her hands.

“Okay,” Emma said, looking at Claire nervously. It was the kind of look you might give to an insane person, which wasn't entirely inappropriate at the moment. “But where are we going to sell them?”

“At school,” Claire said, like it was obvious.

“You think our classmates will want them?” asked Rachel.

“If we make them cute enough,” Claire said with a shrug. “Of course. Let's get started.”

We all looked at one another again. Each of us seemed to be mulling over the idea. I couldn't tell what anyone else was thinking, and to be honest—I wasn't exactly sure how I felt about the idea.

“It's too quiet,” said Claire. “Someone say something!”

I forced a smile and shrugged, trying to come up with something to say. “It's definitely, um, original. And it's not the worst idea. …”

Emma nodded slowly. “Good point, Annabelle. Plus, it's the only idea on the table at the moment.”

“I guess that makes it a winner,” said Yumi. “So let's go for it!”

Claire jumped up and down and clapped. “This is going to be awesome, guys, and I'm not just saying that because it's my idea. I really think we're on to something. Come with me.”

We followed Claire into her dining room, where she'd set up all her art supplies. Her laptop was there too. “Okay, you guys. I found this great video on YouTube on how to make sock puppet monkeys.”

“You really did your homework,” said Emma.

“Of course I did—this is important,” said Claire.

Emma nodded with approval. “I think we should make some sock puppet pandas. You know, since we're going to sell them so we can go to the Panda Parade. It'll be good luck.”

“Great idea!” said Claire. “You should totally go for it, and I've got a black sock for you that'll be perfect. You can sew a little piece of white circular fabric on it for the panda's belly. Maybe use a scrap of fabric for a little pink tongue.”

“I'd like to make a zebra puppet with a hot pink mane,” said Rachel. “I brought a black-and-white-striped sock that'll work for the body.”

“Let's watch the instructions and then we can get started,” Claire said, pressing play.

We all huddled around the laptop to watch the video. In it, a woman with short dark spiky hair and an Australian accent went through the sock puppet monkey process step by step. Here's what she told us to do:

Everything seemed pretty straightforward, and there was nothing stopping us. We had glue. We had googly eyes and tons of yarn in a gazillion different
colors and glitter and sequins and fabric scraps. We had lots of creativity and imagination and motivation and time.

We sat down at the table.

I dumped all my old socks out of my backpack, and Rachel and Emma did the same. Claire's were already there in a pile with the rest of the supplies.

“I can't believe you all took her seriously!” said Yumi. “Now I feel ridiculous.”

Claire handed her a tube sock with red and blue stripes. “Don't worry about it. You can start with this.”

“And we can all share,” I added.

“Thanks,” said Yumi.

I picked out a fuzzy, green-and-blue-and-yellow-striped sock and got to work. We all did, sewing in silence, each of us focused on making the cutest sock puppet monkey possible. I wasn't so crafty in my regular life, but I had to admit, this was fun. Ten minutes later we were all just about finished with our first puppets.

“Check this out!” said Claire, holding up her doll. It was wild and colorful, with one green eye and one blue eye and a miniature black leather jacket and a mop of shaggy blue hair.

“Wow, that looks like it belongs on the cover of
Vogue
,” said Emma. “I love it.”

“What did you make?” Claire asked.

Emma held up an owl with glasses and a little peach-colored frock.

“She kind of looks like you,” Claire said.

“Hoo!” Emma chirped in her best owl voice.

“She means the doll,” said Yumi.

“Hoo!” Emma said again, smiling.

“Oh, you're making owl noises,” I said. “I get it.”

Everyone giggled.

“It's funny how all our dolls say so much about us,” said Yumi as she tried to fashion a baseball cap out of a tiny piece of blue fabric.

“Are all your puppets going to be Dodgers themed?” asked Claire.

“No, I think I'm going to make a tennis player next,” said Yumi.

“My puppet has frizzy hair just like me,” said Rachel, holding up her puppet, which also featured a ski cap in the exact same color as Rachel's.

We all cracked up.

“You need to add freckles and it'll be perfect,” said Emma.

Rachel considered her puppet. “Good point. Hey, Claire. What should I use for freckles?”

Claire handed her a brown Magic Marker. “This one's got an extra-fine point.”

“Thanks. That's perfect!” Rachel said with a smile, uncapping it and dotting her doll's cheeks and the bridge of her nose. “Now I have my own mini-me!”

“What did you make, Annabelle?” asked Yumi.

I held up my own puppet, which was a puppy like Pepper—black-and-white and holding a bone in his mouth.

“These are all so cute!” Claire exclaimed. “We're totally going to clean up!”

I stuffed my puppet with cotton and sewed up the bottom and then fashioned his legs, tying off bits of the bottom with rubber bands, just like the lady had demonstrated on the YouTube video.

After that, I made a jogging puppet with fluorescent running shorts and a white tank top.

“Is that supposed to be your stepdad?” asked Claire.

“Sure,” I said. “I didn't even realize it while I was making it, but yeah, Ted runs every morning in crazy clothes like these.”

An hour later one of Claire's moms, Mollie, came home. “You girls are all so quiet, I didn't even know anyone was home,” she said, giving Claire a hug as she surveyed our work.

“That's because we're creating masterpieces,” said Claire. She held up her latest doll.

It was spectacular—with a pink fuzzy body and green googly eyes, and bright blue shaggy hair and a tail made of braided red yarn.

“I love it!” I said. “But what is it?”

“It's the cutest rat you've ever seen,” Claire declared.

“I would totally buy that,” said Yumi.

“Awesome-sauce. That's the point!” said Claire.

“In fact, I'd like to buy it for my little sister,” said Yumi.

Claire tossed it into the pile of finished sock puppets. “You've gotta wait until tomorrow.”

“These are all incredible,” Mollie marveled.

I wasn't normally one to brag, but I had to agree—the monkeys were amazing-looking. “These totally look like they belong in a toy store,” I said.

“Agreed,” Rachel nodded as she checked her phone. “Uh-oh. My mom just texted me that I have to be home for dinner.”

I glanced at the window and noticed that the sun was going down. “Oh, me too. I didn't realize how late it was.”

“Wait, before we go, we need to figure out a game plan,” said Emma. “Like what should we charge?”

“Twenty bucks a puppet!” said Claire.

“I think that may be a bit steep,” said Emma. “I mean, I know they're worth that, but we are dealing with middle-schoolers. And our country is still in a recession.”

“How about six dollars each?” I asked.

“That sounds good to me,” said Yumi, staring at the elephant she'd just finished making. “I'd totally pay six bucks for this.”

“I think that sounds fair too,” said Emma.

“Okay,” said Claire. “So are we bringing these to school tomorrow or should we wait until we have more inventory?”

“Let's start tomorrow!” said Emma. “I can't wait!”

“Yeah, it'll be good to know if people actually want these so we don't have to waste time making a ton,” said Rachel.

“Of course people are going to want them,” said Claire. “They're adorable!”

“I like the idea of having a small number to sell at first,” said Emma. “That way, they're exclusive. Everyone is going to want one, and not everyone can have one. It'll drive up demand, get people really excited.”

“Wait, before we go, I was thinking. Maybe we should name each of the monkeys?” asked Claire.

“Yes, let's definitely name them. Great idea!” said Emma. “That way everyone will know they're one-of-a-kind designer sock puppets.”

“This one is Seymour,” I said, holding up my latest creation. “Because he's wearing glasses. Get it? He can see more?”

“Hardy har har,” said Emma.

“What if we stitch their names on their backs?” asked Claire. “It'll be like a tattoo!”

Emma nodded. “Or like a fashion label.”

“What's yours going to be named?” Yumi asked.

“Alastair,” said Emma, holding her latest puppet up to her cheek. “Because he's so sophisticated.”

“Mine is named Geoffrey. With a ‘G' not a ‘J.' You know, because it's classier,” said Rachel.

“Hey, how come they're all guys?” asked Yumi. “I'm naming mine Beatrix.”

“After Beatrix Potter?” I asked.

“No, just plain Beatrix. She is her own sock puppet.”

Claire gave us some embroidery needles and we got to work.

I chose purple string to start with, and even simply threading the needle was tricky. “This is hard,” I said, squinting at my work. “I think I'm going to change the name of my sock to TJ. It's much easier to stitch out.”

After I gave my puppets initials, I said good-bye to my friends and packed up my stuff.

I was so inspired by the new sock puppet monkey idea that as soon as I finished my dinner, I went back upstairs and cleaned out my sock drawer.

A minute later Ted came in so he could finish transferring my contacts to my new phone. As soon as he handed it to me, it rang. Oliver's name flashed on the screen, and I felt my heart get all melty.

“Hello?” I said, hoping I didn't sound too giddy.

“It's Oliver,” said Oliver.

“Yeah—I know! Your name shows up on my screen.”

“Oh, right. I forgot. Um, where've you been?” he asked.

“At Claire's. We came up with the best new business plan.”

I glanced at Ted and luckily he knew to leave the room. Then I told Oliver all about the sock puppets.

“I remember those,” Oliver said. “My brother and I made a bunch a few years ago. I think I still have one somewhere in the attic.”

“You should find it,” I said. “Because pretty soon they're going to be in demand.”

He laughed.

“Wait,” I said. “On second thought, don't find it. It'll be much better for me if you buy a new one!”

We compared answers on our math homework because even though we're not in the same class, we have the same teacher. And after I hung up, I went downstairs and showed off TJ to my mom and Ted.

“Oh, he's adorable,” said my mom.

“Thanks,” I replied, proudly.

“I agree—very cute,” said Ted. “And I think your plan is brilliant. I'm so proud of you girls, and I wish you all the success in the world.”

“Thanks,” I said. “But I can't really take any credit. It was all Claire's idea.”

“But you made this, right?” asked Ted, inspecting TJ.

“Yup,” I said. “And that's my old sock, too.”

“I hope you washed it first,” said Ted, holding it away and making a face.

“It's definitely clean,” I assured him, giggling as I took the sock puppet back.

“I'd like to be your first customer,” said my mom. “I'm sure your new baby brother or sister would love this.”

I bit my bottom lip and thought for a moment. “We're supposed to wait until tomorrow at lunch,” I said. “But I suppose I can make an exception. You know—since you're family, and all.”

My mom grinned. “I appreciate that. How much is it?”

I started to say six dollars but stopped myself because I had an idea. This could be a great opportunity. “Well, that one is special,” I said. “It'll be one thousand dollars.”

My mom laughed, figuring I was kidding. And I was, but I kept a straight face.

“One thousand dollars for one sock puppet?” she asked. “Isn't that a bit, um, much?”

“Well, yes,” I said. “But think. All we need to do is sell one and we're totally set!”