Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger (Wayside School 3)

She put her hand on Kathy’s desk. “I love this desk,” she said. “I love the blackboard. I love the clock on the wall.”

There was a ruler on the floor.

Mrs. Jewls picked it up. “I love this ruler,” she declared.

“Hey, that’s mine!” said Dana. “But, uh, that’s okay, Mrs. Jewls. You can have it.”

“I don’t want your ruler, Dana,” said Mrs. Jewls, handing it to her.

“You want my pair of scissors?” offered Sharie.

“Don’t give her anything sharp!” warned Kathy.

Mrs. Jewls wiped away her tears and smiled at the class. “I’m going to miss all of you very much,” she said.

“Are you going away?” asked Dameon.

“Yeah, to the loony bin,” whispered Kathy.

“Are you sick?” asked Eric Ovens.

“No, I’m not sick,” said Mrs. Jewls. “In fact, I’m better than I’ve ever been.” She beamed. “I’m going to have a baby!”

Everyone gasped.

Dameon couldn’t believe it! He was so happy he jumped out of his seat and hugged Mrs. Jewls.

She was soon surrounded by all her students, even Kathy, wanting to hug her.

“Today is my last day here,” Mrs. Jewls told her students. “My doctor doesn’t want me walking up and down thirty flights of stairs every day. I wasn’t even supposed to come today, but I just had to say good-bye.”

“I thought you were getting fat,” said Mac. “But I didn’t want to say anything.”

“Thank you, Mac,” said Mrs. Jewls. “You are very considerate.”

“Can I touch your stomach?” asked Stephen.

Mrs. Jewls laughed. “Sure,” she said.

The children took turns touching her stomach.

“What are you going to name your baby?” asked Allison.

“I don’t know yet,” said Mrs. Jewls. “What do you think?”

“Well, if she’s a girl,” said Allison, “I think you should name her Rainbow Sunshine.”

“That’s a nice name,” said Mrs. Jewls. “And if he’s a boy?”

“Bucket Head,” said Allison. She didn’t like boys.

“If he’s a boy, you should name him Jet Rocket!” said Joe.

“Jet Rocket Jewls,” mused Mrs. Jewls. “That has a nice ring to it. And what if she’s a girl?”

“Cootie Face,” said Joe.

Mrs. Jewls laughed. “So let me get this straight,” she said. “If he’s a boy, I’ll name him Bucket Head.”