7. Jobs

7 Jobs Pretty soon, Mrs. Gutzman told me all about my jobs. "You're going to have three fun jobs today, Junie B.," she said. "I think you're going to like all of them." She took me to the long counter where the children push their lunch trays. And she showed me where the napkins go. "Your first job will be to keep napkins stacked up right here on the countertop. If

the napkin piles start to run out, just reach under the counter and get more. Okay? Do you think you can do that for me, Junie B.?" I nodded real fast. "Yes!" I said. "I know I can do that, Mrs. Gutzman! 'Cause I'm already familiar with napkins!" I smiled real proud. "I use napkins at my very own house," I said. "I use them to wipe my mouth after dinner. Plus sometimes, I use

my sleeve." Mrs. Gutzman looked funny at me. After that, she handed me a sponge and took me to the counter by the sinks. "Okay. Your second job will be to keep this big counter wiped off," she said. "You don't have to clean any big messes, Junie B. Just wipe up any little spills or crumbs you see." I grinned real big.

"Sponges are another job I am good at, Mrs. Gutzman," I said. "'Cause one time in kindergarten, I practiced throwing sponges in my toilet. And I didn't even miss the pot, hardly." Mrs. Gutzman's face went kind of pale. "Oh," she said. "Oh my." After that, her voice sounded a little bit

worried. "Well, uh… there's just one more job I need to tell you about," she said. "Do you see that door over there? That's where the children come in the kitchen to get their lunches." "Yes," I said. "I see it." "Well—when you're not busy with your other jobs—I'd like you to be our lunch greeter," she said. "Do you know what a greeter is, Junie B.? A greeter smiles at people and says hello. Do you think you could do that?" This time, I didn't answer her right away. 'Cause that job made my stomach feel jumpy inside. "Yeah, only there's children who I don't even know at this school, Mrs. Gutzman," I said kind of shaky. "And some of them are big kids. And big kids are not my favorite

size." Mrs. Gutzman did a chuckle. "Don't worry, Junie B. I think you'll find there are lots of very nice big kids at this school," she said. "Could you just give it a try, please?" I shrugged my shoulders kind of weakish. "I don't know… maybe I could," I said. Mrs. Gutzman gave me a pat. "That's the spirit," she said. "Now there's just one other thing we need to talk about before you get started." Then guess what? She reached under the counter. And she gave me another pair of mitts. I quick held up my hands for her to see. "But I'm already wearing mitts, Mrs. Gutzman. See them? You already gave them to me yesterday."