8. The Party

CHAPTER 8 THE PARTY Ms. Ribble's retirement party started off bad, and just got worse. First, Ms. Ribble forced the class to sing a corny song to her. By the time she was done yelling at the boys for singing off-key, the chunky tofu ice cream was melted. Everybody had to eat it anyway.

Then the children handed in their "Happy Retirement" cards. Ms. Ribble ripped several of the cards up because some of the children had mistakenly drawn polka-dots on their butterflies. One unfortunate boy had also drawn a happy smiling sunshine on his card, and he had to stand in the corner. Finally, Mr. Krupp stepped forward and handed Ms. Ribble the card he had snatched from Harold's hand. "I went to a lot of trouble to get this for you," Mr. Krupp said gallantly.

Ms. Ribble tore the envelope open and read the card out loud: "You're One Hot Mama!" said Ms. Ribble, with a shocked look on her face. "Eeeeeeeeew!" cried the children.

"Er, ummm, congratulations," said Mr. Meaner, as he patted Mr. Krupp's sweaty, shivering shoulder. "Yes! CONGRATULATIONS!" shouted Miss Anthrope. "This will be the best wedding in the whole world! We can have it here at the school... a week from Saturday! I'll plan everything! You lovebirds don't have to worry about a thing!"

"Er-uh... great... thanks," said Ms. Ribble, still looking quite angry and confused. "B-B-Bubba bobba hob-hobba-hobba wah-wah," said Mr. Krupp.