Since Stacey's parents got divorced it hasn't been easy. They each need her - badly. How will Stacey ever choose between her mom and her dad... again?

I dialed the number of Dad's office. "Hi," I said. "It's Stacey. Is my dad there?"

Dad had given his secretary instructions to put through all of my phone calls, no matter what. Even if he is in an important meeting. So a few minutes later I heard my father's voice say, "Hi, sweetie. What's wrong? Shouldn't you be in school? Are you sick?"

"No, but Mom is," I answered. "Dad, she has pneumonia."

"Pneumonia! Is she in the hospital? Who are you staying with?"

"It's okay," I said. "She's at home. She went to the emergency room yesterday, but the doctor said she didn't need to stay." I told Dad that Mom hadn't been feeling well recently, and explained what had happened the day before.

"And you're sure she's all right now?" he said. "I mean, that she's as well as can be expected? She really shouldn't be in the hospital?"

"I'm positive. You can call Mrs. Pike, if you want to."

"Maybe I will." Dad sounded awfully concerned. Then he said, "Stacey, who's taking care of you?"

"Of me? I'm not sick. I'm taking care of Mom. but Dad I'm a little worried about this weekend, about coming to New York."

"I'll help you make arrangements for your mother," Dad assured me. "Maybe I can set up something with a visiting nurse service."

"Okay..."

"Brighten up," Dad went on. "Only three more days until Friday. Then you can take a break from school and sickness and everything else. Honey, I hope you know how important you are to me. To your mother and me. I will be honored to have you with me at the dinner. It will be a big moment and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather share it with."

I felt a knot form in my stomach. I just had to go to New York on Friday. I couldn't miss Dad's dinner, his big moment. But I couldn't leave Mom either. Why was I always choosing between my parents?

Stacey's Choice
Published by Scholastic Inc. 1996
ISBN: 0590456598