Sisters Let's Put on a Show

Chapter 1 Stephanie Tanner flung open the front door of the Tanners' three-story San Francisco town house. "Dad, where are you?" she cried. "I've got something awesome to show you!""In the living room, Steph," Danny Tanner called back. "Come on in. You're just in time for one of Michelle's mini-recitals."Stephanie tried not to groan when she headed into the living room and saw her little sister standing on the piece of plywood that she used to practice her tap routines.Usually Stephanie was happy to watch Michelle do one of her numbers. After all, part of the job of being a big sister included cheering on and coaching your little sister when she needed you.If she didn't tell her dad her immense news right now she was sure she was going to burst!"This will only take a second," Stephanie promised as she plopped down on the sofa next to her father. "I just have to show you -- ""Okay, Dad, I'm ready," Michelle interrupted. She flipped her blond ponytail over a shoulder and hit a pose -- one hand on her hip, the other in a snappy salute. "Hit the music!"Danny leaned across the coffee table and pressed Play on the tape recorder. The song "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" started blaring and Michelle began tapping.Stephanie reached into her backpack and yanked out the newest issue ofDaisy,her favorite teen magazine. It fell open to the exact page she wanted to show her dad."Look," she whispered. She nudged her father's arm with the magazine."Wait until she's through," Danny whispered back. He kept his eyes locked on Michelle.Stephanie sighed. As if they both hadn't seen her do the "Yankee Doodle Dandy" number a zillion times.Oh, well,Stephanie thought.If I'm going to have to watch this for the zillion and first time, I may as well give Michelle some tips.After all, Stephanie figured, she had been taking dance lessons for four more years than Michelle had. She learned a lot of things in those four years that she could teach her little sister.She studied Michelle as she did the first combination. Step. Step. Shuffle. Kick."Keep your left leg straight when you do that kick, Michelle," Stephanie instructed.Michelle frowned as she concentrated. She did another kick.Her leg was straighter, but something still wasn't right."Snap your leg out from the knee, Michelle," Stephanie told her. "And point your toes. That will give you a perfect line. And your kick will look cleaner."Michelle's frown deepened. She did another kick.Perfect, but Michelle was frowning so deeply, it looked as if she was totally angry!"And smile, Michelle!" Stephanie cried. "Smile! If people are looking at your face, your bad kicks won't be so noticeable."Michelle stopped tapping. She snapped off the tape recorder and glared at Stephanie."Why did you stop?" Danny asked. "What's wrong? You were doing great!""Not according to Stephanie," Michelle complained."You were doing fine. I was just trying to help you do better," Stephanie protested. "Sometimes it's hard to know if youre doing the moves right if there's no one watching and telling you. I bet you didn't even realize you had that scowl on your face.""Oh, I realized it. It doesn't exactly make me feel like smiling whensomeoneis yelling at me every five seconds," Michelle shot back, her face bright red.Whoa! She's majorly angry,Stephanie realized."Now, wait a minute," Danny started to say."Michelle, don't be so sensitive," she said. "I just want you to be the best you can be. Come on. Start again."Stephanie pressed Rewind on the tape player.Michelle stabbed the Stop button.Whoa!Stephanie thought.That was totally rude!Stephanie stared at her sister. Didn't Michelle get it? Stephanie was just trying to help."Uhhh -- girls -- " Danny began."Aunt Becky said I was great when I did the dance for her," Michelle interrupted. She planted her hands onWinfrey, Elizabeth is the author of 'Sisters Let's Put on a Show' with ISBN 9780671040888 and ISBN 067104088X.