Mystery Mutt Read Free

“none of your beeswax.” But today she was kind. “Just talking,” she said.
    Abby looked shocked.
    â€œWanna join us?” Stacy asked Carly.
    â€œGoody!” The little girl jumped up and sat on the bed. “So . . . what’re we talking about?” she asked.
    Abby smiled. She was going to be kind to her little sister.
    Stacy was almost positive.
    â€œWe’re just talking about Jason and the fruits of the Spirit. We’re gonna pray about all that,” explained Abby.
    Carly’s eyes were shining. “I’ll help you.”
    â€œGood,” Stacy said. “The more the merrier.”
    Carly frowned. “What’s that mean?”
    Abby told her. “The more people praying, the better.”
    â€œAbout what?” Carly was full of questions. As usual.
    Abby’s face drooped. She seemed a little angry. But she didn’t spout off anything nasty.
    Stacy spoke up. “Jason doesn’t want to pick a fruit.”
    â€œOh, yeah. I know all about that.” Carly grinned. “But I think he’ll change his mind.”
    â€œThat’s why we’re gonna pray,” said Stacy.
    â€œStarting now?” Carly asked.
    â€œSure,” said Stacy.
    â€œYay!” said Carly.
    Stacy and Abby took turns praying out loud. Carly said two sentences and the “Amen” at the end.
    â€œWe’ll be very kind to Jason,” Stacy said. “We promise, right?”
    â€œIt’s almost New Year’s Day,” Carly reminded them.
    â€œThat’s OK. Jason will pick a fruit,” Stacy said. “You’ll see.”

SIX
    Stacy’s new yo-yo had a rainbow of colors on one side. There was a happy face on the opposite side. The gift had been in her Christmas stocking. It was one of her favorite new toys.
    After lunch she played with the yo-yo. And with her cockapoo dog.
    â€œJason Birchall oughta be bored with his fits,” she said.
    Sunday Funnies cocked his head. Like he was really listening.
    â€œBut you know what?” Stacy continued.“I think something’s gonna happen. And real soon.”
    Sunday Funnies barked, wagging his tail.
    â€œDon’t you understand?” she asked. “I mean something wonderful is going to happen to Jason. I just have a feeling.”
    She looked out the living room window. The street was dusted with clean, fresh snow. Like a frosted cul-de-sac—all fleecy white.
    â€œThe world looks white and fluffy, just like you,” she whispered. She picked her puppy up and held him close.
    â€œMm-m, you smell good!” She buried her face in his soft, curly coat. “Did Mom give you a bath yesterday afternoon?”
    Sunday Funnies didn’t bark yes. But he did bark something. She wasn’t exactly sure what he was trying to tell her. Maybe he wanted to go outside.
    Yes, that’s probably what he wanted.
    Stacy waited for her puppy to go out. She thought of yesterday’s club meeting. Mom must’ve given Sunday Funnies a bath during the meeting.

    She decided to take better care of her dog. After all, he was her responsibility. In fact, she decided to help around the house more. A lot more!
    Soon Sunday Funnies was whining at the door.
    She let him inside. “Wanna help me clean house?” she asked.
    But he followed the scent of the newspaper. He sat down on the living room floor. Right next to the paper.
    â€œNow, that’s a very good way to help,” she said. “If you stay out of my way, I’ll get the cleaning done much faster.”
    She went to the hall closet and lugged out the vacuum sweeper. Then she found the plug and turned it on.
    Mom will be surprised, she thought.
    She could hardly wait to see her mother’s face!

    Minutes later, the doorbell rang.
    Stacy didn’t really hear the bell. But she knew someone was there just the same.
    Sunday Funnies had run to the door. He was howling now.
    Quickly, she switched off the