Natalie Wants a Puppy Read Free Page A

puppy? Do you get to pick? When will you—”
    “No puppy,” I whisper back.
    “They changed their minds?” Laurie asks.
    “I guess. We’re getting a baby from China instead. A boy.”

    “You are?” Laurie is big in her eyes.
    I nod.
    “Wow! A brother!” Laurie says this so loud that Mrs. Palmer looks at us. Only she is smiley-faced like Laurie.
    “I always wanted a brother,” Laurie says.
    “You did?” I’m surprised. Laurie acts even more excited about me getting a boy than she did about me getting a puppy.
    Mrs. Palmer walks over to us. I think she’s going to tell us to be quiet. Only I’m wrong. “Congratulations, Natalie,” she says.
    “Thank you.” I’m pretty sure she means congratulations on the baby boy and not the puppy. I wonder if the whole world knows about it.
    After church, Laurie and Laurie’s mom run up to my mom when we’re leaving. “Kelly, I can’t find that pretty plate we used for the last potluck.”
    Mom stops walking. “Did you look under the sink?”
    “It’s not there.” Laurie’s mom looks aggravated.
    “Are you sure, Marge? I put it right back where it always goes.”
    Laurie’s mom shakes her head and takes Mom’s arm. “You better find it. I’ll need it before you get back.”
    “Go on, honey,” Dad says. “I’ll wait in the car.” He walks out with Laurie’s dad.
    Laurie and I follow our moms down creaky stairs to the basement. There aren’t good windows down there, and it’s kinda dark.
    “Why are the lights off?” Mom asks. She flips the light on at the bottom of the stairs.
    “Surprise!”
    “Surprise!”
    “Surprise!”
    A gazillion ladies shout this at us.
    “I can’t believe—how did you—I’m speechless!” Mommy says.
    Laurie’s mom leads my mom to a fancy table in front of everybody. Plus, there are presents on that table.

    Laurie’s big sister Sarah comes over to Laurie and me. “You guys can sit up front and watch,” Sarah says. She puts us in the front row of chairs. “Have you ever been to a baby shower before, Natalie?”
    “At Jason’s house once,” I answer. It wasn’t so much fun. On account of there’s no water in a baby shower. And the presents aren’t for you.
    “My mom was up all night planning this after your mom called,” Sarah says. “Some people skipped church to go buy a gift, but don’t tell Pastor.” She laughs, ‘cause you can tell our pastor all kinds of stuff.
    “Nobody told me,” Laurie complains.
    “You can’t keep a secret,” Sarah says.
    My mom keeps telling people thank you.
    “Are you going to open your gifts or what?” Laurie’s mom shouts at mine.
    Everybody laughs.
    Mommy starts to open a present, then stops. She looks right at me. “Natalie, could you help me open these gifts?”
    I jump out of my seat and run up to her. I love to open gifts. I am a very good opener, that’s what.
    I start with the biggest present and pull off the bow. I rip off the paper. But the box is closed up. “It won’t open,” I tell Mom.

    Together, we get it apart and pull out a big blue plastic thing. “It’s a car seat,” I mutter. I hate those things. Only the one I had didn’t have toys on it like this one.
    “It’s amazing!” Mommy says. “Thank you so much. I really need it, too. We gave Nat’s away. And this looks like a new, improved model.”
    I am already ripping open another present.
    “Slow down, Nat,” Mommy says.
    Only I am a fast present-opener. I rip off the paper. “Diapers?” I push the giant bag of diapers away. This is the worst present I have ever unwrapped.
    There are more worst presents. Rattles. And more diapers. Fuzzy blankets for babies. And little baby-boy clothes.
    “You can finish,” I tell my mom. On account of I am done opening these yucky-head presents.
    Sarah lets Laurie and me pass out pieces of cake on little plates. But it’s white cake and not chocolate. So I don’t eat any. And I’m starving.
    When the showering is finally over,