,,DOG ,,"DS
        ,,,! C>V] *RONICLES,'

            BY ,K>5 ,5GLI%


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  ,TEXT COPY"R ^C #BJAC BY ,K>5 ,5GLI%

  ,PUBLI%$ BY ,H"\ON ,MI6L9 ,H>C\RT1
,BO/ON _4 ,NEW ,YORK4

,,ISBN3 #IGH-#J-#EDD-#CCIAB-#E
  PAP]BACK

,= MY GR&SON1 ,GAV9,-,K4,E4
















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       ,,,BOOK JACKET 9=MA;N,'

  ^1,K>5 ^1,5GLI% IS A ,CORETTA ,SCOTT
,K+ ,HONOR ,AW>D-W9N+ AU?OR :O LIVES 9
,LOS ,ANGELES1 ,CALI=NIA4 ,H] ,NIKKI &
,DEJA *APT] BOOKS H BE5 PRAIS$ = _!
A3ESSIBLE WRIT+1 AU!NTIC "*S1 &
SATISFY+ /ORY L9ES4
  ,K>5 IS A RETIR$ ELE;T>Y S*OOL T1*]1
& %E WRITES H] /ORIES ) H] /UD5TS 9
M9D4

,X'S T\< 2+ ! NEW KID AT ,C>V]
,ELE;T>Y4 ,GAV9 _H LOTS ( FRS AT 8 OLD
S*OOL1 B ! KIDS "H DON'T "K T HE'S
PRETTY GD AT SKATEBO>D+1 OR H[ AWE"S
HE IS AT SO3]4 ,& :5 8 CLASSMATE
,RI*>D COMES OV] & ! BOYS 5D UP 9
TR\BLE1 N ONLY DOES ,GAV9 RISK LOS+ 8
"O NEW FR1 B HE HAS TO TAKE C>E ( 8
GRT-AUNT ,MYRTLE'S HORRIBLE LL DOG Z
PUNI%;T4
  ,TO MAKE MATT]S WORSE1 ,GAV9 SEEMS
TO H ATTRACT$ ! ATT5;N ( ! S*OOL
BULLY4 ,W HE 2 ABLE TO AVOID       P#A
GETT+ P.D$ AT ! SKATE P>K8 ,& H[ IS HE
"E GO+ TO PROVE HE'S COOL ) A YAPPY LL
,POM]ANIAN WE>+ A P9K B[ AT 8 SIDE8

  8.<,A.> /R;G KICK-(F TO .<!.> ,C>V]
,*RONICLES S]IES40,-.1,PUBLI%]S
.1,WEEKLY

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              ,,DOG ,,"DS           #A
        ,,,! C>V] *RONICLES,'

                 ,"O
          ,X ,0 AN ,A3ID5T6

,GAV9 IS WAIT+ = 8 NEW FR1 ,RI*>D1 TO
COME OV] TO PLAY VIDEO GAMES4 ,GAV9
LIKES ,RI*>D1 8 FR AT ,C>V] ,ELE;T>Y4
,GAV9 _H LOTS ( FRS AT 8 OLD S*OOL1
,BELLA ,VI/A ,ELE;T>Y1 B HE "KS T Y H
TO />T OV] :5"E Y *ANGE S*OOLS4
  ,9 ? NEW NEI<BORHOOD1 "!'S A LOT TO
GET US$ TO4 ,"!'S ! NEW H\SE & ! NEW
BACKY>D & ! NEW KIDS ON 8 /REET :O
DON'T EV5 "K T HE IS PRACTICALLY A
SO3] />4 ,WELL1 MAYBE N A .1/>1 TO 2
EXACT1 B HE ?9KS HE'S PRETTY GD4
,ANYWAY1 ,RI*>D *OSE HM = 8 T1M 9
KICKBALL1 S ,RI*>D'S A NICE GUY4
  ,GAV9 HAS 8 SOCKS ROLL$ 9TO A BALL1
& :ILE HE WAITS1 HE TOSSES ! SOCK BALL
UP H>D UNTIL X HITS ! CEIL+ & COMES
BACK "R 9TO 8 H&S4
                                    #A
  8,T'S ANNOY+4 ,:Y DON'T Y /OP80   #B
  ,X'S ,DANIELLE1 8 SI/]4
,UN=TUNATELY1 %E 0 N LEFT 2H AT ! OLD
H\SE4
  ,HE TOSSES ! BALL$ SOCKS UP AT !
CEIL+ AG J TO SPITE H]4
  8,U<4 ,Y'RE S ANNOY+60
  ,LUCKILY1 %E'S GO+ ACR ! /REET TO
BABYSIT4 .1,SOON1 ,GAV9 HOPES4
  ,F9ALLY1 ! DOORBELL R+S ,- & 2F HE C
GET UP TO ANSW] X1 ,DANIELLE1 ,MISS
,BIG-,EI<?-,GRAD]1 ,MISS
,BIG-,?IRTE5-,TRY+-TO-,BE-,SIXTE51
OP5S ! FRONT DOOR & />ES D[N AT
,RI*>D4
  8,Y1H80 %E SAYS1 9 H] NEW COOL
MANN]4
  ,RI*>D />ES UP AT H] = A FEW
SECONDS4 8,>E Y ,GAV9'S SI/]80
  ,)\T ANSW]+1 ,DANIELLE CALLS OV] H]
%\LD]1 8,GAVMEI/]1 YR FR'S "H40
  ,GAV9 CR+ES4 ,NO "O "KS AB T NICK"N
AT 8 NEW S*OOL4 ,DANIELLE /EPS ASIDE &
LETS ,RI*>D IN4 ,HE TIPTOES PA/ H]1
PROBABLY A LL AFRAID ( H] LOOM+
PRES;E4                            A#B
  8,HI10 HE SAYS %EEPI%LY F ! LIV+
ROOM DOORWAY4
  8,HI10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 ,HE ?R[S 8 BALL$
SOCKS AT !
------------------------------------#C
CEIL+ ONCE M & CAT*ES !M EASILY1 HOP+
,RI*>D'S IMPRESS$4
  8,>E WE / GO+ TO PLAY VIDEO GAMES80
,= "S R1SON ,RI*>D SEEMS A BIT UNSURE4
  8,Y1H4 ,:AT D Y WANT TO PLAY80
  ,RI*>D %RUGS & PLOPS D[N ON ! S(A4
8,Y H .1,FI<T .1,NI<T80
  ,GAV9 /OPS TOSS+ 8 SOCK BALL & SITS
ON ! FLOOR1 />+ AT ! BLANK SCRE5 ( !
TELEVI.N4 ,HE HATES TO ADMIT T 8 MOM
DOESN'T ALL[ 8OV]LY VIOL5T0 VIDEO
GAMES4 8,NO1 ,I DON'T H T "O40
  8,Y H .1,SLAM680
  ,GAV9 %AKES 8 H1D4
  8.1,SLAM#B680
  ,GAV9 %AKES 8 H1D AG4
  8,WELL1 :AT .1D Y H80 ,RI*>D ASKS1
FR[N+4
  8,I H .1,ANIMAL .1,9CR$IBLE40     #C
  ,RI*>D LOOKS AT ,GAV9 Z IF       A#C
HE'S GR[N A ?IRD EYE4 8,MAN1 T'S A
BABY GAME40
  ,GAV9 DOESN'T SAY ANY?+4
  ,RI*>D SI<S4 8,OKAY1 WE'LL PLAY T40
  ,AF TW5TY M9UTES ,GAV9 C TELL1 )\T
EV5 LOOK+ AT HM1 T ,RI*>D IS GETT+
TIR$ ( ! GAME4 ,HE'S
------------------------------------#D
SI<+ & MAK+ MI/AKES & ,GAV9 "KS X'S J
A MATT] ( "T 2F ! COMPLA9TS 2G94
,!Y'RE BO? SITT+ ON ! FLOOR N[ )
3TROLS 9 _! H&S1 TRY+ TO RACK UP PO9TS
TO ADD "PICUL> ANIMALS TO _! K+DOMS4
,GAV9 IS RACK+ UP M PO9TS ?AN ,RI*>D1
S HE ISN'T SURPRIS$ :5 ,RI*>D PUTS !
3TROL D[N & SAYS1 8,? GAME SUCKS40
  ,GAV9 LOOKS OV] 8 %\LD] QKLY4 ,8 "M
DOESN'T L T ^W4 8,X HAS A RUDE S.D10
%E'D EXPLA9$ ! "O "T ,GAV9 TRI$ X \4
8,I DON'T WANT TO HE> T AG40
  8,T'S 'CAUSE ,I'M W9N+10 ,GAV9 SAYS
TO ,RI*>D4
  8,2C Y PLAY ? BABY GAME ALL ! "T40
,RI*>D GIVES ! 3TROL 2S HM A %OVE1 TO
%[ T HE IS TOTALLY F9I%$ ) TRY+    A#D
TO POPULATE 8 K+DOM4 8,:O C>ES1
ANYWAY8 ,:Y DON'T Y AT L1/ H .1,SPOOKY
.1,MAN.N8 ,C>LOS HAS X1 & X'S WAY M
FUN40
  8,MY MOM LIKES GAMES TO 2 K9D (
$UCA;NAL10 ,GAV9 ADMITS4 ,RI*>D SI<S
EXTRA L\D4 ,A BIG SI< T 2G9S ) A L;G
9TAKE ( BR1?4 8,:AT*A GOT TO EAT80
------------------------------------#E
  ,2F ,GAV9 C ANSW]1 HE HE>S 8 MOM ON
! /AIRS4 ,%E /OPS 9 ! ROOM ) H] PURSE
OV] H] %\LD]4 8,HI1 ,RI*>D10 %E SAYS4
  ,RI*>D LOOKS L HE'S SUDD5LY ON GU>D4
8,HI1 ,MRS4 ,MORRIS40
  8,I'VE GOT TO G TO ! MALL10 %E TELLS
!M4 8,YR DAD'S 9 8 (FICE1 & ,DANIELLE
IS "R ACR ! /REET AT ! ,MY]SES'4 ,Y
GUYS GO+ TO 2 OKAY80
  ,GAV9 /IFLES A SMILE4 ,X'S ALW A
RELIEF :5 8 SI/] IS \ ( ! H\SE4 ,IF %E
ISN'T P9*+ HM = NO R1SON :5 %E WALKS
BY1 %E'S PO9T+ \ T 8 E>S >E TOO BIG =
8 H1D4 ,HE .1"KS 8 E>S >E TOO BIG = 8
H1D4 ,B "EY"O HAS A LL "S?+ T C 2   #E
IMPROV$ ^U4 ,DANIELLE IS SPR\T+    A#E
T9Y PIMPLES ON H] =EH1D1 SIGNAL+ M TO
COME4 "<,HE C'T WAIT4"> ,T ,DEJA GIRL
9 8 CLASS IS PROBABLY GO+ TO NE$
BRACES1 & ,RI*>D'S NOSE IS K9D ( BIG &
FUNNY-LOOK+4
  8,WE'LL 2 OKAY10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 ,HE
DOESN'T ASK :AT "! IS TO EAT1 2C !N 8
MOM W TELL HM ALL ! ?+S HE'D BETT] N
GET 9TO4 ,L ! COOKIES OR ! *IPS OR !
FRUIT B>S %E USUALLY LETS HM H = AN
AF-D9N] TR1T4
  ,Z SOON Z ! DOOR CLOSES 2H H]1 HE
SMILES BROADLY1 FEEL+ ! GL[ ( FRE$OM4
,EV5 ?\< 8 DAD IS TWO
------------------------------------#F
ROOMS AWAY1 X'S ALM L HE HAS ! H\SE
ALL TO HMF4 ,HE LOOKS OV] AT ,RI*>D1
:O'S N[ TOSS+ ! SOCK BALL UP TO !
CEIL+4 8,WANT "S ( ,DANIELLE'S C&Y80
  8,Y1H4 ,": IS X80
  8,IN H] ROOM4 ,"U H] B$40 ,GAV9 GR9S
MIS*IEV\SLY4 8,%E DOESN'T "K T ,I "K
": %E KEEPS X40
  ,!Y BO? />T UP ! /AIRS1 & ! CLOS] !Y
GET TO ,DANIELLE'S C&Y1 ! M        A#F
?RILL$ ,GAV9 GETS4
  8,%E'S GONNA "K WE TOOK "S10 ,RI*>D
SAYS4
  8,NO1 ,I'VE D"O X 2F4 ,Y J RE>RANGE
! PIECES 9 ? T9 ?+ !Y COME IN4 ,K9D (
SPR1D !M \ TO TAKE UP ! EMPTY SPACE4
,Y J C'T TAKE TOO M*4 ,I D X ALL !
"T40 ,HE WALKS "? ,DANIELLE'S ROOM TO
! W9D[ & *ECKS ! ,MY]SES' H\SE ACR !
/REET4 ,ALL'S CLE>4
  ,RI*>D IS / C[]+ 9 ! DOORWAY Z IF
HE'S AFRAID TO 5T] ! ROOM4
  8,COME ON4 ,:AT >E Y AFRAID (80
,GAV9 ASKS4
  8,%E CD COME BACK ANY M9UTE1 & %E
DOESN'T LOOK V FRLY40
  8,I C TELL Y N[1 ,DANIELLE IS
DEF9ITELY N FRLY40
  ,RI*>D /EPS 9TO ! ROOM B /AYS NE> !
DOOR4 ,HE LOOKS >.D AT ! B$ ) ! P9K
CANOPY1 ! P9K
------------------------------------#G
?R[ RUG1 & H] COLLEC;N ( T9Y C]AMIC
ANIMALS ON A %ELF ABV ! DRESS]4     #G
,?REE PHOTOS DEPICT+ BALLET        A#G
D.ERS >E FRAM$ 9 P9K4
  8,LOTTA P9K 9 "H10 ,RI*>D SAYS4
  8,IF Y _H A SI/]1 Y'D "K !Y LOVE
P9K40
  ,RI*>D PICKS UP A T9Y C]AMIC GIRA6E
& SQU9TS AT X4
  8,PUT T D[N ,- & ,I M1N "R ": Y F.D
X60 ,GAV9 CRIES4
  ,RI*>D PLACES X BACK ON ! %ELF4
,GAV9 MOVES TO ! %ELF & SQU9TS AT !
GIRA6E4 8,IS T .1EXACTLY ! WAY X WAS80
HE ASKS4
  8,I ,- ,I ,- ,I GUESS10 ,RI*>D
/AMM]S4
  8',CAUSE IF X ISN'T1 %E'LL "K ,I'VE
BE5 9 H] ROOM6 ,LOOK AT X CLOSELY1
,RI*>D40
  ,GAV9 DA%ES TO ! W9D[ & *ECKS ! H\SE
ACR ! /REET AG4 ,ALL'S / QUIET4 ,NO
,DANIELLE /OMP+ BACK HOME4 8,COME ON1
LET'S HURRY10 HE SAYS OV] 8 %\LD]4 ,HE
DROPS TO ! FLOOR 2S ,DANIELLE'S B$1
R1*ES WAY "UN1?1 & PULLS \ ! T9 ( C&Y4
  8,:Y DOES %E KEEP X "U H] B$80
,RI*>D :ISP]S Z IF "! IS "S"O TO   B#G
HE> HM4
  8,TO HIDE X F ME40 ,GAV9 LAU<S 8
CACKLE LAU<4 8,HAA1 HAA1 HAA40 ,HE'S
BE5 PRACTIC+4 ,HE'S GOTT5 X TO S.D
------------------------------------#H
ALM L ,MR4 ,MUDDLEM\? ON ! .1,CAPTA9
.1,RADICAL C>TOON4 ,LAU<+ MAKES HM
FEEL LESS N]V\S4
  ,RI*>D LOOKS OV] AT HM & SMILES )
APPRECIA;N4
  ,! P9K T9 ( C&Y HAS A SNUG TOP T'S
K9D ( H>D TO PRY (F :5 Y'RE 9 A BIG
HURRY4 ,GAV9 TUGS & TUGS AT X4 ,HE C
FEEL 8 HE>T B1T+4 ,SUDD5LY1 HE /OPS &
LI/5S4 8,:AT 0 T80
  8,:AT80 ,RI*>D ASKS4
  8,%HH10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 ,0 T ! ,MY]SES'
FRONT DOOR8 ,IS ,DANIELLE ALR ON H]
WAY BACK HOME8 ,GAV9 JUMPS UP & DA%ES
TO ! W9D[ ONCE M4 ,ACR ! /REET1 NO?+
IS HAPP5+ AT ! ,MY]SES' H\SE4 ,NO
,DANIELLE4 ,HE LOOKS OV] AT ,RI*>D1
:O'S PE]+ AT ,DANIELLE'S ANIMAL
                                    #I
COLLEC;N4                          A#H
  8,NO M T\*+ ,DANIELLE'S ?+S1
,RI*>D40 ,GAV9 PICKS UP ! T9 & GETS !
TOP (F4 ,! GOLD-FOIL-COV]$ *OCOLATE
N\GATS 9SIDE ALW LOOK L TR1SURE TO HM4
,HE PICKS TWO1 !N C>E;LLY SPR1DS \
:AT'S LEFT TO FILL ! EMPTY SPACES4 ,HE
REPLACES ! LID & PU%ES X BACK 9 XS
PLACE "U ,DANIELLE'S B$4 ,!N1 J Z HE
/&S UP1 2F HE C TURN T[>D ,RI*>D1 HE
HE>S1 8,HEY1 CAT*60
------------------------------------#I
  ,RI*>D IS SAIL+ ,DANIELLE'S SN[
GLOBE ,- ! "O %E GOT ! PREVI\S W9T] :5
H] MIDDLE-S*OOL *OIR TRAVEL$ TO ,NEW
,YORK ,C;Y = A FE/IVAL1 ! "O MADE (
H1VY GLASS & N PLA/IC ,- "R AT ,GAV94
,B UN=TUNATELY1 ,GAV9 IS A HALF SECOND
TOO LATE GETT+ 8 H&S UP1 & ! H1VY
GLASS GLOBE HITS ! CORN] ( ,DANIELLE'S
DRESS] & %ATT]S4 ,WAT] & SUDS & ! T9Y
,EMPIRE ,/ATE ,BUILD+ & %>DS ( GLASS
FLY "EY":4
  ,GAV9 & ,RI*>D /& "! = A FULL FIVE
SECONDS SIL5TLY />+ AT ! MESS T 0 ONCE
,DANIELLE'S PRECI\S SN[ GLOBE1     A#I
H] PRIZ$ S\V5IR F ,NEW ,YORK ,C;Y4
,GAV9 SCOOTS TO ! W9D[ AG TO LOOK ACR
! /REET AT ! ,MY]SES' H\SE4 ,!Y H TO
"W QKLY4 8,F/ WE H TO GET ! GLASS UP60
HE SAYS TO ,RI*>D1 :O SEEMS TO 2 /UCK
9 PLACE4 ,GAV9 DA%ES TO 8 ROOM & GETS
8 TRA% C4 ,C>E;LLY1 HE 2G9S TO PICK UP
! BI7E/ PIECES ( GLASS F/4
  8,Y %D H CAU<T X10 SAYS ,RI*>D4 8,I
SD1 ,8,CAT*4,0 ,:Y DIDN'T Y CAT*80
-----------------------------------#AJ
  ,GAV9 IS 2+ SUP] C>E;L Z HE DEPOSITS
! L>G] PIECES ( GLASS 9TO 8 TRA% C4
,NEXT HE NE$S TO VACUUM UP ! T9Y
PIECES4
  ,GAV9 HURRIES TO ! BA?ROOM TO GET A
T[EL TO SOP UP ! WAT]4 ,HE ?R[S X AT
,RI*>D4 8,GET ! WAT] UP S ,I C
VACUUM60 ,HE RUNS TO ! HALL CLOSET = !
VACUUM CL1N]4
  ,)9 M9UTES1 ! T9Y PLA/IC ,EMPIRE
,/ATE ,BUILD+ & ! BIG PIECES ( GLASS &
! PLA/IC BASE >E 9 ,GAV9'S TRA% C
HIDD5 "U "S WADD$-UP PAP] T[ELS    #AA
& ! RE/ ( ! GLASS IS 9SIDE !      A#AJ
VACUUM CL1N]4 ,! ONLY TELLTALE SIGN T
"S?+ HAS HAPP5$ IS ! SLI<TLY D>K5$
SPOT ON ,DANIELLE'S B$ROOM RUG NEXT TO
! DRESS]4
  ,RI*>D BR1!S A BIG SI< ( RELIEF4
,GAV9 /EPS \ ( ! ROOM1 !N QKLY /EPS
BACK 9TO ! ROOM TO SEE :AT C 2 NOTIC$
AT F/ GL.E4 ,H[ FA/ D 8 EYES G TO !
WET SPOT8 HE WOND]S4 ,!Y G TO X PRETTY
FA/4 ,MAYBE 2C HE ALR "KS X'S "!8
  ,!Y TIPTOE D[N ! /AIRS4 ,HE DOESN'T
"K :Y !Y'RE TIPTOE+4 ,!Y G \ ! FRONT
DOOR & SIT D[N ON ! TOP POR* /EP TO
WAIT ,- = :AT"E'S GO+ TO HAPP54
  8,MAYBE ,I BETT] G HOME10 ,RI*>D
SAYS4
  8,NO10 ,GAV9 9SI/S4 8,Y'RE 9 ? ) ME4
,J WAIT4 ,Z
-----------------------------------#AA
SOON Z MY MOM GETS BACK1 ,I'LL ASK IF
WE C G TO ! P>K4 ,!N WE C 2 G"O :5
,DANIELLE GETS HOME40
  ,IGNOR+ T1 ,RI*>D SAYS1 8,:AT W YR
SI/] D0 ,- HE SWALL[S ,- 8IF %E F9DS \
WE W5T 9TO H] ROOM80              A#AA
  8,Y M1N :AT W %E D IF %E F9DS \ WE
W5T 9TO H] ROOM1 /OLE H] C&Y1 & BROKE
H] SN[ GLOBE F H] "O-"T TRIP TO ,NEW
,YORK80
  8,Y1H10 ,RI*>D AGREES 9 A SMALL
VOICE1 AF A MO;T4
  8,Y DON'T EV5 WANT TO "K10 ,GAV9
SAYS4 ,!N X'S 8 TURN TO SWALL[ ) FE>4
               _4 _4 _4
,! ,MY]SES' FRONT DOOR OP5S !N1 &
,DANIELLE /EPS \4
  8,%OOT1 %OOT1 %OOT10 ,GAV9 MUTT]S4
,APP>5TLY ,MRS4 ,MY]S CAME BACK F H]
SUP]M>KET TRIP SOON] ?AN HE EXPECT$4
,%E /&S 9 ! DOORWAY ) ,LUNA1 H]
TWO-YE>-OLD1 ON H] HIP4 ,%E WAVES
,LUNA'S H& AT ,DANIELLE4 ,DANIELLE
CALLS \1 8,ADIEU1 MA *^/ERIE6 ,BIS\S60
,! TWO-YE>-OLD WAVES BACK4 ,DANIELLE'S
TAK+ ,FR5* ? YE>1 & ,GAV9 HAS TO HE> ?
K9D ( /UFF ALL ! "T4 ,H] ,FR5* IS
DRIV+ HM CRAZY4
  ,DANIELLE SKIPS ACR ! /REET & /OPS 9
FRONT (                            #AC
,GAV9 & ,RI*>D4 ,%E LOOKS D[N AT   #AB
!M ) A T9Y SMIRK4 8,:AT >E Y TWO UP
TO80
  8,NO?+10 ,GAV9 SAYS1 LOOK+ PA/ H]4
8,WE'RE J SITT+ "H40
  ,%E FR[NS & !N SQU9TS4 8,I'M PICK+
UP A FUNNY VIBE4 ,:AT'S GO+ ON80 ,%E
LOOKS AT ,RI*>D4 ,RI*>D LOOKS D[N4
  ,DANIELLE MAKES A S.D ( BL[+ AIR "?
H] LIPS4 ,%E /EPS PA/ !M1 & ,GAV9 HE>S
! DOOR CLOSE4 ,HE HOLDS 8 BR1? TO SEE
IF HE C HE> H] RUNN+ UP ! /AIRS TO H]
ROOM4 ,GAV9 LOOKS OV] AT ,RI*>D4 8,":
0 ! SN[ GLOBE 2F Y ?REW X AT ME80
  8,X 0 ON H] NI<T/&10 ,RI*>D SAYS4
  ,GAV9'S HE>T S9KS4 8,%OOT4 ,%E'S GO+
TO "K X'S G"O "R (F40
  ,!Y BO? SIT V QUIETLY1 LI/5+4
  ,Z IF ON CUE1 ,DANIELLE'S VOICE />TS
L[1 !N BUILDS UP L AN AMBUL.E SIR54
8,I DON'T .12LIEVE X6 ,I DON'T
,,2LIEVE X60
  ,:Y DOES ,GAV9'S "M H TO PULL 9TO !
DRIVEWAY J !N8 ,2F %E C EV5 GET \ ( !
C>1 ! BOYS HE> ,DANIELLE COM+ D[N !
/AIRS4 ,X S.DS Z IF %E'S TAK+     A#AB
!M TWO AT A "T4 ,%E COMES B>REL+ \ !
-----------------------------------#AC
FRONT DOOR1 !N L1PS (F ! POR* TO /& "R
9 FRONT ( ,RI*>D & ,GAV9 ) H] H&S ON
H] HIPS4
  8,I DON'T ,,2LIEVE X60
  8,2LIEVE :AT80 ,GAV9 ASKS4 ,HE KEEPS
SWALL[+ Z HE WID5S 8 EYES TO LOOK Z
9NOC5T Z POSSIBLE4
  8,YES1 2LIEVE :AT80 ,GAV9'S MOM
SAYS4 ,%E'S GOTT5 \ ( ! C> & IS COM+
UP ! WALKWAY T[>D ! ?REE ( !M1 A %OPP+
BAG 9 H] H&4
  ,X'S Z IF ,DANIELLE HAS N EV5 HE>D
_! "M4 ,%E DOESN'T TAKE H] EYES (F
,GAV94 8,,,":'S MY SN[ GLOBE8,'0
  ,GAV9'S M\? FALLS OP5 ) DR1D4 8,X 0
AN A3ID5T10 HE F9ALLY MANAGES TO SAY4
  8,:AT HAPP5$8 ,& Y'D BETT] TELL ME !
TRU?60
  8,DANIELLE1 PL1SE KEEP X D[N10 _! "M
SAYS4
  ,GAV9 /AYS SIL5T & LOOKS TO 8 "M =
HELP4                              #AE
  8,HE'S ALW MESS+ ) MY /UFF1     A#AC
,MOM6 ,I TELL HM TO /AY \ ( MY ROOM1 &
HE GOES 9 X ANYWAY40 ,%E TURNS H]
ANGRY1
-----------------------------------#AD
P9*$ FACE BACK TO ,GAV94 8,:AT 7 Y DO+
9 MY ROOM1 ,BOZO8 ,DID Y TAKE ? CL[N
9TO MY ROOM TOO80 ,%E TOSSES H] H1D
T[>D ,RI*>D1 & ,RI*>D L1NS BACK4 ,GAV9
SEES HM GULP4
  8,NO "N-CALL+1 ,DANIELLE10 _! "M
SAYS CALMLY4 8,LET'S G 9 ! H\SE40 ,%E
TURNS TO ,RI*>D4 8,RI*>D1 ,I ?9K X'S
"T = Y TO G HOME40
  ,DANIELLE IMMLY PROTE/S4 8,HE NE$S
TO EXPLA9 HMF F/4 ,I "K HE _H "S?+ TO
D ) X1 & HE NE$S TO /AY "H & EXPLA9
HMF60
  ,GAV9 LOOKS OV] AT ,RI*>D AG4 ,HE'S
LO/ ALL 8 T\<;S4 ,HE LOOKS PETRIFI$4
  8,LET'S GET ? /RAI<T5$ \ 9 ! H\SE40
,"S?+ 9 _! "M'S VOICE TELLS !M %E
ISN'T GO+ TO SAY X AG4 ,%E SI<S4
8,COME ON IN1 ,RI*>D40
  ,ONCE 9SIDE1 !Y ALL /& 9 ! 5TRY HALL
:ILE ,GAV9'S MOM TAPS G5TLY ON    A#AD
8 DAD'S (FICE DOOR4 ,GAV9'S DAD /EPS \
& LOOKS F "O TO ! O!R4 8,:AT D WE H
"H80
  ,DANIELLE ELB[S ,GAV9 H>D & SCRUN*ES
H] FACE AT HM4 8,TELL HM1 ,GAVMEI/]60
  8,LET'S G 9 ! D9+ ROOM10 ,GAV9'S "M
SAYS4 ,%E L1DS ! WAY4 ,:5 !Y'VE ALL
TAK5 A S1T1 ,GAV9'S DAD SAYS1 8,I C'T
WAIT TO HE> ?40
-----------------------------------#AE
  ,DANIELLE DOESN'T WAIT = ,GAV9 TO
EXPLA94 8,DAD1 ,I'M ALL ! "T TELL+ ?
GUY TO /AY \ ( MY ROOM4 ,& HE TOTALLY
4RESPECTS MY SPACE & ,-0
  ,GAV9'S DAD TURNS TO ,RI*>D4 8,H[ D
Y FIGURE 9TO ?80
  8,ME80 ,RI*>D'S EYES WID54 ,HE TURNS
TO ,GAV94
  ,GAV9 LOOKS D[N & MUMBLES1 8,I TOLD
,RI*>D T ,DANIELLE KEEPS "S C&Y "U H]
B$4 ,& ,I ASK$ HM IF HE WANT$ A PIECE4
,HE SD1 ,8,Y1H1,0 S WE W5T 9 "! J TO
GET "O PIECE EA*1 & ,-0
  8,DID Y ASK ,DANIELLE80          #AG
,GAV9'S "F ASKS4                  A#AE
  8,I CDN'T1 2C ,DANIELLE 0 ACR !
/REET40 ,GAV9 LOOKS TO ,RI*>D1 &
,RI*>D NODS 8 H1D4
  8,S Y ?"\ X 0 OKAY TO J G 9 "! &
TAKE "S C&Y ANYWAY40
  ,DANIELLE GL.ES F ,GAV9 TO ,RI*>D &
GIVES !M A SMILE T SEEMS M L A SNE]4
  8,I'M R1LLY 4APPO9T$ 9 Y1 ,GAV94
,F/1 Y SET \ TO D "S?+ WR;G1 & !N Y
9VOLV$ YR COMPANY40
  ,RI*>D LOOKS D[N Z IF HE'S AN 9NOC5T
VICTIM ( ,GAV9'S Z WELL4
  8,B1 ,DAD 444 X WASN'T L T4 ,ANYWAY1
,RI*>D 0
-----------------------------------#AF
! "O :O MESS$ ) ,DANIELLE'S SN[ GLOBE4
,HE'S ! "O :O ?REW X AT ME40
  ,RI*>D PIPES UP )1 8,B ,I SD1
,8,CAT*1,0 & Y %D H CAU<T X4 ,!N X
WDN'T H BROK540
  8,I ?9K WE'VE HE>D 5\<1 ,GAV910 8 "M
SAYS4 ,%E TURNS TO ,RI*>D4 8,RI*>D1 Y
MAY G HOME N[40
  8,& ,I DIDN'T EV5 ?R[ X H>D10 ,RI*>D
ADDS Z HE GETS UP & />TS = !      A#AF
DOOR1 LOOK+ V RELIEV$4 ,HE DOESN'T EV5
GL.E BACK Z HE L1VES4
  8,SEE1 ,MOM8 ,& ,DAD8 ,SEE H[ HE'S
ALW 4RESPECT+ MY SPACE8 ,I ?9K HE NE$S
TO 2 PUT ON PUNI%;T4 ,X'S ONLY FAIR40
  ,GAV9 LOOKS D[N AT 8 H&S1 WAIT+ = !
V]DICT4 ,HE LI/5S TO ! FRONT DOOR
CLOSE4 ,N[ HE'S ON 8 [N4
  8,I'M GO+ TO ?9K AB ?10 8 "M SAYS4
  8,"! W 2 A PUNI%;T10 8 "F SAYS4 8,Y
C C.T ON T40
  ,DANIELLE RAISES H] *9 9 TRIUMPH4
,%E SMILES AT ,GAV94 ,"O ( H] SN>LY
SMILES4
  8,Y C 2 SURE WE'LL COME UP ) "S?+10
8 "F ADDS4 8,"S?+ APPROPRIATE40
-----------------------------------#AG
  8,"R N[ ,I H ?+S TO D10 ,GAV9'S MOM
3T9UES4 8,YR GRT-AUNT ,MYRTLE & UNCLE
,VE/OR >E COM+ OV] = D9N] TM40
  .1,OH1 .1NO1 ,GAV9 ?9KS4 ,X C'T GET
ANY WORSE ?AN ,AUNT ,MYRTLE & ,UNCLE
,VE/OR COM+ TO D9N]4 ,HE HAS A FEEL+ 8
TR\BLES >E J 2G9N+4                #AI
                                   #AH
                 ,TWO
            ,EAT ,^? ,P1S6

,UNCLE ,VE/OR & ,AUNT ,MYRTLE COME TO
,SUN"D D9N] ONCE A MON?4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE
IS R1LLY ,GAV9'S DAD'S AUNT1 S %E'S
,GAV9'S GRT-AUNT4 ,B "EY"O J CALLS H]
,AUNT ,MYRTLE4 ,X'S NO FUN :5 !Y COME
TO VISIT1 2C ,GAV9 HAS TO 2COME A
COMPLETELY DI6]5T P]SON4 ,HE HAS TO
SAY 8,YES1 MA'AM10 8,NO1 MA'AM10
8,YES1 SIR10 & 8,NO1 SIR40 ,HE HAS TO
REMEMB] TO EAT ) EXTRA-GD TABLE
MANN]S4
  ,"?\T D9N]1 HE HAS TO LI/5 TO ,AUNT
,MYRTLE'S L;G LI/ ( COMPLA9TS & PUT UP
) ! %>P LOOKS T %E GIVES HM :5 *ECK+
TO SEE IF HE'S EAT+ ) EXTRA-GD TABLE
MANN]S4 ,& :5 ,UNCLE ,VE/OR DROPS !
USUAL QU>T] 9 8 H&1 : ISN'T EV5 5 TO
BUY A C&Y B>1 HE HAS TO LOOK R1LLY
EXCIT$ & SAY1 8,?ANK Y1 ,UNCLE
,VE/OR40 ,AT L1/ !Y'VE LEFT ,C>LOTTA
AT HOME TD4
  ,C>LOTTA IS ,AUNT ,MYRTLE'S     A#AH
,POM]ANIAN4 ,%E'S A HORRIBLE
-----------------------------------#AI
DOG ) A FI]CE LL WOLF FACE1 /RANGE
ORANGE FUR1 & A WAY ( MAK+ ? L[1 GR[LY
S.D F ! BACK ( H] ?ROAT4 ,%E DOESN'T L
,GAV91 & ,GAV9 DOESN'T L H]4 ,%E'S TOO
N]V\S ,- %E YAPS ALL ! "T & RUNS >.D
,GAV9'S ANKLES1 ?R1T5+ TO NIP AT !M4
,HE DOESN'T "K :Y %E ACTS T WAY >.D
HM4 ,MAYBE HE GIVES (F A FUNNY SC5T4
  ,N[ ,AUNT ,MYRTLE IS COMPLA9+ AB A
PA9 9 H] HIP4 ,UNCLE ,VE/OR IS SIL5TLY
*EW+ 8 MA%$ POTATOES1 LOOK+ Z IF HE'S
HE>D ? COMPLA9T FIVE MILLION "TS4
,AUNT ,MYRTLE ?9KS %E MI<T H TO H
HIP-REPLACE;T SURG]Y L H] FR ,G]T4 ,%E
GOES ON TO EXPLA9 H[ ! SURG]Y DIDN'T
"W & H[ ,G]T IS / HAV+ HIP PROBLEMS &
T X WD 2 J H] LUCK TO / H ! SAME
DI6ICULTIES TOO4
  ,!N %E GOES ON TO TALK AB H]
HE>TBURN TR\BLES & H[ %E HAS TO SIT UP
9 B$ ALL NI<T J TO GET TO SLEEP4 ,&
!N1 ( C\RSE1 "!'S TALK (           #BA
,C>LOTTA4 ,GAV9 ?9KS ( T LL       A#AI
YAPP+ M\? & H[ ,C>LOTTA'S SMALL H1D
J]KS A BIT ) EA* B>K4 ,HE IMAG9ES %>P
NI2L+ AT 8 ANKLES4 ,X ALM MAKES HM PUT
8 *ICK5 LEG D[N4
  8,I DON'T "K :AT ,I'M GO+ TO D :5
,VE/OR GOES ON 8 TRIP NEXT WEEK TO !
,B>B]%OP ,H>MONIZ]S'
-----------------------------------#BJ
,3V5;N4 ,:5 HE COMES HOME = LUN*1 HE
ALW WALKS H]40 ,UNCLE ,VE/OR N ONLY
[NS A B>B]%OP ON ,M>9 ,/REET1 B HE'S
AL "P ( A S++ GR\P MADE UP ( R1L
B>B]S4 ,!Y S+ = W$D+S & "PIES & /UFF4
,GAV9 HAS SE5 _! ACT A BUN* ( "TS4 ,HE
?9KS AB ! ,CROON]S N[4 ,T'S :AT !Y'RE
CALL$3 ! ,B>B]%OP ,CROON]S4
  ,J !N ,GAV9 FEELS ,AUNT ,MYRTLE />+
AT HM AG4 ,H] EYES >E SQU9T$ & H] M\?
IS TURN$ D[N 9 A 4APPROV+ WAY4 ,SL[LY1
,GAV9 PUTS D[N ! *ICK5 B"O HE 0
HAPPILY GNAW+ ON4 ,HE WIPES 8 H&S ON !
NAPK9 HE HAS 9 8 LAP1 PICKS UP 8 KNIFE
& =K1 & ATTEMPTS TO CUT ! *ICK5 (F !
B"O4 ,*ICK5 J DOESN'T TA/E Z GD ? WAY1
B ,AUNT ,MYRTLE IS A FIRM         A#BJ
2LIEV] 9 N EAT+ ) "O'S H&S IF X C 2
HELP$4 ,EV5 ?\< 8 MOM DOESN'T M9D X IF
X'S A DRUM/ICK4 ,GAV9 SI<S & MOVES ON
TO ! P1S T HE'S BE5 AVOID+4 ,!Y
USUALLY GIVE HM A GA7+
-----------------------------------#BA
FEEL+4 ,HE /ABS "O PEA ) 8 =K & PUTS X
9 8 M\?4
  ,! NA/I;S IS ALM M ?AN HE C BE>4 ,HE
TAKES A DEEP BR1?4 ,HE DOESN'T D>E GAG
9 FRONT ( ,AUNT ,MYRTLE4 ,HE PUTS
ANO!R PEA 9 8 M\?1 NOT+ T ,AUNT
,MYRTLE HAS 3T9U$ TO PE] AT HM OV] H]
GLASSES4
  8,:Y >E Y EAT+ YR FOOD L T8 ,"O PEA
AT A "T80
  ,2F ,GAV9 C ?9K ( AN ANSW]1
,DANIELLE SAYS1 8,HE ALW EATS 8 P1S L
T1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE4 ,HE DOESN'T L P1S40
  8,I DIDN'T ASK Y10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE
SAYS1 TURN+ TO ,DANIELLE4 8,I ASK$
,GAV9 "H40
  ,GAV9 ALM SMILES1 B HE HOLDS X BACK4
8,I C GET !M D[N BETT] ? WAY40     #BC
  8,WELL1 T'S J NONS5SE4 ,EAT     A#BA
^? P1S4 ,I WANT TO SEE Y TAKE A =K;L &
EAT !M D[N4 ,"R N[40
  ,GAV9 FEELS 8 FACE GR[ W>M4 ,HE
HOLDS 8 BR1? & SWALL[S H>D4 ,"!'S NO
WAY HE C TAKE A :OLE =K;L ( P1S1 PUT
!M 9 8 M\?1 *EW1 & !N .1SWALL[4 ,T'S J
IMPOSSIBLE4 ,USUALLY HE EATS A PEA OR
TWO AT A "T4 ,"S"TS HE C MANAGE TO EAT
HALF A =K;L IF HE TAKES A QK GULP (
MILK TO GET X D[N4
-----------------------------------#BB
  ,HE 2G9S TO CLICK 8 TEE?1 : IS :AT
HE DOES :5 HE GETS N]V\S1 L :5 A SC>Y
SC5E 9 A MOVIE IS J AB TO GET SC>I]4
  8,I'M WAIT+10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS4
  ,8 MOM & DAD EX*ANGE LOOKS1 B HE C'T
TELL IF !Y'RE AB TO JUMP 9 OR N4 ,!Y
SEEM TO 2 WAIT+ Z WELL4
  ,DANIELLE1 ON ! O!R H&1 HAS A SLY
SMILE ON H] LIPS4 ,%E WAT*ES HM ) "O
EYEBR[ RAIS$4 ,%E EV5 /OPS EAT+1 Z IF
TO FOCUS ALL H] ATT5;N ON 8 MIS]Y4
  ,GAV9 SCOOPS UP A FEW P1S ) 8 =K4
  8,T'S N A =K;L10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS4
  ,GAV9 LOOKS OV] AT 8 "M4 ,HE    A#BB
C'T R1D H] FACE4 ,HE C'T TELL IF %E
APPROVES OR 4APPROVES ( :AT ,AUNT
,MYRTLE IS MAK+ HM D4 ,8 "F1 H["E1 IS
GO+ AB EAT+ 8 D9N]4 ,GAV9 SCOOPS UP A
FULL =K;L4 ,HE LOOKS AT X Z IF ! P1S
>E 8 P]SONAL 5EMY4 ,SL[LY1 HE PLACES !
=K 9 8 M\?4 ,HE FEELS A GAG />T+ UP AT
! BACK ( 8 ?ROAT4 ,TOTALLY \ ( 8
3TROL1 HE FEELS A LUR* 9 8 /OMA*4 ,8
EYES GR[ BIG ) AL>M4 ,QKLY1 HE GRABS 8
GLASS ( MILK & TAKES A HUGE SWIG & !N
ANO!R4 ,! P1S G D[N4 ,HE BR1!S A BIG
SI< ( RELIEF & LOOKS
-----------------------------------#BC
OV] AT ,AUNT ,MYRTLE4 ,! CORN]S ( H]
M\? H SUNK D[N EV5 FUR!R4
  8,I ?9K Y'VE SPOIL$ ? BOY1 ,LISA10
%E SAYS TO 8 MOM4 ,X ALW S.DS /RANGE
:5 "S"O CALLS 8 "M BY H] F/ "N4 ,HE
?9KS ( 8 P>5TS' "NS3 .7,LISA &
,GREG4.' ,L !Y'RE REGUL> P1 & N 8 &
,DANIELLE'S MOM & DAD4
  8,YES1 ,I ?9K ? BOY'S BE5 ALL[$ TO
GET AWAY ) ?+S40                   #BE
  8,L :AT1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE80 8 "M   A#BC
ASKS ) A /RANGE T"O 9 H] VOICE4
  8,:Y1 LOOK :AT HE ALL[$ T LL FR ( 8
TO D TO ,DANIELLE'S PRIZ$ S\V5IR40
  ,N[ ,DANIELLE R1LLY P]KS UP4 ,%E'D
MET ,AUNT ,MYRTLE AT ! DOOR ) H] DUMB
TALE ( WOE AB T /UPID SN[ GLOBE4 ,%E'D
EV5 SQUEEZ$ \ A FEW TE>S4 ,%E "KS %E'S
,AUNT ,MYRTLE'S FAVORITE4 .1,KISS-UP6
,GAV9 ?9KS4
  8,:Y1 ,I ?9K ,GAV9 "H %D PAY 8 SI/]
:AT T ?+ CO/40
-----------------------------------#BD
  8,WE 7 3SID]+ T10 ,GAV9'S MOM SAYS4
  ,DANIELLE %IFTS 9 H] S1T4 ,%E C
H>DLY 3TA9 H]F4
  8,:5 ,I MOVE 9 NEXT WEEK1 ,I'LL LET
HM WALK ,C>LOTTA4 ,X'LL 2 8 LL JOB1 TO
LE>N ! VALUE ( A DOLL>40 ,%E SITS BACK
9 H] *AIR1 PL1S$ ) H] PLAN4 8,YES1 ,I
NE$ "S"O TO WALK ,C>LOTTA1 & HE NE$S
TO .1E>N ! M"OY TO REPLACE T SN[
GLOBE4 ,WE'LL GIVE HM TWO DOLL>S A "D1
: IS R1LLY TOO M* TO WALK A DOG1 B
COMES \ ( ! GD;S ( MY HE>T40
  ,S"EAL ?+S MAKE ,GAV9'S BR[S    A#BD
S9K3 .1MOVE .19 & .1LL .1JOB & .1TWO
M1SLY .1DOLL>S8 ,:AT'S ALL ? AB ,AUNT
,MYRTLE MOV+ IN8 ,& WALK+ ,C>LOTTA1 T
M1N1 SN>L+ DOG ( H]S1 IS GO+ TO 2 8
.1JOB1 = J TWO DOLL>S A "D8 ,WELL1 X'S
BETT] ?AN A QU>T] A "D1 HE SUPPOSES4
  ,Z IF %E'S HE>D "S ( 8 UNSPOK5 "QS1
,GAV9'S MOM TURNS TO ,DANIELLE & ,GAV9
& SAYS1 8,AUNT ,MYRTLE IS GO+ TO /AY )
U = A WEEK OR S :ILE ,UNCLE ,VE/OR
GOES TO 8 ,B>B]%OP ,H>MONIZ]S' ,3V5;N
9 ,KANSAS ,C;Y40
  ,GAV9 LOOKS OV] AT ,UNCLE ,VE/OR1
:O'S N[ SMIL+1
-----------------------------------#BE
) A F>AWAY EXPRES.N ON 8 FACE4 ,HE
LOOKS L A MAN :O'S GETT+ R1DY TO MAKE
A GRT ESCAPE4
  8,S10 8 "M 3T9UES1 8S9CE ,AUNTIE
DOESN'T L TO /AY 9 _! BIG H\SE ALL
AL"O1 ,I ?"\ X MI<T 2 NICE IF %E /AY$
"H40 ,MOM SMILES B"RLY AT EA* ( !M4
,DANIELLE COCKS H] H1D & SMILES BACK4
,GAV9 />ES D[N AT 8 H&S4           #BG
  8,ISN'T ? GD NEWS80 8 "M        A#BE
PRODS4 8,>5'T WE GO+ TO 2 HAPPY TO H
H]8 ,ESPECIALLY Y1 ,GAV94 ,N[ Y'RE GO+
TO H ? NICE LL WAY TO E>N M"OY & %[
RESPONSIBIL;Y40
  8,I DON'T "K IF MY SN[ GLOBE C
ACTUALLY 2 .1REPLAC$10 ,DANIELLE SAYS
,- J TO COMPLICATE ?+S1 ,GAV9
SUSPECTS4
  8,WELL10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS1 8HE'LL
2 ABLE TO GIVE Y XS VALUE40 ,%E TURNS
BACK TO ,GAV94 8,N[1 LET'S EAT ^?
P1S40
  ,:Y DID HE ?9K ,AUNT ,MYRTLE WD =GET
AB ! P1S8 ,:Y WD HE ?9K T HE CD "SH[
GET \ ( F9I%+ !M (F8 ,ONCE AG1 HE M/
/RU7LE ) ANO!R =K;L ) ALL EYES ON HM4
,HE HOLDS 8 BR1? & MANAGES TO GET X
D[N BY ?9K+ ( ! P1* CO2L] 8 "M MADE =
DESS]T4 .7,M9D OV] MATT]4.' ,Z SOON Z
8 AUDI;E HAS MOV$ _! ATT5;N AWAY F HM
&
-----------------------------------#BF
ONTO _! [N 3C]NS1 HE MANAGES TO
DEPOSIT ! NEXT =K;L 9TO ! NAPK9 ON 8
LAP4 ,HE LOOKS UP J Z ,AUNT       A#BF
,MYRTLE IS M5;N+ ,C>LOTTA'S
A3OMMODA;NS4
  ,8 MOM DOESN'T L DOGS 9 ! H\SE1 &
T'S GO+ TO 2 A PROBLEM4 8,WE H A NICE
LL %$ (F ! G>AGE1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE10 %E
SAYS N[4
  ,AUNT ,MYRTLE'S M\? PRESSES 9TO A
4APPROV+ L9E1 & %E LOOKS TO ,GAV9'S
DAD4 ,9 A QUIET VOICE %E SAYS1
8,C>LOTTA IS N AN \TSIDE DOG4 ,! %OCK
WD PROBABLY KILL H]40
  ,GAV9 DROPS 8 H1D D[N TO HIDE !
SMILE HE'S TRY+ V H>D N TO %[4
  ,AUNT ,MYRTLE GOES ON4 8,! ONLY "T
%E'S "E \TSIDE IS :5 ,VE/OR "H WALKS
H]40
  ,GAV9'S MOM IS QUIET4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE
LOOKS AG TO ,GAV9'S "F1 Z IF %E'S
ADDRESS+ ONLY HM4
  ,? SEEMS TO =CE 8 DAD TO TAKE A /&4
8,I ?9K WE C KEEP ,C>LOTTA ON ! BACK
POR* 2H A *'S GATE4 ,WE / H ! "O WE
US$ :5 ,GAV9 0 LL 9 ! G>AGE40
  ,GAV9'S MOM DOESN'T SAY ANY?+4   #BI
,%E TAKES A BITE ( MA%$            #BG
POTATOES4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SMILES Z IF
%E'S J WON A BOX+-MAT* R.D4
  ,:5 ! LA/ ( 8 P1S H EI BE5 WA%$ D[N
) MILK OR SLIPP$ 9TO 8 NAPK9 ,- : HE
PLANS TO /UFF 9TO 8 POCKET & 4C>D 9 !
TOILET AT ! F/ OPPORTUN;Y ,- ,GAV9
ASKS TO 2 EXCUS$4 ,HE HAS TO D ? ONLY
:5 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE & ,UNCLE ,VE/OR >E
VISIT+4 ,2F 8 "M C ANSW]1 ,AUNT
,MYRTLE *ECKS 8 PLATE4 ,%E SQU9TS AT X
= A FEW SECONDS Z IF TRY+ TO F9D A
PEA4 8,Y MAY G10 %E F9ALLY SAYS4
  ,HE /&S1 QKLY %OVES 8 BALL$-UP NAPK9
9TO 8 POCKET1 & PRACTICALLY BACKS \ (
! ROOM4 ,HE'S FREE6 ,H["E1 2F HE C
COMPLETELY ESCAPE ! D9+ ROOM1 ,AUNT
,MYRTLE GETS IN1 8,GAV9 "H IS GO+ TO
MAKE A GD DOG WALK] :ILE ,VE/OR IS AT
8 ,H>MONIZ]S' ,3V5;N4 ,I "K HE &
,C>LOTTA >E GO+ TO GET AL;G J F9E40
  ,GAV9 MANAGES TO SMILE W1KLY4 ,HE
?9KS ( ,C>LOTTA'S FACE1 ! R.D BLACK
BUTTON NOSE1 ! UGLY COTTON-C&Y ORANGE
F1!RY FUR ) BITS ( BLACK & :ITE1 ^?
%ORT LL LEGS & %>P TOENAILS T     A#BG
MAKE CLICK+ NOISES ON H>D FLOORS4 ,HE
?9KS ( ,C>LOTTA'S M\?1 ALW FIX$ 9 "S?+
2T A GR9 & A LE] :ILE %E PANTS
-----------------------------------#BH
H] /9KY BR1? & %[S (F H] PO9T$
RAZOR-%>P CAN9ES Z IF %E'D LOVE TO S9K
!M 9TO ,GAV9'S LEG4 ,H] LIQUIDY EYES
>E ALW B"R & M5AC+4 ,A WEEK ) ,C>LOTTA
444 ,H[ W HE "E 2 ABLE TO /& X8
-----------------------------------#BI

                ,?REE
   ,PROBLEMS1 ,PROBLEMS1 ,PROBLEMS

,)\T ,GAV9 HAV+ ANY SAY :ATSO"E1 !
DETAILS ( 8 8LL JOB0 >E >RANG$4 ,!
NEXT MORN+ AT BR1KFA/1 HE F9DS \ ALL
AB X4 ,!Y >E SITT+ AT ! TABLE1 &
,DANIELLE IS P\R+ ! LA/ BIT ( JUICE
9TO H] GLASS ALL ! WAY UP TO ! BRIM Z
%E LAU<S TO H]F4 ,HE IGNORES H] &
PROTE/S1 8,DANIELLE TOOK ALL ! JUICE40
  8,HMM80 8 "F SAYS4 ,HE'S R1D+ !
NEWSPAP] & SIPP+ 8 C(FEE1 &        #CA
,GAV9 "KS HE'S N R1LLY LI/5+4     A#BI
,!N HE HE>S T9Y CLICKS ON ! HALL TILES
GR[+ L\D]1 COM+ T[>D ! KIT*54 ,NEXT1
,GAV9 HE>S ,AUNT ,MYRTLE'S VOICE4
8,C>E;L ) T1 ,VE/OR4 ,OH1 J TAKE MY
CASES ON UP/AIRS40 ,!N ,C>LOTTA R.DS !
CORN] & /&S EXPECTANTLY 9 ! KIT*5
DOORWAY1 PANT+1 H] LL FACE SURR.D$ BY
GROTESQUE ORANGE FUR T LOOKS PRICKLY 5
TO CUT "S"O4 ,%E />ES AT ,GAV91 !N
-----------------------------------#CJ
"O SIDE ( H] ?9 BLACK DOG LIP CURLS UP
& ,GAV9 HE>S A L[1 ?ROATY S.D4
  8,N[1 DON'T D T1 ,C>LOTTA40 ,AUNT
,MYRTLE CLUCK-CLUCKS & R1*ES D[N TO
SCOOP ! DOG UP 9 H] >MS4 ,%E TICKLES
H] /OMA* & COOS4 8,"!'S MY BABY10 %E
SAYS1 PURS+ H] LIPS4
  ,GAV9 WANTS TO GAG4 ,X'S ALM WORSE
?AN EAT+ P1S4 ,8 "M APPE>S & U%]S
,AUNT ,MYRTLE TO ! >EA 2H ! *'S GATE
T'S BLOCK+ (F ! BACK POR*4
  8,"H1 ,AUNTIE4 ,? IS :AT WE H SET UP
= ,C>LOTTA40
  ,AUNT ,MYRTLE LOOKS OV] AT ! /RAW
BASKET ": ,GAV9'S MOM USUALLY     A#CJ
KEEPS NEWSPAP]S4 ,X HAS BE5 NICELY L9$
) AN OLD BABY QUILT4 ,%E SNI6S & GIVES
,C>LOTTA A SQUEEZE Z IF TO PROTECT H]4
,%E SITS D[N AT ! TABLE ,- ) ,C>LOTTA6
,GAV9'S EYES GR[ BIG Z HE LOOKS F 8 "M
TO ,AUNT ,MYRTLE & !N BACK TO 8 "M AG4
,8 "M TURNS TO 8 "F ) AN EXPRES.N ON
H] FACE T ,GAV9 "KS IS A CRY = HELP4
  ,GAV9 C FEEL 8 "F SI<+ TO HMF4 ,HE
GETS UP1 WALKS OV] TO 8 AUNT1 & G5TLY
TAKES ,C>LOTTA F H] >MS4 8,I'M SURE
,C>LOTTA IS GO+ TO L H] NEW QU>T]S10
HE SAYS4 ,HE PLACES ! DOG ON H] NEW B$
ON ! BACK
-----------------------------------#CA
POR*4 ,C>LOTTA SCRAT*ES AT ! QUILT = A
FEW MO;TS1 !N SETTLES D[N ) H] H1D
RE/+ ON H] PAWS4 ,%E LOOKS AT ,AUNT
,MYRTLE Z IF PL1D+ H] CASE4 ,AUNT
,MYRTLE1 H] M\? SET 9 A GRIM L9E1
SAYS1 8,I'D L "S TEA1 PL1SE4 ,T IS1 IF
Y H TEA40
  8,( C\RSE40 ,GAV9'S MOM JUMPS UP TO
TURN ON ! BURN] "U ! KETTLE4       #CC
  ,? IS :AT ,GAV9 LE>NS F ,AUNT   A#CA
,MYRTLE :ILE %E SIPS H] TEA3 ,%E ISN'T
HUNGRY = ANY?+ ELSE4 ,GAV9 W WALK
,C>LOTTA ONCE A "D1 AF S*OOL1 S HE M/
COME HOME "R AWAY4 ,NO MESS+ >.D4 ,IF
,- & ? IS A BIG 8IF0 ,- HE P]=MS 8 JOB
SATISFACTORILY1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE W PAY HM
5 TO REPLACE ,DANIELLE'S SN[ GLOBE )
"S?+ L X4
  8,?\< ,I "K Y C'T REPLACE ! EXACT
SN[ GLOBE10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE ADDS1 LOOK+
OV] AT ,DANIELLE ) SYMPA?Y4
  8,I GOT T SN[ GLOBE 9 ,NEW ,YORK
,C;Y AT ! *OIR FE/10 ,DANIELLE SAYS4
  ,GAV9 ROLLS 8 EYES4 ,HE DOESN'T
2LIEVE = A M9UTE T ,DANIELLE IS / ALL
T SAD AB T DUMB SN[ GLOBE4 ,%E'S J
HAPPY AB 8 TR\BLES1 ,GAV9 IS SURE4 ,HE
LOOKS OV] AT ,C>LOTTA4 ,%E'S UP ON H]
%ORT LL LEGS TURN+ >.D & >.D ON !
FOLD$ QUILT4 ,X WD 2 S M* BETT] IF
-----------------------------------#CB
%E 7 A R1L DOG ,- "S?+ WAY BI7]1 "S?+
T CD 2 A TRUE FR4 ,AT L1/ ,C>LOTTA IS
IGNOR+ HM & N GIV+ HM M1N1 ?R1T5+
LOOKS ,- = N[4                    A#CB
               _4 _4 _4
,:5 ,GAV9 5T]S ! CLASSROOM ( 8 NEW
S*OOL1 ,C>V] ,ELE;T>Y1 HE SEES T 8
T1*]1 ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ "<:O DOES N
"K H[ GRT HE IS AT "TS TABLES1 SO3]1 &
SKATEBO>D+"> HAS ASSIGN$ .7,PROBLEMS1
,PROBLEMS1 ,PROBLEMS.' Z ! MORN+
J\RNAL TOPIC4 ,HE />ES AT X4 ,!N HE
?9KS AB ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ'S TWO "NS4
,HE'D HE>D "O ( ! BOSSY GIRLS1 ,DEJA1
EXPLA9 TO H] FR ,NIKKI T MOD]N WOM51
UP-TO-DATE WOM51 L KEEP+ _! [N "NS N[
,- ! "NS !Y GREW UP )4 ,N[A"DS1 ,DEJA
_H SD1 WOM5 DON'T H TO H _! HUSB&'S "N
AT ALL1 & T'S ! WAY %E'S GO+ TO D X4
,:5 %E GR[S UP1 %E'S GO+ TO KEEP H] [N
LA/ "N4 ,OR /ICK X TGR ) H] HUSB&'S
"N1 J L ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ4 ,GAV9
DOESN'T "K IF HE LIKES T ,DEJA GIRL4
,%E REM9DS HM TOO M* ( 8 SI/]1
,DANIELLE4
  ,O!R KIDS >E />+ AT ! MORN+ J\RNAL
TOPIC TOO4 ,RI*>D1 ! CAUSE ( ,GAV9'S
TR\BLES1 ISN'T EV5 BO!R+ TO LOOK   #CE
AT X4 ,GAV9 C SEE HE'S PLAY+ )    B#CB
"S RU2]Y ?+ 9 8 DESK4 ,DANIELLE WD
CALL ,RI*>D A KNUCKLE-
-----------------------------------#CC
H1D4 ,F ,GAV9'S S1T 2H HM1 HE GETS A
PRETTY GD VIEW ( ! >RAY ( TOYS ,RI*>D
BR+S TO S*OOL4
  ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ SEEMS PL1S$ ) !
TOPIC %E'S COME UP )4 ,%E SMILES
5C\RAG+LY AT ALL ! /UD5TS :O >E GETT+
R1DY TO WRITE4 8,I *OSE ? TOPIC 2C ,I
R1LIZ$ T LIFE IS L MA?4 ,H[ IS X L
MA?1 CLASS80
  .1,OH1 .1NO1 ,GAV9 ?9KS4 ,HE HOPES T
%E DOESN'T />T CALL+ ON KIDS & GET >.D
TO HM4 ,2C HE DEF9ITELY DOESN'T "K H[
LIFE IS L MA?4
  8,TWO PO9TS = ! TABLE ( ! /UD5T :O
TELLS ME H[ LIFE IS L MA?40
  ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ HAS !M SITT+ AT
COOP]ATIVE GR\PS ( F\R DESKS1 : %E
CALLS TABLES4 ,!Y >E COMPET+ ALL WEEK4
,!N ON ,FRI"D1 ! W9N+ TABLE E>NS A BIG
GOLD /> ON ! ,W9N]S' ,BO>D4 ,AT ! 5D (
! MON?1 ! /UD5TS AT ! W9N+ TABLE GET
TO PUT _! H&S 9 ! GRAB BAG &      A#CC
EXTRACT A REW>D4 ,& !Y >5'T *EESY ?+S
L P5CILS & ]AS]S1 !Y'RE DI6]5T K9DS (
PRIZES1 L SMALL MAGNIFY+ GLASSES1
KALEIDOSCOPES T C FIT 9 YR POCKET1 &
M9IATURE TIC-TAC-TOE SETS4
-----------------------------------#CD
  ,N[ ! H&S 2G9 TO FLY UP4 ,SUDD5LY1
,GAV9 "KS EXACTLY H[ LIFE IS L MA?4 ,&
HE J BETS T MO/ ( ! ANSW]S ! O!R KIDS
>E GO+ TO GIVE >5'T GO+ TO MAKE S5SE4
.1,& "!'S GO+ TO 2 A BUN* ( P :O DON'T
EV5 H AN ANSW] B >E RAIS+ _! H&S
ANYWAY4 ,HE MI<T Z WELL PUT AN 5D TO ?
"R N[4 ,HE RAISES 8 H& TOO1 B ,MS4
,%ELBY-,ORTIZ IS BUSY GIV+ "S ( !
KNUCKLEH1DS A *.E4
  8,2C X TAKES ?REE HUNDR$ &
SIXTY-FIVE "DS TO GET "? A YE>80
,RALPH CALLS \4
  ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ LOOKS AT HM = A
MO;T4 8,NOOO10 %E SAYS SL[LY1 FR[N+ J
A T9Y LL BIT4 ,!N %E LOOKS OV] AT
,RI*>D1 :O'S UN"*I/ICALLY RAIS+ 8 H& )
A CALM LOOK ON 8 FACE4 ,%E CALLS   #CG
ON HM & COCKS H] H1D *ALL5G+LY4   A#CD
  8,2C Y ALL ! "T H TO 2 SOLV+
PROBLEMS1 J L 9 MA?40
  ,GAV9 FEELS HMF DEFLATE A LL BIT4
,T'S J :AT HE 0 GO+ TO SAY4 ,& HE ?"\
HE 0 ! ONLY "O ?9K+ ( X4
  ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ LOOKS ESPECIALLY
?RILL$4 8,T'S "R1 ,RI*>D10 %E SAYS1
B1M+4 8,T'S EXACTLY "R1 CLASS4
-----------------------------------#CE
,?9K AB X4 ,9 LIFE1 Y SOLVE "O PROBLEM
AF ANO!R4 ,NO "O'S LIFE IS
PROBLEM-FREE4 ,S ,I WANT Y TO ?9K ( A
PROBLEM T Y H "R N[ & H[ Y PLAN TO
SOLVE X4 ,LET'S H "S 9PUT 2F Y 2G9 TO
WRITE40 ,%E LOOKS >.D AT ALL ( !M4
,GAV9 LOOKS >.D TOO4 ,"S KIDS / LOOK
PUZZL$4 ,O!RS LOOK EAG] TO 2G94
  8,:O WANTS TO G F/80
  ,T /UCK-UP GIRL1 ,ANTONIA1 RAISES H]
H&4 ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ CALLS ON H]4
8,YES1 ,ANTONIA40
  8,I H A PROBLEM TO SOLVE40
  8,G AH1D4 ,TELL U :AT X IS40
  8,MY GR&"M IS COM+ = A VISIT4 ,%E
ALW BR+S ME A GIFT T 4440 ,%E     A#CE
PAUSES1 SE>*+ = ! "R ^WS4 8,I DON'T L
H] PRES5TS4 ,!Y'RE .1N"E ANY?+ ,I L4
,I WANT TO ASK H] TO SKIP ! PRES5T & J
GIVE ME ! M"OY T %E WD H SP5T 9/1D40
  ,GAV9 SEES ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ'S FACE
G F 9T]E/$ TO PUZZL$4 ,H] LIPS EV5 "P
9 AMAZE;T4 8,ANTONIA1 T WD 2 RUDE4 ,NO
"O GIVES GIFTS TO CAUSE 4PL1SURE OR
UNHAPPI;S4 ,:5 "S"O GIVES Y A GIFT1
!Y'RE TRY+ R1LLY H>D TO MAKE Y HAPPY4
,IF Y
-----------------------------------#CF
SAY T TO H]1 YR GR&"M W LOOK BACK ON
ALL ! GIFTS %E'S GIV5 Y OV] ! YE>S &
?9K T P]H Y N"E LIK$ EV5 "O ( !M4 ,Y
C'T SOLVE YR PROBLEM BY HURT+ "S"O'S
FEEL+S40
  ,GAV9 C'T TELL H[ ,ANTONIA FEELS AB
?4 ,%E LOOKS ?"\;L1 L %E'S PLANN+ ON N
FOLL[+ ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ'S ADVICE ,-
L %E'S GO+ TO PUT H] PLAN 9TO AC;N
ANYWAY4 ,ANTONIA'S PROBABLY ?9K+ T %E1
,ANTONIA1 "KS BE/4
  8,CLASS10 ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ     #CI
SAYS1 8,I'M SURE Y "K :AT ,I      A#CF
WANT Y TO D1 S LET'S GET />T$40
  .7,:Y D T1*]S ALW SAY 8LET'S0 & 8WE0
& 8\R10 L !Y H TO D ! ASSIGN;T TOO1 :5
!Y DON'T8.' ,GAV9 ?9KS4 ,X'S J "S?+ HE
WOND]S4 ,HE OP5S 8 J\RNAL1 : HAS A LOT
( BLANK PAGES1 S9CE HE'S NEW TO !
S*OOL4 ,ON ! COV] IS 8 "N WRITT5 BY !
T1*] 9 N1T BLOCK LRS4 ,HE PUTS ! DATE
9 ! UPP] "R CORN] ( ! PAGE J L ,MS4
,%ELBY-,ORTIZ HAS 9/RUCT$ ! CLASS TO
D4 ,( C\RSE "! >E ^? :O H TO 2 TOLD TO
D ? E "D4 ,GAV9 WOND]S AB !M1 TOO4 ,!N
HE DIVES IN3

  ,I H A PROBLEM4 ,! 2G9N+ ( ? PROBLEM
  WASN'T EV5 MY FAULT4 ,X 0 ? O!R
  GUY'S
-----------------------------------#CG
  FAULT4 ,RI*>D4 ,HE GOT ME 9 TR\BLE
  ON ,SATUR"D4 ,HE BROKE MY SI/]'S
  SPE*AL SNO-GLOBE1 & N[ ,I H TO WALK
  ? HORRIBLE DOG TO GET M"OY TO PAY =
  X4 ,%E CANT EV5 GET A EXACT COPY 2C
  %E GOT T SNO-GLOBE 9 ,NEW ,YORK N
  "H4 ,N[ ,I H TO WALK ? UGLY     A#CG
  DOG E "D4 ,A DOG T'S ALL ! "T GIV+
  ME M1N LOOKS & %[+ H] TEE? & LOOK+ L
  %E WD L TO BITE ME4 ,I H TO 2 ) ?
  DOG E "D4 ,: IS TOO M*4 ,& MY AUNT1
  :O'S R1LLY MY DAD'S AUNT1 W PROBABLY
  GIVE ME J A DOLL> = ALL MY "W4 ,I
  WI% ? 0 ! LA/ PROBLEM ,IM GO+ TO H 9
  MY :OLE LIFE1 B X PROBABLY WONT BE4

  ,GAV9 R1DS OV] :AT HE'S WRITT54 ,HE
LIKES X4 ,HE'S J 9 "T1 2C ,MS4
,%ELBY-,ORTIZ ORD]S ! :OLE CLASS TO
/OP WRIT+4 ,%E HAS A GIRL "ND ,ROS>IO
COLLECT ! J\RNALS4 ,"K+ T ! T1*]'S GO+
TO R1D X1 HE GOES BACK OV] X 9 8 M9D4
,Y1H1 HE DECIDES4 ,HE LIKES :AT HE'S
WRITT54 ,HE H&S X OV] ) PRIDE4
               _4 _4 _4
8,DID Y GET 9 TR\BLE80 ,RI*>D ASKS Z
!Y WALK TO ! SOCK-BALL >EA ON !
S*OOLY>D4
  8,Y1H1 ,I GOT 9 TR\BLE4 ,N[ ,I H TO
TAKE C>E ( MY
                                   #DA
GRT-AUNT'S DOG TO E>N M"OY TO      #CH
GIVE TO MY ANNOY+ SI/]40
  8,T'S N S BAD10 ,RI*>D SAYS4
  8,N = Y10 ,GAV9 SAYS4
  8,B ,I SD1 ,8,CAT*4,00
  ,GAV9 DOESN'T "K :Y ,RI*>D KEEPS
SAY+ T4 8,Y SD1 ,8,CAT*1,0 Z Y 7 ?R[+
X4 ,I DIDN'T H "T TO GET MY H&S UP40
  8,WELL1 C Y G SKATEBO>D+ AF S*OOL80
  8,I TOLD Y1 ,I H TO WALK MY
GRT-AUNT'S DOG40
  8,:AT'S A GRT-AUNT80
  8,X'S ! AUNT ( YR "M OR YR "F40
  ,RI*>D GIVES ? "S ?"\4 8,!N %E M/ 2
R1LLY OLD1 HUH80
  8,Y1H1 %E'S PRETTY OLD10 ,GAV9
AGREES4
  8,I "K10 ,RI*>D SAYS4 8,I'LL HELP
Y40
  ,GAV9 ?9KS AB ?4 ,J H[ M* HELP W
,RI*>D BE8 ,N M*1 HE DECIDES1 B /1 HE
WDN'T M9D ! COMPANY4 8,OKAY10 HE SAYS4
8,COME TO MY H\SE AT AB F\R40 ,GAV9
PLANS TO H 8 SNACK F/ 2F TAK+ ,C>LOTTA
\4 ,HE ALW COMES HOME F S*OOL />V$4
                                   #CI
                 ,F\R
         ,ON ! ,JOB1 ,"D ,"O

,Z ,GAV9 MOSEYS UP 8 FRONT WALKWAY1 !
DOOR OP5S1 & "! /&S ,AUNT ,MYRTLE )
,QUE5 ,C>LOTTA 9 H] >MS ALL DOLL$ UP 9
A BIG P9K SAT9 B[ "SH[ CLIPP$ TO ! FUR
ON TOP ( H] H1D4 ,%E WE>S A LL LACE
SW1T] & A RH9E/"O COLL> SPELL+ \ H]
"N4 ,"!'S NO WAY 9 ! _W HE C WALK T
SILLY-LOOK+ DOG )\T GETT+ LAU<$ AT4
,HE'S NEW TO ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,:AT'S T
GO+ TO LOOK L8 ,"!'S J NO WAY4
  8,WE'VE BE5 WAIT+ = ! LA/ =TY
M9UTES10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS1 />T+ "R
IN4 8,W]E Y DILLY-DALLY+80 ,F/ ( ALL1
,GAV9'S N SURE HE "KS J :AT
.1DILLY-DALLY+ IS4 ,HE GUESSES X M1NS
FOOL+ >.D & WA/+ "T4
-----------------------------------#DJ
  8,NO1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE4 ,I CAME "R
HOME40
  ,%E /EPS ASIDE TO LET HM PASS4 ,HE C
TELL %E'S ANNOY$4 ,EV5 ! MUTT1 Z   #DC
,GAV9 ?9KS ( H]1 LETS \ A QK1     A#DJ
SNAPPI% B>K ( COMPLA9T4 8,WELL1
,C>LOTTA'S R1DY = H] WALK4 ,LET ME
EXPLA9 A FEW ?+S TO Y40 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE
TURNS & WALKS D[N ! HALL TO ! KIT*54
,GAV9 WOND]S ": 8 "M IS4 ,PROBABLY AT
! /ORE4 ,!N ,AUNT ,MYRTLE LETS
,C>LOTTA SPILL \ ( H] >MS1 & IMMLY !
DOG 2G9S XS YAP-YAPP+ & RUNS 9 TI<T
CIRCLES >.D ,GAV9'S ANKLES4 ,HE TRIES
TO /EP \ ( ! WAY 2F HE FEELS ! F/
NIPS4
  8,C>LOTTA60 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS4
8,SIT60 ,C>LOTTA S9KS D[N ONTO H]
BELLY1 B !N 2G9S TO SCOOT /1L?ILY T[>D
,GAV91 :O HURRIES TO ! O!R SIDE ( !
TABLE4 .7,%E M/ 2 A DEMON DOG1.' HE
?9KS4
  8,LOOK "H10 SAYS ,AUNT ,MYRTLE4 8,?
IS ,C>LOTTA'S L1%4 ,C>LOTTA IS A V GD
DOG4 ,%E'S _H SPECIAL TRA9+40 ,C>LOTTA
HAS /OPP$ SCOOT+ & N[ SEEMS TO 2 TRY+
TO CL1N H] NOSE ) H] P9K T;GUE4 8,B
KEEP H] ON H] L1% AT ALL "TS4 ,I WANT
Y TO WALK H] TO ! P>K & !N BACK "H4 ,T
%D 2 L;G 5\<40 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE      B#DJ
R1*ES 9TO H] SW1T] POCKET & PULLS \ A
PLA/IC BAG4 ,%E H&S X TO ,GAV94
-----------------------------------#DA
  8,:AT'S ? =80 HE ASKS4
  8,:Y1 X'S = :5 ,C>LOTTA DOES H]
BUSI;S40
  8,H] BUSI;S80 ,GAV9 HAS A S9K+
FEEL+4 ,"!'S "S?+ AB T T]M1 .1H]
.1BUSI;S1 T HE DOESN'T L4
  8,:5 %E DOES NUMB] TWO40
  8,NUMB] TWO80 ,GAV9 REP1TS1 SCRUN*+
UP 8 FACE4
  8,YES1 NUMB] TWO4 ,T'S :Y Y'RE TAK+
H] \4 ,S %E C D H] BUSI;S40 ,AUNT
,MYRTLE GIVES A %ORT1 VIGOR\S NOD4
  8,NUMB] .7TWO80 ,":'S ,MOM8.' ,GAV9
WOND]S AG4 ,:Y ISN'T %E "! TO RESCUE
HM8
  8,NUMB] TWO GOES 9 ? PLA/IC BAG1 &
!N Y ?R[ X AWAY 9 ! C \TSIDE :5 Y GET
BACK40
  8,Y1H10 ,DANIELLE SAYS1 SLI!R+ 9TO !
KIT*54 ,%E GOES TO ! REFRIG]ATOR &
TAKES \ A C>TON ( YOGURT4 8,MAKE   #DE
SURE Y DON'T ?R[ X 9 ! KIT*5      A#DA
TRA%40 ,%E GIVES ,GAV9 A FAKE SMILE1
!N PIR\ETTES & L1VES Z FA/ Z %E'S
COME4
  ,AUNT ,MYRTLE HAS ATTA*$ ,QUE5
,C>LOTTA TO H] L1%4 ,%E H&S X TO ,GAV9
& HAS HM WALK BACK & =? ACR ! KIT*5
UNTIL %E'S SATISFI$ HE C H&LE !
RESPONSIBIL;Y4 ,!N %E GIVES HM A LI/ (
9/RUC;NS4 8,I NE$ Y TO R1D ! 9/RUC;NS
,I'VE WRITT5 \ L\D S
-----------------------------------#DB
,I C MAKE SURE Y "U/& :AT Y NE$ TO "K
AB WALK+ ,C>LOTTA40
  ,AUNT ,MYRTLE HAS WRITT5 H] 9/RUC;NS
9 CURSIVE4 ,GAV9 J />T$ LE>N+ CURSIVE
AT ! 2G9N+ ( ! S*OOL YE>4 ,MS4
,%ELBY-,ORTIZ (T5 HAS TO REWRITE /UFF
9 MANUSCRIPT 2C TOO _M KIDS >E / HAV+
TR\BLE R1D+ CURSIVE4 ,PLUS ,AUNT
,MYRTLE'S H&WRIT+ IS R1LLY SCRI2LY4
  8,G AH1D10 %E SAYS1 S.D+ K9D (
IMPATI5T4
  8,X'S H>D TO R1D 444 YR H&WRIT+40
  8,OH1 = ,PETE'S SAKE60 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE
SI<S H1VILY4 8,N[1 Y LI/5         A#DB
C>E;LLY4 ,NUMB] ,"O3 ,? IS A
RETRACTABLE L1%4 ,Y M/N'T GIVE
,C>LOTTA TOO M* L1% OR TOO LL4 ,BE/ TO
LET X H A LL BIT ( A DIP40
  ,GAV9 HAS NO IDEA :AT T M1NS1 B HE'S
N GO+ TO ASK H] TO EXPLA94 ,HE J WANTS
TO GET ? *ORE OV] ) Z FA/ Z POSSIBLE4
8,OKAY10 HE SAYS4
  8,NUMB] ,TWO3 ,IF Y SEE ANO!R DOG ,-
SAY1 A DANG]\S-LOOK+ BIG DOG ,- Y MAKE
SURE Y KEEP ,C>LOTTA SAFE1 EV5 IF Y H
TO PICK H] UP40 ,%E LOOKS AT ,GAV9
W>ILY4 8,D Y "U/&80
  8,YES1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE40 ,HE ACTUALLY
DOESN'T "K :AT HE'LL D 9 A SITUA;N L
T1 B HE NODS 9 AGREE;T4
-----------------------------------#DC
  8,NUMB] ,?REE3 ,WALK ,C>LOTTA =
?IRTY M9UTES4 ,*ECK YR WAT*4 ,:5 Y'VE
WALK$ FIFTE5 M9UTES "O WAY1 X'S "T TO
TURN >.D & WALK BACK HOME4 ,I DON'T
WANT TO 2 SITT+ "H WORRI$40
  8,YES1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE10 HE SAYS AG1
WOND]+ H[ L;G ? IS GO+ TO G ON4    #DG
  8,N[1 COME ON OV] TO !          A#DC
TABLE40
  ,9 ! MIDDLE ( X IS A B[L ( FRUIT4
,AUNT ,MYRTLE TAKES AN APPLE & PLACES
X ON ! TABLE4 8,GIVE ME T PLA/IC BAG40
  ,GAV9 H&S X OV]4
  8,? IS H[ Y PICK UP ,C>LOTTA'S
BUSI;S40
  ,GAV9 FR[NS AT ! APPLE4 ,!N HE LOOKS
D[N AT ,C>LOTTA1 :O IS BUSY SNI6+ !
FLOOR >.D ! TABLE = CRUMBS4 ,HE FEELS
A GR[+ HORROR4 ,N"E _H HE ?"\ AB
,C>LOTTA GO+ TO ! BA?ROOM 444 .1T WAY4
  ,AUNT ,MYRTLE 3T9UES ) H] 9/RUC;N4
8,N[1 ? IS :AT Y D40 ,%E PUTS H] H& 9
! BAG1 !N PLACES X OV] ! APPLE4 ,%E
PICKS UP ! APPLE1 HOLDS X HI<1 !N
PULLS ! BAG 9SIDE \ BY GRA2+ XS TOP
$GE ) H] O!R H&4 ,%E GIVES ! TOP 5D A
TWI/ & !N TIES ! TWI/$ 5D 9TO A KNOT4
8,SIMPLE10 %E SAYS4 8,& X'S ! LAW40
-----------------------------------#DD
  .1,N .1SIMPLE6 ,GAV9 CRIES \ 9 8
M9D4 ,HE'S GO+ TO GAG4 ,HE "KS HE W4
  8,& MAKE SURE %E HAS PL5TY ( SNIFF
"T4 ,A DOG NE$S SNIFF "T4 ,EV5    A#DD
IF Y H TO 2 \ L;G] ?AN ?IRTY M9UTES40
  ,AUNT ,MYRTLE PU%ES HM \ ! DOOR1 !N
/&S AT ! W9D[ WAT*+ HM4 ,HE C FEEL H]
EYES ON 8 BACK4 ,HE SPOTS ,RI*>D H1D+
8 WAY4 ,:AT A RELIEF4 ,S9CE X'S 2C (
,RI*>D T HE'S 9 ? MESS1 MAYBE ,RI*>D W
TAKE C>E ( ! .1DIRTY .1"W4
  8,COME ON10 ,GAV9 SAYS TO ! HORRIBLE
DOG AT 8 FEET4
               _4 _4 _4
,C>LOTTA1 9 H] LACE & B[1 IS ALM
IMPOSSIBLE TO WALK4 ,EI %E RUNS AH1D1
PULL+ AT ! L1%1 OR %E /OPS TO SNIFF AT
"S?+ ON "S"O'S LAWN4 ,"R 9 ! MIDDLE (
WALK+ AT A HALFWAY DEC5T PACE1 %E HAS
TO BACKTRACK & GET "S SNI6S 9 ON "S?+
%E MI<T H MISS$4 .7,:Y D DOGS SNIFF S
M*8.' ,GAV9 WOND]S4 ,& ,RI*>D'S NO
HELP EI4 ,8 M9D IS ON ? NEW VIDEO GAME
HE PLAY$ OV] AT ,C>LOS'S4 ,HE'S TELL+
,GAV9 ALL AB X4 ,AT "O PO9T1 HE (F]S1
8,Y %DA BR"\ "S DOG TR1TS OR "S?+40
,GAV9 SI<S AT ! USE.S ADVICE4
                                   #DI
  ,!N "! >E ! "TS ,C>LOTTA DA%ES   #DE
9 CIRCLES1 WRAPP+ ! L1% >.D 8 LEGS Z
%E GOES4
  8,MAN1 T DOG IS CRAZY10 ,RI*>D SAYS
) A M\? FULL ( POTATO *IPS4 ,HE WAT*ES
,GAV9 UNTANGLE HMF4 ,IF ,GAV9 _H GOTT5
8 WAY1 HE WD 2 EAT+ 8 SPECIAL SNACK (
:1T CRACK]S & GRAPE JAM AT HOME "R N[4
,T5 LL :1T CRACK]S ) GRAPE JAM SPR1D
ON EA* "O & A TALL1 COLD GLASS (
*OCOLATE MILK4 ,8 M\? WAT]S J ?9K+ AB
X4
  8,WANT "S *IPS80 ,RI*>D ASKS1 ANGL+
! BAG AT HM4 ,!N HE NOTICES ! PLA/IC
BAG 9 ,GAV9'S H&4 8,:AT*A GOT T =80
  8,= ,C>LOTTA'S BUSI;S40
  8,H] :AT80
  8,:5 %E GOES TO ! BA?ROOM40
  8,%E GOES 9 T BAG80
  ,GAV9 LOOKS AT ,RI*>D1 PUZZL$4 ,HE
TRIES TO IMAG9E :AT ,RI*>D HAS 9 M9D4
,! PICTURE IS RIDICUL\S4 8,NO1 ,RI*>D4
,I H ? BAG = :5 ,C>LOTTA GOES TO !
BA?ROOM ON "SBODY'S GRASS4 ,I PICK X
UP ) MY H& 9 ? BAG & !N ?R[ X AWAY 9 !
\TSIDE C :5 ,I GET BACK40         A#DE
-----------------------------------#DF
  ,RI*>D TAKES ? 9 ) NO RESPONSE4 ,!N
SUDD5LY HE CRIES \1 8,EEEEW60 ,HE
LOOKS OV] AT ,GAV91 8 EYES HUGE4
8,EEEEW6 ,Y H TO D T80
  8,X'S ! LAW10 ,GAV9 SAYS GRIMLY4
  ,RI*>D PE]S D[N AT ,C>LOTTA1 PRANC+
& /RA9+ AT H] L1%4 8,U<10 HE SAYS4
  ,GAV9 GL.ES D[N & !N UP AT ?REE BOYS
F ! FIF? GRADE AT ! 5D ( ! BLOCK1 H1D+
_! WAY4 ,X'S ,RI*>D'S OLD] BRO!R
,D>NELL & TWO ( 8 FRS1 ,GREGORY
,JOHNSON & T BIG BOY ) ! LA/ "N = A F/
"N ,- ,H>P]1 :O'S WAY TOO BIG TO 2 9
FIF? GRADE4 ,HE'S "O ( ! O!R NEW
/UD5TS1 & "S"O SD HE 0 9 ?IRD GRADE
TWICE4 ,"!'S "S?+ AB HM T ,GAV9
DOESN'T L4
  ,MAYBE _! PA?S WON'T CROSS1 ,GAV9
HOPES4 ,! OLD] BOYS >E WALK+ SUP]
SL[LY1 & E ONCE 9 A :ILE !Y /OP TO
PRET5D !Y'RE PLAY+ AN IMAG9>Y
BASKETBALL GAME4
  ,GAV9 LOOKS D[N AT ,C>LOTTA      #EA
AG4 ,8 HE>T S9KS Z HE TAKES 9 !   A#DF
P9K B[1 ! LACE SW1T]1 & ! RH9E/"O
COLL>4 ,X C'T GET M* WORSE4
  ,PLUS HE'S GOT A P9K L1% 9 "O H& & T
PLA/IC BAG 9 ! O!R H&4 ,ANY"O ) A DOG
W "K :AT .1T'S
-----------------------------------#DG
=4 ,:AT WD 2 R1LLY GD "R N[ IS IF !
SIDEWALK WD OP5 UP S HE CD DROP D[N
9TO AN "UGR.D TUNNEL4 ,HE FEELS "S BIG
LAU<T] COM+ 8 WAY4
  8,HEY10 ,RI*>D SAYS1 8"!'S ,D>NELL &
!M40
  ,GAV9 TURNS1 PULL+ ON ,C>LOTTA'S L1%
Z HE *ANGES DIREC;N4 8,LET'S G ? WAY10
HE SAYS4 ,B ,RI*>D IS ALR WAV+ 8 H&S
OV] 8 H1D L HE'S A REF]EE ON A
FOOTBALL FIELD & CALL+ \ 8 BRO!R'S "N4
  8,HEY1 ,D>NELL60
  8,OH1 NO4 ,NO1 NO1 NO10 ,GAV9 SAYS
"U 8 BR1? Z HE SEES ALL ! BOYS' ATT5;N
SUDD5LY DIRECT$ AT !M4 ,HE WAT*ES !M
/OP & 2G9 TO PO9T & LAU<4 ,N[ !Y SEEM
TO H =GOTT5 _! PRET5D BASKETBALL GAME4
,!Y'RE MAK+ _! WAY T[>D ,GAV91 ,RI*>D1
& 444 .1,C>LOTTA4 ,IF ONLY HE     A#DG
CD 4APPE>4 ,( C\RSE1 ,RI*>D DOESN'T
GET X4 ,HE'S BUSY 5C\RAG+ !M4
  8,:AT >E Y GUYS DO+8 ,": Y GO+80
  ,SUDD5LY1 ,C>LOTTA RACES >.D ,GAV9
UNTIL HE'S PRACTICALLY B.D UP 9 ! L1%
AG4 ,? BR+S M LAU<T] F ! ?REE OLD]
BOYS4
  8,T YR DOG80 ,D>NELL ASKS ,GAV91
ELB[+ ,H>P]4
  8,NO1 X'S 8 AUNT'S10 ,RI*>D SAYS1
WAT*+ ,GAV9 /RU7LE TO UNTANGLE HMF F !
L1%4
-----------------------------------#DH
  8,:AT K9D ( DOG IS T80 ,D>NELL ASKS4
,8 LIP CURLS ) 4DA94 8,& :Y'D Y PUT T
B[ 9 XS FUR80
  8,I DIDN'T PUT T B[ 9 XS FUR10 ,GAV9
SAYS1 HORRIFI$ T ANY"O WD ?9K S* A ?+4
,HE %ORT5S ! L1%1 & ,C>LOTTA /RA9S AG/
X4 ,!N1 ( C\RSE1 %E />TS UP ) H]
%RILL1 ANNOY+ YAPP+4 8,%E'S A
,POM]ANIAN10 ,GAV9 ADDS4
  8,:Y D Y H A .1,POM]ANIAN80 ,D>NELL
ASKS1 FR[N+4 8,:AT GD IS A         #EC
.1,POM]ANIAN8 ,X'S L Y DON'T      A#DH
EV5 H A R1L DOG40
  8,? IS .1N MY DOG10 ,GAV9 SAYS1
FEEL+ 8 FACE GR[ HOT4 8,I J H TO WALK
X40
  8,& PICK UP DOG DOO10 ,D>NELL ADDS1
NOTIC+ ! PLA/IC BAG4 ,HE 2G9S TO LAU<1
EXTRA L\DLY1 UNTIL HE GETS 8 FRS JO9+
IN4
  ,!N ,RI*>D />TS LAU<+4 ,RI*>D1 :O'S
SUPPOS$ TO 2 ,GAV9'S FR4 ,GAV9 DECIDES
TO IGNORE "EYBODY & MOVE ON PA/ !M4
,HE />TS T[>D ,M>91 B HE C HE> _!
TAUNT+ VOICES MIX$ ) L\D LAU<T] AT 8
BACK ALL ! WAY D[N ! /REET4
  8,HEY1 ,GAV96 ,": Y GO+80 ,D>NELL
CALLS \4 8,COME ON BACK4 ,WE DIDN'T
M1N TO HURT YR FEEL+S60 ,B ,D>NELL
-------------------------------#DI-#EJ
C H>DLY GET T \ 2F HE BR1KS D[N LAU<+
AG4
  ,!N T ,H>P] GUY SAYS1 8,WE "U/&4 ,Y
C'T HELP X IF Y LOVE YR LL
,POMM]MANIAC60 ,"EY"O BUR/S \ LAU<+ AT
8 JOKE3 ,D>NELL1 ,GREGORY ,JOHNSON1 &
,RI*>D4 ,H>P] LAU<S L\DE/4        A#EJ
  ,GAV9 KEEPS WALK+1 8 M\? P9*$ )
DET]M9A;N TO IGNORE ! LAU<T]4
  ,:5 HE TURNS ONTO ,M>91 ! VOICES
F9ALLY FADE4 ,!N "!'S J HM & ,C>LOTTA4
,RI*>D HAS G"O (F ) ! FIF?-GRAD]S4
               _4 _4 _4
,LUCKILY = ,GAV91 ,C>LOTTA HAS _H NO
8BUSI;S0 TO DEPOSIT ON ANY"O'S FRONT
LAWN S F>4 ,& WALK+ D[N ,M>9 IS K9D (
NICE4 ,"!'S A BIKE %OP ) BIG
MOTORCYCLES L9+ ! SIDEWALK4 ,!N "!'S A
D\<NUT %OP ) ! MO/ WOND];L >OMA WAFT+
\ ( X4 ,HE PLANS TO BR+ M"OY TM & BUY
A C\PLE1 !N EAT !M 9 FRONT ( ,DANIELLE
& MAKE H] DROOL4 ,HE C'T WAIT4 ,!N
"!'S ! HO2Y /ORE1 ) ALL K9DS ( 9T]E/+
/UFF 9 ! W9D[4 ,LL ,MISS ,C>LOTTA IS
PRANC+ AL;G1 ALL HAPPY1 X SEEMS1 &
,GAV9 IS ?9K+1 .7,? ISN'T S BAD4.' ,!Y
PASS ! C(FEE %OP1 & "S ( ! CU/OM]S >E
SITT+ AT
-----------------------------------#EA
\TDOOR TABLES1 SIPP+ _! DR9KS1 *ATT+ )
"O ANO!R OR J *ECK+ \ ! HAPP5+S    #EE
ON ,M>94                          A#EA
  ,? IS N BAD AT ALL4 ,F\R M "DS ( ? &
HE'LL H E>N$ ! M"OY = ,DANIELLE'S SN[
GLOBE4 ,UNCLE ,VE/OR W 2 BACK F 8
3F];E1 & ?+S W 2 BACK TO NORMAL4 ,NO M
,AUNT ,MYRTLE *ECK+ 8 PLATE TO SEE IF
HE'S EAT5 ALL 8 ,BRUSSELS SPR\TS OR
B1NS OR TURNIP GRE5S4
  ,!Y PASS ,W5DY'S ,WOND];L ,WIGS ) XS
CRAZY 4PLAY ( WIGS ON A /& J \TSIDE !
/ORE4 ,BLOND "OS1 R$ "OS1 BR[N "OS1 &
JET-BLACK4 ,SUDD5LY1 ,C>LOTTA 2G9S T
L[1 ?ROATY S.D %E MAKES :5 %E'S ?9K+
AB MISBEHAV+4 ,X GIVES ,GAV9 A N-S-GD
FEEL+4 ,HE CLUT*ES ! L1% A LL TI<T] 9
ANTICIPA;N ( ,- :AT1 HE DOESN'T "K4
,HE LOOKS D[N AT ,C>LOTTA4 ,"S?+ AB !
WAY %E'S PULL+ A LL AT ! L1% FILLS HM
) DR1D4 ,HE NE$S TO GET H] PA/ ,W5DY'S
,WOND];L ,WIGS4 ,"!'S "S?+ AB ! PLACE
T'S 4TURB+ H]4 ,HE CD CROSS ! /REET4
,B NO1 HE'S TOO F> F ! CORN] TRA6IC
LI<T4 ,X WD 2 DANG]\S4
  ,HE DECIDES TO G ! O!R WAY1 B
,C>LOTTA LUR*ES =W>D1 ?R[+ H] :OLE
BODY 9TO ! MOVE ) SURPRIS+        B#EA
/R5G?4 ,! L1% J]KS \ ( 8 H&1 &
,C>LOTTA
-----------------------------------#EB
MAKES A MAD DA% T[>D ! 4PLAY ( WIGS4
,HELP.SLY1 ,GAV9 WAT*ES H] L1P AT A
BLOND WIG CUT 9TO ! %APE ( ,MOE'S HAIR
F .7,! ,?REE ,/OOGES4.' ,C>LOTTA LETS
\ A L[ GR[L :ILE %AK+ ! WIG VIGOR\SLY4
  8,/OP T DOG60 A VOICE 2H ,GAV9
%RIEKS4 ,CD X 2 ,W5DY ( ,W5DY'S
,WOND];L ,WIGS8 ,%E TODDLES \ 9 "S ( !
HI<E/ HEELS HE'S "E SE54 ,%E ?R[S H]
H&S 9 ! AIR & DOES A LL HOP ON H] HI<1
HI< HEELS4 8,/OP T DOG60 %E REP1TS1 !N
LOOKS >.D = HELP4 ,! BUT*] HAS COME \
( 8 %OP NEXT DOOR4 ,:ILE ,GAV9 LOOKS
ON1 N "K+ :AT TO D1 ! BUT*] GRABS "O
5D ( ! WIG & 2G9S TO PULL4 ,B
,C>LOTTA'S GOT AN IRON GRIP ON X4 ,%E
CURLS H] LIPS BACK1 %[+ H] TEE? CL5*$
TI<TLY ON ! WIG Z %E HANGS ON
FURI\SLY4 ,GAV9 N"E KNEW T ,C>LOTTA CD
2 S /R;G ,- & /U2ORN4 ,HE "KS HE %D D
"S?+1 B HE C ONLY /& "! WAT*+4     #EG
  ,F9ALLY1 ) "O /R;G J]K1 !       A#EB
BUT*] FREES ! WIG & HOLDS X UP \ (
,C>LOTTA'S R1*4 ,GAV9 MANAGES TO GRAB
! L1% & W9D ! 5D >.D 8 H& J Z ,C>LOTTA
L1PS UP AT ! WIG AG4
-----------------------------------#EC
  8,T'S A DANG]\S DOG60 ! WIG LADY
SCR1MS4 ,%E /&S "! HOLD+ H] H1D Z IF
%E HAS A T]RIBLE H1DA*E4 8,%E %D N 2
ALL[$ \ IF %E C'T 2 3TROLL$60
  8,I'M R1LLY SORRY1 MA'AM4 ,I DIDN'T
"K %E DIDN'T L WIGS4 ,I J />T$ WALK+ ?
DOG TD4 ,%E'S N EV5 MY DOG40
  ,) T1 ,GAV9 %ORT5S ! L1% EV5 M4
,C>LOTTA /RU7LES AG/ X4 ,HE HAS TO
PRACTICALLY DRAG H] AWAY F ! %OP & XS
5TIC+ WIG /&4 ,ALL ! WAY D[N ! /REET1
,C>LOTTA TRIES TO PULL BACK T[>D
,W5DY'S ,WOND];L ,WIGS1 Z IF %E J
WANTS "O M G AT T BLOND WIG4 ,! 5D ( !
BLOCK SEEMS MILES AWAY4 ,HE HE>S ! WIG
LADY'S PROTE/S AT 8 BACK UNTIL HE
F9ALLY TURNS ! CORN] T[>D 8 H\SE4
  ,!N1 Z IF T ISN'T 5\<1 ,QUE5
,C>LOTTA />TS B>K+ AT A BIG ,LABRADOR
SNOOZ+ 9 ! %ADE ( AN ELM TREE 9   A#EC
A F;ED Y>D4 ,%E M/ "K T "!'S NO WAY !
BIG DOG C GET AT H]1 2C %E TURNS
F]OCI\S1 PULL+ BACK H] LIPS1 SN>L+ &
B>K+ L\DLY1 & /RA9+ 9 !
-----------------------------------#ED
,LABRADOR'S DIREC;N UNTIL ! BIG DOG IS
FURI\SLY RUNN+ BACK & =? ON ! O!R SIDE
( ! F;E1 B>K+ 9 FRU/RA;N4
  8,CUT X \60 ,GAV9 YELLS Z HE PULLS
H] AWAY4 8,L1VE T DOG AL"O60 ,B
,C>LOTTA1 / PROV+ H] BRAV]Y1 PULLS !
O!R WAY4 ,T'S :5 HE DECIDES HE'S _H
5\<4 ,HE SCOOPS H] UP & PRACTICALLY
RUNS ! RE/ ( ! WAY HOME4
  ,( C\RSE1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE IS AT ! DOOR
WAIT+ = HM4 ,H] BR[ IS FURR[$ & H] H&
IS ON H] *E/4
  8,I'VE BE5 S WORRI$10 %E SAYS 9 A
BR1?.S VOICE4 8,MI<T ,I REM9D Y1 Y 7
TO WALK H] ?IRTY M9UTES TOTAL8 ,X'S
BE5 A GD =TY M9UTES40
  ,GAV9'S %\LD]S S9K4 ,HE DOESN'T SEE
ALL T M* DI6];E 2T ?IRTY M9UTES & =TY4
,& ANYWAY1 DIDN'T ,AUNT ,MYRTLE    #EI
TELL HM TO GIVE ,C>LOTTA PL5TY    A#ED
( SNIFF "T8
  ,!N ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SPOTS ! EMPTY
PLA/IC BAG 9 ,GAV9'S H&4
  8,Y'RE BR++ BACK T BAG EMPTY8 ,Y %D
H /AY$ \ L;G]40
  ,GAV9 LOOKS UP AT 8 GRT-AUNT4 ,HE
OP5S 8 M\? TO SP1K1 B HE TRULY C'T ?9K
( ANY?+ TO SAY4 ,HE C'T W94

        @.<,5D ( ,VOLUME #A@.>