,,DOG ,,"DS ,,,! C>V] *RONICLES,' BY ,K>5 ,5GLI% ,VOLUME #B ( #B ,VOLUMES ,BRL ,PAGES T#A-T#B1 P#A & #FA-#ACF ,PR9T ,PAGES #EE-A#ABB ,SPONSOR$ @& ,PRES5T$ BY3 ,AM]ICAN ,AC;N ,FUND = ,BL ,*N @& ,ADULTS #AHJJ ,JOHNSON ,/REET ,BALTIMORE1 ,M>YL& #BABCJ WWW4AC;NFUND4ORG ,PRODUC$ AT ,CLOV]NOOK ,PR9T+ ,H\SE = ! ,BL WWW4CLOV]NOOK4ORG T#A ,TEXT COPY"R ^C #BJAC BY ,K>5 ,5GLI% ,PUBLI%$ BY3 ,H"\ON ,MI6L9 ,H>C\RT1 ,BO/ON _4 ,NEW ,YORK4 ,,ISBN3 #IGH-#J-#EDD-#CCIAB-#E PAP]BACK ,3T5TS ,FIVE ,":'S ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW8 #EE ,SIX ,H>P] & ! ,/ICKY ,F+]S """""" #GB ,SEV5 ,H>P]'S ,N ,HAPPY """""""""" #HH ,EILOTTA ,G8 """""" #II ,N9E ,IS ,T ,C>LOTTA8 """"""""""" #AAC P#A ,,DOG ,,"DS #EE ,,,! C>V] *RONICLES,' ,FIVE ,":'S ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW8 ,Z SOON Z ,GAV9 WALKS ONTO ! S*OOLY>D ! NEXT MORN+1 HE SEES ,RI*>D ON ! BASKETBALL C\RT PLAY+ "O-ON-"O ) 8 BRO!R ,D>NELL4 ,GAV9 WALKS ! O!R WAY T[>D ! H&BALL C\RTS4 ,:5 HE GETS "!1 HE J SITS ON ! B5* & WAT*ES ! H&BALL GAME 9 PROGRESS4 ,HE'S A LL IRRITAT$ AB ,RI*>D'S LACK ( LOYALTY F ! AFN 2F4 ,HE C / HE> 8 L\D LAUD = A :ILE4 ,MAYBE HE'LL F9D A NEW FR4 ,HE GL.ES OV] AT ! BASKETBALL C\RT & SID CAT*ES 8 EYE !N & WAVES HM OV]4 ,B ,GAV9 /AYS PUT Z IF HE DOESN'T EV5 SEE HM4 ,RI*>D ?R[S ! BALL TO 8 BRO!R & RUNS OV] TO ! H&BALL C\RT4 ,HE /RADDLES ! B5* ": ,GAV9 SITS ) 8 ELB[ RE/+ ON 8 KNEE4 #FA 8,:AT'S UP80 ,RI*>D ASKS4 #EF ,GAV9 LOOKS (F ACR ! Y>D4 8,NO?9'40 8,H[ COME Y'RE OV] "H & N PLAY+ ) U80 8,I DON'T FEEL L X40 ,RI*>D />ES AT ,GAV9 = A MO;T1 !N SAYS1 8,Y LOOK L Y'RE MAD AB "S?+40 8,:Y WD ,I 2 MAD AB "S?+80 8,IS X 2C ,I DIDN'T F9I% WALK+ T DOG ) Y8 ,I _H TO G40 8,"R40 8,= R1L4 ,I _H "S *ORES ,I _H TO D AT HOME40 ,GAV9 %RUGS4 ,! FREEZE BELL R+S4 ,ALM "EY"O FREEZES 9 PLACE4 ,EXCEPT ,H>P]4 ,HE'S BUSY ROLL+ A BASKETBALL >.D ) 8 FOOT4 .7,"S KIDS J H TO BR1K RULES NO MATT] :AT1.' ,GAV9 ?9KS4 ,:5 ! SECOND BELL R+S1 ,GAV9 GETS UP & WALKS TO ,ROOM ,T5'S L9E4 ,RI*>D FOLL[S4 _4 _4 _4 8,C Y GET P]MIS.N TO COME TO ! SKATE P>K80 ,RI*>D ASKS Z !Y SKIP D[N ! /EPS AF S*OOL4 ,HE'D BE5 ACT+ EXTRA NICE TO ,GAV9 A#EF -----------------------------------#EG "?\T ! "D1 EV5 GIV+ HM 8 PUDD+ CUP AT LUN*4 ,"S ( ,GAV9'S ANG] HAS DRIFT$ AWAY4 8,I'M GONNA RUN HOME & GET MY SKATEBO>D & "S?+ TO EAT1 & !N ,I'M GO+ TO ! SKATE P>K ) ,D>NELL & 8 FRS10 ,RI*>D 3T9UES4 8,I H TO WALK ,C>LOTTA4 ,REMEMB]80 ,GAV9 SAYS1 ANNOY$ T ,RI*>D NE$S REM9D+4 8,OH1 Y1H40 ,RI*>D SEEMS TO 2 MULL+ ? OV]4 8,:AT AB AF Y WALK ,C>LOTTA80 8,!N X'S "T TO D MY HOME"W4 ,B ,I'LL SEE40 ,S ( C\RSE1 Z ,GAV9 WALKS HOME ,- AL"O1 S9CE ,RI*>D HAS RUN (F TO ! SKATE P>K TO MEET 8 BRO!R & 8 BRO!R'S FRS ,- HE REHE>SES H[ HE'LL PUT ? "Q TO 8 MOM4 ,HE'S N ALL T HOPE;L4 ,8 "M C 2 PRETTY /RICT AB HOME"W4 ,B Z F> Z ,C>LOTTA'S 3C]N$1 8 PLAN IS ALL MAPP$ \4 ,HE'S GO+ NO": .1NE> T WIG PLACE4 ,!N HE HAS AN IDEA1 AN EV5 BETT] PLAN T W TAKE C>E ( 8 #FC OBLIGA;N TO T FURRY FI5D :ILE A#EG LETT+ HM H "S FUN4 ,AF ALL1 X ISN'T 8 FAULT T ,DANIELLE'S SN[ GLOBE GOT BROK54 ,SURE1 HE %DN'T H BE5 9 H] ROOM ,- B !N1 %E %DN'T 2 KEEP+ C&Y 9 H] ROOM TO TEMPT HM4 ,ANYBODY WD 2 TEMPT$4 ,ANYBODY6 -----------------------------------#EH ,GAV9 PRACTICALLY B\NCES UP 8 FRONT POR* /EPS1 ANXI\S TO DROP 8 BACKPACK BY ! /AIRCASE 9SIDE & HURRY 9TO ! KIT*5 TO MAKE 8 SNACK4 ,HE'LL EV5 REMEMB] TO WA% 8 H&S4 ,!N :5 8 "M CALLS \1 8,DON'T =GET TO WA% YR H&S10 HE C SAY1 8,I ALR DID40 ,HE LOVES B1T+ 8 MOM TO ! PUN*4 8,PUT YR BACKPACK ON ! BOTTOM /EP1 \ ( ! WAY10 %E'S ALW SAY+4 8,I ALR DID10 HE'LL 2 ABLE TO CALL BACK4 ,B N[ T ,AUNT ,MYRTLE'S "H1 X SEEMS 8 "M SUDD5LY HAS A LOT TO D1 AWAY F HOME ,- A LOT ( VOLUNTE] "W & /UFF4 ,& 8 DAD DOESN'T GET HOME UNTIL SIX4 ,T L1VES ,GAV9 AT ! M]CY ( ,DANIELLE & ,AUNT ,MYRTLE4 ,:AT A DUO6 ,HE'S / IMAG9+ ! WAY 8 SNACK "T W G :5 ! DOOR SW+S OP5 & ,AUNT A#EH ,MYRTLE APPE>S ) ,C>LOTTA 9 H] >MS 2F HE C EV5 CLIMB ! POR* /EPS4 8,"! Y >E10 %E SNAPS4 8,Y TAKE ,C>LOTTA1 & ,I'LL TAKE YR BACKPACK40 ,%E PUTS ,C>LOTTA1 ALR ATTA*$ TO ! P9K L1%1 D[N ON ! POR*4 ,GAV9 H&S OV] 8 BACKPACK & TAKES ! PLA/IC BAG & L1%4 ,? IS ! SECOND "D 9 A R[ HE DIDN'T GET TO H 8 :1T CRACK]S & GRAPE JAM6 ,"S"TS HE ?9KS GR[NUPS =GET T KIDS H FEEL+S TOO4 ,H[ WD ,AUNT ,MYRTLE L X -----------------------------------#EI IF %E 0 HUNGRY & "SBODY GAVE H] A BIG *ORE TO D 2F %E CD EV5 EAT8 ,%E PROBABLY WDN'T L X AT ALL4 8,OH10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS1 PULL+ A RAWHIDE B"O F H] POCKET4 8,DON'T =GET TO TAKE ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW40 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE NUZZLES ,C>LOTTA'S M\? ) ! SPECIAL LL B"O T ,C>LOTTA IS ALW PLAY+ ) OR ATTACK+ ) H] %>P LL TEE?4 ,X'S H] FAVORITE ?+ 9 ALL ! _W ,- AC TO ,AUNT ,MYRTLE4 8,:5 %E GETS SIDETRACK$ SNI6+ AT "EY?+1 J COAX H] AWAY ) ?40 #FE ,GAV9 TAKES ! GRU2Y ?+ \ ( H] A#EI H&1 TRY+ TO PUT ! ?"\ ( ALL ! DRI$ DOG SPIT T X'S PROBABLY COV]$ ) \ ( 8 M9D4 ,! 5D ( ! WEEK C'T COME SOON 5\<4 8,T'S OKAY10 HE SAYS TO HMF "U 8 BR1? Z HE AMBLES D[N ! FRONT WALKWAY4 ,HE HAS A PLAN4 8,AUNT ,MYRTLE10 HE SAYS1 /OPP+ AT ! SIDEWALK & LOOK+ BACK1 8C ,I KEEP ,C>LOTTA \ A LL L;G]8 ,I ?9K %E R1LLY LIKES TO 2 \40 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SQU9TS & PURSES H] LIPS1 ?9K+ ? OV]4 8,I GUESS X WON'T HURT4 ,B NO M ?AN AN H\R40 8,YES1 MA'AM10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 ,HE HE>S ! DOOR CLOSE 2H HM1 & 9/1D ( H1D+ D[N ,WILL[ ,AV5UE1 8 -----------------------------------#FJ [N /REET1 HE WALKS UP 8 DRIVEWAY TO ! BACKY>D4 ,8 SKATEBO>D & HELMET >E "!1 PROPP$ UP AG/ ! SIDE ( ! H\SE4 ,HE C'T GET TO 8 KNEEPADS & ELB[ PADS1 2C !Y'RE UP 9 8 ROOM4 ,HE'LL J H TO D )\T !M4 ,HE HAS NO 9T5;N ( LETT+ ,MISS ,C>LOTTA ! ,CURSE RU9 8 LIFE4 ,TOO BAD HE DIDN'T ?9K ( ? YE/]"D4 ,HE FEELS PRETTY GD ) 8 A#FJ SKATEBO>D "U 8 >M1 8 HELMET DANGL+ F 8 FREE H&1 & ,C>LOTTA PRANC+ AL;G 2S HM4 ,%E'S ACTUALLY 2+ R1LLY GD4 ,GAV9 ?9KS %E'S GO+ TO LOVE ! P>K1 ANYWAY4 ,MAYBE %E'S PICK+ UP 8 EXCITE;T & %E'S EXCIT$ TOO4 ,HE ONCE R1D T DOGS >E SUPPOS$ TO 2 K9D ( S5SITIVE1 ABLE TO PICK UP MOODS & /UFF4 ,Z SOON Z HE SPOTS ! SPECIAL F;ED-(F SKATE P>K ) XS /EEP SLOPES & CURV$ WALLS & /AIRS & RAIL+S & B[L'S $GES1 ,GAV9'S /OMA* FLUTT]S ) ANTICIPA;N4 ,8 FEET >E IT*+ TO JUMP ON 8 BO>D1 B F/ HE HAS TO F9D A PLACE TO TIE UP ,C>LOTTA4 ,X WON'T 2 S BAD = H]4 ,C>LOTTA W H FUN J LOOK+ AT ALL ! /UFF GO+ ON 9 ! P>K4 ,KIDS RUNN+ >.D1 DOGS ON ! JO7+ PA? ) _! [N]S1 SO3] PRACTICE4 ,GAV9'S PLAN IS TO /AY ?IRTY M9UTES ,- NO M4 ,T5 M9UTES TO GET -----------------------------------#FA "!1 ?IRTY M9UTES AT ! P>K1 T5 M9UTES TO GET BACK HOME4 ,ANO!R "D D[N1 F\R DOLL>S 9 8 A3.T4 ,HE LOOKS >.D4 #FG ,N F> AWAY IS "O ( ^? RACKS = A#FA *A9+ UP A BIKE4 ,X'S ONLY AB T5 FEET F ! SKATE P>K4 ,P]FECT4 ,GAV9 M>*ES ,C>LOTTA OV] TO X1 B :5 !Y GET AB ?REE FEET AWAY1 %E 2G9S TO PULL BACK4 ,X'S Z IF %E "KS ? IS X = H]4 ,X'S L :5 8 "M PICKS HM UP AF S*OOL & HE GETS A FUNNY FEEL+1 B %E WAITS UNTIL HE'S ALR 9 ! C> 2F %E TELLS HM1 8,OH1 Y1H1 Y H AN APPO9T;T AT ! D5TI/4 ,T'S ": WE'RE H1D$40 ,!N HE GETS TO ?9K ( T %OT 9 ! M\? ALL ! WAY "!4 ,HE TUGS AT ,C>LOTTA'S L1% UNTIL HE MANAGES TO GET H] TO ! BIKE RACK4 ,HE LOOPS X >.D ! PO/ & !N TIES A D\BLE KNOT4 ,HE TUGS X UNTIL X'S SNUG4 ,ALL ! :ILE ,C>LOTTA IS DO+ A LL HOP & PULL1 TRY+ TO FREE H]F4 ,HE REMEMB]S H] ,*EW-,*EW & PULLS X \ ( 8 POCKET ) J 8 ?UMB & =EF+]4 ,X'S S YUCKY1 HE HOLDS X -----------------------------------#FB AWAY F HMF4 ,HE IMAG9ES T X 0 ONCE :ITE4 ,N[ X'S A GRUNGY GRAY ) D>K SMUDGES T ,GAV9 IMAG9ES >E OLD A#FB DROOL4 ,GAV9 WAVES X 9 FRONT ( ,C>LOTTA'S NOSE1 HAT+ T HE HAS TO T\* ! ?+4 ,%E SNI6S AT X1 B !N LOOKS AT HM ) BIG SAD EYES4 ,HE TURNS AWAY & SEES ,RI*>D ON A B5* J 9SIDE ! *A9L9K F;E T CORDONS (F ! SKATE >EA F ! RE/ ( ! P>K4 ,C>LOTTA />TS UP H] YAPS1 & ! S.D FOLL[S HM Z HE FA/-WALKS OV] "!4 ,RI*>D LOOKS UP & GIVES HM A BIG GR9 ( SURPRISE4 8,I ?"\ Y _H TO WALK T DOG40 ,GAV9 SMILES SLYLY & PO9TS TO ,C>LOTTA1 :O'S SETTL$ D[N ) H] ,*EW-,*EW4 8,I C ONLY /AY = A LL BIT4 ,H[ COME Y'RE N SKAT+80 8',CAUSE T ,H>P] GUY HAS MY SKATEBO>D4 ,HE SD HE J WANT$ TO BORR[ X = FIVE M9UTES1 & X'S BE5 WAY L;G] ?AN FIVE M9UTES40 ,GAV9 SCANS ! SKATEBO>D]S UNTIL HE SEES ,H>P] ON ,RI*>D'S SKATEBO>D & ,D>NELL ON 8 [N4 ,HE N>R[S 8 EYES1 / A LL ANGRY AB ! "D 2F4 ,GAV9 DEF9ITELY DOESN'T L ,H>P]4 ,9 FACT1 HE #FI FEELS ,H>P] 0 ! "O :O L$ ! B#FB LAUNELL GOES & D :AT"E ,D>NELL & 8 O!R FRS >E DO+4 ,HE CAME F ? O!R S*OOL4 ,I BET Y HE GOT KICK$ \40 8,DIDN'T HE D ?IRD GRADE TWICE80 ,RI*>D %RUGS4 8,MAYBE40 8,WELL1 Y C %>E MY BO>D4 ,WE C TAKE TURNS40 ,GAV9 SLIPS ON 8 HELMET4 ,HE MOVES TO ! TOP ( ! F/ POCKET & WAITS :ILE "O ( ! BIG BOYS GOES D[N ! CURV$ WALL1 DOES A HEEL FLIP1 PROPELS HMF UP ! OPPOSITE CURV$ WALL1 !N L1PS ONTO ! L;G /AIR RAIL+4 ,D[N ! OLD] BOY SAILS1 L "S K9D ( SKATEBO>D *AMPION1 TO L& NICELY ON TOP ( 8 BO>D1 CR\*$ & R1DY4 ,BACK & =? HE GOES1 UP & D[N "O CURV$ WALL & !N XS OPPOSITE4 ,X LOOKS L HE CD D T ="E4 ,GAV9 C ONLY D ! CURV$ WALLS4 ,= N[4 ,HE ADJU/S 8 HELMET1 & :5 "!'S A#FC AN OP5+ = HM1 HE JUMPS ON 8 BO>D & SKATES ! CURV$ WALLS BACK & =?4 ,X GIVES HM A WOND];L -----------------------------------#FD FEEL+ ( FRE$OM4 ,HE LOVES X4 ,HE / HAS TO LE>N ALL ! TRICKS HE SEES ! BI7] BOYS DO+ ALL ! "T4 ,Z SOON Z HE DOESN'T H ? DOG-SITT+ JOB ANYMORE 444 ,AF A FEW M9UTES1 HE /OPS & C>RIES 8 SKATEBO>D TO ,RI*>D4 ,HE LOOKS AT ,C>LOTTA1 :O'S GO+ TO T[N ON H] ,*EW-,*EW4 ,%E'S F9ALLY QUIET$ D[N4 ,%E SEEMS HAPPY4 8,"H Y G10 HE SAYS TO ,RI*>D1 H&+ OV] 8 BO>D4 ,RI*>D GR9S4 ,HE PUTS ON 8 HELMET & HURRIES (F4 ,GAV9 WAT*ES HM = A BIT1 !N TURNS T[>D ! M EXP]T SKATEBO>D]S4 ,HE C LE>N A LOT J F OBS]V+ !M4 ,GRADUALLY1 ,GAV9 2COMES AW>E ( A :IMP]+ S.D4 ,AT F/1 HE PAYS NO ATT5;N TO X4 ,! P>K IS FULL ( P & DOGS4 ,B LL BY LL1 ! :IMP]+ DRAWS 8 ATT5;N AWAY F ! SKATEBO>D]S4 ,HE GL.ES OV] AT #GA ,C>LOTTA & SEES H] RUNN+ BACK & A#FD =?1 /RA9+ AT H] L1%4 ,%E'S MAK+ ! /RANGE :IMP]+ NOISE1 Z IF %E'S UPSET AB "S?+4 ,GAV9 LOOKS CLOSELY4 ,HE DOESN'T SEE ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW4 ,HE *ECKS ! GR.D ALL >.D H]1 B X'S NO": 9 SID10 HE CALLS \1 8,I H TO SEE AB ,C>LOTTA4 ,"S?+'S WR;G40 -----------------------------------#FE ,RI*>D1 :O IS /&+ ON TOP ( "O ( ! BIG HALFPIPES & PREP>+ TO DROP IN1 LOOKS OV] AT HM & FR[NS4 8,I H TO G1 ANYWAY10 ,GAV9 %\TS4 8,J DROP (F MY BO>D AT MY H\SE ON YR WAY HOME40 8,OKAY10 ,RI*>D CALLS BACK4 ,GAV9 SUSPECTS 8 M9D IS ALR ON 8 NEXT MANEUV]4 _4 _4 _4 ,GAV9 SE>*ES ! GRASS >.D ,C>LOTTA :ILE %E PACES & :IMP]S4 .7,X'S GOT TO 2 "H1.' HE ?9KS4 ,B X'S N4 ,CD A SQUIRREL H GOTT5 X & C>RI$ X (F8 ,HE LOOKS D[N AT ,C>LOTTA & ROLLS 8 EYES4 ,2C ( ? /UPID DOG1 HE'S _H TO A#FE CUT 8 FUN %ORT4 ,HE DOES FEEL A TE5SY BIT SORRY = H]1 ?\<4 ,GAV9 TRIES PETT+ ,C>LOTTA TO CALM H] D[N1 B X DOESN'T "W4 ,%E J KEEPS :IMP]+1 & N[ %E'S PULL+ AT H] L1%4 ,HE L1VES H] TI$ TO ! BICYCLE RACK & />TS \ 9 SE>* ( ! ,*EW-,*EW1 KEEP+ 8 EYES ON ! GRASS >.D HM Z HE MOVES AWAY4 ,HE CIRCLES ! SO3] FIELD ) NO LUCK1 !N H1DS T[>D ! L>GE CLIMB+ /RUCTURE ON ! PLAYGR.D4 ,MAYBE "O ( ! LL KIDS RAN (F ) X4 ,MAYBE 8 "M OR "F 4COV]$ T NA/Y ?+ 9 _! *'S POSSES.N -----------------------------------#FF & DROPP$ X 9 ! NE>E/ G>BAGE C4 ,GAV9 *ECKS TRA% CANS AL;G ! WAY4 ,HE GRABS A ?9 BRAN* F ! GR.D & /IRS ! G>BAGE >.D 9 EA* "O4 ,NO ,*EW-,*EW4 ,HE SUPPOSES HE CD DIG D[N FUR!R1 B X'S GETT+ LATE & HE "KS HE %D G GET ,C>LOTTA & H1D HOME4 ,HE HAS A VI.N ( ,AUNT ,MYRTLE /&+ ON ! POR*1 SC[L+ & TAPP+ H] FOOT4 ,Z HE />TS = ! NEXT TRA% C ON #GC 8 WAY TO ! PLAY /RUCTURE1 A A#FF L>GE BR[N DOG ) L;G %A7Y FUR RUNS BY4 ,XS TEE? >E CLAMP$ D[N ON "S?+ T LOOKS J L ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW4 ,9 FACT1 HE'S SURE X .1IS ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW6 ,X'S ! SAME GRUNGY BEIGE COLOR4 ,X HAS ! SAME BITT5-(F 5DS 444 ,! M HE LOOKS AT X1 ! M HE'S SURE4 ,B 444 ,SUDD5LY HE HE>S "S"O %\T1 8,:OA1 ,YANKEE6 ,GET BACK "H40 ,X'S A BIG1 TALL BOY :O LOOKS L HE MI+ A SW1T%IRT ) "S K9D ( S*OOL 9SIGNIA ON X4 ,HE HAS A DEEP1 BOOM+ VOICE4 8,N[60 HE YELLS4 -----------------------------------#FG ,%EEPI%LY1 ! DOG /OPS1 GIVES ! ,*EW-,*EW A FI]CE %AKE1 !N TROTS BACK TO ! TALL BOY4 ,C>LOTTA'S TOY IS / GRIPP$ 2T XS TEE?4 ,! BIG GUY RU6LES ! DOG'S FUR & /OOPS TO ATTA* A L1% TO XS COLL>4 ,GAV9 NE$S TO GET T ,*EW-,*EW BACK4 ,HE TAKES 9 "O BIG BR1? TO GA!R 8 C\RAGE & />TS (F T[>D ! HI< S*OOL " GUY1 :O LOOKS UP Z ,GAV9 APPROA*ES4 A#FG 8,UM1 UM 4440 ,GAV9 />TS4 ,! GUY %ADES 8 EYES AG/ ! AFN SUN & LOOKS D[N AT HM1 B HE DOESN'T SAY ANY?+4 8,UM 444 ,YR DOG 4440 8,Y1H8 ,:AT AB HM80 ,GAV9 TRIES TO FIGURE \ IF ! GUY'S ^WS >E FRLY OR UNFRLY4 ,HE LOOKS F ! DOG TO ! [N] & !N BACK TO ! DOG4 8,:AT D Y WANT80 ! [N] DEM&S4 ,T DOESN'T S.D V FRLY TO ,GAV94 ,HE SWALL[S4 8,I ?9K YR DOG HAS MY DOG'S 444 TOY40 ,GAV9'S GLAD HE LEFT ,C>LOTTA TI$ UP BACK AT ! SKATE P>K \ ( VIEW4 ,HE'D 2 EMB>RASS$ IF ! GUY ?"\ ,C>LOTTA 0 .18 DOG4 ,! GUY LOOKS D[N AT ! TOY4 8,:AT MAKES Y ?9K S80 -----------------------------------#FH ,GAV9 GA9S A BIT ( C\RAGE & SAYS1 8,:5 ,I GOT TO ! P>K1 MY DOG _H H] 4440 ,HE DOESN'T WANT TO SAY .1,*EW-,*EW4 ,X S.DS DUMB4 8444 .1*EW .1TOY4 ,I M1N1 :5 ,I TI$ H] UP #GE BACK AT ! SKATE P>K1 %E 0 PLAY+ A#FH ) X4 ,N[ X'S G"O4 ,&,-0 ,! TALL BOY /UDIES 8 DOG4 ,HE SEEMS TO 2 ?9K+4 ,!N HE SMILES4 ,X'S N A FRLY SMILE4 8,Y1H4 ,YANKEE _H T ALR4 ,T'S ,YANKEE'S40 ,GAV9 DOESN'T "K :AT TO SAY4 ,HE "KS ! GUY IS LY+4 ,GAV9 WAT*ES Z HE SAUNT]S AWAY1 8 BIG BR[N DOG BY 8 SIDE4 ,X'S N FAIR4 ,! GUY IS BI7] ?AN ,GAV94 ,HE'S OLD]4 ,& T M1NS "O ?+4 ,! OLD]1 L>G] P]SON C TELL A GIANT FIB & ! SMALL] P]SON C'T D ANY?+ AB X4 ,GAV9 RETRACES 8 /EPS BACK TO ,C>LOTTA1 :O IS N[ JUMP+ & YELP+ & MAK+ RUNN+ ATTEMPTS TO FREE H]F F ! POLE4 ,HE /&S "! & WAT*ES H] = A MO;T4 ,H[ IS HE GO+ TO EXPLA9 H] MISS+ ,*EW-,*EW8 ,H[8 ,HE C J SEE ,AUNT ,MYRTLE'S FACE :5 HE TELLS H] T A DOG1 .7A BIG DOG1.' /OLE ,C>LOTTA'S TOY4 ,WAIT ,- HE C'T TELL H] T4 ,HE'LL N"E HE> ! 5D ( X F H]4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE W G ON & ON AB ,GAV9 N DO+ 8 JOB1 N PROTECT+ ,C>LOTTA F LOS+ H] PRECI\S ,*EW-,*EW4 ,%E'LL PROBABLY #FI COMPLA9 TO 8 "M & "F4 ,%E'LL PROBABLY ACT L HE LO/ "S SPECIAL TR1SURE WOR? ZILLIONS ( DOLL>S4 ,DANIELLE W LOVE X4 ,:AT IS HE GO+ TO D8 ,HE LOOKS AT ! :9+ ,C>LOTTA4 ,HE SCRUN*ES 8 M\? TO ! SIDE4 ,? IS N GD4 ,GAV9 PACES BACK & =?4 ,HE C FEEL 8 HE>T B1T+ FA/ :ILE HE ?9KS4 ,HE'S GOT TO COME UP ) AN IDEA4 ,B :AT8 ,= "S R1SON ,C>LOTTA /OPS H] FIDGET+ & LOOKS UP AT HM1 Z IF %E1 TOO1 IS WOND]+ :AT HE'S GO+ TO D4 ,HE UNTIES H] L1% & />TS HOME4 ,:5 HE GETS "!1 ,GAV9 H1DS /RAID4 ,HE HURRIES PA/ ! KIT*5 W9D[1 HOP+ ,AUNT ,MYRTLE WON'T SPOT HM4 ,HE HAS TO ?9K4 ,HE HAS TO COME UP ) AN IDEA4 ,X WON'T 2 L;G 2F %E'LL 2 CROSS-EXAM9+ HM AB ,C>LOTTA'S \T+4 ,T1 ( C\RSE1 W L1D H] TO NOTICE ! MISS+ ,*EW-,*EW4 8,GIVE H] TO ME10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS1 />TL+ ,GAV91 :O'D BE5 PAC+ AG4 ,HE _HN'T EV5 HE>D H] COME \ #GG ONTO ! BACK POR*4 ,GAV9 CLIMBS A#FI ! /AIRS & H&S H] ! L1%4 8,H[ 0 "EY?+80 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE ASKS4 ,GAV9 C SMELL "S?+ YUCKY COOK+ 9 ! KIT*54 ,8 HE>T S9KS4 8,X 0 OKAY10 HE SAYS4 8,DID %E G TO ! BA?ROOM80 -----------------------------------#GJ .1,OH1 .1NO1 ,GAV9 ?9KS4 ,HE'D =GOTT5 ALL AB T4 ,MAYBE %E W5T TO ! BA?ROOM :ILE %E 0 TI$ TO ! BIKE RACK4 ,B MAYBE %E DIDN'T4 ,HE C'T 2 SURE4 ,%D HE TELL ,AUNT ,MYRTLE A T9Y FIB8 ,HE C'T J SAY T HE DOESN'T "K4 8,UH1 ,I DON'T ?9K %E _H TO G10 HE SAYS4 8,:AT8 ,AG80 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE FR[NS D[N AT ,C>LOTTA4 8,I'M J GO+ TO H TO *ANGE H] KI2LE40 8,Y1H1 X M/ 2 ! KI2LE10 ,GAV9 AGREES4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE TURNS TO G BACK 9TO ! KIT*51 ) ,C>LOTTA TROTT+ 2H H]4 ,GAV9 H1DS /RAIE Y DO+80 8,UM ,- ,I'M MAK+ ME A SNACK40 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE %AKES H] F+] AT ,GAV94 8,NO1 TOO CLOSE TO D9N]10 %E PROCLAIMS4 ,HE LOOKS OV] AT ! /OVE4 ,"!'S "S AW;L /UFF SIMM]+ 9 ^? POTS4 ,HE J "KS X4 ,HE CLOSES ! CAB9ET DOOR & H1DS -----------------------------------#GA = 8 ROOM S HE C DROP (F 8 BACKPACK & MAYBE SN1K 9 A VIDEO GAME OR TWO 2F HOME"W4 ,HE'S ALM \ ( ! KIT*5 :5 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE ASKS1 8,":'S ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW80 ,2F ,GAV9 C EV5 ?9K AB :AT HE'S GO+ TO SAY1 ! ^WS J COME \4 8,I M/ H LEFT X 444 .1\TSIDE40 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE LOOKS OV] AT ,C>LOTTA4 ,%E HAS SETTL$ ONTO H] NEW B$ ON ! POR* ) H] H1D RE/+ ON H] PAWS4 8,WELL1 Y MAKE SURE Y G GET T ,*EW-,*EW 2F ! "D IS OV]4 ,%E HAS TO H H] ,*EW-,*EW40 8,YES1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE10 ,GAV9 #GI SAYS4 ,HE RUNS UP ! /AIRS4 ,! A#GA DOOR TO ,DANIELLE'S ROOM IS CLOS$4 ,%E M/ 2 9 "! DO+ :O "KS :AT4 ,8 DAD IS / AT "W1 & 8 "M M/ 2 AT ! M>KET OR "S?+4 ,! H\SE IS QUIET4 ,HE SLIPS 9TO 8 ROOM1 CLOSES ! DOOR1 & BR1!S A SI< ( RELIEF4 ,"R 9 ! MIDDLE ( HOME"W ,- "R 9 ! MIDDLE ( WRIT+ T5 DECL>ATIVE S5T;ES & "UL9+ ! SUBJECT ONCE & ! PR$ICATE TWICE ,- ,GAV9 GETS 8 BRILLIANT IDEA3 .7,J BUY ,C>LOTTA ANO!R ,*EW-,*EW4.' ,HE'LL H TO DIP 9TO ! M"OY HE'S BE5 SAV+ ALL YE> = A NEW SKATEBO>D1 B ANY?+ IS BETT] ?AN HAV+ TO HE> M ( ,AUNT ,MYRTLE'S COMPLA9TS4 -----------------------------------#GB ,SIX ,H>P] & ! ,/ICKY ,F+]S ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ HAS WRITT5 .1,OP5 .1,TOPIC ON ! :ITEBO>D = _! MORN+ J\RNAL 5TRIES4 ,GAV9 DOESN'T "K IF HE R1LLY LIKES .1,OP5 .1,TOPIC4 ,HE />ES AT ! ^WS = A M9UTE4 ,!N HE A#GB LOOKS >.D4 ,"S KIDS1 L HM1 >E TAK+ _! "T4 ,"S1 L T GIRL ,NIKKI1 H ALR DIV$ IN4 ,HE TAPS 8 P5CIL ON ! DESK4 ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ LOOKS OV] AT HM & HE /OPS4 ,HE OP5S 8 J\RNAL & PUTS ! DATE 9 ! UPP] "R CORN] ( ! F/ CL1N PAGE4 ,!N HE />ES AT T = A :ILE4 ,HE CD WRITE AB ,RI*>D =GETT+ TO BR+ 8 SKATEBO>D TO 8 H\SE 2F GO+ HOME1 B T WD ONLY MAKE HM M ANNOY$4 ,HE 0 SUPPOS$ TO BR+ X & !N /A% X 9 8 BACKY>D4 ,B HE =GOT4 ,GAV9 SILOTTA 9 MY >MS4 ,T M/ 2 "S K9D ( * ABUSE4 #HA A#GC ,HE /OPS TO ?9K AB ?4 ,HE BETS X .1IS * ABUSE ,- MAK+ A KID />VE4 ,MAK+ A KID G 9TO 8 [N M"OY T HE'S BE5 SAV+ & SAV+ = A NEW SKATEBO>D1 J TO REPLACE "S CRAZY DOG TOY4 ,! PROBLEM IS T HE "KS NO "O WD R1LLY ?9K X'S ABUSE4 ,NO GR[NUPS1 ANYWAY4 ,!Y WD ?9K X'S J A WAY ( MAK+ HM LE>N A LESSON4 ,H[ COME GR[NUPS N"E H TO LE>N LESSONS8 ,X'S N FAIR4 ,HE GOES BACK TO 8 J\RNAL4 ,TD ,I'M GO+ TO RUN QK TO ! PET /ORE & BUY ,C>LOTTA ANO!R TOY 2C ,I GOT ! R1L "O /OL54 ,BY ? BIG DOG 9 ! P>K & ,I WASN'T SUPPOS$ TO EV5 2 9 ! P>K4 ,I _H SNUCK OV] "! TO RIDE MY SKATEBO>D4 ,B ? BIG GUY ,A H& COMES D[N ON 8 J\RNAL & ATTEMPTS TO PULL X "R \ F "U 8 P5CIL4 -----------------------------------#GD 8,DIDN'T Y HE> ! T1*]8 ,%E SD = ME TO COLLECT ! J\RNALS40 ,X'S T BOSSY ,DEJA GIRL4 8,%E SD P5CILS D[N1 A#GD J\RNALS .1CLOS$40 8,B ,I ?"\ ! J\RNALS 7 COLLECT$ ONLY ONCE A WEEK40 8,MS4 ,%ELBY-.1,ORTIZ10 ,DEJA 2G9S1 Z IF %E R1LLY LOVES SAY+ ! .1,ORTIZ "P1 8COLLECTS !M A C\PLE ( "TS S %E C *ECK \R SPELL+ & SKIPP$ ^WS & /UFF & SEE IF WE'RE DO+ BETT]40 8,B ,I WASN'T F9I%$10 ,GAV9 PROTE/S4 8,S8 ,TOO BAD1 S SAD 4440 %E SAYS 9 A S+S;GY VOICE4 ,%E DOES ? LL ?+ ) H] NECK :5 %E SAYS 8SAD40 ,GAV9 WOND]S IF %E'S MAD AB "S?+1 OR J M1N4 ,HE WAT*ES H] ADD 8 J\RNAL TO ! /ACK 9 H] H&4 ,!N %E GIVES HM A SMILE T LOOKS M L A SNE] 2F WALK+ AWAY4 ,HE WAT*ES H] G4 ,:AT'S HE "E D"O TO .1H]8 -----------------------------------#GE _4 _4 _4 ,AT RECESS1 ,RI*>D IS BALL MONITOR4 ,X'S ALM Z GD Z ,GAV9 2+ BALL MONITOR1 2C Z SOON Z !Y'RE \ ON ! S*OOLY>D1 ,RI*>D PASSES ! BASKETBALL TO ,GAV91 :O DRI2LES X ALL ! WAY TO ! #HC C\RT1 DO+ A R1LLY GD DRI2LE JOB A#GE & HOP+ "EY"O HAS /OPP$ TO NOTICE4 ,WELL1 HE "KS !Y HAV5'T1 B HE C DR1M4 ,:5 HE GETS "!1 HE TRIES TO D A LAYUP J L HE SEES ON ,,TV1 B ! BALL DOESN'T EV5 GET UP TO ! BASKET4 ,X >CS AWAY F ! C\RT1 & HE HAS TO G *AS+ AF X4 ,HE HOPES NO "O SAW T4 ,D>NELL'S NEW FR ,H>P] /OPS X ) 8 FOOT4 ,HE'S DEF9ITELY GETT+ A REPUTA;N = 2+ "S"O TO /AY AWAY F1 EV5 ?\< HE'S ONLY BE5 AT ,C>V] ,ELE;T>Y A LL :ILE1 L ,GAV94 ,KIDS H BE5 SAY+ T ,H>P] REP1T$ ?IRD GRADE4 ,& = "S R1SON1 ? MAKES HM SEEM A LL BIT SC>Y4 ,PROBABLY 2C HE R1LLY %D 2 9 SIX? GRADE1 & T'S N EV5 ELE;T>Y S*OOL4 ,T'S MIDDLE S*OOL ,- A :OLE DI6]5T /ORY4 ,H>P] J /&S "!1 TALL & BIG & LOOK+ /UPID1 ) 8 FOOT ON ! BASKETBALL4 ,HE GIVES ,GAV9 A M5AC+ SMILE1 R1*ES D[N1 GRABS ! BALL1 & 2G9S TO TOSS X -----------------------------------#GF F "O GIANT PALM TO ! O!R4 ,!N HE 2G9S TO DRI2LE X 9 A CIRCLE4 ,SUDD5LY HE /OPS & BR+S ! BALL TO 8 *E/ L A#GF HE'S GO+ TO %OOT X AT ,GAV94 ,GAV9 HOLDS 8 H&S UP1 HOPE;L4 ,B ,H>P] ONLY PRET5DS T HE'S GO+ TO LET G ( ! BALL4 ,HE ?R[S 8 H1D BACK & LAU.D ,GAV9 TO WAT* :AT'S HAPP5+4 ,GAV9 FEELS PUT ON ! SPOT Z ,H>P] FAKES ANO!R ?R[4 ,)\T ?9K+1 ,GAV9 PUTS UP 8 H&S TO CAT*4 ,H>P] LAUP] CALLS \1 N[ T HE HAS AN AUDI;E4 8,COME ON1 GET R1DY60 ,GAV9 LETS 8 H&S HANG4 ,!N HE BR+S !M UP AG4 ,IF ,H>P] R1LLY DOES ?R[ T BASKETBALL1 HE CD GET HIT H>D4 ,& T'S N GO+ TO FEEL S GD4 ,H>P] DOES A FEW FAKES1 TO ! DELIM]4 #HE ,H>P] IS 9 ! MIDDLE ( LAUN*+ A #GG NEW FAKE :5 SUDD5LY ,D>NELL COMES \ ( NO": & KNOCKS ! BALL \ ( ,H>P]'S H&4 ,HE PASSES X TO ,GAV91 :O'S R1DY & CAT*ES X1 SURPRIS+ HMF4 8,COME ON1 ,H>P]10 ,D>NELL SAYS4 8,QUIT FOOL+ >.D4 ,WE'VE GOT DODGEBALL ? WEEK1 & Y'RE WA/+ "T40 ,:ILE ,H>P] SEEMS TO 2 DECID+ :AT HE'LL D1 ,GAV9 CLUT*ES ! BALL1 FEEL+ \ ( BR1?4 ,HE TRIES TO CALM 8 BR1?+4 ,H>P] TURNS ON 8 HEEL & GALLOPS (F TO ! DODGEBALL C\RT4 ,KIDS :O H GA!R$1 HOP+ = A %[1 /& >.D A BIT & !N MOSEY (F TO _! [N >1S4 8,:Y DID ,D>NELL H TO SPOIL ! FUN80 ,GAV9 HE>S A GIRL F 8 CLASS "ND ,CASEY ASK ? O!R GIRL "ND ,AYANNA4 8,Y1H1 T 0 FUN10 ,AYANNA AGREES4 _4 _4 _4 8,I GOTTA G TO ! PET /ORE10 ,GAV9 SAYS TO ,RI*>D Z !Y BUR/ "? ! FRONT DOORS AF 4MISSAL4 ,= ,GAV91 ? IS ! 8FREE-E/0 "T ( "D4 ,HE LOVES ! FEEL+ ( 8 BACK TO ! S*OOL Z HE TAKES ! FRONT /EPS #GH TWO AT A "T4 ,:5 S*OOL IS OV]1 HE C D ALM ANY?+ HE WANTS ,- = A LL :ILE4 ,HE C WALK D[N ,M>9 & /OP BY 8 UNCLE ,VE/OR'S BE/ FR'S /ORE = C&Y1 OR HE C G HOME & GET P]MIS.N TO RIDE 8 BIKE = ?IRTY M9UTES4 ,HE EV5 LIKES /&+ AT 8 KIT*5 C.T]1 PUTT+ BLOBS ( GRAPE JELLY ON :1T CRACK]S TO EAT :ILE HE DOES 8 HOME"W4 ,N[ ,RI*>D HAS TO SPOIL X )1 8,DON'T Y H TO G /RAI H] SAY ,I'M IRRESPONSIBLE & A :OLE BUN* ( O!R /UFF1 & %E MID SAYS4 ,S 9/1D ( TURN+ T[>D ,A%BY1 !Y H1D TO ,M>9 & ,PET ,M>T1 ! BIG /ORE T CLAIMS X HAS "EY?+ A PET [N] CD WANT OR NE$ = _! 2LOV$ F\R-LE7$ MEMB] ( ! FAMILY4 ,GAV9 FIGURES IF ANY PLACE W H A TOY T LOOKS EXACTLY L #HG ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW1 X'S ,PET A#GH ,M>T4 ,B :5 !Y GET "!1 !Y 4COV] T "!'S A :OLE AISLE ( RU2] & RAWHIDE KNICKKNACKS & -----------------------------------#GI ?+AMABOBS = DOGS TO *EW ON4 ,H[ W !Y "E F9D ! "R "O8 8,:AT AB ?80 ,RI*>D ASKS1 HOLD+ UP A BIG R.D ?+ ) :AT LOOKS L A ?\S& RU2] T5TACLES4 8,NO10 ,GAV9 SAYS1 %AK+ 8 H1D4 8,H] ,*EW-,*EW DOESN'T LOOK L T40 8,H] :AT80 8,MY AUNT ,MYRTLE CALLS X A ,*EW-,*EW4 ,X'S ? :ITE RAWHIDE B"O ?+ ) *EW$-ON KNOTT$ 5DS40 ,RI*>D MOVES D[N TO "O 5D ( ! AISLE S HE C />T *ECK+ "EY?+ 9 X4 ,GAV9 GOES TO ! O!R 5D & 2G9S TO MOVE SL[LY 9 ,RI*>D'S DIREC;N4 ,S _M DO7IE TOYS4 ,HE N"E KNEW DOGS _H S* AN >RAY ( TOYS DEVOT$ J TO !M4 ,8 EYES /OP ON "S?+ T LOOKS A LOT L ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW HANG+ ON A %ELF HOOK BY A LOOP ( TW9E4 ,HE TAKES X D[N & EXAM9ES X CLOSELY4 ,NO1 X'S GOT LL BR[N SPECKLES A#GI ON X4 ,X WON'T D4 ,X WDN'T FOOL ,AUNT ,MYRTLE = A SECOND4 ,HE LOOKS OV] AT ,RI*>D1 :O IS TWIRL+ A ROPE BALL ON A BRAID$1 TWI/$ /R+4 ,:AT 9 ! _W 4448 ,RI*>D'S SUPPOS$ TO 2 HELP+ HM4 ,HE "KS ,GAV9 HAS A "T LIMIT4 ,:AT IS HE DO+8 ,!N ,GAV9 SEES ,RI*>D PICK UP A BAG ( DOG BISCUITS F A 4PLAY AT ! 5D ( ! AISLE1 -----------------------------------#HJ GAZE AT !M1 !N SNIFF !M4 ,HE LOOKS L HE WANTS TO EAT "O4 8,RI*>D60 ,GAV9 HISSES4 8,:AT >E Y DO+80 ,RI*>D LOOKS OV] AT HM & GR9S4 8,^! LOOK GD10 HE SAYS4 8,>E Y CRAZY8 ,^? >E = DOGS6 ,COME ON4 ,Y GOTTA HELP ME60 8,OH1 Y1H10 ,RI*>D SAYS4 ,SL[LY HE 2G9S WALK+ BACK D[N ! AISLE T[>D ,GAV91 LOOK+ CLOSELY AT ! ITEMS ON ! %ELVES4 8,:AT AB ?80 ,HE HOLDS UP A D>K BEIGE DOG *EW4 8,WR;G COLOR10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 ,HE #HI *ECKS ! BIG R.D CLOCK ON ! /ORE A#HJ WALL4 ,?REE T54 .1,OH1 .1NO4 ,HE IMAG9ES ,AUNT ,MYRTLE *ECK+ ! CLOCK ON ! KIT*5 /OVE "R !N4 ,HE TURNS BACK TO ! %ELVES & KEEPS SE>*+4 8,:AT AB ?80 ,GAV9 SID'S HOLD+ UP4 ,HE MOVES CLOS]4 ,RI*>D HAS A H>D RAWHIDE B"O T LOOKS A LOT L ! ,*EW-,*EW4 ,SAME COLOR1 SAME SIZE4 8,LET ME SEE T10 HE SAYS4 ,RI*>D H&S ! B"O OV] = ,GAV9 TO EXAM9E4 ,X CD DEF9ITELY PASS = ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW4 8,I ?9K ? IS X10 HE SAYS4 8,? "O IS NEW1 B ,I BET ,I C DIRTY X UP4 -----------------------------------#HA ,MAKE X LOOK A LOT L ! R1L ?+40 ,GAV9 LOOKS AT ,RI*>D ) NEW RESPECT4 ,HE KNEW "! 0 A BRA9 9 "! "S":4 8,LET'S G TO ,MR4 ,D4'S /ORE = *IPS10 ,RI*>D SU7E/S Z !Y PAY & L1VE ! /ORE4 8,I GOTTA GET HOME1 ,RI*>D10 ,GAV9 SAYS1 /U6+ ! ,*EW-,*EW 9TO 8 BACKPACK4 8,WE'LL G R1L QK40 A#HA 8,I DON'T "K 4440 8,WE'LL 2 9 & \1 ,GAV94 ,I PROMISE40 8,WE BETT]10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 ,!Y TURN T[>D ,A%BY4 _4 _4 _4 ,GAV9 SPOTS ,D>NELL1 ,GREGORY ,JOHNSON1 & ,H>P] Z SOON Z HE & ,RI*>D WALK 9TO ,MR4 ,D4'S /ORE4 ,A FEEL+ ( UN1SE COMES OV] HM4 ,2C ( ,H>P]1 HE R1LLY DOESN'T WANT TO G NE> ! GR\P4 ,B 2F ,GAV9 C /OP ,RI*>D1 HE CALLS \1 8,HEY1 :AT*A GUYS GETT+80 & MAKES 8 WAY OV] TO 8 BRO!R4 ,D>NELL IS LOOK+ AT ! 4PLAY ( *IPS4 ,GREGORY ,JOHNSON IS SCANN+ ! %ELVES ( C&Y "R 9 FRONT ( ! REGI/]4 ,H>P] HAS 4APPE>$ D[N "O ( ! AISLES4 8,I DON'T "K YET1 S Y M9D80 ,) ! BACK ( 8 H&1 ,D>NELL G5TLY MOVES ,RI*>D1 :O'S BLOCK+ 8 -----------------------------------#HB VIEW1 \ ( ! WAY ( ! *IP 4PLAY4 ,GAV9 LOOKS UP AT ! BIG SECUR;Y MIRROR T REFLECTS "EYBODY :O C'T 2 SE5 F #IA ! CA% REGI/]1 !N GL.ES AT ,MR4 A#HB ,DELVEC*IO4 ,HE'S BUSY R++ UP A ,BIG ,*UNK C&Y B> = ,GREGORY4 ,GAV9 LOOKS BACK AT ! MIRROR & SEES ,H>P] RUNN+ 8 F+]S OV] A RACK ( ^? *1P TOYS T BR1K AF Y'VE PLAY$ ) !M ONLY A C\PLE ( "TS3 WAT] PI/OLS & RU2] BALLS ATTA*$ TO WOOD5 PADDLES1 SMALL PLA/IC C>S4 ,HE SETTLES ON A SPIKY RU2]-BALL ?+4 ,HE REMOVES X F ! RACK &1 9/1D ( TAK+ X UP TO ! REGI/]1 HE SLIPS X 9SIDE 8 JACKET "U 8 >M4 ,GAV9 FEELS 8 EYES GR[ BIG4 ,R1L BIG4 ,HE C'T LOOK AWAY4 ,MR4 ,DELVEC*IO IS PUTT+ ,GREGORY ,JOHNSON'S C&Y B> 9 A SMALL BAG4 ,GAV9 WAT*ES ,H>P] COME D[N ! AISLE ) 8 H&S 9 8 JACKET POCKETS1 :I/L+4 ,HE GOES /RAIMS PRESS$ TO 8 SIDES4 ,2C 8 LEFT >M IS KEEP+ ! TOY F FALL+ TO ! FLOOR4 ,GAV9 FEELS 8 HE>T P.D+ 9 8 *E/4 ,HE />ES AT ,H>P]1 :O'S #HC N[ :I/L+ "S?+ T DOESN'T EV5 S.D L A R1L TUNE4 8,:AT'S TAK+ Y GUYS S L;G80 ,H>P] SAYS TO ,GREGORY & ,D>NELL4 8,I GOTTA G40 ,GAV9 LOOKS AT ,MR4 ,DELVEC*IO AG4 ,HE C SEE T ,MR4 ;,D4 DOESN'T "K :AT ,H>P] DID4 ,= "S /RANGE R1SON1 ,GAV9 FEELS GUILTY4 ,X'S Z IF HE HAS TAK5 ! TOY HMF4 ,MR4 ,DELVEC*IO & 8 UNCLE >E FRS4 ,H>P] MID'S BAG ( *IPS & DROPS ! *ANGE 9 8 H&4 8,HE'S AT "S K9D ( 3F];E = B>B]%OP P10 ,GAV9 ANSW]S QUIETLY4 8,TELL HM ,I'M WAIT+ TO *ALL5GE HM AT DOM9OES4 ,X'S BE5 A :ILE40 8,YES1 SIR10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 ,HE NUDGES ,RI*>D 9 ! SIDE & NODS QKLY T[>D ! DOOR4 ,RI*>D FR[NS1 PUZZL$4 ,Z SOON Z !Y GET \TSIDE1 ,GAV9 #IC PO9TS AT ,H>P] ) 8 H&S / 9 8 A#HC POCKETS1 SAUNT]+ D[N ,FULTON ) ! OLD] BOYS A HALF BLOCK AH1D4 8,T GUY'S A ?IEF60 HE :ISP]S4 -----------------------------------#HD 8,:AT80 ,RI*>D FOLL[S 8 PO9T+ F+]4 8,:O'S A ?IEF8 ,N MY BRO!R4 ,HE'S N"E /OL5 ANY?+ 9 8 LIFE40 8,NO1 N YR BRO!R ,- & N ,GREGORY ,JOHNSON1 EI40 ,GAV9 SQU9TS4 8,I'M TALK+ AB ,H>P]4 ,I SAW HM 9 T MIRROR ?+ T'S SUPPOS$ TO MAKE X S A /ORE P]SON C SEE :O'S /1L+ /UFF4 ,I SAW HM PUT A TOY ,- Y "K1 "O ( ^? BALLS COV]$ ) ^? SPIKY ?+S ,- 9 8 JACKET40 8,IN 8 JACKET80 8,DIDN'T Y SEE H[ HE 0 WALK+ ) 8 >MS ALL PRESS$ AG/ 8 BODY80 8,Y1H10 ,RI*>D SAYS SL[LY1 L HE'S N R1LLY SURE4 ,HE />ES AT ,H>P] N[4 8,HE / HAS 8 H&S 9 8 POCKETS40 8,I BET*A HE /1LS ALL ! "T10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 8,HE PROBABLY HAS A :OLE ROOM FULL ( /OL5 /UFF4 ,!Y G TO ! /ORE E "D AF S*OOL10 ,RI*>D SAYS1 NODD+ A#HD SL[LY L HE'S A DETECTIVE4 8,I %D TELL ,MR4 ;,D4 TO WAT* HM M CLOSELY4 ,I C TELL HM ,I HE>D ,H>P] /1LS1 & T HE %D 2 R1LLY C>E;L :5 ,H>P] COMES 9 8 /ORE10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 8,B !N :AT IF ,MR4 ;,D4 TELLS ,H>P] T Y'RE ! "O :O TOLD ON HM80 ,RI*>D ASKS4 8,H>P]'S A BIG GUY40 -----------------------------------#HE 8,I "K HE'S A BIG GUY10 ,GAV9 SAYS1 ANNOY$4 8,Y DON'T NE$ TO TELL ME T40 ,S :AT %D HE D8 ,GAV9 ?9KS AB ? ALL ! WAY HOME4 ,HE GIVES A WAVE TO ,RI*>D :5 HE TURNS T[>D 8 H\SE ON ,FULTON & ,GAV9 TURNS T[>D 8 H\SE ON ,WILL[4 ,QUIETLY1 HE MAKES 8 WAY TO 8 BACKY>D1 ALM TIPTOE+ Z HE PASSES "U ! KIT*5 W9D[4 ,HE UNZIPS 8 BACKPACK & TAKES \ ! NEW *EW TOY4 ,J !N HE HE>S ! KIT*5 DOOR OP54 8,& ": H Y BE51 MI/]80 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE IS /&+ ON ! TOP /EP ) H] H&S ON H] HIPS4 ,2F HE TURNS >.D TO ANSW]1 HE #IE SLIPS ! NEW *EW TOY 9TO 8 A#HE JACKET4 8,OH1 UH1 ,I _H "S?+ TO D AF S*OOL40 ,X'S A LAME EXCUSE1 B 2F ,AUNT ,MYRTLE C ?9K AB X TOO C>E;LLY1 HE ADDS1 8,B ,I CAME Z FA/ Z ,I CD AF T40 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE LOOKS AT HM H>D4 ,%E SILOTTA40 ,2F %E OP5S ! DOOR1 %E CALLS OV] H] %\LD]1 8,& ": ON E>? IS ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW80 ,GAV9 ?9KS FA/4 8,UH1 ,I ?9K X'S 9 ! BU%ES40 ,HE'S PR\D T HE'S MANAG$ N TO TELL A BIG LIE4 ,AF ALL1 HE 0 GO+ TO RUB X 9 ! DIRT BY ! BU%ES & L1VE X "!4 -----------------------------------#HF 8,:AT'S X DO+ 9 ! BU%ES80 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS ALM TO H]F Z %E H1DS BACK 9TO ! H\SE4 ,GAV9 /OOPS D[N TO ROLL ! *EW TOY >.D 9 ! DIRT4 ,:5 HE'S F9I%$1 HE HOLDS X UP4 ,X K9D ( LOOKS L ! OLD ,*EW-,*EW4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE IS BACK ON ! POR* ) ,C>LOTTA 9 H] >MS4 8,I C]TA9LY WI% Y'D TOLD ME T ?+ 0 9 ! BU%ES4 ,%E'S A#HF BE5 :IMP]+ = X ALL "D40 ,GAV9 LOOKS AT ,C>LOTTA4 ,IMMLY %E />TS YAP-YAPP+ Z IF %E'S GOT "S FUSS+ TO D AT ,GAV9 TOO4 ,HE SILOTTA1 LOOKS AT X C>E;LLY4 ,%E TURNS X ? WAY & T4 ,GAV9 C'T TELL :AT %E'S ?9K+4 ,%E NUZZLES ,C>LOTTA'S NOSE ) X4 ,C>LOTTA TURNS H] H1D1 DRAW+ BACK A LL4 8,WELL1 T'S A F/10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS1 PUTT+ ,C>LOTTA D[N & H&+ ! L1% & A PLA/IC BAG TO ,GAV94 8,I SUPPOSE A DOG C -----------------------------------#HG \TGR[ A TOY TOO40 ,%E %AKES H] H1D Z %E GOES BACK 9TO ! H\SE4 ,GAV9 R1LIZES HE'S BE5 HOLD+ 8 #IG BR1? & LETS X \ ) A :OO%4 A#HG ,HALFWAY D[N ! BLOCK1 DE> ,C>LOTTA REW>DS ,GAV9 ) A WOND];L PRIZE = ALL 8 EF=TS1 9 ! GRASS "R NEXT TO 8 NEIV9'S ROSEBU%4 ,WELL1 AT L1/ HE'S GOT T H&Y PLA/IC BAG1 & AT L1/ TM IS TRA% "D4 ,HE ONLY HAS TO LIFT UP ,MRS4 ,M>V9'S TRA% C LID & SLIP ! 8PRIZE0 9 "!4 ,HE DOESN'T H TO WALK ALL OV] ! PLACE ) T 444 .1?+ 9 8 H&4 ,U<6 ,EV5 ?\< HE US$ ! PLA/IC BAG1 "SH[ 8 H& / FEELS .1DIRTY4 ,HE C'T WAIT TO GET HOME & WA% 8 H&S T5 "TS4 -----------------------------------#HH ,SEV5 ,H>P]'S ,N ,HAPPY ,ALL ! WAY TO S*OOL ! NEXT "D1 ,GAV9 REP1TS TO HMF1 8,J TD & TM4 ,J TD & TM1 & !N ,I'M FREE40 .7,HE C D X4 ,HE W SURVIVE4.' ,"! .1IS A LID TO ": ,ROOM ,T5 L9ES UP4 ,X W 2 S GD TO GET BACK TO 8 REGUL> AF-S*OOL A#HH R\T9E4 ,HE SLIPS 9 L9E 9 FRONT ( T R1LLY SNOOTY GIRL1 ,ANTONIA4 ,%E TURNS >.D & GIVES HM A LOOK T MAKES HM WOND] IF HE =GOT TO WA% 8 FACE OR "S?+4 ,RI*>D1 :O IS A BIT LATE GETT+ "!1 MOVES 9 2H ,ANTONIA4 ,! TWO FIF? GRADE CLASSES >E ALR L9$ UP 9 P]FECT =MA;N4 ,EXCEPT = ,H>P]4 ,HE KEEPS TURN+ >.D TO LOOK AT 444 .1,GAV94 ,UH-OH4 ,:AT CD .1T 2 AB8 ,GAV9 TURNS >.D1 ?9K+ P]H ,H>P]'S M1N LOOK IS AIM$ AT -----------------------------------#HI "S"O 2H HM4 ,B1 NO1 "! >E MO/LY GIRLS 2H HM4 ,H>P]'S SC>Y EYES >E FOCUS$ ONLY ON ,GAV94 ,T SN>LY LOOK IS AIM$ AT .1HM4 ,HE SWALL[S H>D4 ,:AT'S HE D"O8 ,:Y'S ,H>P] GIV+ HM T LOOK8 ,UN.S ,- ,GAV9 :IPS >.D & LOOKS AT ,RI*>D4 8,RI*>D10 HE HISSES4 8,:OA10 T ,ANTONIA GIRL SAYS4 8,SAY X1 DON'T SPRAY X60 ,%E WIPES H] FACE 9 4GU/4 #II ,GAV9 LOOKS >.D TO SEE :O A#HI MID H]4 ,HE FEELS 8 FACE GR[ W>M4 8,Y'RE GONNA GET U 9 TR\BLE10 ,ANTONIA 3T9UES4 8,WE'RE N SUPPOS$ TO 2 TALK+40 ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ IS CROSS+ ! Y>D T[>D ! L9E4 ,SUDD5LY "EY"O IS /&+ RAMROD /RAI+ AT ! BACK ( ! H1D ( ! P]SON 9 FRONT ( !M1 LIPS PRESS$ TGR4 ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ LOOKS UP & D[N ! L9E & GIVES A LL NOD4 ,? WEEK'S L9E L1D]1 ,C>LOS1 TAKES ! CLASS TO ,ROOM ,T54 _4 _4 _4 -----------------------------------#IJ 8,:AT DID Y WANT80 ,RI*>D ASKS Z !Y PUT _! LUN*ES & BACKPACKS 9 _! CU2IES4 8,H[ COME ,H>P] 0 GIV+ ME M1N LOOKS80 8,I DON'T "K10 SAYS ,RI*>D1 B 8 EYES LOOK %IFTY4 8,DID Y TELL ,H>P] :AT ,I SD AB HM80 8,:AT 0 T80 ,RI*>D ASKS4 8,T ,I SAW HM /1L T TOY AT ,MR4 ,DELVEC*IO'S /ORE40 A#IJ ,RI*>D DOESN'T ANSW] "R AWAY4 ,!N HE SAYS1 8,I DON'T "K4 ,MAYBE ,I TOLD MY BRO!R40 8,:Y WD Y D T8 ,Y KNEW HE'D TELL ,H>P]4 ,N[ ,I ?9K ,H>P]'S MAD AT ME40 8,WELL ,-0 ,RI*>DS />TS1 B HE'S CUT (F BY ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ4 8,I'M WAIT+ = "EY"O TO 2 9 _! S1TS & R1DY TO "W40 ,%E LOOKS DIRECTLY AT ,GAV9 & ,RI*>D4 ,!Y PUT _! 3V]SA;N ON HOLD & MOVE TO _! DESKS4 _4 _4 _4 ,Z SOON Z !Y'RE ON ! Y>D = MORN+ RECESS1 ,GAV9 CORN]S ,RI*>D 2F HE C RUN (F TO ! BASKETBALL C\RT4 ,HE LOOKS >.D = ,H>P] B DOESN'T SEE HM4 8,Y H TO TELL ME N[10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 8,:AT D Y ?9K ,H>P] "KS80 8,I DON'T "K10 ,RI*>D SAYS1 LOOK+ PA/ ,GAV94 -----------------------------------#IA 8,:AT'S T SUPPOS$ TO M1N80 8,I TOLD ,D>NELL1 & ,I GUESS HE CD H TOLD ,H>P]40 #AJA 8,?ANKS4 ,A LOT40 A#IA 8,B MAYBE HE DIDN'T TELL HM40 8,Y1H1 "R40 ,GAV9 SI.D AG = ,H>P]4 8,WOND] ": HE'S AT80 ,RI*>D (F]S1 8,HE'S B5*$ TD & TM4 ,= N DO+ 8 HOME"W40 ,GAV9 LOOKS OV] T[>D ! 8B5*$ KIDS0 >EA T'S RES]V$ = /UD5TS :O H MISBEHAV$3 TALK+ BACK TO ! T1*]1 FIP]1 LOOK+ GLUM1 ) 8 *9 RE/+ ON 8 PALM1 FR[N+4 .7,HE PROBABLY FEELS T HE %DN'T H TO D ANY HOME"W1.' ,GAV9 ?9KS F 8 SAFE 4T.E NE> ! BASKETBALL C\RT4 8,GD10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 8,MAYBE HE'LL =GET ALL AB :AT YR BRO!R TOLD HM BY ! "T ,MON"D COMES40 8,:AT'S T80 ,RI*>D SAYS4 8,T ,I SD ,I SAW HM /1L+40 ,RI*>D CD ACT S /UPID AT "TS4 8,T'S N EXACTLY :AT ,I SD1 ACTUALLY10 ,RI*>D CORRECTS HM4 8,I K9D ( TOLD #IB ,D>NELL T Y SD ,H>P] 0 A .1?IEF40 _4 _4 _4 ,N[ ,GAV9 HAS TO LOOK OV] 8 %\LD] ALL ! WAY HOME4 8,:AT'S ! PROBLEM80 ,RI*>D ASKS Z HE WALKS 2S HM4 8,:Y D Y KEEP LOOK+ BACK80 8,I'M LOOK9' TO SEE ": ,H>P] IS40 8,:Y80 8',CAUSE HE'S PROBABLY AF ME40 8,Y'RE SC>$80 8,:AT D Y ?9K8 ,& Y'D 2 TOO IF "S"O TOLD ,H>P] Y CALL$ HM A ?IEF40 ,RI*>D RAISES 8 EYEBR[S Z IF HE'S ?9K+ AB ! SITUA;N = ! F/ "T4 8,OKAY1 OKAY4 ,WE J NE$ TO G ANO!R WAY4 ,L MAYBE D[N T /REET ": ! ,FOOD ,B>N IS1 !N CUT ACR TO ,A%BY1 !N D[N TO ,MAYN>D4 ,WE C TAKE T TO YR /REET1 B WE'LL 2 COM+ UP TO X F ! O!R 5D4 ,SIMPLE40 .7,N S SIMPLE1.' ,GAV9 ?9KS Z HE ALL[S ,RI*>D TO L1D ! WAY4 ,ALL ! WAY D[N ,PO/1 ,GAV9 FEELS OKAY1 B Z #AJC SOON Z !Y R1* ,A%BY1 A BUSI] A#IB /REET1 HE />TS LOOK+ OV] 8 %\LD] AG1 EXPECT+ TO SEE T ,H>P] HAS -----------------------------------#IC J MAGICALLY APPE>$ 2H HM4 ,LUCKILY1 E "T HE LOOKS BACK1 HE SEES T ! SIDEWALK IS EMPTY4 ,ONCE !Y R1* ! CORN]1 ,GAV9 PUTS A H& ON ,RI*>D'S %\LD]4 8,WAIT40 ,HE LOOKS BO? WAYS TO SEE IF ! COA/ IS CLE>4 ,AMAZ+LY1 "!'S NO SIGN ( ,H>P] ,- NOR ,D>NELL & ,GREGORY ,JOHNSON4 ,!Y CROSS ! /REET AT ! LID1 & ,GAV9 IS A LL RELIEV$4 ,HALFWAY D[N ! BLOCK1 ,RI*>D TURNS (F ON ,FULTON4 8,SEE YA10 HE CALLS OV] 8 %\LD]4 ,GAV9 FEELS A T9Y BIT AB&ON$ Z HE 3T9UES ON TO 8 /REET4 _4 _4 _4 8,F9ALLY10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE HU6S1 OP5+ ! DOOR J Z HE'S COM+ UP ! WALKWAY4 ,( C\RSE1 ,C>LOTTA IS 9 H] >MS1 WI7L+ & MAK+ T HI<-PIT*$ :9E T EVIL LL DOGS MAKE ALL ! "T4 ,%E'S ACTUALLY SCRAMBL+ TO GET \ ( ,AUNT ,MYRTLE'S >MS4 ,ALM1 HE R1LIZES1 Z IF %E'S 444 LOOK+ A#IC =W>D TO HM & _! WALK4 ,= A MO;T ,GAV9 ALM FEELS 444 SPECIAL4 .1,NAW1 HE ?9KS4 ,ALL DOGS L TO GET \ ( ! H\SE4 ,ALL DOGS L TO .1G4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE H&S HM ! PLA/IC BAG & ! L1%1 : IS ALR ATTA*$ TO ,C>LOTTA'S COLL>4 ,%E SETS ,C>LOTTA D[N4 ,! DOG PRACTICALLY PULLS ,GAV9 D[N ! -----------------------------------#ID /EPS4 ,HE'S B>ELY ABLE TO TOSS 8 BACKPACK ONTO ! POR* Z %E DRAGS HM AWAY4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE ?R[S ,C>LOTTA A KISS4 8,GDBYE1 PRECI\S4 ,H A GD "T40 ,GAV9 DECIDES TO G BY ! P>K4 ,O!R FOLKS WALK _! DOGS "!1 S :Y N HM8 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE DIDN'T GIVE HM A *.E TO GRAB 8 BO>D1 : ,RI*>D _H F9ALLY RETURN$ AF D9N] ! PREVI\S NI.D ! NEILOTTA4 ,:Y N J WALK >.D ! SKATE P>K8 ,GAV9 TURNS 9 T DIREC;N4 ,HE WOND]S IF HE 0 WORRI$ AB ,H>P] = NO?+4 ,H>P] IS PROBABLY #AJE AT ,HOME"W ,CLUB4 ,T'S ": ALL ! A#ID B5*$ KIDS H TO G AF S*OOL4 ,S ! COA/ 0 PROBABLY CLE> ALL AL;G4 ,HE LAUP] *EW+ ON 8 P5CIL TRY+ TO FIGURE \ TWO "TS FIVE4 ,HE WALKS ONCE >.D ! SKATE P>K & !N BRAN*ES \ A LL F>!R4 ,HE DOESN'T SEE ,RI*>D1 ,D>NELL1 OR ,GREGORY ,JOHNSON4 ,C>LOTTA SEEMS HAPPY4 ,%E B\NCES AL;G 2S HM L %E'S BE5 FRE$ F PRISON4 ,ON ! ?IRD "T >.D ! SKATE P>K1 %E /OPS TO TAKE C>E ( H] BUSI;S4 ,GAV9'S R1DY ) ! PLA/IC BAG4 ,HE'S GOTT5 K9D ( US$ TO X4 ,! TRICK IS TO TAKE C>E ( ! TASK QKLY1 BE- -----------------------------------#IE =E HE C ?9K AB X TOO M*4 ,HE'S J DEPOSIT$ ! PLA/IC BAG 9 ! BIG TRA% C NE> ! BASKETBALL C\RTS & IS WOND]+ ": ,RI*>D IS :5 "S"O TAPS HM ON ! %\LD]4 8,I SEE Y / GOT T UGLY LL DOG40 ,X'S .1N ,RI*>D'S VOICE4 ,X'S .1,H>P]'S4 ,:5 ,GAV9 TURNS >.D1 HE'S />+ UP 9TO 8 ANGRY FACE4 ,HE DOESN'T "K :AT TO SAY4 ,8 M\? DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO OP54 ,HE LOOKS D[N AT A#IE ,C>LOTTA1 AT ! /UPID P9K B[S 9 ! TUFTS ( HAIR BY EA* E> ,- AT ! LL RH9E/"O COLL>4 ,HE KEEPS 8 M\? %UT4 8,ANYWAY1 ,I HE>D Y CALL$ ME A ?IEF40 ,H>P] GIVES ,GAV9'S %\LD] A POKE4 ,A H>D POKE4 ,HE GL>ES D[N AT HM4 ,GAV9 BITES 8 LIP B / SAYS NO?+4 ,MAYBE ,H>P] W 2 SATISFI$ ) J GIV+ HM A %>P POKE ON ! %\LD] & W G AWAY4 8,:AT D Y H TO SAY AB T80 ,GAV9 DOESN'T H ANY?+ TO SAY4 8,I DON'T HE> Y10 ,H>P] SAYS1 ) ANO!R POKE TO ,GAV9'S %\LD]4 ,N[ ,GAV9 IS PRETTY SURE ,H>P] IS N GO+ TO 2 SATISFI$ ) TWO H>D POKES4 8,I ,- SAW Y /1L T TOY10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 8,:AT8 ,Y SAW .1:AT80 -----------------------------------#IF ,X FEELS L A *ALL5GE4 ,GAV9 GA!RS 8 C\RAGE & REP1TS1 8,I SAW Y /1L T TOY & PUT X 9 YR JACKET40 8,Y'RE A LI>10 ,H>P] SAYS1 RAIS+ 8 VOICE4 #AJG ,GAV9'S M\? DROPS OP5 9 FE> & A#IF SURPRISE4 ,H[ C ,H>P] CALL HM A LI> :5 HE .1"KS GD & WELL :AT HE DID8 ,B !N1 2H ,H>P]1 HE SEES T TALL GUY F ! "D 2F1 ! "O ) ! BIG %A7Y DOG1 COM+ T[>D !M4 ,SUDD5LY ! TALL GUY IS PUTT+ 8 H& ON ,H>P]'S H1D L A HAT4 ,H>P] FR[NS1 & !N LOOKS PUZZL$4 8,:AT'S ! PROBLEM "H80 ! GUY ASKS4 ,H>P] WR5*ES >.D ANGRILY & OP5S 8 M\? TO PROTE/4 ,B HE HAS TO LOOK UP TO MEET ! GUY'S EYES1 & J T FACT MAKES HM GET QUIET R1L FA/4 8,I'M N LIK+ :AT ,I'M SEE+10 ! GUY 3T9UES4 8,I MIP] GL>ES AT ,GAV91 B KEEPS 8 M\? %UT4 -----------------------------------#IG 8,LOOK "H10 ! BIG GUY SAYS TO ,GAV9 :ILE />+ D[N AT ,H>P]4 8,I'M "H E "D4 ,Y LET ME "K IF Y H ANY M TR\BLE \ ( ? KID ,- & TELL ME ": HE LIVES4 ,I'LL G H A LL TALK ) 8 P>5TS40 ,H>P]'S EYES GET BIG AT T4 8,:Y DON'T Y J G PLAY 9 ! A#IG S&BOX OR "S?+ & L1VE ? LL GUY AL"O80 ,H>P] GIVES ,GAV9 "O M W>N+ LOOK1 B HE DOESN'T D>E SAY ANY?+4 ,SL[LY HE SAUNT]S (F Z IF HE'S N "O BIT SC>$1 B ,GAV9 BETS HE IS4 ,GAV9 DOESN'T GET X4 ,! TALL GUY _HN'T BE5 V H"O/ OR FAIR TO ,GAV9 J TWO "DS 2F4 ,:Y 0 HE 2+ S NICE N[8 ,:AT 0 GO+ ON8 ,:AT"E ! R1SON1 ,GAV9 IS GLAD TO 2 SP>$ F ,H>P]'S ANG]1 EV5 ?\< HE DOESN'T "K :AT ,H>P] W D ! NEXT "D4 ,HE HOPES HE'LL KEEP T BIG GUY 9 M9D4 8,?ANKS10 ,GAV9 SAYS Z HE />TS TO MOVE AWAY ) ,C>LOTTA4 8,WAIT A SEC10 ! GUY SAYS4 ,HE R1*ES 9TO 8 JACKET POCKET & PULLS \ ,C>LOTTA'S ,*EW-,*EW4 8,? IS YRS4 ,I DON'T "K :Y ,I KEPT X4 ,SORRY40 ,N[ HE GIVES ,GAV9 A BIG SMILE ( APOLOGY4 ,GAV9 TAKES ! TOY \ ( 8 H&1 B HE'S / 3FUS$ ,- & A LL BIT ANNOY$ -----------------------------------#IH T HE SP5T "P ( 8 SAV+S ON T NEW #AJI *EW TOY4 ,OH1 WELL4 ,HE A#IH SUPPOSES ,C>LOTTA C'T H TOO _M ,*EW-,*EWS4 8,?ANK Y40 ,X'S ALL HE C ?9K TO SAY4 -----------------------------------#II ,EILOTTA ,G8 .7,LA/ "D6 ,LA/ "D6.' ,! ^WS POP 9TO ,GAV9'S H1D Z SOON Z 8 EYES OP54 ,HE LI/5S TO ! MORN+ S.DS D[N/AIRS4 ,C>LOTTA'S DO+ H] USUAL YAPP+ F 2H ! *'S GATE T'S KEEP+ H] ON ! BACK POR*4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE IS %U6L+ D[N ! /AIRS TO ! KIT*54 ,GAV9 ?9KS T'S A WOND];L S.D1 2C X REM9DS HM T ,UNCLE ,VE/OR RETURNS TM & X'S GO+ TO 2 BYE-BYE1 ,C>LOTTA4 ,BYE-BYE1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE4 ,& BYE-BYE1 PICK+-UP-DOG-POOP4 ,GAV9 B.DS D[N ! /AIRS1 SNI6+ ! AIR = ! SC5T ( ,FR5* TOA/4 ,8 "M ALW FIXES ,FR5* TOA/ ON ,FRI"DS1 Z A SORT ( CELEBRA;N ( ! COM+ WEEK5D4 ,SURE 5\<1 8 MOM IS J PUTT+ A /ACK ( ,FR5* TOA/ ON ! TABLE4 ,8 "F IS 2H 8 A#II NEWSPAP]1 & ,AUNT ,MYRTLE IS SITT+ ACR F HM1 SIPP+ H] TEA4 ,DANIELLE ----------------------------------#AJJ IS SITT+ 9 H] USUAL S1T1 SN1K+ LOOKS AT H] PH"O ON H] LAP4 ,%D HE TELL ON H]8 ,NAH1 HE FEELS TOO GD AB X 2+ ,FRI"D & 8 LA/ "D ( HAV+ TO D1L ) ,C>LOTTA4 8,GD MORN+10 ,GAV9 SAYS Z HE TAKES 8 S1T1 TRY+ N TO S.D TOO HAPPY4 8,GD MORN+1 SWEETIE10 8 MOM REPLIES1 DI%+ TWO PIECES ( ,FR5* TOA/ ONTO 8 PLATE4 8,MORN+10 8 "F SAYS F 2H 8 PAP]4 ,DANIELLE ROLLS H] EYES4 ,HE'S N SURPRIS$4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE BL[S ON H] TEA4 8,GD MORN+1 ,GAV94 ,I ?9K ? M/ 2 PAY"D4 ,Z SOON Z Y WALK ,C>LOTTA ? AFN1 T IS40 ,GAV9 LOOKS OV] AT ! DOG4 .7,LA/ "D1 HORRIBLE LL DO7IE1.' HE ?9KS4 ,HE TAKES A BIG BITE ( ,FR5* TOA/4 _4 _4 _4 ,ON ! WAY TO S*OOL1 ,RI*>D #AAA NOTICES 8 GD MOOD4 8,Y'VE BE5 A#AJJ :I/L+ S9CE WE TURN$ ! CORN]4 ,H[ COME80 8,? IS MY LA/ "D WALK+ ,C>LOTTA4 ,& X'S ,FRI"D4 ,"!'S NO HOME"W ON ,FRI"DS4 ,I GET TO /AY UP AN EXTRA H\R ON ,FRI"DS4 ,WE H SPELL+ TE/S ON ,FRI"DS1 & ,I ALW GET A HUNDR$ P]C5T4 ,UM 4440 ----------------------------------#AJA 8,OKAY1 OKAY10 ,RI*>D SAYS4 8,I GET X4 ,:5 D Y GET PD80 8,AF ,I WALK ,C>LOTTA "O LA/ "T40 8,GD4 ,EV5 .2,I C'T WAIT40 8,"! .1IS "O LL ?+ ,I MIP] IS / B5*$40 _4 _4 _4 ,:5 ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ L1DS ! CLASS \ = RECESS1 ,GAV9 IS ALM AFRAID TO LOOK OV] AT ! B5*$ KIDS4 ,HE TAKES A QK PEEK4 ,"!'S ,H>P]1 SITT+ FAC+ ! Y>D1 ALL SPRAWL$ \1 ! BACKS ( 8 ELB[S RE/+ ON ! TABLE 2H HM4 ,GAV9 C'T SEE 8 FACE1 B IMAG9ES 8 LIP CURL$ 9 A#AJA ANG]4 ,HE LOOKS AWAY QKLY1 AFRAID T ,H>P] MI+4 8,HE'S B5*$10 ,RI*>D :ISP]S 2H HM4 8,LIP]4 ,ROOM ,T5'S LUN* TABLE IS ?REE TABLES 2H ! "O ASSIGN$ TO ,H>P]'S CLASS4 ,GAV9 SITS D[N & SETS 8 LUN* " 2F HM1 B DOESN'T FEEL HUNGRY4 ----------------------------------#AJB 8,C ,I H ^? *IPS80 ,RI*>D ASKS4 ,GAV9 DOESN'T ANSW]4 ,HE'S BUSY LOOK+ AT ,H>P]'S M1N FACE Z HE SITS HUN*$ AT 8 TABLE EAT+ *OCOLATE *IP COOKIES4 ,HE'S EV5 EAT+ ! COOKIES 9 A HO/ILE WAY1 BR1K+ (F LL *UNKS1 POPP+ !M 9TO 8 M\?1 & *OMP+ ON !M ) A SNE]4 ,AT "O PO9T HE LOOKS UP & GL>ES AT ,GAV94 ,GAV9 LOOKS D[N QKLY & BUSIES HMF ) 8 [N LUN*4 _4 _4 _4 8,I'M TELL+ Y1 HE GAVE ME A R1L DIRTY LOOK10 ,GAV9 SAYS TO ,RI*>D ON #AAC _! WAY TO ! H&BALL C\RT4 A#AJB 8,S :AT80 ,RI*>D SAYS4 8,HE'S B5*$4 ,HE C'T D ANY?+ TO Y EV5 IF HE WANT$ TO40 ,GAV9 SN1KS A QK PEEK OV] AT ! B5*$ KIDS4 ,H>P] SITS 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! GR\P1 8 *9 ON 8 H& & 8 ELB[ ON 8 KNEE1 / ) ! M1N LOOK ON 8 FACE4 .7,SAV$ BY ! B5*1.' ,GAV9 ?9KS4 ,HE ALM MANAGES TO GET "? ! "D )\T SEE+ ,H>P] AG4 ,B !N1 AF ,P4,E41 ,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ HAS ! BOYS & GIRLS L9E UP AT ! BOYS' & GIRLS' RE/ROOMS1 Z USUAL4 ,%E LETS ?REE BOYS & ?REE GIRLS G 9 AT A "T4 ,Z SOON Z ,GAV9 5T]S ) ,C>LOS & ,JOSE1 HE RUNS 9TO ,H>P]4 ,8 HALL PASS IS ON ! S9K 9 FRONT ( HM4 ,HE IS ----------------------------------#AJC WETT+ BITS ( BALL$ PAP] T[EL & !N ?R[+ !M UP AT ! CEIL+1 ": !Y /ICK4 ,HE'S S BUSY BR1K+ A S*OOL RULE T HE DOESN'T EV5 NOTICE ,GAV94 ,GAV9 IMMLY MAKES A ;,U-TURN & EXITS ! RE/ROOM1 8 HE>T B1T+ FA/1 EV5 ?\< HE R1LLY HAS TO G4 ,:AT A CLOSE A#AJC CALL4 8,MS4 ,%ELBY-,ORTIZ10 HE SAYS Z SOON Z !Y GET BACK TO CLASS & HE'S S1T$4 ,HE _HN'T EV5 RAIS$ 8 H& & WAIT$ TO 2 RECOGNIZ$4 8,MAY ,I G TO ! BA?ROOM80 8,:AT80 %E ANSW]S4 8,DIDN'T Y J G TO ! RE/ROOM80 ,"! M/ 2 "S?+ AB ! PANIC 9 8 FACE T MAKES H] SAY1 8,OH1 ALL "R1 GET GO+40 ,HE JUMPS UP & PRACTICALLY RUNS \ ( ! CLASSROOM4 _4 _4 _4 ,:5 ! 4MISSAL BELL R+S1 ,GAV9 FEELS Z IF HE'S BE5 DODG+ DANG] ALL "D L;G4 8,I H TO WALK ,C>LOTTA1 B S9CE "!'S NO HOME"W1 LET'S MEET AT ! SKATE P>K LAT]4 ,I'M SURE ,I C GET P]MIS.N10 ,GAV9 SAYS TO ,RI*>D Z !Y HURRY D[N ,M>9 ON _! NEW R\TE F S*OOL4 ,!Y "P AT ,FULTON4 ,GAV9 IS ANXI\S TO GET ! LA/ WALK ) ,C>LOTTA OV] & D"O )4 ,MAYBE1 S9CE X'S 8 LA/ "T WALK+ H]1 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE W LET HM H 8 SNACK F/4 #AAE ,HE DECIDES HE W PROPOSE ? TO #AJD H]1 B :5 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE OP5S ! DOOR1 %E SEEMS FRANTIC4 ,%E /EPS \ ONTO ! POR* & LOOKS UP & D[N ! /REET4 8,H Y SE5 ,C>LOTTA80 8,NO10 ,GAV9 SAYS SL[LY4 ,HE LOOKS PA/ ,AUNT ,MYRTLE D[N ! HALL1 EXPECT+ TO HE> ,C>LOTTA'S TOENAILS CLICK+ ON ! FLOOR4 ,B ,C>LOTTA IS NO": TO 2 SE54 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE /EPS >.D ,GAV9 & V5TURES D[N ! POR* /EPS4 ,%E R1*ES ! SIDEWALK & WALKS A FEW FEET 9 "O DIREC;N & !N ! O!R1 %IELD+ H] EYES Z %E PE]S UP & D[N ! /REET4 8,I J PUT H] \ 9 ! Y>D = A BIT1 & :5 ,I CAME \ TO GET H]0 ,- ,AUNT ,MYRTLE PATS H] *E/ Z IF OV]COME ,- 8%E 0 G"O6 ,"!'S A SPOT ": %E M/ H DUG H]F \ "U ! F;E4 ,I DON'T EV5 "K :Y %E WD D ?4 ,I DON'T "K 4440 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE'S VOICE TRAILS (F4 ,B !N %E ADDS1 8,& %E DOESN'T H H] COLL> ON6 ,I'D TAK5 X (F 2C X 0 CAUS+ A LL IRRITA;N4 ,I CDN'T F9D H] O!R "O 4440 ,H] VOICE TRAILS (F AG1 & %E TURNS & CLIMBS ! /EPS TO G BACK 9TO ! H\SE4 ,GAV9 FOLL[S1 N "K+ :AT TO A#AJD ?9K4 ,DOES ? M1N HE C G 9TO ! KIT*5 & MAKE 8 SPECIAL SNACK8 ,!N 8 "M COMES D[N ! /AIRCASE4 8,SWEETIE1 ----------------------------------#AJE DID Y SEE ,C>LOTTA8 ,MAYBE D[N ! /REET "S": :ILE Y 7 WALK+ HOME80 8,NO1 ,I HAV5'T SE5 H] ANY":40 ,HE LOOKS OV] AT ,AUNT ,MYRTLE1 :O HAS COLLAPS$ 9TO A *AIR 9 ! LIV+ ROOM & IS FANN+ H]F ) A FOLD$ PAP]4 8,C Y G \ & LOOK >.D A BIT = H]80 ,GAV9 ?9KS L;G+LY ( 8 SNACK4 ,X LOOKS L HE WON'T 2 H1D+ = ! KIT*5 TO MAKE X AF ALL4 ,AG4 8,DON'T G PA/ ,M>9 OR ! P>K10 8 "M ADDS1 /EPP+ \ ONTO ! POR* TO LOOK UP & D[N ! /REET H]F4 ,Z SOON Z HE />TS UP ! BLOCK1 ,GAV9 2G9S TO FEEL FUNNY4 ,C>LOTTA IS \ "! "S":1 & A T9Y P9PRICK ( WORRY TICKLES HM4 ,HE WALKS T[>D ,M>91 LI/5+ = S.DS ( 4TANT B>K+4 ,N DEEP B>K+1 B ,C>LOTTA'S "PICUL> LL YAP-YAP #AAG B>K4 ,HE HE>S NO?+4 ,! EMPTY A#AJE /REETS MAKE X SEEM Z IF %E'S SIMPLY 4APPE>$4 .7,MAYBE %E'S BE5 DOGNAPP$1.' HE ?9KS Z HE HURRIES D[N ! /REET4 ,OR MAYBE ,RI*>D'S SE5 ,C>LOTTA4 ,:5 HE R1*ES ! SKATE P>K1 ,RI*>D IS BUSY PRACTIC+ ----------------------------------#AJF 8 FLAT-GR.D ,OLLIE ON ! C9D]BLOCK L$GE4 ,GAV9 /&S AT ! *A9L9K F;E & WAT*ES HM APPROA* ! BLOCK & !N *ICK5 \ AT ! LA/ M9UTE4 ,HE TRIES AG1 & ? "T HE GETS ! FRONT ( ! BO>D UP1 B !N LETS X PLOP BACK D[N4 ,LUCKILY1 NO "O'S WAIT+ TO USE ! L$GE4 8,RI*>D60 ,GAV9 CALLS 2F HE C MAKE 8 NEXT ATTEMPT4 ,RI*>D :IPS >.D1 LOOK+ SURPRIS$4 8,I ?"\ Y CDN'T COME UNTIL AF Y WALK$ T DOG40 ,HE MOVES TO ! F;E ) 8 SKATEBO>D 9 8 H&1 LOOK+ PUZZL$4 8,":'S YR SKATEBO>D80 8,H Y SE5 ,C>LOTTA80 ,GAV9 ASKS1 ALR HAV+ A PRETTY GD IDEA ( :AT ,RI*>D'S GO+ TO SAY4 8,NO1 :Y80 A#AJF 8,%E'S MISS+40 8,MISS+80 8,MY AUNT PUT H] 9 ! BACKY>D1 & %E DUG A HOLE "U ! F;E & GOT \40 8,:Y'D %E D T80 ,RI*>D ASKS4 8,H[ AM ,I SUPPOS$ TO "K8 ,X'S A DOG ?+4 ,DOGS L ----------------------------------#AJG TO DIG HOLES & !Y L TO GET \ ( _! Y>DS40 ,GAV9 %RUGS4 ,RI*>D NODS SL[LY1 Z IF T MAKES S5SE TO HM4 8,WANT ME TO HELP Y LOOK80 8,Y1H10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 8,B MY MOM DOESN'T WANT ME TO G PA/ ,M>940 8,WELL1 :AT IF %E W5T ALL ! WAY TO T BIG /REET ) ! TIRE %OP1 OR MAYBE OV] TO ! PET /ORE ": WE GOT T TOY80 8,I DON'T "K10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 8,MY MOM'LL PROBABLY GET MY "F TO LOOK >.D ^? PLACES :5 HE GETS HOME F "W40 ,TGR1 !Y 2G9 TO CALL \ ,C>LOTTA'S "N Z !Y />T T[>D ,M>94 8,C>LOTTA6 ,C>LOTTA60 ,P /OP :AT !Y'RE DO+ = A MO;T TO TAKE 9 ! FACT T "S"O1 #AAI OR "S"O'S PET1 HAS GOTT5 LO/4 A#AJG ,! MAILMAN WAVES1 & ! GUY F ,S@&,L ,NURS]Y LOOKS UP F WAT]+ A R[ ( FICUS TREES4 ,TWO GIRLS /OP JUMP+ D\BLE DUT* ON ! WALKWAY 9 FRONT ( A H\SE NEXT TO ! NURS]Y4 ,"O ( !M WALKS OV] TO ,RI*>D & ,GAV94 8,:O'S ,C>LOTTA80 %E ASKS4 ,GAV9 RECOGNIZES H] F "O ( ! O!R ?IRD GRADES AT ,C>V] ,ELE;T>Y4 ,H] FR COMES OV] TOO4 ----------------------------------#AJH 8,Y1H1 :O'S ,C>LOTTA80 H] FR REP1TS4 8,MY AUNT'S DOG GOT \ ( \R Y>D & RAN AWAY10 ,GAV9 EXPLA9S4 8,H Y SE5 A /RAY DOG80 8,:AT'S %E LOOK L80 ! TALL] GIRL ASKS1 BIT+ H] ?UMBNAIL4 ,GAV9 DOESN'T H M* HOPE %E'LL 2 HELP;L4 ,B 2F HE C ANSW]1 ,RI*>D PIPES UP )1 8,%E'S "O ( ^? FUNNY-LOOK+ K9D ( DOGS4 ,K9D ( SMALL4 ,UGLY-LOOK+ FUR40 ,GAV9 SURPRISES HMF4 ,HE'S GR[+ ANNOY$ BY ? DESCRIP;N ( ,C>LOTTA4 ,= "S R1SON1 HE FEELS ! NE$ TO /ICK UP = H]4 8,%E'S N ALL T A#AJH FUNNY-LOOK+10 HE 9T]RUPTS4 8,Y GUYS "K :AT A ,POM]ANIAN LOOKS L80 8,A :AT-A-RANIAN80 ! %ORT] GIRL ASKS4 ,%E LAUD4 ,!Y COV] ! RE/ ( ,M>9 Z F> Z ! P>K1 !N G D[N ,A%BY T[>D ,RI*>D'S H\SE1 ON ,FULTON1 ": !Y "P4 ,!N X'S BACK HOME4 ,GAV9'S "M MEETS HM AT ! DOOR ) "QS 2F HE C EV5 /EP 9SIDE4 ----------------------------------#AJI ,APP>5TLY1 %E'S S5T ,DANIELLE \ TO SE>* = ,C>LOTTA Z WELL4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE IS NO": TO 2 SE54 8,I TOLD ,AUNT ,MYRTLE TO G UP/AIRS & LIE D[N10 8 MOM EXPLA9S4 8,YR DAD IS \ 9 8 C> LOOK+ TOO40 8,C ,I MAKE A SNACK80 ,GAV9 ASKS4 ,N[ HE'S R1LLY HUNGRY4 8,Y1H1 Y1H4 ,G GET YR SNACK10 #ABA 8 "M SAYS Z IF H] M9D IS ON A#AJI "S?+ ELSE4 ,GAV9 HURRIES 9TO ! KIT*5 2F 8 "M C *ANGE H] M9D4 ,HE TAKES ! J> ( GRAPE JELLY \ ( ! REFRIG]ATOR1 UNSCREWS ! LID1 & 9HALES DEEPLY4 .7,AHH1 :AT AN AWE"S SMELL1.' HE ?9KS4 ,HE GETS A PLATE \ ( ! CAB9ET1 TAKES D[N ! BOX ( :1T CRACK]S1 GETS A KNIFE1 & GOES TO "W4 ,ON ! PLATE >E FIVE CRACK]S SPR1D ) PURPLE JELLY4 ,2F HE C>RIES 8 SNACK TO ! KIT*51 HE POPS "O 9 8 M\?4 .1,DELICI\S1 HE ?9KS4 ,HE POPS ANO!R "O 9 8 M\?4 ,AT T MO;T1 "! IS NO?+ TA/I] 9 ! _W4 ----------------------------------#AAJ _4 _4 _4 ,D9N] IS QUIET4 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE HAS COME D[N F ! GUE/ ROOM1 B %E SAYS V LL1 & ! WORRI$ CR1SE N"E L1VES H] BR[4 ,%E'S GIV5 ,GAV9'S DAD ! PICTURE ( ,C>LOTTA T %E USUALLY KEEPS 9 A FRAME ON ! NI+ AT H] A#AAJ GRE5 B1NS1 LAMB *OPS1 & MA%$ POTATOES4 8,AUNT ,MYRTLE1 :Y DON'T Y TRY TO EAT A LL "S?+80 ,GAV9'S MOM SU7E/S4 8,I C'T EAT10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS4 8,I DON'T H AN APPETITE4 ,YR UNCLE ,VE/OR'S GO+ TO 2 SICK ) WORRY4 ,C>LOTTA'S 8 DOG TOO40 ,%E SILOTTA10 ,GAV9'S "M SAYS ONCE ,AUNT ,MYRTLE IS \ ( E>%OT4 8,I DON'T "K :AT'S GO+ TO HAPP5 IF WE DON'T F9D T DOG40 ----------------------------------#AAA 8,I'LL MAKE ! FLY]S TN1 !N WE'LL PO/ !M 9 Z _M PLACES Z WE C 9 ! MORN+10 8 DAD SAYS4 _4 _4 _4 #ABC ,ON ,SATUR"D MORN+1 ,AUNT A#AAA ,MYRTLE MOPES AB :ILE ! RE/ ( !M EAT A QK BR1KFA/4 ,Z SOON Z !Y'VE F9I%$1 ,GAV9'S DAD H&S /ACKS ( ! FLY]S TO ,DANIELLE & ,GAV9 TO TAKE TO ! %OPS ON ,M>9 & ,A%BY4 ,HE'S GOT ! BIG /APLE GUN 9 8 H&4 ,HE'LL 2 PO/+ FLY]S ON ! TELEPH"O POLES ALL >.D ! NEILOTTA4.' ,:AT IF ! SILLY DOG ?"\ %E CD B1T UP T BIG DOG !Y 5C.T]$ ! F/ "D HE WALK$ H]8 ,:AT IF %E GOT 9 T DOG'S Y>D1 ?9K+ %E CD TAKE HM ON8 ,D DOGS D ^? K9DS ( ?+S8 ,:AT IF %E 0 HUNGRY ,- OR ?IR/Y8 ,HE WORRI$ T HE _HN'T YET EX*ANG$ ! R1L ,*EW-,*EW = ! FAKE "O4 ,:AT IF %E N"E GOT TO 2 REUNIT$ ) ! TOY T %E LOV$ S M*8 ,8 %\LD]S SLUMP4 ,S M* TO WORRY AB4 8,Y TAKE ,M>910 ,DANIELLE ORD]S4 8,I'LL TAKE ,A%BY40 8,:Y D ,I H TO TAKE ,M>980 ,GAV9 ASKS1 N "K+ :Y HE'S ASK+ T4 ,HE DOESN'T R1LLY TRU/ 8 SI/]4 ,MAYBE %E HAS "S K9D ( TRICK PLANN$4 B#AAA ----------------------------------#AAB 8,F9E1 ,BOZO4 ,I'LL TAKE ,M>91 & Y C TAKE ,A%BY40 ,DANIELLE %RUGS4 8,Y'RE S* A DORK40 _4 _4 _4 ,GAV9 GOES TO ,BABE'S ,B>BECUE F/4 ,"!'S NO "O 9SIDE4 ,MR4 ,OLIVE1 :O IS ,BABE "1 IS HOS+ D[N 8 FRONT WALKWAY4 8,MR4 ,OLIVE1 H Y SE5 ? DOG80 ,MR4 ,OLIVE LOOKS AT ! FLY] 9 ,GAV9'S H&4 ,HE /UDIES X4 8,C'T SAY T ,I H10 HE ANSW]S4 8,C Y PUT ? PO/] 9 YR /ORE W9D[80 8,SURE4 ,G PUT X ON ! C.T]40 ,GAV9 GOES TO ,GLOBAL ,TIRE & ,BRAKES1 ,P]FECT ,B1UTY ,HAIR ,SALON & ,NAIL ,EMPORIUM1 & ! ,RE-,SELL ,%OP4 ,"EY"O AT ! /ORES ON ,A%BY IS SYMPA!TIC4 ,!Y M/ SEE ! WORRY 9 8 EYES4 ,!Y LOOK AT ! PO/]1 %AKE _! H1DS1 & !N PROMISE TO PUT UP ! FLY] 9 _! W9D[S4 ,GAV9 IS HOT & ?IR/Y BY ! "T HE F9I%ES ) ,A%BY4 ,HE DECIDES #ABE TO G BY ,RI*>D'S H\SE ON 8 WAY A#AAB HOME4 ,SEE :AT HE'S UP TO4 ,MAYBE GET "S?+ TO DR9K4 ----------------------------------#AAC ,N9E ,IS ,T ,C>LOTTA8 ,RI*>D IS SITT+ ON 8 FRONT POR* TOSS+ A T5NIS BALL UP 9 ! AIR4 ,D>NELL IS J L1V+ ON 8 BIKE4 ,HE GIVES ,GAV9 A QK 8,HI10 & !N HE'S (F4 8,:AT'S UP80 ,RI*>D ASKS4 8,:AT >E ^? =80 ,HE PO9TS TO ! /ACK ( FLY]S 9 ,GAV9'S H&4 8,C>LOTTA IS / LO/4 ,WE'RE PO/+ ^! >.D ! NEID SAYS4 8,B ,I H TO GET P]MIS.N40 8,C ,I H "S?+ TO DR9K8 ,I'M ?IR/Y40 8,Y1H1 SURE40 ,GAV9'S N"E BE5 9 ,RI*>D'S H\SE 2F4 ,HE'S SURPRIS$ TO SEE H[ MESSY X IS4 ,MAYBE X'S 2C "! >E A LOT ( BOYS 9 ,RI*>D'S FAMILY4 ,"!'S ,RI*>D2 ,D>NELL1 9 FIF? GRADE2 ,JAMAL1 A#AAC 9 SEV5?2 & ,ROL&1 9 ! N9? ----------------------------------#AAD GRADE4 ,DI%ES >E PIL$ 9 ! S9K4 ,"! >E SO3] J]SEYS DRAP$ OV] ! KIT*5 *AIRS4 ,A BASKETBALL SITS 9 ! CORN]4 ,C]1L BOXES >E LEFT \ 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! TABLE4 ,GAV9 ?9KS ( ! ?+S 8 "M WD SAY IF %E WALK$ 9TO _! KIT*5 & X LOOK$ L T4 ,HE C J HE> ! %OCK 9 H] VOICE1 ALL ! FUSS+ %E'D D4 ,RI*>D F9DS A CL1N GLASS & FILLS X ) WAT]4 ,GAV9 GULPS X D[N GRATE;LLY :ILE ,RI*>D GOES (F TO ASK = P]MIS.N TO HELP ) ! FLY]S4 ,ONCE !Y'RE BACK \TSIDE ON ! POR*1 ,RI*>D SAYS1 8,WAIT "H4 ,I'M GO+ TO GET MY SCOOT] F \ BACK40 8,B ,I DON'T H MY SCOOT]10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 8,I'LL GET MY SKATEBO>D4 ,Y C USE T40 ,GAV9 SITS D[N ON ! TOP /EP TO WAIT4 ,HE LOOKS UP ! /REET 9 "O DIREC;N & !N ! O!R4 ,WAY D[N AT ! 5D ( ! BLOCK1 ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! /REET1 HE SEES #ABG TWO GIRLS F 8 CLASS4 ,! M1N A#AAD GIRL1 ,DEJA1 & T O!R GIRL4 ,HE =GETS H] "N4 ,!Y'RE EA* WALK+ A DOG4 ,X'S FUNNY1 B "O ( ! DOGS LOOKS A LL BIT L ,C>LOTTA4 ,X HAS ALM ! SAME COLOR FUR ,- B MAYBE D>K]1 HE ?9KS4 ,DEJA IS WALK+ ! O!R DOG4 ,X HAS A SMALL1 ?9 BODY & L;G LEGS1 ----------------------------------#AAE & A PO9TY FACE4 ,HE WAT*ES = A BIT & !N TURNS 8 ATT5;N TO ! GUY ACR ! /REET WA%+ 8 C>4 ,X'S A BLACK C> ) %9Y PIPES COM+ \ ( ! BACK & "S SPOKEY-LOOK+ HUBCAPS4 ,GAV9 DECIDES HE'S GO+ TO GET A C> L T :5 HE GETS TO 2 T GUY'S AGE4 ,HE LOOKS UP ! /REET AG4 ,! GIRLS ) ! DOG T LOOKS L ,C>LOTTA H GOTT5 CLOS]4 ,GAV9 /&S UP & %IELDS 8 EYES4 ,WAIT A M9UTE6 ,Z ,DEJA & H] FR APPROA*1 HE SEES "O ( ! LL DOGS PULL AT ! L1% J L ,C>LOTTA US$ TO D4 ,!N ! DOG /OPS TO SNIFF ! GRASS4 ,! NIC] GIRL ,- ,NIKKI1 HE N[ REMEMB]S ,- HAS TO TUG H] AL;G1 ! SAME WAY HE US$ TO H TO D ) ,C>LOTTA4 ,SL[LY X 2G9S TO DAWN ON ,GAV94 ,T LL DOG .1IS A#AAE ,C>LOTTA6 ,:AT >E .1!Y DO+ ) H]8 ,AT T MO;T ,RI*>D COMES >.D ! SIDE ( ! H\SE ON 8 SCOOT] ) 8 SKATEBO>D "U 8 >M4 ----------------------------------#AAF 8,T'S ,C>LOTTA60 ,GAV9 EXCLAIMS TO HM4 8,:AT80 ,RI*>D ASKS4 ,HE LOOKS 3FUS$4 8,^? GIRLS H ,AUNT ,MYRTLE'S DOG6 ,T'S ,C>LOTTA60 ,HE PO9TS D[N ! BLOCK AT ,DEJA & ,NIKKI4 8,H[ COME !Y'VE GOT YR AUNT'S DOG80 ,RI*>D ASKS4 8,I DON'T "K10 ,GAV9 SAYS4 ,HE RUNS TO ! CURB1 LOOKS BO? WAYS1 !N CROSSES ! /REET TO MEET ! GIRLS4 ,C>LOTTA SEEMS J Z HAPPY PRANC+ AL;G OR /OPP+ 9 H] TRACKS TO SNIFF AT ! GRASS Z %E 0 :5 ,GAV9 WALK$ H]4 ,HE C'T 2LIEVE X4 ,HE HURRIES TO !M1 & ! BOSSY "O1 ,DEJA1 FR[NS 9 RECOGNI;N4 ,:AT DID HE "E D TO .1H]8 ,%E TAKES ! L1% \ ( ,NIKKI'S H& & PULLS ,C>LOTTA TO H] Z ,GAV9 APPROA*ES4 #ABI 8,":'D Y GET T DOG80 HE SAYS A#AAF :5 HE'S CLOSE 5 TO 2 HE>D4 8,:Y80 ,DEJA ASKS4 8,2C T'S N YR DOG60 ,HE PO9TS AT ,C>LOTTA4 8,H[ D Y "K80 ! NIC] GIRL ASKS 9 A QUIET VOICE4 8,T'S MY AUNT'S DOG6 ,%E GOT \ ( \R Y>D YE/]"D1 & WE'VE BE5 LOOK+ ALL OV] = H]40 ,HE LOOKS D[N AT ,C>LOTTA1 :O / SEEMS P]FECTLY PL1S$ TO 2 9 ! POSSES.N ( P :O >E COMPLETE /RANG]S4 ,HE F9DS HMF ANNOY$4 ,X'S Z IF %E'S "S K9D ( TRAITOR4 ,! ----------------------------------#AAG O!R DOG IS TRY+ TO PULL ,DEJA T[>D A C&Y WRAPP] ON ! GRASS4 8,H[ D WE "K T'S TRUE80 ,DEJA ASKS4 ,RI*>D HAS CROSS$ ! /REET & JO9$ ! GR\P4 ,N[ HE ADDS1 8,T .1IS 8 AUNT'S DOG4 ,HE'S BE5 WALK+ T DOG AF S*OOL E "D ? WEEK40 8,WELL1 !N H[ COME %E'S ACT+ L Y'RE A /RANG]80 ,DEJA ASKS4 ,GAV9 LOOKS D[N AT ,C>LOTTA4 8,C>LOTTA10 HE SAYS4 ,! DOG A#AAG PAYS HM NO M9D4 ,%E'S BACK TO SNI6+ AT ! GRASS4 8,C>LOTTA10 HE SAYS AG4 8,SEE80 ,DEJA SAYS4 8,%E DOESN'T EV5 "K Y40 8,OKAY1 !N1 ": DID Y GET ? DOG80 ,GAV9 *ALL5GES H]4 ,2F ,DEJA C OP5 H] M\?1 ! O!R GIRL SAYS1 8,WE HAPP5$ TO SAVE ? DOG'S LIFE4 ,%E 0 ALM GO+ TO GET HIT BY A C>1 & WE /OPP$ H] 2F %E CROSS$ 9 FRONT ( X4 ,ANYWAY1 MY P>5TS SD T %E'S A /RAY1 J L ,DEJA'S DOG1 ,MS4 ,PRECI\S ,P5ELOPE4 ,%E DIDN'T EV5 H A COLL>1 & !Y SD ,I CD KEEP H] IF NO "O CLAIM$ H]1 & WE'RE GO+ TO TAKE H] TO ! VET = H] %OTS & /UFF40 8,NIKKI1 Y DON'T H TO TELL HM ALL T40 ----------------------------------#AAH ,X'S J !N T ,GAV9 R1LIZES HE'S LEFT PRO( T ! DOG IS 8 AUNT'S ON ,RI*>D'S POR*4 ,AG1 HE LOOKS BO? WAYS D[N ! EMPTY /REET & !N DA%ES ACR4 ,HE GA!RS ! FLY]S & HURRIES BACK TO ! #ACA GR\P4 A#AAH 8,LOOK AT ?10 HE SAYS1 HOLD+ UP A FLY] CLOSE TO ,DEJA'S NOSE4 ,%E BATS AT X & BACKS AWAY4 ,B %E R1DS X4 ,& H] FR ,NIKKI R1DS X TOO4 @.<,ILLU/RA;N ( MISS+ DOG FLY]@.> ,,,H Y SE5 ? DOG8,' ,H] "N IS ,C>LOTTA & %E IS ! 2LOV$ COMPANION ( ,MRS4 ,MYRTLE ,ROB]TS4 ,%E HAS ORANGE-BR[N FUR & 0 N WE>+ H] COLL> :5 %E RAN (F ON ,FRI"D AFN4 ,%E'S BE5 MISS+ = ! LA/ #BD H\RS4 ,IF Y SEE H] OR "K ": %E IS1 PL1SE 3TACT ,MYRTLE ,ROB]TS AT #EEE-#CDBC4 @.<,NEXT IS A PICTURE ( ,C>LOTTA4 ,AT ! BOTTOM ( ! FLY]1 ,MYRTLE'S PH"O NUMB] IS REP1T$ ON TE>-(F SQU>ES4@.> ----------------------------------#AAI ,"U ! P>AGRAPH IS ! PICTURE ( ,C>LOTTA4 ,%E HAS A JUMBO P9K B[ 9 H] HAIR4 ,NIKKI & ,DEJA />E AT X4 ,!Y LOOK D[N AT ,C>LOTTA1 / DO+ H] A#AAI SNI6+ R\T9E1 !N BACK AT ! FLY]4 8,WELL1 ,I WANT MY L1% & COLL> BACK10 ,NIKKI SAYS SADLY4 8,I KNEW X 0 TOO GD TO 2 TRUE10 %E ADDS1 M TO H]F ?AN ANY"O ELSE4 8,I'LL GIVE !M BACK ON ,MON"D AT S*OOL10 ,GAV9 SAYS1 SCOOP+ ,C>LOTTA UP 9 8 >MS4 _4 _4 _4 ,GAV9 FEELS L A R1L H]O :5 HE CLIMBS ! /EPS ( 8 POR* ) ,C>LOTTA SQUIRM+ 9 8 >MS4 ,RI*>D IS "R 2H HM1 PROBABLY N WANT+ TO MISS ! H]O'S WELCOME 8 FR IS AB TO RCV4 ,2F ,RI*>D C GET ! FRONT DOOR = ,GAV91 ,UNCLE ,VE/OR OP5S X4 ,:5 HE SEES !M1 8 EYES GR[ BIG & 8 LIPS "P1 B NO S.D COMES \4 ,!N HE YELLS1 8,MYRTLE1 GET 9 "H60 ,8 VOICE BR+S ,GAV9'S DAD " & ,GAV9'S MOM RUNN+ TOO4 ,!Y /& "! TGR />+ AT ,C>LOTTA 9 /UNN$ SIL;E = A MO;T4 ,X'S Z IF !Y C'T 2LIEVE _! EYES4 8,": DID Y F9D H]80 8 MOM F9ALLY ASKS :ILE ,AUNT ,MYRTLE TAKES ! #ACC DOG \ ( 8 >MS & GIVES H] A B#AAI -----------------------------#ABJ-#ABA HUG4 ,DANIELLE WALKS 9 ! DOOR J !N ) A FEW LEFTOV] FLY]S 9 H] H&4 ,EV5 .1H] M\? DROPS OP5 AT ! SILOTTA4 8,^! TWO GIRLS ON ,RI*>D'S /REET _H H]4 ,!Y SD !Y SAV$ H] F GETT+ HIT BY A C>4 ,& T !Y DIDN'T "K %E 2L;G$ TO ANY"O1 2C %E DIDN'T H A COLL>40 8,X'S A MIRACLE10 ,AUNT ,MYRTLE SAYS4 8,A MIRACLE40 ,%E TAKES ,C>LOTTA 9TO ! LIV+ ROOM & SITS D[N ON ! S(A4 ,UNCLE ,VE/OR WALKS OV] TO ,GAV9 & PATS HM ON ! BACK4 ,8 "F /&S "! B1M+4 ,8 MOM SMILES AT HM Z WELL4 ,EV5 ,DANIELLE IS SMIL+ AT HM4 ,N[ .1T'S A R1L MIRACLE4 8,WELL1 ,GAV91 ,I ?9K WE NE$ TO D "S SETTL+ UP80 ,UNCLE ,VE/OR SAYS4 ,GAV9 FR[NS1 N SURE :AT T M1NS1 EXACTLY4 ,UNCLE ,VE/OR TAKES \ 8 WALLET & EXTRACTS TWO T5S4 8,"H'S :AT ,I [E Y = WALK+ ,C>LOTTA40 ,HE H&S OV] "O ( ! T5S4 8,& ? IS :AT ,I [E Y = F9D+ ,C>LOTTA40 ,HE PLACES ! O!R T5 9 ,GAV9'S H&4 ,GAV9 />ES AT ! A#ABA RI*;S 9 8 POSSES.N & :ISP]S1 8,?ANK Y40 8,W[10 ,RI*>D SAYS APPRECIATIVELY4 ,B 2F ,GAV9 C SAVOR 8 W1L?1 ,DANIELLE M>*ES ----------------------------------#ABB OV] & PLUCKS "O ( ! T5S \ ( 8 H&4 8,?ANKS4 ,? 2L;GS TO .1ME10 %E SAYS1 & /RUTS (F TO H] ROOM4 ,GAV9 DOESN'T EV5 M9D4 ,HE IS N[ F9ALLY .1FREE ( 8 DEBT TO 8 SI/]1 ,MISS ,DANIELLE1 ,MISS ,"K-,X-,ALL1 ,MISS ,J-,MADE-,TE5AG]-,/ATUS4 ,OH1 H[ GD X FEELS4 ,PLUS HE'S GOT 8 [N T54 ,? HAS BE5 A GRT ,SATUR"D MORN+4 _4 _4 _4 ,LAT]1 Z HE & ,RI*>D >E GLID+ ON _! SKATEBO>D & SCOOT] TO ,MILL]'S ,P>K ,- AF ALL ! GDBYES H BE5 SD TO ,AUNT ,MYRTLE & ,UNCLE ,VE/OR &1 ( C\RSE1 DE> ,C>LOTTA1 & ! R1L ,*EW-,*EW HAS BE5 H&$ OV] "<,AUNT ,MYRTLE DIDN'T EV5 NOTICE ! DI6];E"> ,- ,GAV9 FEELS A /RANGE LL TW+E4 ,AN ODD FEEL+ T #ACE HE J MILOTTA4 .7,& T WD MAKE ?REE MIRACLES 9 "O "D1.' ,GAV9 ?9KS1 & SMILES TO HMF4 ,!N HE PUMPS 8 FOOT AG/ ! 3CRETE & SAILS PA/ ,RI*>D T[>D ! P>K4 @.<,! ,5D@.>