Chapter 4: Milk, Cookies, and Surprises

RINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!

The final bell rang, and school was over at last. Kids rushed out of classrooms, excited to go home—and Abby was no exception. With joyful glee, she and Sophie walked out of the building hand in hand.

“You should come over to my house,” Abby said. “My mom will be there.”

Sophie agreed. Her parents wouldn’t be home for another two hours, so she happily went along. Mrs. Perce was delighted to meet Sophie and even more delighted that Abby had already found a good friend. She welcomed Sophie warmly and offered the girls milk and cookies.

“Sure!” Sophie said with a grin, happily sipping the milk and munching on cookies.

After their snack, the girls went upstairs to Abby’s room to “do homework”—although from all the giggling coming through the walls, it was hard to tell if any homework was actually getting done.

Mrs. Perce called Sophie’s mother to let her know where Sophie was and even invited the whole family to dinner. Sophie’s mother happily agreed. She, too, was thrilled that her daughter had made a friend so quickly.

“I thought you were doing homework, not entering a laughing contest,” Mrs. Perce said as she poked her head into the room, trying to look stern. But the twinkle in her eye gave her away.

The girls burst into laughter and promised to finish their assignments.

Dinner that evening was a huge success. Both families enjoyed getting to know each other and were sorry when it was time to say goodbye.

Later that night, Abby’s cousin Alice called.

This was Abby’s favorite part of the day. Even though Alice was twelve and Abby was nine, the two were as close as best friends. Alice was the only person who knew that Abby still slept with her stuffed lamb, Luna—and she kept that secret safe.

As they chatted, Abby’s smile grew wider and wider.

After hanging up, Mrs. Perce asked what Alice had said.

“Alice is moving to Frankfort!” Abby squealed, bouncing from foot to foot. “She’s coming to live here!”

Mrs. Perce smiled knowingly. “Oh? Isn’t that a surprise.”

Abby’s eyes widened. “Mom—you knew!”

Mrs. Perce winked. “Off to bed, Abby. You have another big day tomorrow.”

Abby climbed into bed, her heart full. As she snuggled under her covers, she thought, Maybe school isn’t going to be so bad after all.