Natalie Wants a Puppy

by Dandi Daley Mackall

  China? Like the real China? Anna pops out of her seat. Cool! They should say hi to my greatgrandmother!

  I dont want them to say hi to anybody. I dont want them to go, I whisper.

  Ive never been, Anna goes on. But I want to. She gives me a frowny face. Its really far away. Why are they going?

  Theyre getting me a brother.

  No way! Anna shouts.

  Stop talking, please, Miss Hines says. Shes looking right at Anna and me. But she doesnt look aggravated. Can you believe this is your last week of kindergarten? Im going to miss each and every one of you. You better come by and visit next year.

  This feels like one more sad thing to think about. Miss Hines is leaving me too.

  So, Miss Hines says, putting on her cheerleader voice. Lets all share what were looking forward to this summer. Ill start. This summer Im going to be a painter. Ill be painting my house and my mothers house, inside and out.

  Were going on a really expensive vacation, Peter the Not-So-Great says without raising his hand.

  That sounds like fun, Miss Hines says. Where are you going?

  On a big boat! Peter answers. They put the whole Disneyland on there for my brothers and me. Goofy and Mickey Mouse and Batman will be there!

  Wow! Jason says. Cool!

  Thats nice, Peter, Miss Hines says.

  Plus, Peter goes on, it cost millions of dollars. But my dad doesnt even care.

  Thats fine, Peter, Miss Hines says. Anybody else?

  Sasha raises her hand, but she doesnt wait to get called on. Which is a waste of holding up your hand, if you ask me. Im going to Washington DC, our nations capital.

  Thats great, Sasha, our teacher says.

  I got to pick where to go for our vacation. And I chose an educational vacation. That means Ill be way ahead of other kids in school because Ill already know about presidents and the White House. Were not going on an old boat. Sasha makes a face at Peter. Were flying on an airplane.

  Anna raises her hand. But she looks at me when Miss Hines calls on her. Natalies going on a plane too. Shes going farther than anybody. All the way to China!

  Miss Hines gets big in her eyes. She turns to me. Natalie! How wonderful for you!

  No way! Peter shouts. Youre lying, Natalie.

  Everybody turns to look at me.

  Natalie, are you going to China? Is this true? Farah asks.

  I shake my head in the no way.

  See! Told you so, Peter says.

  Laurie jumps in. But her mom and dad are going on a plane all the way to China. And Nat would go with them, except she doesnt want to miss kindergarten.

  Miss Hines looks like she doesnt know who to believe. Are they going to China on business, Natalie?

  Kinda, I answer. Theyre picking up a baby brother.

  Miss Hiness mouth drops open. Are they adopting a baby from China?

  I nod.

  How wonderful! Natalie, you must be so excited! When are they going?

  I look at the window and wonder the same thing. I dont know what time, I say.

  You mean theyre flying to China today? Miss Hines is full of excited about this. Well, congratulations! Your news is by far the best. Right, class?

  Go, Nat! Jason shouts.

  I get a tiny bit smiley faced. Miss Hines is very smart. Plus, she wears glasses. And she says my news is better than anybodys.

  Class, arent you excited for Natalie and her new little brother? Miss Hines asks.

  Why? Peter asks. I have two brothers. My parents had Alex first, and he wasnt smart. So they had Michael, and he was too noisy. So they had me. It took them three tries to get me. But they did it! Peter the Great! Ta da!

  My parents got it right the first time, Sasha says. They would never ever have another baby.

  Now, Sasha, Miss Hines breaks in. You dont know that.

  I do too! Sasha shouts. Why would they when they have me? They dont need another child. Im enough for them.

  Other kids talk about their sisters and brothers and summers. But I dont hear. On account of I cant get those Sasha words out of my ears: Im enough for them.

  And I cant keep from wondering how come I wasnt enough for my parents.

  Chapter 9

  Stormy Brains

  Kindergartners are more noisy than usual. In the afternoon, we sound like bumbly bees.

  Bumbly bees make me think about airplanes. And that makes me wonder if my mom and dad are in one yet.

  Class! Miss Hines shouts. Please stop. I have an announcement.

  Even this doesnt stop the bees.

  Id hate to have us lose recess our last week of kindergarten, Miss Hines says.

  That pretty much does it for the bumbly bees.

  Thank you. Now, first of all, Ive only heard back from about half of your parents on the number of seats theyll need for graduation.

  This is all new news to me.

  I dont get it, Jason says. Why do they need seats for our graduation?

  I sent a sign-up sheet home with you last week, Jason, Miss Hines says.

  Jason is my bestest friend who is a boy. Hes like me. We arent very good with taking papers home. Jason loses his before its time to go home. I make it home with mine. But I forget those papers are living in my pack. On account of there are so many papers in there.

  My parents are coming, Sasha says. And my grandparents and three aunts and two uncles. I turned in my paper already.

  If youve turned in your paper, we dont need to hear from you. Thank you, Miss Hines says.

  My parents are coming! Peter says. Only not my two brothers because we cant trust them not to make rude noises.

  Other kids try to tell Miss Hines whos coming. Only they all say it at the same time.

  Farah raises her hand and waits for Miss Hines to call on her. Miss Hines, please, what is there to see at this graduation?

  Good question, Farah, Miss Hines says. Our kindergarten graduation will be Saturday morning. One by one, youll walk across the gym stage. And you will get your graduation diploma. Its a piece of paper that says youve finished kindergarten.

  Is that all? Chase asks.

  As a matter of fact, its not all. Miss Hines grins like she knows a secret we dont. Were going to put on a little program for your parents.

  What kind of program? Sasha demands.

  Id like each of you to say a little piece, our teacher says.

  A piece of what? Jason asks.

  Miss Hines gives us a huge smiley face. Thats up to you. I want you each to say something your moms and dads will like. I need your ideas. Remember how to brainstorm?

  We did brainstorming when we fixed up our classroom. Plus, we did it when Bethany broke her arm and we had to do something nice for her. Pretty much, we all talked at the same time. And instead of getting aggravated at us, Miss Hines just called it brainstorming.

  I know what brainstorming is, Sasha says. Thats where we all shout out ideas. Only most of them are dumb. She turns and makes a frowny face at me.

  No such thing as a dumb idea in brainstorming, Miss Hines says. Lets get started. Maybe you could say something nice about your parents.

  Like what? Griff doesnt raise his hand. And this is okay in a brainstorm.

  Think, Miss Hines says. Why do you need your mother?

  Shes the only one who knows where the Scotch tape is, Peter says.

  True. But lets keep thinking, Miss Hines says. What do you suppose your mother was like when she was a little girl?

  I dont know, Sasha says. But my guess would bepretty bossy.

  Miss Hines sighs and tries again. What about your dads? she asks the rest of us.

  My dad doesnt have any hair, Brooks says.

  My dad is king of the remote control! Seth shouts.

  Hmm. Miss Hines looks like she might give up on our storming brains. Lets try something else. What have you learned this year?

  Not to run in the halls! Jason shouts.

  I learned to read, Farah answers.

  Adding
and subtracting, Anna says. Shes a very good adder and subtracter.

  Im thinking this is a pretty good idea. Ive learned a lot of stuff at kindergarten.

  Good! Miss Hines exclaims. Between now and Saturday, Id like you to come up with the best thing youve learned all year. And Saturday morning, you can tell your family in our program.

  I love to be on a stage and say things, on account of I might be a movie-star girl when I grow up. I picture me on the gym stage, with my mom and dad watching, all smiley faced at me, clapping their hands off.

  Then that picture turns to horrible. I am on the stage, looking out at their smiley faces, but theyre not there!

  What if I say a piece and they dont hear me?

  What if they are still in China with their brand-new kid?

  Chapter 10

  Trading Up

  The second our class ends, I run out of my classroom. I have to catch Mom and Dad before they go to China and miss my whole entire kindergarten show.

  Nat! Wait up! Laurie hollers.

  I wave back to her. I cant! Ill call you! I walk superfast down the hallway.

  Im almost the first kid outside. I look for Charlotte the Chevrolet, Grans car. Only I dont see that old car. What if Charlotte broke again?

  Nat! Over here!

  I race to my granny. Granny, we have to go! Right now!

  Whats the rush? Granny asks.

  Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! In my head, I see Daddy walking out of our house and yelling for Mom to hurry. I see them getting into their car and leaving. Please, Granny!

  All right. Keep your shirt on. Granny gets in the car, and I climb in the other side.

  So where are we headed in such an all-fired hurry? Granny asks.

  Home! I cry. Or the airport. I have to catch Mom and Dad.

  Honey, they already left, Granny says.

  No! I dont want them to leave. Call them and tell them to come back!

  Theyll come back, honey, Granny says. Well pick them up at the airport on Sunday, right after church.

  Thats too late! Im stuck now between sad and mad at them. They should be home. With me. Watching me on the stage in kindergarten. Thats what.

  I know you miss them, Nat. But theyre bringing you a brother. Thats worth it, dont you think? Granny waits for me to say yes.

  Only I dont feel like saying yes.

  I feel like saying no.

  On account of I will be the only kid in the whole kindergarten not to have a mom or dad watching them graduate.

  Nat? Dont you notice anything different? Granny asks. Were still sitting in the kindergarten parking lot. There is nothing different here. Come on. Fasten your seat belt.

  I reach for Charlottes seat belt. Only something is very wrong. This isnt Charlottes seat belt. I look around. The seat isnt torn. Theres no gray tape on the glove box.

  Granny! I cry. I reach for the door handle. This is the wrong car!

  Keep your seat, Nat, Granny says, grinning. I traded up. She pats the steering wheel. Its black, instead of blue like Charlottes.

  You what?

  I finally got rid of that old car. How do you like my new one? Okay. Not exactly new. But still

  You got rid of Charlotte? I cannot believe this thing. Granny, you loved Charlotte the Chevrolet!

  Thats true, Granny admits. But do you have any idea how many times that hunk of junk broke down on me last month alone?

  I know this is a true thing. On account of I was with Granny one time when Charlotte quit on us. Still, I feel sorry for her old car.

  Dont you like this newer car better? Granny has proud all over her face. I have air-conditioning again. She turns it on.

  I put my face to the little blower on my side. The cold air feels great. But as soon as I think this, I feel like Im a traitor to Charlotte. I loved Charlotte, I say.

  And youll love Charley too, Granny promises.

  Charley?

  Charley the Chevy, Granny says. She pulls on her seat belt. If I can just remember how this thing worksThere! The belt snaps.

  I buckle my seat belt. Granny backs out of her parking place. Cold air is still blowing inside the car. But I roll down my window like I did in Charlotte. Only in Charlotte, I had to really roll it. Plus, the window only went down halfway. Charleys window button works like in Lauries van. All you do is push.

  Lauries mom is pulling out of a parking spot too. Cool new car! Laurie yells.

  Lauries right. This new car is very cool. Only I cant like it. I like Charlotte. And it feels like one more sad thing to have Charlotte be gone.

  Granny backs Charley out of the parking spot. This car drives like a dream, Nat. What a great trade-in I pulled off!

  I dont think Granny misses Charlotte at all.

  And as we drive off, I wonder if my mommy and daddy miss me at all.

  Chapter 11

  Adopt-A-Pet

  Were going the wrong way, Granny! I shout. Grannys new car is going up the hill. Not down the hill. Charlotte would never go the wrong way home.

  That depends, Granny says. She takes another wrong turn. On where youre going.

  I dont care where were going cause my mom and dad arent anywhere anyway.

  Dont you like my new car, Nat? Granny asks.

  This new car doesnt bump hard across the railroad tracks. It doesnt squeak when Granny stops it. Plus, it has cold air. But I loved Charlotte. So I cant love Charley. I miss Charlotte, Granny.

  Granny drives past the ice-cream store. And the post office. She turns again, and Charley doesnt even screech.

  Where are we going? I ask.

  Youll see, Granny answers. Its a little surprise your mom and dad and I cooked up this morning.

  Really? Im surprised they cooked up this surprise. For me. Thinking about them making me a surprise takes a little of the sad away. Whats the surprise?

  Want a clue? Granny asks.

  I remember those other clues. Like the string cage. And how I added up those clues and came out with a dog instead of a boy from China. No thank you.

  Granny turns into a driveway and stops. Were here!

  I peek through Charleys window. Ive seen this place before. But I was never in there. Its a big blue building with cats and dogs and animal footprints all over it. This is where Jason got his cat.

  How come were here? I ask. I dont get it.

  But youre going to get it, Granny says. Thats a clue, in case you didnt notice.

  Granny, Im no good at cl I stop. On account of my heart is getting thumpy about that clue. Im going to get it? It? Here? At Adopt-A-Pet? I turn to ask Granny. Only Im scared to think this thought again.

  Nat, Granny says, howd you like a puppy?

  For true? I ask. Granny, a puppy? I reach to hug her, but Im stuck in my seat belt. It takes me a gazillion minutes to get it off cause its not Charlottes seat belt.

  Granny has trouble with her seat belt too. Your mom and dad thought a puppy might come in handy while theyre in China.

  They were right about that! I agree.

  Granny and I run up the steps to Adopt-A-Pet. Only Granny walks. Hold your horses, Nat! she calls.

  I look down three steps at Granny. Im going to hold my puppy. Thats what!

  Inside, a lady is waiting for us. Her hair is almost as long as Farahs. Can I help you? she asks.

  We want a puppy! I shout.

  She laughs. Well, you came to the right place.

  Granny has to read papers and sign something. It takes a gazillion minutes. Finally, they get done.

  Follow me, the lady says. What kind of dog are you looking for?

  A puppy! I answer.

  Size small, Granny adds.

  The lady opens the door to another room, and barking comes out. Lots of barks. Inside, there are cages on top of cages. In each cage, theres a dog in there. It feels like a dog zoo.

  Look them over, the lady says.

  I hold Grannys hand, and we walk along the cages. One dog is so big, he almost doesnt fit. Another fuzzy dog stays s
leeping. More dogs bark when we walk by them. Black dogs. Brown dogs. White dogs. Long hair and no hair.

  Granny, how can I pick one? I ask. I want them all. Except maybe not that mean, growling one.

  Ill leave you to it, says the lady. Back in a few.

  Granny and I are alone with the gazillion dogs. What if I pick the wrong dog? I ask her.

  Granny stares at the dogs too. How about we pray that youll know which is the right dog? Good idea?

  I nod. I close my eyes, but the barking sounds louder that way. So I open my eyes. I can tell Granny is waiting on me to do the praying.

  I never prayed a pick-the-right-dog prayer before. So I have to guess how it goes. God, which ones the right puppy for us? Id really like to be sure about that one. Amen. I look up at Granny. Was that okay?

  That was just right, Nat, Granny says. You know, your mom and dad have been praying a prayer just like that one for a couple of years.

  They wanted a puppy? I ask, surprised.

  Gran chuckles. No. They wanted a child.

  Some of me wonders if they wanted a child as much as I want a puppy. The rest of me wonders why. Why did they pray that, Granny? They already had me.

  Before they had you, Nat, your mom and dad prayed God would give them a baby. You were the answer to that prayer. And they thank God every day for you.

  I know thats a for-true thing. So why do they want another baby?

  I think God gave them that want. And this time God chose to answer their prayers by letting them adopt a boy from China, a boy who really needs a home.

  The door opens, and the lady comes back. Made your pick yet? she calls.

  Not quite yet! Granny calls back.

  I walk up to the cages again. A pointy-nose dog jumps up on the bars and scares me.

  I peek in at a little brown dog with no hairs. Here, boy! I call. But he wont turn around.

  A big red dog is panting in the next cage.

  I still dont know which dog to pick, Granny. Maybe I didnt pray hard enough.

  A big puppy kind of dances in a bottom cage. Its brown, with floppy ears and hair thats not short and not long. I get down on my knees to see it better. The dog trots up and licks my hand through the cage bars.