A Wishbone Come True

by Kristin Earhart

  To Talia — a talented pet trainer

  Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Copyright

  Lexi Torres raced on her bike through the town square. She didn’t want to miss out on any fun. She slowed when she saw the dark storefront. Her heart dropped. Lexi was too far away to read the sign in the window, but she had a bad feeling. Had her brother been telling the truth?

  Lexi hopped off her bike and walked it across the square. Her friends from the neighborhood were already there.

  “What happened to Ms. Kidd?” Sadie wondered. She tugged on her braid as she peered into the dark store.

  “What happened to the toys?” added Max. The shelves were empty.

  “Reed told me that there was a FOR RENT sign on the window,” Lexi said, shaking her head. “I thought he was kidding.”

  “Kidding about the toy store being closed?” Henry asked. “That would be mean, even for your brother.”

  Lexi had to agree. She liked to look at things in terms of what was true and what was not true. It was easy to do with her brother. It was true that her brother liked a good joke. It was not true that he was mean.

  Lexi sighed. Just that morning, Reed had put a plastic cockroach in her cereal. She would have preferred it the other way around: REAL cockroach, FAKE store closing.

  “I guess we have to face it — Toys, Toys, Toys is really closed, closed, closed.” Max kicked the toe of his sneaker against the front of the store. “I’m going to go to the park. Anyone else want to come with me?”

  Lexi squinted at Max. How could he just go to the park? The four friends always spent Thursday afternoons with Ms. Kidd, the owner of Toys, Toys, Toys. Ms. Kidd sometimes set up archery tournaments for them, or she asked them to unpack boxes of the hottest new toys. She let them play with anything they wanted.

  “I wonder if someone will open another toy store,” Henry said.

  “It can take a while to open something new,” Sadie replied.

  Nothing could compare to the toy store, but Lexi still hoped something else would open soon. The store was in the center of town. Four streets came together here, and there was a square in the middle with tall trees, a gazebo, and benches. The elementary school was on the other side of the square, and there was an ice cream store a few doors down.

  “I have a football in my backpack. Let’s just go to the park,” Max said again. “Come on, Lexi. I’ll bet Simon is there. He has soccer practice, right?”

  “Max,” Sadie said sharply. “Didn’t you hear?”

  Lexi bit her lip. She knew what Sadie was going to say. Lexi had been in a crummy mood before, but now she was all-out sad.

  “What?” Max asked, looking from Sadie to Lexi and back to Sadie again.

  “Simon is moving,” Sadie explained. She had her left braid twisted into a tight knot now. “Like, next week.”

  “Oh. Sorry, Lexi,” Max said.

  “Yeah, sorry, Lexi,” Henry added.

  It was nice of them to apologize. It wasn’t their fault that Lexi’s best friend was moving away. Simon’s dad just needed to live closer to his job.

  Lexi had known Simon since they were, well, zero. They both loved scary books, bad jokes, and pumpkin ice cream. Simon and Lexi had done almost everything together. Everything except soccer. When Simon had soccer on Thursdays, Lexi had come to Toys, Toys, Toys with Henry, Sadie, and Max.

  Now Simon was leaving the day before Lexi’s birthday, two days before school started. They wouldn’t do their homework together anymore. They wouldn’t write spooky stories together. Simon wasn’t even sticking around for Lexi’s birthday party.

  “It’s okay,” Lexi said. She turned to the store window again. She didn’t want her friends to see the look on her face, but she could see herself in the window. Her whole face seemed to droop. Even her thick brown hair was limp today.

  She was upset that Simon was moving, but Simon didn’t seem sad at all. He had sounded excited when he told her, talking about the town’s cool soccer field and the outdoor pool with a twisty slide. Lexi hadn’t wanted Simon to see how sad she was, so she’d just made a joke.

  Lexi reached up to trace her finger over the FOR RENT sign on the window. That’s when she saw the light go on inside.

  “Hey, guys,” Lexi said. “I think someone’s in there.”

  “Maybe it’s Ms. Kidd,” Henry said.

  Lexi held her breath, but not a single person appeared. Instead a sturdy black cat strutted up the store’s narrow aisle. A shaggy, caramel-colored dog plodded along behind her.

  Lexi’s heart began to pound when she saw the cat, and it melted when she saw the dog. She loved all animals, but dogs were her favorite.

  “Oh, my gosh!” Sadie exclaimed. “They are so cute.”

  The cat walked straight up the aisle and leaped onto the desk where the cash register used to be. Her long, white whiskers twitched as she stared at the dog.

  At once, the dog walked up to the window. Very carefully, he wedged his teeth between the glass and the FOR RENT sign. He bit down and ripped the sign off the window. Then he ate it in five gigantic bites.

  The cat blinked twice and jumped down. The two animals marched to the back of the store together. They were both wagging their tails.

  “That’s weird,” Sadie said. “Cats don’t usually wag their tails.”

  “Wait,” Henry said, turning to his friend. “We just saw a cat and dog turn on a light. Then the dog ripped down a sign and ate it. And you’re surprised that the cat wagged its tail?”

  Lexi laughed.

  Sadie dropped her braid and put her hands on her hips. “I’ll have you know, I have read a lot about animals. It is extremely uncommon for a cat to wag its tail like that,” Sadie said. “They usually only do it when they’re mad. That cat looked pretty happy to me.”

  Lexi thought the cat and dog were adorable. She loved when cats and dogs were friends, and she didn’t really care if the cat wagged its tail or not.

  “Maybe a person is in there. Maybe the person flipped the light switch,” Max insisted.

  “Maybe the person is still there,” Henry added.

  At once, all four kids smashed together at the edge of the window. They stretched and strained, trying to see into the back of the store. Lexi just wanted to see the cat and dog again. She secretly hoped that they had turned on the light by themselves. She had read about pets that did amazing tricks. Some dogs could answer the phone or fetch their owners’ slippers.

  “Excuse me,” said a low voice.

  Lexi jumped. She was sure the others did, too. Still huddled against the window, they slowly turned and looked up. The owner of the voice had gray hair, and his eyes twinkled behind wire-rimmed glasses. He wore a checked shirt and a tan vest with lots of pouches and zippers. It looked like he was going fishing. But where had he come from? He couldn’t have been in the store, or they would have seen him.

  “I was just wondering if you like animals,” he said. He was smiling. Lexi had a feeling he was laughing at them — in a nice way, like a big brother. “I thought you might, since you are staring into a pet store.”

  “Oh, yes. We all like animals,” she answered. “We really like dogs. I mean, we don’t just like dogs, we love dogs.” Lexi was sure she could speak for her friends. They had all talked about wanting a dog.

  “Oh, good,” the man said. His funny grin spread into a wide smile. “I love dogs, too. All animals, really. My name is Mr. Power, and I am opening
a pet store here. Did you see my sign?”

  His sign? The four friends gave Mr. Power a good, long look. Max was the first to walk to the edge of the sidewalk. He looked up. “Hey, I didn’t see that before.”

  The others joined him. Lexi was sure she would have noticed the turquoise-and-red sign on her bike ride through town. It said POWER’S PETS. How had it gotten there so fast?

  “You should come back tomorrow with your parents,” Mr. Power suggested. “It will be our grand opening. I’ll have lots of pets for adoption. Puppies, too.” Mr. Power seemed to look right at Lexi when he said it.

  Puppies! Lexi felt chills all over her body.

  Mr. Power smiled and started to turn away.

  “Wait!” Max yelled, a little too loudly.

  Mr. Power stopped. “Yes?” he asked.

  “Were you just in the store?” Max asked.

  “No, no,” Mr. Power said. “I am just on my way in now.”

  Max paused. “Are the cat and dog yours?” he asked.

  Mr. Power looked into the store. “Why, yes. Those two belong to me,” he said. “Or maybe I belong to them. I can’t be sure anymore.”

  “They turned on the light,” Henry said quickly, “and then the dog ate the FOR RENT sign.”

  “Oh, no,” Mr. Power mumbled and rubbed his chin. “What I really mean is, oh, yes. That sounds like them. Good pets with bad habits.” He smiled. “If you come tomorrow, you can meet them. They’re going to help me look after the shop.”

  With that, Mr. Power pulled a long loop of keys from a pouch in his vest. Lexi blinked. She thought she saw a tiny, whiskered nose stick its head out of one of the other pockets. Could it be a mouse?

  “I hope you kids have a good day,” Mr. Power said as he slipped a key into the store lock. “I’ve got a lot to do.”

  The kids all thanked him and said good-bye.

  “We’re headed to the park,” Max announced. Henry was at his side.

  “Okay, see ya,” Lexi said with a wave. She didn’t want to go to the park. She didn’t want to see Simon and hear more about his cool new town.

  Instead Lexi walked over to Sadie. She was still staring back at the store. It seemed like she was waiting for something. Just as Lexi glanced over, the dog appeared in the store window. He raised his fluffy paw as if he were waving. Without thinking, Lexi waved back.

  Lexi shook the cereal box and scowled at her big brother, Reed. He always left four nuggets of granola in the box, instead of just finishing it.

  Reed gave Lexi a crooked smile as she got up to make toast. “Have you made your birthday wish list yet?” he asked. “Is a puppy at the top again this year?”

  Lexi decided to ignore him. Every birthday, Reed liked to remind Lexi that she didn’t have a dog. Every Christmas, too.

  In his own weird way, Reed was also reminding Mom and Dad that Lexi wanted a puppy. She had wanted a puppy ever since Simon got Bandit, an adorable black-and-white border collie. Bandit was like her adopted dog, but now Bandit was moving, too.

  “Now, Reed.” Mom often began speeches this way. “Pets are a big responsibility….” Lexi had heard it all before. Her mom made a lot of speeches.

  Lexi’s mom talked a lot about why they shouldn’t have a dog, but she had never said that they couldn’t ever get a dog. This gave Lexi reason to hope, because a puppy would always be the first thing on her wish list.

  “Now is not a good time to talk about it,” their mom continued. “Lexi needs to stop by the school, so she can find out who her new teacher will be. Plus, Dad and I have a big trip to the hardware store planned.”

  Lexi looked over at Reed. He was stretching his arms out on both sides. He nodded at Lexi and mouthed the words, “Big trip to the hardware store. HUGE.”

  Lexi laughed into her hand. Reed didn’t just make fun of Lexi; he made fun of everyone.

  They did have a busy day ahead. Lexi was looking at the clock when the phone rang. She shoved the last bite of toast in her mouth and pushed back her seat. She rushed to the phone. “Hello,” she said, hoping it was Simon.

  “Hi, Lexi.”

  Lexi knew the voice at once. It was Simon’s mom, Mrs. Stone. “Can I talk to Simon?” Lexi asked.

  “He’s busy right now, dear,” Mrs. Stone said. “I’d like to talk to your mom.”

  Mrs. Stone did not sound like herself. Her words were short and stiff. They made Lexi feel hard inside. “Fine,” Lexi mumbled as she pulled the phone away from her face. “I’m glad Simon’s moving.” She said it to herself, but she realized that Mrs. Stone had probably heard her, too. She looked up to see her mom staring at her. Lexi was not allowed to use that tone, especially not with adults. It was a Family Rule.

  Mrs. Torres reached for the phone, and Lexi handed it to her. She half stomped out of the kitchen, but she stopped and peeked back around the corner.

  Lexi listened to her mom’s side of the conversation. She didn’t say much. “I see,” she said. “Yes,” she agreed. “I understand,” she said. “We’ll see.”

  Lexi wished she could have talked to Simon. She was sorry that she had joked about his move.

  Lexi held her breath when her mom hung up the phone. But her mom didn’t come to find her. Instead she went to talk to Lexi’s dad.

  Lexi decided she’d take the chance to call Simon herself. She grabbed the phone and dialed.

  “Hello?”

  “Simon, it’s me,” Lexi said at once.

  “Oh, hi.” Simon’s voice was flat. “I can’t talk now, Lexi. Bye.”

  Lexi heard a click. Simon had hung up on her.

  * * *

  Half an hour later, Mr. Torres pulled into the school parking lot. Lexi looked across the square. Power’s Pets was open now, and it looked crowded.

  “It’s time for the big photo!” her dad said as he opened her door. Every year, her parents took a picture of Lexi in the school courtyard.

  Lexi gave her mom and dad a small smile, and then she walked up to the school. Mr. Butler, the principal, was sitting at a picnic table. He had a large box filled with envelopes in front of him. “Lexi Torres!” he called out. He knew each of his students by name. “I’ve got an envelope with your name on it. It’s right here. In green ink.” He flipped through the box, pulled out an envelope, and handed it to Lexi. “I was sorry to hear about Simon,” he added.

  “Thanks,” Lexi said.

  She shuffled over to where her dad was standing with the camera. She didn’t even feel like opening the envelope. She knew Simon wouldn’t be in her class.

  “If you stand there,” her dad said, “the light will be just right.”

  Lexi stood where her dad pointed.

  “Smile, sweetie,” her mom said.

  Lexi held up the envelope and forced her mouth open so her teeth showed.

  Just then, a breeze whipped through the school courtyard, lifting the envelope right out of her hand. Stunned, Lexi watched as the wind carried the envelope away. It twisted around a tree, made a giant loop across the square, soared over the gazebo — and zipped straight through the pet store’s open front door.

  “My envelope,” Lexi whispered, staring at the door of Power’s Pets. Something amazing had just happened. She was sure of it.

  “What was that?” Lexi’s dad asked.

  “My envelope flew across the square and into the new pet store,” Lexi explained.

  “Sweetheart, envelopes don’t fly. Be sure to say what you mean,” Mrs. Torres advised. “How about you go get it while Dad and I go to the hardware store? We’ll meet you out front,” Mrs. Torres said.

  Lexi’s parents set off across the street, but Lexi lingered in front of the school. The air was calm now, so how did her envelope get all the way across the square? If Simon were there, he would agree that there was something strange about the whole thing.

  Lexi crossed the street. When she got to Power’s Pets, she gasped. The old toy store looked totally different. Yesterday, it had been empty. Today, it was full of
animals and people.

  As Lexi stepped inside, she saw a row of large cages lining one wall. They housed deluxe jungle gyms for hamsters, gerbils, and other tiny critters. Above Lexi’s head, a jungle-green parrot perched on a swinging bar. There was a gigantic tank at the back of the store with bold red and electric-blue fish. The fish did loops and swirls together in perfect time. Three tabby kittens romped in a play area near the front window. The store felt festive, alive with happy chirps, squeaks, and chatter.

  Lexi felt something cold and wet on her hand. She pulled her gaze from the kittens and looked down. There, at her feet, was the dog from the day before. He had something in his mouth. It was an envelope with her name written on it in green ink.

  The dog sat down and looked up at Lexi with big brown eyes. His tail whipped back and forth in glee.

  “He’s excited to see you.”

  Lexi looked up. Mr. Power was walking toward her. He smiled. “Chance, I think you have something to give this young lady,” he said. “Are you Lexi?” he asked, reading the name off her school envelope.

  “Yes, I am,” she said.

  Chance whined and opened his mouth. Lexi took the envelope. “Thank you, Chance,” she said, patting his head. “Where’s your friend?”

  “Oh, Lucky’s watching the fish,” Mr. Power explained. Lexi spotted the black cat sitting on top of the fish tank, staring down.

  “Don’t worry. Gus will make sure she keeps her paws to herself,” the store’s owner said with a smile.

  Lexi looked more closely, and she saw a long-whiskered gray mouse plopped down next to the cat. She recognized him as the little mouse that had been in Mr. Power’s pocket the day before.

  “Welcome back to the store,” Mr. Power said. “Would you like to meet a puppy?”

  Mr. Power walked toward a large pen with a wooden gate. It was filled with shredded newspaper. Lexi saw lots of toys, but she didn’t see a puppy.

  Just then, a shiny black nose poked out from a pile of pillows. A fluffy puppy crawled out from under a red cushion. The puppy was mostly black with golden-brown markings above her eyes, across her chest, and on her legs. She gave herself a good shake, so her fuzzy fur puffed out even more.