The Double Dabble Surprise

by Beverly Lewis

  Besides, Stacy owed her a favor. A doubledabble favor.

  Last month, when she covered for Stacy at recess, a stray puppy had wandered onto the playground. He looked sick and sad. He needed help. Stacy had whispered her plan to Abby.

  Abby talked to the playground teacher while Stacy hid the sick cock-a-poo under her jacket. She sneaked to the edge of the playground. Then she raced home with him, three houses away.

  Later, Abby had helped Stacy talk her mother into keeping the cuddly white puppy.

  It was a double dabble favor.

  “We’re home,” shouted Carly.

  The boys leaned forward to look.

  Abby couldn’t wait to get to the phone. Stacy will help me, thought Abby. The Cul-de-sac Kids always stick together!

  She ran into the house—away from the boys.

  SIX

  Inside, Abby grabbed the phone. She told Stacy about the boys and the crazy mix-up.

  “What will you do?” Stacy said.

  “I’ll call Dunkum,” Abby said. “He can teach them to shoot baskets. That could take three days.” She laughed.

  Carly ran into the kitchen. “The boys undressed the bride bears,” Carly whispered in Abby’s other ear.

  “Yikes! Gotta go.” Abby hung up the phone and hurried upstairs.

  The boys’ door was open. Abby stopped in the hallway. She couldn’t believe what she saw.

  Sung Jin was dancing with a wedding dress on his head. “Dance,” he said. “Dance!”

  He twirled around. Faster and faster. The white lace dress slid off his head.

  Abby caught it. “This goes on the bears for our sisters.”

  Sung Jin looked around. “Sisters?” He pointed to Carly. “She is sister.”

  “Our new sisters are coming in three days.” Under her breath Abby said, “They better come.”

  Choon Koo came running out of the closet! He held up a girl’s slip and waved the hanger around as he giggled. Then he jumped onto one of the beds. He pulled at the bows on the curtain.

  “Be careful,” Abby said. “The curtains will fall down.”

  “Down, down. Take them down,” he chanted. “I don’t like.”

  Sung Jin walked out of the room. Choon Koo climbed off the bed and followed his brother.

  Abby held her breath. She felt like a jitterbox—all shaky inside.

  Carly chased after the boys.

  Abby looked down at the bedroom rug. Something shiny was lying there. She leaned down. It was Sung Jin’s round tag!

  Strange marks were on each side. This must be Korean writing, thought Abby. She slipped the silver tag into her pocket.

  Abby went to the kitchen. Mother was cooking with the new rice cooker.

  Abby sniffed the air. “What’s for supper?”

  “Rice,” Mother said. “And kimchi.”

  Abby pinched her nose. “Smells terrible.”

  “The boys will like it,” Mother said.

  Abby groaned. “Will our sisters like it, too?”

  Mother nodded.

  “What’s in this kimchi stuff?” Abby said.

  “You’ll eat better if you don’t know,” Mother said, smiling.

  “Sounds scary. What else are we having?”

  “Hot dogs, baked beans and chips,” Mother said.

  “That’s what I’m having.” Abby ran to find Carly. She had to warn her not to eat the Korean food. It smelled rotten.

  Carly was outside on the driveway with the boys. The Cul-de-sac Kids were there, too.

  Dunkum dribbled his basketball. He showed off his fancy moves.

  Jason Birchall chased behind Dunkum trying to grab the ball. He was hyper, as always.

  Stacy Henry showed off her puppy. Carly played with his floppy ears.

  Dee Dee Winters sneaked a suck on her thumb.

  Eric Hagel showed up on his hot ten-speed. “What’s up?”

  “Let’s have a meeting,” Abby said.

  Dunkum shot another basket. “Right now?”

  Carly squealed, “Wow! Nine in a row!”

  “Let’s get acquainted with the new boys on the block,” said Stacy.

  Sung Jin and Choon Koo turned toward each other. Choon Koo reached for his big brother.

  Abby felt sad. She wondered how it felt being stuck with a family who didn’t want boys.

  Then she dug into her jeans pocket and handed the silver tag to Sung Jin. His sad eyes lit up.

  “This must’ve fallen when you danced,” Abby said.

  Sung Jin held it tightly. “Thank you,” he said.

  Then Abby had an idea. A double dabble—definitely good idea.

  SEVEN

  Abby called the kids over to the porch. “Let’s help Sun Jin and Choon Koo get to know us. Everyone tell your name and how old you are,” she said.

  “And pig-out foods,” yelled Jason Birchall.

  The kids laughed as they sat on the porch.

  “Leave it to Abby,” Eric said. He put the kickstand down on his bike.

  “I’ll go first,” Dunkum offered.

  The kids stretched their necks when Dunkum stood.

  Choon Koo said, “Very tall boy.”

  Dunkum told his name. “I’m a third grade health freak. I eat salads with alfalfa sprouts and tomatoes.”

  “Oo-ee!” Carly squealed, holding her nose.

  Dunkum stretched his arms. “They make me grow tall. Tall enough to dunk the ball. Almost.”

  The kids cheered.

  “Who’s next?” Abby asked.

  “I am.” Carly said her name with Anne in the middle. “I’m in first grade, and I’m starting to dream about rice.” She grinned at Choon Koo. He laughed his high giggle.

  Sung Jin sat straight and still. “I am Li Sung Jin, age nine. I like American rice.”

  Choon Koo jumped up. “I like Jimmy name.” He patted his chest. “I now am Jimmy. Jimmy eat. Jimmy eat and eat rice.”

  Abby couldn’t believe it. Choon Koo looked like a Jimmy. “Jimmy,” she said, pointing to him. “Pick someone.”

  He pointed to Stacy Henry. She held up her puppy. “This is Sunday Funnies. He finds the funnies every Sunday before anyone else.”

  Dee Dee giggled.

  Stacy continued. “I’m in third. I like pizza the best. We only have it on weekends.”

  Abby pointed to Dee Dee. “Your turn,” she said.

  “I’m Dee Dee Winters.” She wiped off her wet thumb. “I’m in first grade, and chocolate ice cream is my favorite. I don’t know why. It just is.” Dee Dee sat down. She looked at Eric.

  “Hi, I’m Eric Hagel. We moved here from Germany two years ago. I’m in Abby’s class, third grade.” He paused and smiled at her. “I eat sweet tarts. My grandpa has pockets full of them. He’s the watchmaker up the street.” Eric sat down beside Dunkum.

  “Sweet tarts aren’t real food,” Abby teased.

  “Are so,” Eric said. He threw her one.

  She caught it.

  “Where’s mine?” Jason asked.

  “You’re not supposed to have sugar,” Eric said. “Remember?”

  Jason crossed his eyes. “My name’s Jason Allen Birchall. But my friends call me Jason.”

  Dee Dee popped out her thumb. “Nice name.” She giggled.

  “Now it’s your turn,” Eric told Abby.

  She stood up. “Abby Hunter. Third grade. My favorite food is spaghetti. It slides down when I slurp it.”

  “Hurrah for spaghetti!” cheered Jason.

  “Don’t forget the grated cheese,” yelled Dee Dee.

  Then Abby said, “Sung Jin and Choon Koo will be here for only three days.”

  Choon Koo stood up. “Not Choon Koo. I Jimmy.”

  Sung Jin pulled his brother back down.

  “I forgot about your new name,” Abby said. “I’m sorry.” She really was.

  “The kids on Blossom Hill Lane stick together no matter how long they stay,” said Eric. “Welcome to our cul-de-sac.”

  Sudde
nly Sung Jin’s eyes sparkled. The sadness was gone.

  Abby’s mother called for supper. Sung and Jimmy hurried inside.

  Jason tried to invite himself, but then he smelled the kimchee. He held his nose instead. “Are we having a meeting next week?”

  “When our Korean sisters come,” Abby said.

  She hoped it was soon. Very soon.

  EIGHT

  It was Monday morning.

  Sung Jin and Jimmy (Choon Koo) sat on the porch swing ready for a visit to Blossom Hill School. They wore new American clothes.

  Abby tied her sneakers in a double knot. One red. One blue.

  Carly ran out of the house.

  Abby led the way down the cul-de-sac. The kids came dashing out. At the corner, they bunched together to cross the street.

  When they reached the school yard, Abby shouted, “Count-down to recess.”

  “Recess, recess,” the kids chanted. Then they scattered in different directions.

  Jimmy followed Carly and Dee Dee to first grade.

  Sung Jin went with Abby and Stacy to third. Jason darted ahead of Eric and Dunkum.

  In Math, Sung Jin tried the problems. He had trouble. The teacher gave him an easier paper. Kids bumped into each other trying to help him.

  At recess, Jason saved a swing for Sung Jin. Eric asked Sung Jin to play soccer. Dunkum got dibs on lunch.

  Abby and Stacy hung from the bars.

  “Still want to move in?” Stacy asked.

  “Guess not. Our sisters will be coming soon.”

  “What will happen to Jimmy and Sung Jin?” Stacy asked.

  “I don’t know. They’re leaving with Mrs. Roop soon.”

  Abby hoped the boys would like their new family.

  On the way home, Abby skipped over the sidewalk cracks.

  The cul-de-sac boys yelled for Sung Jin and Jimmy to play basketball.

  Carly went to Dee Dee’s house.

  Abby walked home alone.

  In the house, Mother was cooking rice again.

  Abby hurried to the secret place. Tomorrow, the best day. Her sisters were coming!

  She flipped on the flashlight and slid the skinny door shut. Finding her Sunday school paper, she read the story. It was about secret sins.

  She looked up Psalm 19:12 in her Bible. Abby felt funny inside. How many secret sins do I have? she wondered. She talked to God about it.

  Later, Abby heard her parents talking. She crawled out of the closet to listen.

  Mother sounded upset. “Mrs. Roop called this morning. She wants us to keep the boys another week.”

  “How do you feel about it, dear?” Abby’s father asked.

  “I really don’t know,” Mother said. “It will be harder for them to leave . . . the longer they stay.”

  Father chuckled. “They are having a great time, aren’t they?”

  “A great time tearing the bedroom apart,” Mother said.

  “It’s not much of a boys’ bedroom, now is it, dear?”

  Is Daddy sticking up for them? Abby wondered.

  Mother’s voice shook. “Where are the girls? Our girls?”

  Abby held her breath.

  “Mrs. Roop is handling that,” her father said. “Let’s trust the Lord to take care of things.”

  Scre-e-ech! Outside, a car slammed on its brakes.

  Abby ran to the window. She saw Sunday Funnies limp away from the car and hide under Eric’s porch.

  Sung Jin chased the hurt puppy. He crawled under the porch and coaxed the puppy out. Then he took off his jacket.

  Eric and Dunkum came running. Gently, they lifted the puppy into Sung Jin’s jacket.

  Abby dashed downstairs. “Mommy, come quick!” she called. “It’s Sung, er, Stacy. I mean, it’s Sunday Funnies.”

  Mother hurried outside to Sung Jin. “Are you all right?”

  Sung Jin looked bashful, but he nodded.

  “Sung’s fine,” called Jason from across the street. “The puppy’s hurt.”

  The boys made a three-cornered stretcher with Sung’s jacket. Slowly, step by step, they carried him across the street.

  Stacy stroked Sunday Funnies as the driver got out of the car. His face was white. He looked at the puppy and patted his head.

  The boys carried the puppy to Abby’s mother. Stacy followed close behind.

  “I’ll call the vet,” Mrs. Hunter said. She hurried inside the house.

  Stacy followed. Abby held her hand.

  Soon the kitchen was filled with kids. Droopy-faced kids.

  Sung Jin and Eric and Dunkum laid Sunday Funnies on the floor. They knelt around him. Abby thought Stacy was praying.

  Abby’s mother called the vet.

  Carly came into the house. “What happened?”

  “Sunday Funnies got hit by a car,” Abby said.

  “Oh no!” she cried, sitting on the floor near the puppy.

  Mother hung up the phone. “The vet wants to check him for a broken leg.”

  “I’ll call my mom at work,” Stacy said. “She’ll drive me to the vet. Thank you, Mrs. Hunter.” Then she turned to Sung Jin. “Thank you. I’m going to miss you when you leave tomorrow.”

  After the kids were gone, Abby whispered to Carly, “Meet me in the secret place.”

  Inside the secret place, Abby told Carly about the boys staying longer.

  “Another week?” said Carly. “Will we ever get our sisters?”

  “I guess so,” Abby said. “I hope so—I think.”

  NINE

  The next day, Abby jumped a pretend hopscotch while she waited for Stacy.

  At last, Stacy skipped down her front steps.

  “Hi,” Abby said. “How’s Sunday Funnies?”

  “Limping a lot.”

  Abby kicked a stone down the sidewalk. “Lucky he didn’t get killed.”

  “Poor thing,” Stacy said. “I sneaked some waffles to help cheer him up. What did you have for breakfast?”

  “Rice.”

  “Cream of rice?”

  Abby sighed. “No, rice rice.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  Abby laughed. “It’s not so bad.”

  Stacy grinned. “How are the boys doing?”

  “Sung Jin and Jimmy are learning to pray for their food,” Abby said. “And Sung Jin keeps reminding God that he’s eating American rice now.”

  “Do the boys know about Jesus?” asked Stacy.

  “We teach them something new every day from the Bible. They’ll have a good idea by the time they leave.”

  “What if they don’t get a Christian family?” Stacy asked.

  Abby hadn’t thought of that. “I will pray that they do!”

  “Will Sung Jin always have two names?” Stacy asked.

  Abby hopped on one foot. “Only till he gets an American name,” she said.

  After school it was snowing fast. Abby scuffed her shoes on the snowy sidewalk.

  Mother looked up from her Korean cookbook as Abby came into the kitchen.

  “Is Carly home yet?” Abby asked.

  “They were just here,” her mother said.

  “They?”

  “Carly and Choon Koo.”

  “You mean Jimmy.”

  Mother closed the cookbook. “Who?”

  “Choon Koo is Jimmy now.”

  “He can’t choose his name,” Mother said.

  “But he wants to be called Jimmy.”

  “His parents will choose his name,” her mother insisted.

  Abby didn’t like it. Choon Koo was Jimmy. He even looked like a Jimmy!

  Abby peeked in Carly’s room. No one there. She looked in the boys’ room. “Oh no!” she wailed.

  Bows were off the curtains. Bedspreads were rolled up and stuffed under the beds. The corners were sticking out.

  The bride bears stood side-by-side on the bookcase. They looked like boy bears now. Each had a red paper hat stuck to its head.

  Scissors and left-over scraps lay on the floor.

&n
bsp; Dresser drawers hung open. Mother’s pink wall hanging lay folded inside the bottom drawer.

  Those horrible boys!

  She turned to go, calling for Carly.

  No answer.

  She dashed to the secret place and slid open the skinny door.

  There sat Carly reading to Jimmy.

  “What are you doing?” Abby shouted.

  “Helping Jimmy read,” Carly said, shining the flashlight in Abby’s face.

  Abby frowned at her little sister. Carly knows better. Jimmy doesn’t belong in here!

  Abby churned with anger. She ran through the rain to Dunkum’s next door to help him with his spelling.

  Phooey! Carly had shared the secret place with Jimmy. Things were crazy wrong.

  Definitely!

  TEN

  Later, Abby ran back home. She dashed to her sister’s room. “How could you!”

  “What?” Carly asked.

  “You showed Jimmy our secret place!” Abby hollered.

  “So what?”

  Abby stared at Carly. “You didn’t tell him our secret code did you?”

  Carly frowned. “What’s wrong with you, Abby?”

  “Nothing.”

  Carly lined up her stuffed animals in a row on her bed. “Abby, why don’t you like Jimmy and Sung Jin?”

  Abby held her breath. “They aren’t sisters,” Abby said slowly. “That’s why.”

  Wednesday at breakfast, Mother said, “Come home right after school. All bedrooms must be cleaned.”

  “Mine is clean,” Carly said.

  “Spotless?” Mother asked.

  Carly nodded.

  “What’s the hurry?” Abby asked.

  “Mrs. Roop is coming after supper,” Mother said.

  “What for?” Carly asked.

  “For a visit,” Mother said. She wiped the table.

  “To check our rooms?” Carly asked.

  Abby wished Carly would stop asking questions. She felt like a jitterbox again. Mother knew more than she was telling. She was sure of it.

  Abby followed her mother downstairs. “It’s about keeping the boys, isn’t it?”

  Mother sat on the sofa. She patted the pillow beside her. “How do you feel about that?”

  Abby’s brain was in a whirl. She felt all mixed up. “I like Jimmy and Sung Jin—it’s not that. I just had my hopes on getting girls.”