Sammy and I are taking a break from spying. We’re playing On-the-Ground Disco Dancing. It’s like regular dancing, only you do it lying down. Sammy and I have a great new routine. We can dance and point in all different directions at the same time. The music is about to start.
Sammy is the leader. “Paw up!”
I don’t have a paw, so I hold up my hand.
He counts down. “Five, four, three, two . . .” And then the doorbell rings.
The music starts, but suddenly I’m all alone. Sammy’s gone, barking and racing for the front door. I jump up and chase after him. I catch up just as Mom opens the door.
She points to Sammy. “DO SOMETHING WITH HIM!”
I lean down next to Sammy’s ear. “Great barking, but can you keep the rest inside?”
It’s not easy to stop doing something you love, but Sammy tries. He closes his mouth and puts his head down. His barks still want to come out, but he keeps his teeth so tight together that only a little growl escapes. I scratch behind his ears. That helps him keep calm.
Mom is talking to Mr. Robertson from next door. When he leaves, there’s a giant box on the porch. Mom points to the name on top—June Fairway. That’s ME!
Isabella’s full of questions. “What is it? Who’s it for? Who sent it?”
I know two of the answers. “It’s a present to me from Mr. Robertson.”
Isabella doesn’t believe me. “Mr. Robertson from next door gave you a present?”
Mom laughs and shakes her head. “No, it’s not from Mr. Robertson. We were out yesterday when the box was delivered. Mr. Robertson was just saving it for us.”
Isabella pokes it with her foot. “What’s inside?”
Sammy jumps up. He has a great idea. “LET’S MAKE GUESSES!”
While Mom and Isabella pull the box into the house, Sammy and I dance around the room and shout out guesses.
“Cupcakes! Porcupines! Chocolate! Candy!”
“Dinosaur bones! Squirrels! Bones! Squirrels!”
“IT’S FROM GRANDMA PENNY!” Mom waves a piece of paper in the air.
I stop dancing. A present from Grandma Penny is worth stopping for, because Grandma Penny is absolutely the best present giver in the whole world.