“Kyle has been away all week at his friend’s cottage,” said Aunt Joan.
“He’ll be back this afternoon,” said Uncle Ray.
Shelley breathed a huge sigh of relief. Spending a whole week with only adults for company wasn’t what she had been expecting.
Dad and Uncle Ray went to get the luggage. Mom and Aunt Joan went inside. Shelley stayed outside to play with Topper.
After a while, Shelley’s arm got sore. She sat down at the picnic table. “I’m sorry, Topper,” she said. “I’m too tired to play ball anymore.”
Topper lay down at Shelley’s feet. She put her head between her paws.
“I’ll play with you again later,” said Shelley.
A car turned onto the driveway. Topper’s ears perked up. She scrambled to her feet and grabbed her ball.
The car door swung open, and Kyle jumped out. He had a big smile on his face.
Shelley ran to meet him. She felt happy all the way to her fingertips. We’re going to have so much fun together! she thought.
Then, to Shelley’s surprise, another boy stepped out of the car. He stared at Shelley. He was not smiling.
“Marcus, come meet my cousin Shelley,” Kyle called.
Marcus walked over slowly. “Hi,” he muttered. He looked at Shelley. “How old are you?”
“I’m eight,” said Shelley.
“I’m ten,” said Marcus. “You’re just a kid.”
“I am not a kid,” Shelley declared. She decided she did not like Marcus very much. She wished he would get back in his car and go home.
A woman got out of the car too. She took a suitcase from the trunk. “Kyle, come and get your suitcase,” she called.
“I’ll be back in a minute,” Kyle said to Shelley.
The screen door opened. Aunt Joan came out. “Hi, Beth,” she called. “Will you come in for a cup of tea?”
The woman shook her head. “Thanks, Joan, but I have to get back,” she said. “We have company coming tonight.”
Shelley almost cheered out loud. Yay! Marcus would be going home now.
Marcus’s mom reached into the trunk again. She took out another suitcase. She gave it to Marcus. “Have fun,” she said. “I’ll be back to pick you up at the end of the week.”
Shelley almost groaned out loud. Marcus was staying for the whole week?
“These three are going to have a great time together,” said Aunt Joan.
Marcus scowled at Shelley. Shelley scowled back. Something told her this week was going to be anything but fun.