48

“Well, well, well,” said Mom. She was standing at the front door, watching us and petting Rupert. His tail was wagging. He was very excited to see her. “What have we here, boys?”

“We’re having a party,” I said. “For you! Welcome home, Mom!”

“Elbith!” screamed Sam.

“Sam!” said Mom.

“Mama!” said Sam, running over to jump into her arms.

“Welcome home, honey,” said Dad, putting his arms around Mom and Sam.

“It’s good to be home,” said Mom, putting Sam down and hugging Dad.

“Look at the signs!” I said.

“I see,” said Mom, letting go of Dad and hugging me.

“And can you hear the music?” I said.

“I hear.”

“Do you know who is singing?”

“Elbith!” said Sam.

“Do you know what he’s singing about?” I said.

“Lath Begath,” said Sam.

Mom laughed and picked Sam up again.

“I’ve missed you,” she said. “And you’ve grown since I’ve been away.”

“Tham big boy!” he said.

“And look at you, Henry!” she said. “Did you plan this party? Is this your idea?”

“I didn’t invite anybody,” I said, thinking maybe she wasn’t happy about the surprise. “I know you don’t like surprise parties, but this is just a little surprise. It’s just us.”

“And Woopah!” shouted Sam.

“The party is perfect!” said Mom, planting a big kiss on my forehead.

Viva Las Vegas! Viva Las Vegas!

We all danced a little bit. Sam did his Elvis shake.

Mom laughed and did her own version of the Elvis shake.

Dad leaned in for a kiss.

“Kith kith!” said Sam.

“No mushy stuff,” I said. “Don’t get any ideas, Dad.”

“But I have a great idea!” he said. “Who’s hungry?”

“I’m famished,” said Mom.

“Me, too,” I said.

“Elbith! Elbith!” said Sam.

Dad cooked up the Elvis sandwiches. I thought they were even better than the first time. Mom said they tasted “interesting.” That usually means she isn’t crazy about whatever she’s describing. It didn’t matter. We were all having fun.

“Do you know why I like going away?” Mom asked.

“Why?” I said.

“I like coming home and giving out presents to my favorite boys in the world!” she said.

She went to the front door and got her suitcase. She brought it back into the living room and unzipped it. She pulled out a bag and handed it to Sam.

“Open it up,” she said.

“Elbith!” he shouted. He held up his Elvis bobblehead and jumped up and down. “Elbith!”

Mom showed Sam how Elvis’s head wobbled.

Sam giggled.

“And for you, Henry,” she said, taking out a big bag and handing it to me. “These are the real deal.”

I couldn’t believe it. She got me a pair of Chads. Bakers, not Fakers. Mom brought me the exact shoes I wanted.

Viva Las Vegas!