There you go he said just as their teacher Ms Bird announced it was time to line up for library Finley shoved the list into her pocket She tried not to let her hopes bubble up but as the class filed down the hall she couldn’t help pulling the paper out to sneak a peek When they arrived at the library Finley immediately checked out some books on pets If she was going to convince her parents she needed to do her research Mom and Dad love facts she thought leafing through the books and taking notes in her sketchbook And if I’m going to convince them to get a pet I’m going to need lots to back me up I’ll be so prepared there’s no way they can say no
Chapter 2 LLAMA DRAMA That night at dinner Evie gave the family a lesson on volcanoes and Zack summed up his math test Finley sprinkled cheese on her spaghetti and ate waiting for her turn to talk Finally when Zack had finished Mom turned to Finley What about you she asked What have you been up to Well Finley said slowly I’ve been thinking Dad twirled his spaghetti What’s growing in your idea garden Finley took a deep breath I know I’ve asked about having a pet before she began but I’m older now and I’m really ready She took out her sketchbook to make sure she covered her main points I did some research There are lots of great reasons to have a pet They can even make you healthier Dad raised his eyebrows Really Finley nodded And I know you want us to be healthy Mom smiled Just because pets can make people healthier doesn’t mean you’ll get sick if you don’t have one Finley clasped her hands together and made a pitiful face I’m already sick she said Sick with longing Then she turned to Dad Also I’ve noticed you’ve both been a little stressed lately Mom looked surprised We have Finley nodded Pets lower stress levels too Amazing Dad smiled
You’re very persuasive Mom said One day when you get your own place you can have all the pets you want Better start saving Zack warned Pet food cat litter vet bills Finley glared at her brother Don’t worry she said I’ll make sure I can take care of them Besides all they really need is love And food Zack said and water and shots Just curious Mom said what type of pet did you have in mind Finley handed Mom the list Mom put her fork down and read A llama A llama Zack doubled over laughing Evie clapped her hands together Llamas are so cute I love the way they chew Finley scowled at Zack A llama is very practical We could harvest her wool to
