Her twelve-year-old sister winked at her and mimed zipping her mouth shut I’m trying to convince Mom she mouthed Mrs Ramirez sighed It would be easier but I worry about them We’re nine years old Mom Grace said Not babies Nine-year-olds can still get into trouble We’ll behave Emily promised And you know you can count on Abby to be good Their ten-year-old sister Abby smiled at Emily I’d like ice cream and I really want to observe some of the animals I’ve been reading about peacocks and the petting zoo has two Mrs Ramirez laughed Peacocks aren’t exactly animals you can pet You can’t pet all the animals Abby explained Some of them you just have to look at or feed like the ducks and turkeys
I suppose if the three of you stay together and promise not to get into any trouble Mrs Ramirez directed a pointed look at Grace in the rearview mirror I guess it will be okay Grace thrust out her lower lip That’s not fair How come Mom singled me out with that look She almost said it aloud but as Mrs Ramirez flipped on her left turn signal and waited for an opportunity to cross the traffic Grace forgot about her irritation They were turning onto the road to the petting zoo Ice cream and animals instead of shopping and errands What could be better Yay Grace shouted when they pulled into the parking lot Mrs Ramirez jumped at the sound and Abby covered her ears but Grace was so happy she didn’t care She hopped out of the car and started to take off but her mom’s sharp Grace made her turn and
trudge back to the car She disliked lectures but from the look on her mom’s face she was about to get one Mrs Ramirez pulled out some bills and handed them to Abby That should be enough for ice cream entrance fees to the petting zoo and some animal feed Grace was bouncing up and down on her toes eager to get moving but her mom beckoned for her to come closer Sighing Grace complied and tried to stop jiggling Okay you three Mrs Ramirez said with a serious look on her face I meant what I said about staying together That means you Grace Grace crossed her arms Why just me Because when you get excited you often rush into things Try to slow your pace to Emily’s and Abby’s You’ll have plenty of time to see everything Mrs Ramirez glanced at her watch We should be back around 2 30 so keep an eye on the time
All three girls nodded Then they stuck together as they headed for the entrance Thanks Mom Emily called over her shoulder and the other girls added their thanks I’m really hot Grace said Can we get our ice cream first Fine with me Abby headed for the creamery beside the entrance gate After they chose their flavors and paid for their cones Emily suggested staying inside the air conditioned building until they cooled off Grace legs finished her cone impatiently waiting for the other two to finish Finally they were done and they headed out the door Abby paid their entrance fees and Grace stayed close to her sisters as they went through the revolving turnstile Where should we go first Grace asked swung her first and
