TJ Zaps the Freeze Out #3: Stopping the Silent Treatment
What if we get another goldfi sh I asked Ethan after school Trust me said Ethan We’re not getting another goldfi sh That’s when he told me The Plan That night I set my alarm clock for seven o’clock Dad’s clock radio sat on my dresser It was set to go off at seven fi fteen My old Barney clock was hidden behind my baseball mitt ready to sing I Love You at seven twenty What can I say We were desperate I found the travel clock Auntie Stella said from the doorway She looked around and shook her head I don’t think you’ll need it You never know I grabbed the clock and set it for seven thirty The power could go out 8
She scanned the room one last time Night TJ I hope it works out for you tomorrow Are you positive Livvy is getting there at eight Auntie Stella isn’t my real aunt But she’s been helping my dad take care of me ever since I was born Dad always says we can’t live without her and she can’t live without us I think he’s right Even though I call her Auntie Stella everyone thinks she’s my grandmother I fl icked off my lamp That’s what Ethan said Mr Wong is driving us to school early Before eight We’ll have Ethan’s gecko in the car just in case What if she shows up with a fi sh asked Auntie Stella She won’t I said A promise is a promise But in case she does we’ll talk 9
her into bringing the gecko inside instead Mr Wong will wait in the car We’ll give the goldfi sh to him Sounds like a good plan said Auntie Stella as she kissed my forehead And it was At six fi fty-nine I woke up and turned off my alarm clock I jumped out of bed and turned off all the alarms After getting dressed I crept down the steps to the kitchen Morning TJ Dad yawned as he poured me a glass of juice Auntie Stella told me you’re hoping to have a gecko for a class pet I forgot how much you wanted a pet He stirred his coffee Maybe we can stop by Pet Palace this weekend and have a look Maybe it’s time we get a pet 10
I wasn’t expecting this My heart pounded How about a dog He frowned Dogs need lots of exercise Who wants to get up at six to walk a dog Not me He sipped his coffee How about something in a cage Before I could say rabbit Auntie Stella spoke up Nothing messy An easy-to clean cage I’m busy enough cleaning up after both of you Cooking for both of you Washing clothes for both of you Busy busy busy There goes that idea Dad waved his hand in front of his nose Nothing smelly Nix the pet skunk I saw on television My list grew shorter Dad slid over a box of doughnuts 11
