Maddy laughed She wished she could have a dog or any kind of pet But she’d never been able to convince her parents Pokey no said one of the kids and dragged the dog off her The family waved and walked away through the park Maddy stood up and opened the money box I’m going to count the money again Mom can you help me I don’t want the wind to blow it away Coming said Mom She was reading a magazine in a lawn chair 6
Maddy counted the bills and coins into Mom’s hand Forty-five dollars she said and seventy-five cents That’s great said Mom But don’t get too excited Remember This is for school not me Mom had told her that about five thousand times Maddy didn’t care that the money wasn’t for her She didn’t really need it She had enough to buy ice cream once in a while And she usually got money for her birthday that she spent on something special 7
Her school definitely needed it The jungle gym was worn out when Maddy was in kindergarten Her school was going to build a new one once they earned enough money She couldn’t wait to play on it Maddy hummed as she put the bills away She busied herself with straightening up the table She covered the cupcakes with paper and rearranged the cookies She started making a new sign Buy two donuts get the third free Then she heard a voice 8
Maddy A girl ran toward her black hair flying A man followed her Maddy gave Darcy an enormous hug They fell onto the grass and rolled around They sat up laughing while their parents talked Darcy and her dad were taking the next shift at the bake sale Sorry we’re late Darcy stood up and brushed off her jeans We had to bring my sister to her horseback riding lesson first You mean in Half Moon Bay said Maddy A little way outside the city there were ranches and horse farms 9
