were dog-eared from my fingers flipping back and forth from one list to another From the best way to eat potatoes never baked yech to the worst smells I could think of the storm drains on the city streets after a heavy rain What sort of list should I make today I wondered I twirled the pencil through my hair It was early in the morning but it was already as hot as midday It hadn’t rained for weeks and the roses were withering in the garden I smoothed my hand across my notebook and started a list of ways to keep cool Through the open window I heard buses rumbling down the street I imagined where everyone might be going to the zoo to see ways to stick head in fridge put ice cubes on toes eat ice cream for breakfast lunch and supper 2
Ice cream tastes better when you can share it with a friend But I don’t think you can buy a friend at the supermarket the okapi or the museum to see the dinosaurs or the river to feed the ducks Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of shouting and stamping It sounded like someone was tap dancing while hollering at the top of their lungs I swung up to the window and peered outside Our apartment was on the top floor of our building and I could see the whole neighborhood spread out below me like a quilt made of brick pavement and sun-dried grass In the middle surrounded by all the tall apartments was a small green garden square that everyone living in the surrounding buildings shared 3
I saw Anther the gardener running around and shouting That blasted garden hose has sprung a leak again Anther hollered The hose flapped back and forth like an angry snake and Anther didn’t seem to be able to charm it Most things don’t like being shouted at even garden hoses I thought Aaahchooo Anther sneezed violently and tripped on the hose which had wrapped around his ankles He rolled under a bush and out of sight I closed the window jumped off the swing and glided through the air before landing in the hallway with a thud 4
I picked up the newspaper that was scattered on the stairs and noticed a colorful advertise ment splashed across one of the pages Alone Bored A pet is the answer All our fabulous pets are half price Don’t walk run to Harrolds department store to get yours today It’s too hot to run I thought But a pet was the perfect solution Maybe I couldn’t buy a friend but I could buy a pet I could walk in the park with a pet I could play catch with a pet I could tell my secrets to a pet Mom I called up the stairs I need a pet 5
