Natalie Wants a Puppy

by Dandi Daley Mackall

  A baby? I shout. Are you sure?

  I look at my moms stomach. She told me babies come from there. Youre not fat like Bethanys mom was fat.

  Daddy pats Mommys tummy. Hmmmshes right, you know.

  I stare at her stomach. Plus also, I dont remember seeing anybody else in there when I was there. I think I would have remembered that one.

  They laugh their heads off. Only not for too long.

  Im sorry, Nat, Mom says. Were not laughing at you. Were just so happy. Weve been waiting such a long time. Were adopting a baby from China.

  From China? Like Annas China? Anna is in my kindergarten class. She told us all about her grandparents being from China.

  Will it talk American? I ask.

  Eventually, Mom answers. Well count on you to help with that.

  I am trying to get used to this idea. A baby in our house? Where will it live? Jasons baby brother lived in Jasons room. And all it did was cry. Plus, it was wrinkly.

  Daddy takes over talking. We didnt think the adoption would come through until next year. Then we got the call yesterday. And everythings happening so fast. We just wanted to be sure before we told you and got your hopes up.

  What about my puppy? I ask.

  Daddy scruffs up my hair. Maybe we can talk about that one when we get back.

  When we get back from where? I dont want to wait for my puppy.

  China, Mommy says.

  Were going to China? I was on a flying airplane two times to see Different Granny and Gramps in California. You had to sit in your seat a very long time. What if China is as far away as California?

  Daddy and I will go there to get your new little brother, Nat, Mommy explains. Its such a long flight. Granny will stay here with you. Wont that be fun?

  Youre going without me? I am chokey in my neck now.

  You wouldnt want to miss your last week of kindergarten, would you, Nat? Daddy asks. He has a fake smiley face on.

  Tears are leaking out of me. Everything feels not fair. No puppy. No Mommy. No Daddy. No China. Why cant I go with you?

  We can barely afford two tickets to China, honey, Daddy says. Besides, you love having Granny here.

  Not at nights. I have to swallow tears to get those words out. I love Granny. But Granny isnt Mommy and Daddy at night.

  I dont eat very much for dinner. Neither do Mom and Dad. They both put me and Percy to bed early. Its still light outside.

  We have a lot to pray and be thankful for tonight, dont we? Mom says. She sits on the feet part of my bed, next to Percy.

  Daddy stays standing up.

  They pray first. We say our regular prayers and make sure everybody we know is blessed, plus some people we dont even know.

  Then Daddy says, Father, thanks for blessing us with two children. Help them both know how much we love them.

  Mom prays some regular stuff. Then she says, Please keep our new baby safe. Give us a safe trip to China. Take care of Natalie and her granny while were gone.

  Theyre really much quiet. I know its my turn. Only I dont want to tell God all the stuff in my head. So I just say, Please bring my mom and dad back home super fast. Amen.

  Mommy tucks me in and pets Percys head. You know, Nat, your dad and I will be back before you know it. And when we land, youll have a brand-new baby brother.

  A brand-new brother.

  And no puppy.

  Chapter 5

  Sunday Showers Cant Grow Flowers

  The next day is Sunday, and there is a lot of hurrying in our house. Im late getting to my Sunday school room.

  Soon as I walk in, Laurie waves at me from the front row. Nat! I saved you a seat! she yells.

  My bestest friend, Laurie, is a great seat saver. I take that seat next to her.

  Tell me everything! she whispers, on account of our teacher, Mrs. Palmer, is talking too. What kind of a puppy? Do you get to pick? When will you

  No puppy, I whisper back.

  They changed their minds? Laurie asks.

  I guess. Were getting a baby from China instead. A boy.

  You are? Laurie is big in her eyes.

  I nod.

  Wow! A brother! Laurie says this so loud that Mrs. Palmer looks at us. Only she is smiley-faced like Laurie.

  I always wanted a brother, Laurie says.

  You did? Im surprised. Laurie acts even more excited about me getting a boy than she did about me getting a puppy.

  Mrs. Palmer walks over to us. I think shes going to tell us to be quiet. Only Im wrong. Congratulations, Natalie, she says.

  Thank you. Im pretty sure she means congratulations on the baby boy and not the puppy. I wonder if the whole world knows about it.

  After church, Laurie and Lauries mom run up to my mom when were leaving. Kelly, I cant find that pretty plate we used for the last potluck.

  Mom stops walking. Did you look under the sink?

  Its not there. Lauries mom looks aggravated.

  Are you sure, Marge? I put it right back where it always goes.

  Lauries mom shakes her head and takes Moms arm. You better find it. Ill need it before you get back.

  Go on, honey, Dad says. Ill wait in the car. He walks out with Lauries dad.

  Laurie and I follow our moms down creaky stairs to the basement. There arent good windows down there, and its kinda dark.

  Why are the lights off? Mom asks. She flips the light on at the bottom of the stairs.

  Surprise!

  Surprise!

  Surprise!

  A gazillion ladies shout this at us.

  I cant believehow did youIm speechless! Mommy says.

  Lauries mom leads my mom to a fancy table in front of everybody. Plus, there are presents on that table.

  Lauries big sister Sarah comes over to Laurie and me. You guys can sit up front and watch, Sarah says. She puts us in the front row of chairs. Have you ever been to a baby shower before, Natalie?

  At Jasons house once, I answer. It wasnt so much fun. On account of theres no water in a baby shower. And the presents arent for you.

  My mom was up all night planning this after your mom called, Sarah says. Some people skipped church to go buy a gift, but dont tell Pastor. She laughs, cause you can tell our pastor all kinds of stuff.

  Nobody told me, Laurie complains.

  You cant keep a secret, Sarah says.

  My mom keeps telling people thank you.

  Are you going to open your gifts or what? Lauries mom shouts at mine.

  Everybody laughs.

  Mommy starts to open a present, then stops. She looks right at me. Natalie, could you help me open these gifts?

  I jump out of my seat and run up to her. I love to open gifts. I am a very good opener, thats what.

  I start with the biggest present and pull off the bow. I rip off the paper. But the box is closed up. It wont open, I tell Mom.

  Together, we get it apart and pull out a big blue plastic thing. Its a car seat, I mutter. I hate those things. Only the one I had didnt have toys on it like this one.

  Its amazing! Mommy says. Thank you so much. I really need it, too. We gave Nats away. And this looks like a new, improved model.

  I am already ripping open another present.

  Slow down, Nat, Mommy says.

  Only I am a fast present-opener. I rip off the paper. Diapers? I push the giant bag of diapers away. This is the worst present I have ever unwrapped.

  There are more worst presents. Rattles. And more diapers. Fuzzy blankets for babies. And little baby-boy clothes.

  You can finish, I tell my mom. On account of I am done opening these yucky-head presents.

  Sarah lets Laurie and me pass out pieces of cake on little plates. But its white cake and not chocolate. So I dont eat any. And Im starving.

  When the showering is finally over, Lauries mom walks over to the basement steps, where Laurie and I are sitting. Natalie, howd you like to come home with Laurie?

  Most of the times, I would shout, Yes! Only not this time. Mommy and D
addy are going to China tomorrow. I have to go home, I tell her.

  Please? Wed love to have you, Natalie, Lauries mom says. Your parents have a lot of packing to do. Lets give them some time, okay?

  Come on, Nat! Laurie says. Itll be fun!

  We push through the crowd and get to my mom. I slip up and hug her. She puts one arm around me, while she keeps saying thank you to people. I dont think shell want me to go to Lauries. Sunday is family day at our house.

  Mommy kisses my head. Be good at Lauries, Nat. Have fun.

  I walk out with Laurie and Sarah. I take a fast look back before we step outside. I see other people and the pile of presents.

  But I cant even see my mommy.

  Chapter 6

  The Truth about Brothers and Sisters

  You sit in back! I was here first. Brianna is Lauries sister whos in fifth grade. She locks the front door of Lauries van before Sarah can open it.

  Youre there first because you didnt help us with the shower! Sarah shouts.

  Please, Sarah, their mom begs, just get in. You can have front both ways next time.

  Sarah scoots into the backseat. Laurie and I scoot in after her. Brianna always gets her way, Sarah mutters. She tosses a big Bible into the front seat. It lands on Brianna.

  Stop it! Brianna shouts.

  Its your Bible! Sarah shouts. Were crowded back here.

  Brianna tosses the Bible back to Sarahs lap.

  Sarah tosses it back, hard.

  Mother, make her stop! Brianna cries.

  Girls, please! their mom shouts.

  Brianna looks over the front seat at me. See what you have to look forward to?

  Me? I get ready to catch a Bible.

  Yeah, you, Brianna says. No more only child for you. Id give anything to be an only child.

  If Id had my way, Sarah says, you would have been an only childin someone elses family.

  Girls! yells their mother.

  They dont mean it, Laurie whispers.

  Oh, yeah, we do mean it, Brianna insists. Youll see. She turns on the car radio too loud for more talking.

  At Lauries house, we change into her clothes. She lets me wear her only purple shorts. We are the exactly same size, except shes bigger.

  I wish we were sisters, I tell Laurie.

  Yeah, she said. Only maybe wed fight like Sarah and Bri.

  No way! I say, on account of Laurie and I never fight most of the time.

  Want to see whats on TV? Laurie asks.

  We go to the living room, but her dad has boring stuff on the TV. Like baseball. Hes asleep in the big chair.

  Sarah lies down on the couch. Mother! she shouts without opening her eyes. Make Brianna turn her music down!

  Its true that Briannas music is louder than the baseball noises on TV. Their dad is still sleeping through the whole thing.

  Lauries mom goes into Briannas room, and the music gets lower. Brianna sticks her head out of her door and screams, I hate you, Sarah!

  Goes double for me! Sarah screams back.

  Lets go outside, Laurie says.

  Instead of real swings, Lauries dad hung a big tire on a tree. Its pretty cool. Only we both dont fit. Her tree isnt as big as Frank, the tree in my backyard. So its harder to climb.

  We sit by their sandbox. Only theres mostly dirt in there.

  What if I get a brother whos like Brianna? I ask Laurie.

  Bris okay, Laurie says. Im pretty sure shell turn into a nice sister someday. Sarah did.

  Wasnt Sarah always nice? I think Lauries big sister is the prettiest and nicest sister I know. Plus, she wears lipstick. And once she painted my fingernails and my toenails.

  Sarah used to write kick on my back and then kick me, Laurie says. And shed hit me without even writing first.

  I can hardly believe this thing. Really?

  Really. Only she didnt kick or hit hard. And she always wrote with lipstick.

  Do Sarah and Brianna really hate each other? I ask.

  Nah, Laurie answers. They love each other.

  This isnt how we do love at our house, I say. Are you sure?

  Yep, Laurie answers. Only sometimes they forget.

  We go back to Lauries room and have a picnic with her dolls. Im a stuffed-animal girl, and she is a doll girl. Only we dont have to fight about it.

  After our picnic, we walk out to the living room. Lauries dad is still asleep in his chair.

  Shush! Brianna says. Shes kneeling by the couch, where Sarah is sleeping. Sarah is on her back, with one arm over her head and the other arm dangling off the couch.

  Whats Brianna doing? I whisper.

  I dont know, Laurie whispers back. But thats Dads shaving cream.

  Brianna shushes us again.

  We move in to see better. Brianna squirts a pile of white shaving cream into Sarahs dangling hand. Then she pulls out a feather and touches Sarahs nose with it.

  Sarahs nose wrinkles. The feather touches it again. Sarah reaches up and scratches her nose. And that shaving cream goes all over her face.

  What? Sarah sits up fast. White shaving stuff drips from her nose and chin.

  Brianna is rolling on the floor laughing.

  Sarah touches her nose, then stares at the white stuff in her hand. You little

  Brianna gets up and takes off running. Youre the one who did it! she cries.

  And youre the one whos going to get it! Sarah yells.

  Laurie and her mom walk me home. Her mom talks most of the way about how happy I must be getting a little brother and not having to be an only child anymore.

  I dont say anything. Only Im thinking.

  And what Im thinking is how my mom and dad always say, Only Natalie. Mostly they say this in a good way. Only sometimes not. And even then, I like being Only Natalie.

  Now Im not going to be that anymore.

  And I dont think I like being Not-Only Natalie.

  Chapter 7

  Get Ready? Get Set? Dont Go!

  Laurie and her mom walk me up my driveway. And thats when I see a strange thing. How come Charlottes here?

  Charlotte? Lauries mom asks.

  Thats her grannys car, Laurie explains.

  The door opens, and theres my granny.

  Granny, why are you here? My heart is very thumpy. Wheres my mom? Wheres Daddy? Did they go to China?

  Natalie, they would never leave without telling you, you silly thing. She hugs me, and I let her, on account of I think I need this hugging.

  We tell Laurie and her mom good-bye. And thanks. Then we go on in.

  Your mom and dad are in the bedroom, packing, Granny explains. Im staying the night to help out.

  I run into Mom and Dads bedroom. Mom is opening and closing drawers. Daddy is reaching high up in the closet.

  Hey, Nat! Daddy says. He takes a suitcase down from the top shelf. Did you have fun at Lauries?

  Kinda.

  Mom turns and gives me a smiley face. Hi, honey. Then she goes back to her drawers.

  Can I help? I ask.

  Sure, Mommy says. Can you find me a handkerchief?

  Yes! I am a good helper. A really good helper. And this makes me have a thought. Maybe if I help enough, theyll take me with them.

  Mom runs out of the bedroom, saying, Gum! I better take gum for the airplane.

  I pull open all the drawers and look very hard in them. But there arent any hankies in here. So I dig more. And more.

  Mom rushes back in. Honey, please dont throw my things on the floor. She picks up the stuff that fell when I was looking.

  Heres a hankie, Daddy says, tossing it into the suitcase.

  Granny comes in and asks if I want to play with her. I go with her, but I dont feel like playing. So she helps me get ready for bed.

  And Mommy and Daddy dont.

  Granny reads me a story. And Mommy and Daddy dont.

  Then Mommy and Daddy come in for the praying part. We all talk to God about taking care of Granny and me at home and Mommy and Daddy on the airplane and th
e baby boy in China. And that makes my heart feel a little better, only not so much.

  In the morning, I dont feel like going to kindergarten. I stay sitting at the kitchen table when its time to go. I should stay here with Percy, I tell them.

  Mom kisses my head. Cant miss your last week of kindergarten, Nat. You be my big girl while were gone. Okay?

  I dont feel like a big girl. I feel like its the first day of kindergarten all over again. Thats what.

  Daddy bends down to my size. Well miss you, Nat. But when we come home, well have a brand-new brother for you!

  I feel Grannys hand on my shoulder. We better go, chum. Dont want to be late. Besides, Charlottes been acting up again. That ol Chevy is on its last legs.

  I hug and kiss Mommy and Daddy more. And they do me more. Then I walk with Granny to Charlotte. Only I keep looking back and waving and getting waved at.

  At school, Laurie and Jason are waiting for me by Ham the Hamsters cage.

  Nat! Jason yells. Ham wants his joke!

  Every day of kindergarten, almost, I tell our classroom pet a hamster joke. Only I dont feel jokey. Looking at Hams cage makes me think about that mistake I made about the playpen.

  Come on, Nat! Laurie shouts.

  I join my bestest friends and look in at Ham. Why did the hamster cross the road? All of my hamster jokes start like that, sometimes. Then I have time to make up an answer.

  I dont know, Jason says. Why did the hamster cross the road?

  Cause his mommy and daddy hamster flew in an airplane all the way to that other side of the road. And that hamster didnt want to be left by himself. Thats what.

  Jason makes a frowny face. For the first time ever, he doesnt laugh at my hamster joke.

  Me neither.

  Chapter 8

  Try, Try, Try Again

  We have to take our seats. Laurie sits in front, next to Sasha. Sasha is not so nice. She and Peter the Not-So-Great are the two not-nicest kids in the whole kindergarten.

  Anna turns around and whispers, Whats wrong, Natalie?

  There is so much sad in me. It must be leaking out. My mom and dad are flying to China.