Junie B. Jones Is a Graduation Girl - Barbara Park [5]
“No, Mother. No,” I said. “I want to keep it on. Please let me? Please, please!”
I quick ran to Ollie's high chair. And I ducked down behind it.
Ollie peeked around at me.
He had sloppy on his face.
“I am not a sloppy baby like Ollie,” I said. “I won't get this dirty. I promise.”
But Mother shook her head.
“I'm sorry, Junie B. But it's just not a good idea to play in your gown,” she said.
After that, Mother and Grandma Miller blocked the high chair. And I couldn't run away again.
“Shoot,” I said. “I am surrounded.”
Mother took my graduation outfit off of me. And she put it back in the box.
Then she put the box way on top of the ’frigerator.
“Let's store it up here for safekeeping,” she said.
“Let's not,” I said real growly.
Mother made squinty eyes at me. Then she took me by my arm. And she marched me to my room. ’Cause that woman has no sense of humor, apparently.
She shut my door and left.
I flopped on my bed very glum.
My stuffed animals were very glum, too.
“Everybody thinks I am a sloppy baby. But I'm not,” I said.
“I don't think you're a sloppy baby,” said my stuffed elephant named Philip Johnny Bob.
“I don't think you're a sloppy baby, either,” said my Raggedy Ann named Ruth.
My Raggedy Andy named Larry did a sigh. “I wish your mother didn't put that cap and gown box on top of the ’frigerator,” he said.
“Me too,” said Philip Johnny Bob. “I wish you could get it down from there so all of us could see it.”
After that, I thought and thought.
Then I lifted up his softie ear.
And I whispered, “Maybe I can.”
The next morning, my grampa Frank Miller came to baby-sit.
I love that baby-sitter very much!
’Cause he doesn't even follow the rules, that's why!
Grampa Miller let me fix my own breakfast. I fixed two waffles. And three marshmallows. And a bowl of cheese curls.
And guess what else? My grampa let me pour my own grape juice! And I didn't spill one single drop!
“See, Grampa! See how careful I am?” I said. “I am not a sloppy baby, right?”
Grampa Miller was feeding Ollie.
“Right,” he said.
My eyes looked up at the ’frigerator.
I hopped down from my chair.
“All rightie, Frank. I guess I'll be getting out of your hair now,” I said. “If you'll just hand me that box from the top of the ’frigerator, I will be on my way.”
Just then, baby Ollie started to cry. Grampa Miller patted him.
I tapped my foot. “Yeah, only I'm waiting, Grampa,” I said.
Finally, Grampa Miller stood up and got my box.
He started to look inside.
Only, all of a sudden, Ollie did a loud squeal!
And he put his whole bowl of cereal right on his head!
“OH MY GOODNESS!” hollered my grampa.
Then Grampa Miller shoved the box right at me. And he hurried to clean Ollie's head.
I zoomed to my room. Then I locked my door. And I waved my box all around.
“I got it, guys! I got it! I got it!” I said.
“Hurray!” said Philip Johnny Bob.
“Hurray, hurray!” said Raggedy Ruth and Raggedy Larry.
After that, I set those guys on my bookshelf. And I put on my graduation gown.
“See me, friends?” I said. “See how cute I look? I am a graduation girl! See?”
“Wowie wow wow!” they hollered.
After that, I danced and skipped and hopped and twirled. ’Cause they wouldn't stop cheering, that's why!
Finally, I flopped on my bed.
“Okay. That's enough, people,” I said. “I am pooped and thirsty.”
“Me too,” said Raggedy Larry. “I am pooped and thirsty, too.”
“I wish we could get something to drink,” said Raggedy Ruth.
Just then, a brainstorm came right in my head!
I sat up very straight.
“Hey! Wait a second! I just learned how to pour grape juice without spilling a drop,” I said. “And so I can go get us some, maybe!”
“Yes!” said Philip Johnny Bob.
“Yes, yes!” said Raggedy Ruth and Raggedy Larry.
I hurried to my door and listened in the hall.
Grampa Miller was giving Ollie a bath.
“Shh,” I whispered to my friends. “You wait here. I'll be right back.”
After that, I tippytoed to the kitchen speedy quick.
And I poured us a cup of grape juice.
And I tippytoed right back