Junie B. Jones Is a Party Animal - Barbara Park [3]
Mother shook her head. “Waaaay too much stuff,” she said.
Then she got a teeny suitcase from the shelf. And she packed my pajamas and my slippers and my robe and my toothbrush.
After that, she got a sleeping bag from her closet. And she put my pillow on top of it.
“There. That’s all you’ll need. You’re all set,” she said.
I springed into the air.
“ALL SET!” I hollered real joyful. “JUNIE B. JONES IS ALL SET FOR LUCILLE’S!”
After that, I quick grabbed Philip Johnny Bob. And I dragged my stuff to the front door.
“ALL RIGHTIE! LET’S BE ON OUR WAY!” I shouted very excited.
Mother was in baby Ollie’s room. She didn’t come.
“OKIE DOKE! I’M GOING OUTSIDE NOW! JUNIE B. JONES IS GOING OUTSIDE TO GET IN THE CAR!” I shouted louder.
Just then, Mother runned to get me.
“No, Junie B.! No! I’m not taking you to Lucille’s, remember? Lucille’s nanna is picking you up at three o’clock. I told you that. I’m sure I did.”
All of a sudden, my shoulders got very slumping. ’Cause I didn’t actually remember that information, that’s why.
“Darn it,” I said very sad. “Three o’clock takes forever.”
After that, I slumped to the table and ate my breakfast.
Then I sat on my front step.
And I swinged on my swings.
And I read some books.
And I ate a cheese sandwich.
And I counted to a million bazillion.
And I sat on my step some more.
And then guess what?
Three o’clock finally came!
I saw the big gold car in my driveway!
“HEY! SHE’S HERE! SHE’S HERE! SHE’S HERE!” I yelled real thrilled.
Mother and Daddy hurried to the door.
“Are you ready to go?” said Mother.
“READY!” I yelled. “JUNIE B. JONES IS READY TO GO!”
The richie nanna got out of her car.
I throwed my arms around her.
“HELLO, NANNA! HELLO! HELLO! I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU THE WHOLE LIVELONG DAY!”
Mother pulled me off of that woman.
“Sorry,” she said. “I’m afraid Junie B. has a little extra energy in her. She’s been sitting on the step for hours.”
I leaped way high in the air.
“SITTING ON THE STEP!” I said. “JUNIE B. JONES HAS BEEN SITTING ON THE STEP!”
Daddy and Mother carried my things to the big gold Cattle Act.
And guess what? When they opened the door, Lucille and that Grace were already in the backseat!
“LUCILLE! GRACE! I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW YOU WERE ALREADY HERE! AND SO THIS IS A DELIGHTFUL SURPRISE!”
I reached inside to try to tickle them. But Mother pulled my hand away.
“Please, Junie B. Don’t start,” she said.
I saluted her.
“Aye, aye, Captain,” I said real hilarious.
After that, I got in the car and I bounced on the softie seat.
Only too bad for me. ’Cause I accidentally bounced too high. And I banged my head on the roof.
The nanna did a gasp.
I patted her.
“Yeah, only that didn’t even faze me,” I said.
After that, I buckled up my seat belt.
And I waved good-bye to Mother and Daddy.
And the nanna drove us away.
5/Going to the Ball
Lucille was sitting in the middle.
She whispered real quiet to me and that Grace.
“Beg for my poodle,” she said. “You promised, remember? You promised to beg for my poodle.”
Me and that Grace looked and looked at each other. ’Cause we didn’t actually want to do that particular thing.
Lucille poked us.
“Come on! You promised!” she whispered. “You promised to beg!”
I did a sigh.
Then I thinked and thinked about what to say.
Finally, I took a deep breath.
“Hey, Nanna. Guess what? Lucille wants a poodle, apparently. And so could you buy her one, do you think?” I asked.
“Yes, could you?” asked that Grace. “’Cause she is making us beg you. Or else we can’t spend the night.”
The nanna’s mouth came all the way open.
“Ohhhh. So that’s what this is all about, huh? Well, my granddaughter knows perfectly well that I am allergic to dogs. So you can tell Lucille that a poodle is out of the question, I’m afraid.”
I patted Lucille very understanding.
“A poodle is out of the question, we’re afraid,” I said.
Lucille kicked her feet up and down.
“Beg harder,” she whispered. “You have to beg harder.”
I did a frown.
“Are you firm on that, Nanna?” I asked.