Mystery Mutt (2 page)

“Joy sounds like a good one,” Eric said, his eyes twinkling.

“I think you already have
that
fruit,” Stacy said.

The kids agreed.

“Pick something you know you need. Something to improve on,” Dunkum suggested.

Eric thought and thought. “OK, I've got it. I'll pick peace. I sure could use some of that.” He explained that his grandpa—who lived at his house—was going deaf. “Peace is a good fruit for me to have this year.”

Stacy thought Eric's choice was real cool.

Dunkum raised his hand. “I'll pick faithfulness,” he said. “Sounds like a good one for me.”

Abby spoke up next. “I'll take joy,” she said. “And afterward, I want to give it away.”

The kids knew exactly what she meant.

“You can't keep joy to yourself,” Stacy said.

“That leaves you, Jason,” Stacy said. “There's still some fruit to be picked.”

“No.” Jason shook his head. “I'm not gonna do the fruit thing,” he said. “It's silly.”

Stacy looked at Abby and shrugged her shoulders. The rest of the Cul-de-sac Kids were quiet.

“OK, that's my idea,” Stacy said. “I'm finished.”

She turned the meeting back to their president.

But she felt strange toward Jason. Why didn't he want to stick with his friends? What
was
his problem?

THREE

“What's for supper?” Stacy asked her mother.

“Spaghetti and meatballs,” Mom said. She pulled out the drawer nearest the table. Knives, forks, and spoons lay neatly inside.

“May I help?” Stacy said.

Mom smiled. “Would you like to set the table?”

“OK!” Stacy always liked helping her mom. She wished she could help even more. Since her dad left, it was just herself and her mom—the two of them. Stacy's
mother worked long hours away from home and was often tired in the evening.

“I'll clean up the kitchen for you,” Stacy offered. “After we eat.”

“That's nice of you.” Mom went to check the noodles.

“Is everything under control?” Stacy asked. She watched her mother stir long, skinny noodles.

“They're getting soft. We'll eat soon.”

“I love pasta!” Stacy exclaimed.

She meant it, too. Pasta was the best food in the world!

Mom turned to look at her. “That's why I made it. Just for you.”

Stacy studied her mom. “You're always so sweet,” she said. “Just like the fruit of the Spirit.”

“Well, I don't know about that, honey,” Mom said. “Nobody's perfect.”

“I think you're pretty close,” she whispered.

Mom reached over and gave her a big hug. “What's this about the fruit of the Spirit?” Mom asked.

“It's something the Cul-de-sac Kids are doing.”

“Really?” Mom seemed pleased.

Stacy felt proud. “It was my idea.”

“Tell me more,” Mom said.

“You know about making resolutions, right?” she asked. “Especially around the New Year?”

Mom nodded. “Lots of people do this time of year. But not everyone sticks to goals. That's the hard part.”

“All my friends have picked a fruit,” Stacy explained. “Straight from the Bible.”

“And what sort of fruit might that be?” Mom was grinning. She already knew. Stacy was sure of it.

“Things like goodness and love . . . peace and joy.” She washed her hands and set
the table for two. “I'm picking love,” she said.

“What a wonderful choice,” Mom said.

“I'm gonna try to love everyone I know. With God's help.” She headed for the living room. She wanted to check on her little dog, Sunday Funnies.

She found him curled up near the comics page of the newspaper. “What's with you and the funnies?” she asked. “I always know where to find you, don't I?”

Sunday Funnies barked playfully.

Stacy picked him up. Gently, she carried him into the kitchen. “Time for your supper, puppy dog,” she said.

Sunday Funnies made excited sounds.

“Have patience,” she told him.

“One of the fruits of the Spirit,” Mom added.

“That's right!” Stacy said. “So . . . some patience, please.”

She poured dog food into his dish.
Then she stepped aside. “Now have some joy, too,” she said.

Mom was laughing.

Sunday Funnies was chowing down.

Stacy was eager for spaghetti!

FOUR

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” said Mom. She shook Stacy's shoulder very lightly. “Are you going to sleep all day?”

Stacy stretched and yawned. “It's Christmas break, and I'm still tired.”

“OK,” Mom said. “I'll let Sunday Funnies out for you.”

“Are you leaving for work already?” Stacy asked.

Mom looked at the clock on Stacy's desk. “I'll go in ten minutes,” she said.

Stacy sat up. “I guess I slept too late.”

“That's all right, honey. You'll be getting
up early again soon. Next week when school starts,” Mom said with a tender smile.

Stacy swung her legs over the side. “I'm awake now. So I might as well get up.”

Mom sat quietly, still smiling.

Stacy yawned again. “I think I'll go visit Jason today.”

“How's he doing?” Mom asked.

“Wanna know the truth? He's a pain,” Stacy complained.

Mom frowned. “Time to spread some love around. It sounds like Jason Birchall could use a good dose,” she remarked.

Usually, Stacy would be thinking:
Icksville!
About showing love to Jason, that is.

Jason was one weird kid. He wasn't easy to love.

Most kids
liked
Jason, though. He was full of fun. And mischief, too.

Even Pinktoes, Jason's pet spider,
liked him. So did Croaker, his bullfrog. Jason wanted to add even more pets to his zoo.

But love? That was a very difficult subject.

Stacy sighed. She understood her mother. Love was the first fruit of the Spirit. And loving Jason could be tricky at times. But she could do it. God would help her!

“You're right, Mom,” she agreed. “I'll go easy on Jason.”

“That's my girl,” Mom said.

Stacy found Jason outside, sweeping snow off his steps.

“Hey, Jason!” she called to him.

He looked up. But when he saw her, he looked back down.

“Are you busy?” she asked, hurrying across the street.

“What's it look like?” he said. He kept
sweeping even though the cement was peeking through.

“I thought we could talk,” she said.

“So talk.” He glanced over his shoulder at her.

She wondered if she should turn around and go home. Should she even try to show love to Jason?

“Maybe now isn't such a good time,” she muttered.

“Maybe not.” He kept facing away from her.

“OK. I'll see you later.” She headed back across the street. She really thought he might call to her. Tell her to stop walking away and come back.

But he didn't say one word.

Stacy turned to look at Jason from her porch step. She stared at him.

He was still sweeping with his back to her. Jason was doing what he did best.
Being a pain
, she thought.

“It's too bad,” she whispered to herself. “Jason's gonna spoil everything for New Year's.”

She opened the front door to her house. With a huff, she went inside.

FIVE

Stacy headed next door to visit her best friend.

“How are we gonna get Jason to pick a fruit?” she asked Abby.

Abby shook her head. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

They sat on Abby's bed and lined up the stuffed animals.

“Maybe if we give him some space,” said Stacy. “That might help.”

Abby's face lit up. “If we give him
enough
space, he might feel left out.”

Stacy wasn't sure about that. “I don't
know. That might not be the best way to show love,” she said.

“Sometimes loving someone means giving them breathing room.” Abby blinked her eyes. “Know what I mean?”

Stacy thought about that. “Maybe.”

“So well pray,” Abby said. “And we'll be patient and gentle with him. Two more fruits.”

There was a calendar hanging on Abby's bulletin board.

Stacy counted the days till New Year's.

“Phooey,” she whispered.

“What's wrong?” asked Abby.

Stacy sat back down on the bed. “We don't have much time.”

Abby was nodding her head. “You're right. So we better start praying,” she said.

“And we should have another club meeting,” Stacy suggested.

“Good idea!” Abby seemed excited about getting together again. “I'll call Dee
Dee and Dunkum. You can tell Eric and Jason. OK?”

Stacy paused. “I . . . I don't know about calling Jason. He might not want to talk to me.”

“Why not?”

She told Abby how Jason had treated her this morning. “He could hardly wait for me to leave.”