Mystery Mutt by Beverly Lewis Page A

chalkboard.”
    â€œGood thinking!” replied Abby.
    â€œWhen we’re finished, we’ll pick some fruit,” Stacy said, smiling. “Each of us can choose a different fruit for the year.”
    â€œBut we won’t eat it,” Carly joked.
    Dunkum was laughing. “Not unless you want a mouthful of joy or peace.”
    Dee Dee smirked at Jason. “I think one of us needs the full-meal deal !”
    Some of the kids snickered.
    But Stacy was quiet. She held the board while Abby wrote the nine fruits of the Spirit.
    One at a time, the Cul-de-sac Kids called them out:

    Love
    Joy
    Peace
    Patience
    Kindness
    Goodness
    Faithfulness
    Gentleness
    Self-control

TWO
    â€œI want more patience!” hollered Dee Dee Winters. “And I want it now!”
    Stacy chuckled about Dee Dee’s choice. It was perfect.
    â€œI pick self-control,” Jimmy decided.
    Shawn nodded but didn’t laugh. “Little brother pick very good fruit,” he said. “I pick love—just like Stacy.”
    Stacy felt her face grow warm. Shawn was looking at her. “Who’s next?” she asked.
    Carly’s hand flew up. “Patience sounds good for me, too.” She looked at Dee Dee.“I wanna match my best friend,” she said.
    â€œJoy sounds like a good one,” Eric said, his eyes twinkling.
    â€œI think you already have that fruit,” Stacy said.
    The kids agreed.
    â€œPick 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.
    â€œYou can’t keep joy to yourself,” Stacy said.
    â€œThat leaves you, Jason,” Stacy said. “There’s still some fruit to be picked.”
    â€œNo.” 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.
    â€œOK, 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
    â€œWhat’s for supper?” Stacy asked her mother.
    â€œSpaghetti and meatballs,” Mom said. She pulled out the drawer nearest the table. Knives, forks, and spoons lay neatly inside.
    â€œMay I help?” Stacy said.
    Mom smiled. “Would you like to set the table?”
    â€œOK!” 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’smother worked long hours away from home and was often tired in the evening.
    â€œI’ll clean up the kitchen for you,” Stacy offered. “After we eat.”
    â€œThat’s nice of you.” Mom went to check the noodles.
    â€œIs everything under control?” Stacy asked. She watched her mother stir long, skinny noodles.
    â€œThey’re getting soft. We’ll eat soon.”
    â€œI 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.”
    â€œWell, I don’t know about that, honey,” Mom said.