Maria squealed, pushing past Lizzie to run toward Bandit. She plopped down on the floor with him, scooped him up, and nuzzled her nose into his neck. “Ooh, he’s even cuter than I remembered.” Lizzie, still standing at the door, remembered her manners. “Come on in,” she said to Maria’s parents and her uncle. Mom and Dad came into the living room to say hello, and soon everyone was standing in a circle around Bandit, cooing over him. “Oh, the poor little thing,” said Mrs. Santiago, when she heard that it was true about him needing a heart operation. Mr. Santiago knelt down to pet Bandit. “You’re gonna be just fine, big guy,” he said softly. Now Bandit lay on his back, squirming happily and waving his front paws in the air. Charles, Maria, Lizzie, and the Bean sat on the floor near Bandit, taking turns petting him. Yes! I’m the center of attention. This is how I like it. This is how it should always be. Lizzie glanced up at Uncle Teo. He stood with his arms folded and a slight smile on his face as he watched the others hover over Bandit.
