I’m late getting to my Sunday school room. Soon as I walk in, Laurie waves at me from the front row. “Nat! I saved you a seat!” she yells. My bestest friend, Laurie, is a great seat saver. I take that seat next to her. “Tell me everything!” she whispers, on account of our teacher, Mrs. Palmer, is talking too. “What kind of a puppy? Do you get to pick? When will you—” “No puppy,” I whisper back. “They changed their minds?” Laurie asks. “I guess. We’re getting a baby from China instead. A boy.” “You are?” Laurie is big in her eyes. I nod. “Wow! A brother!” Laurie says this so loud that Mrs. Palmer looks at us. Only she is smiley-faced like Laurie. “I always wanted a brother,” Laurie says. “You did?” I’m surprised. Laurie acts even more excited about me getting a boy than she did about me getting a puppy. Mrs. Palmer walks over to us. I think she’s going to tell us to be quiet. Only I’m wrong. “Congratulations, Natalie,” she says. “Thank you.”
