The Wish Stealers (23 page)

—Margaret Mead

W
hen Griffin walked into science class the next day, the entire school smelled like warm chocolate chip cookies. The home economics teacher and her students had baked cookies for every student in the school to promote their department.

Griffin smiled, inhaling the scent that wafted in every corner of the building.
I wish my new school smells like warm chocolate chip cookies!
Maybe she was on track after all! She hoped things had gone well for Garrett—meeting his dad last night. She wondered if he’d even show up to school today, with his dad in town. Maybe he would be mad at her until the end of school, or even mad at her forever.

“Did you hear, Griffin?” asked Audree.

“Hear what?” asked Griffin, and she sat down in her seat.

“The newspaper is coming!” she said.

“What?” said Griffin.

“Shhhhh. Here comes Mr. Luckner,” Audree whispered as the class bell rang. Just then Garrett darted in from the hallway and plunked into his seat.

“Well, class. I am humbled and amazed,” said Mr. Luckner. “Your projects last night were out of this world. I’m so proud of all the hard work and
learning
that you’ve accomplished! Of course, the biggest winner of all last night was our own Earth. Now, Principal Yeldah has a special announcement.”

BZZZZZZZZzzzz
. The loudspeaker broadcast Principal Yeldah’s voice through the school into each and every classroom. “Good morning, students. Congratulations on your stupendous work at science night. I’m so proud of all of you. A gigantic congratulations to last night’s two team winners, Audree Stein and Aury Laww and Caden Nosam and Carol Peters. A huge thank you to both teams for their incredible generosity in donating their prize money to Pennies for the Planet. I need to say a special thanks to Griffin Penshine, Garrett Forester, Alfred Coombs, and The Alchemists for all their hard
work protecting our Earth. In fact, in addition to Alfred’s donation of two jugs of pennies, the remaining five jugs were filled last night, making the grand total for Pennies for the Planet five thousand fifty-three dollars and eleven cents!”

Applause erupted throughout the school. “Five thousand dollars!” kids shouted in classrooms. Griffin looked down at her desk and scribbled the math in her notebook:

TOTAL: $5,053.11 for Earth!

“Some of the most exciting news is that the
Kansas Tribune
called the school early this morning and wants to do a huge front page article about how young students can protect and help our planet. Next Saturday at eleven o’clock in front of the town hall Mayor Alexander will be giving an
award to Griffin Penshine and Garrett Forester for starting the campaign. Television news channels are coming as well, and Dr. Fonda, a representative from Pennies for the Planet, is traveling from Washington, D.C., to accept a giant check representing the entire donation.”

Applause exploded from the entire school, and Griffin and Garrett blushed simultaneously. When Griffin looked up, a note was on her desk.

Carefully, under her desk, she opened it:

Hey, great job last night. Amazing bass guitar.

I saw my dad last night. He’s really cool. He’s a champion fisherman. Sorry for the things I said.

G.

Griffin turned around in her seat.

Garrett smiled at her.

Help others achieve their dreams,
and you will achieve yours.

—Les Brown

M
om?” called Griffin from her bedroom before school.

“Yes?” said her mom from the couch. Sweat beaded on her mother’s forehead. Her breathing was heavy.

“Mom, are you okay?” asked Griffin, walking down a few steps.

“I’m fine. The baby is coming soon. I can feel it. Maybe she or he is coming early for your award! We are all so proud of you.” She laughed and wiped her damp face with a cloth.

“You sure you’re okay?” asked Griffin. All the wishes except four had been returned. Returning seven wishes had
to count for something. “Puppy,” “world peace,” the unlabeled penny, and the “STOP” penny were left.

“Mom, before the ceremony next week, there’s one more thing I have to do. Could we get a puppy for Florence Daniellson Busby, the lady who wished for one? When I called the assisted living home, they said pets are allowed there.”

“Hmm,” said her mom, and rubbed her belly. “I’ll tell you what, let me make a few calls while you’re at school. Can you give me the name of the assisted living home?”

“Sure.”

When Griffin came home from school, her mom didn’t move from the couch.

“Mom?” whispered Griffin.
I wish for a baby sister
sprang into Griffin’s head.
Have I not tried hard enough? Will my mom and the baby be okay?

“Griff,” she said, waking up. “I have some good news.” Her mom struggled to get off the couch. “I made a few calls, spoke to the Sunflower Home director, Mrs. Regan, and explained things. She was charmed by the puppy wish and said it’s just what Florence needs. Dad can’t drive you there on Saturday—he’s got a morning appointment—and I think I should stick pretty close to home with the baby kicking
so much. Garrett’s dad agreed to take you and Garrett to pick out a puppy for Garrett and another one for Florence. I guess Garrett has been begging his mom for a dog for a year! I called ahead and paid for Florence’s puppy, so you just choose one that would be best for an elderly lady, okay?”

“Thanks!” said Griffin, throwing her arms around her mom.

“It seems Mr. Forester is a big believer in wishes lately,” said Dr. Penshine.