The Double Dabble Surprise (3 page)

Sung Jin grabbed the bear away from his brother. He turned it around and around, giggling.

Abby looked at Mother. “Stop them!” she cried.

Mother raised a finger to her lips.

On the ride home, Choon Koo balanced a bear bride on his feet. So did Sung Jin. Then they bounced the bears on their sandals, pointing and giggling.

The giggling bugged Abby. And the bears would be dirty when her sisters finally came.
Phooey!

Carly turned around in the front seat. Her eyes got big.

Abby looked away. She couldn't wait to get home. “How many more minutes?” she asked her father.

“Be polite, honey,” he said.

Polite. Usually that was easy. But not today! Today she would call her friend, Stacy Henry. Maybe Stacy would let her move in for three days.

Besides, Stacy owed her a favor. A doubledabble favor.

Last month, when she covered for Stacy at
recess, a stray puppy had wandered onto the playground. He looked sick and sad. He needed help. Stacy had whispered her plan to Abby.

Abby talked to the playground teacher while Stacy hid the sick cock-a-poo under her jacket. She sneaked to the edge of the playground. Then she raced home with him, three houses away.

Later, Abby had helped Stacy talk her mother into keeping the cuddly white puppy.

It was a double dabble favor.

“We're home,” shouted Carly.

The boys leaned forward to look.

Abby couldn't wait to get to the phone.
Stacy will help me
, thought Abby.
The Cul-de-sac Kids always stick together!

She ran into the house—away from the boys.

SIX

Inside, Abby grabbed the phone. She told Stacy about the boys and the crazy mix-up.

“What will you do?” Stacy said.

“I'll call Dunkum,” Abby said. “He can teach them to shoot baskets. That could take three days.” She laughed.

Carly ran into the kitchen. “The boys undressed the bride bears,” Carly whispered in Abby's other ear.

“Yikes! Gotta go.” Abby hung up the phone and hurried upstairs.

The boys' door was open. Abby stopped in the hallway. She couldn't believe what she saw.

Sung Jin was dancing with a wedding dress on his head. “Dance,” he said. “Dance!”

He twirled around. Faster and faster. The white lace dress slid off his head.

Abby caught it. “This goes on the bears for our sisters.”

Sung Jin looked around. “Sisters?” He pointed to Carly. “She is sister.”

“Our
new
sisters are coming in three days.” Under her breath Abby said, “They better come.”

Choon Koo came running out of the closet! He held up a girl's slip and waved the hanger around as he giggled. Then he jumped onto one of the beds. He pulled at the bows on the curtain.

“Be careful,” Abby said. “The curtains will fall down.”

“Down, down. Take them down,” he chanted. “I don't like.”

Sung Jin walked out of the room. Choon Koo climbed off the bed and followed his brother.

Abby held her breath. She felt like a jitterbox—all shaky inside.

Carly chased after the boys.

Abby looked down at the bedroom rug. Something shiny was lying there. She leaned down. It was Sung Jin's round tag!

Strange marks were on each side.
This must be Korean writing,
thought Abby. She slipped the silver tag into her pocket.

Abby went to the kitchen. Mother was cooking with the new rice cooker.

Abby sniffed the air. “What's for supper?”

“Rice,” Mother said. “And kimchi.”

Abby pinched her nose. “Smells terrible.”

“The boys will like it,” Mother said.

Abby groaned. “Will our sisters like it, too?”

Mother nodded.

“What's in this kimchi stuff?” Abby said.

“You'll eat better if you don't know,” Mother said, smiling.

“Sounds scary. What else are we having?”

“Hot dogs, baked beans and chips,” Mother said.

“That's what I'm having.” Abby ran to find Carly. She had to warn her not to eat the Korean food. It smelled rotten.

Carly was outside on the driveway with the boys. The Cul-de-sac Kids were there, too.

Dunkum dribbled his basketball. He showed off his fancy moves.

Jason Birchall chased behind Dunkum trying to grab the ball. He was hyper, as always.

Stacy Henry showed off her puppy. Carly played with his floppy ears.

Dee Dee Winters sneaked a suck on her thumb.

Eric Hagel showed up on his hot ten-speed. “What's up?”

“Let's have a meeting,” Abby said.

Dunkum shot another basket. “Right now?”

Carly squealed, “Wow! Nine in a row!”

“Let's get acquainted with the new boys on the block,” said Stacy.

Sung Jin and Choon Koo turned toward each other. Choon Koo reached for his big brother.

Abby felt sad. She wondered how it felt being stuck with a family who didn't want boys.

Then she dug into her jeans pocket and handed the silver tag to Sung Jin. His sad eyes lit up.

“This must've fallen when you danced,” Abby said.

Sung Jin held it tightly. “Thank you,” he said.

Then Abby had an idea. A double dabble—definitely good idea.

SEVEN

Abby called the kids over to the porch. “Let's help Sun Jin and Choon Koo get to know us. Everyone tell your name and how old you are,” she said.

“And pig-out foods,” yelled Jason Birchall.

The kids laughed as they sat on the porch.

“Leave it to Abby,” Eric said. He put the kickstand down on his bike.

“I'll go first,” Dunkum offered.

The kids stretched their necks when Dunkum stood.

Choon Koo said, “Very tall boy.”

Dunkum told his name. “I'm a third grade
health freak. I eat salads with alfalfa sprouts and tomatoes.”

“Oo-ee!” Carly squealed, holding her nose.

Dunkum stretched his arms. “They make me grow tall. Tall enough to dunk the ball. Almost.”

The kids cheered.

“Who's next?” Abby asked.

“I am.” Carly said her name with Anne in the middle. “I'm in first grade, and I'm starting to dream about rice.” She grinned at Choon Koo. He laughed his high giggle.

Sung Jin sat straight and still. “I am Li Sung Jin, age nine. I like American rice.”

Choon Koo jumped up. “I like Jimmy name.” He patted his chest. “I now am Jimmy. Jimmy eat. Jimmy eat and eat rice.”

Abby couldn't believe it. Choon Koo
looked
like a Jimmy. “Jimmy,” she said, pointing to him. “Pick someone.”

He pointed to Stacy Henry. She held up her puppy. “This is Sunday Funnies. He finds the funnies every Sunday before anyone else.”

Dee Dee giggled.

Stacy continued. “I'm in third. I like pizza the best. We only have it on weekends.”

Abby pointed to Dee Dee. “Your turn,” she said.

“I'm Dee Dee Winters.” She wiped off her wet thumb. “I'm in first grade, and chocolate ice cream is my favorite. I don't know why. It just is.” Dee Dee sat down. She looked at Eric.

“Hi, I'm Eric Hagel. We moved here from Germany two years ago. I'm in Abby's class, third grade.” He paused and smiled at her. “I eat sweet tarts. My grandpa has pockets full of them. He's the watchmaker up the street.” Eric sat down beside Dunkum.

“Sweet tarts aren't real food,” Abby teased.

“Are so,” Eric said. He threw her one.

She caught it.

“Where's mine?” Jason asked.

“You're not supposed to have sugar,” Eric said. “Remember?”

Jason crossed his eyes. “My name's Jason
Allen Birchall. But my friends call me Jason.”

Dee Dee popped out her thumb. “Nice name.” She giggled.

“Now it's
your
turn,” Eric told Abby.

She stood up. “Abby Hunter. Third grade. My favorite food is spaghetti. It slides down when I slurp it.”

“Hurrah for spaghetti!” cheered Jason.

“Don't forget the grated cheese,” yelled Dee Dee.

Then Abby said, “Sung Jin and Choon Koo will be here for only three days.”

Choon Koo stood up. “Not Choon Koo. I
Jimmy.”

Sung Jin pulled his brother back down.

“I forgot about your new name,” Abby said. “I'm sorry.” She really was.

“The kids on Blossom Hill Lane stick together no matter how long they stay,” said Eric. “Welcome to our cul-de-sac.”

Suddenly Sung Jin's eyes sparkled. The sadness was gone.

Abby's mother called for supper. Sung and Jimmy hurried inside.

Jason tried to invite himself, but then he smelled the kimchee. He held his nose instead. “Are we having a meeting next week?”

“When our Korean sisters come,” Abby said.

She hoped it was soon. Very soon.

EIGHT

It was Monday morning.

Sung Jin and Jimmy (Choon Koo) sat on the porch swing ready for a visit to Blossom Hill School. They wore new American clothes.