The Stinky Sneakers Mystery (5 page)

At home, Jason searched for his sprouts.

He looked in the garage and on the back deck. He looked under the front porch. He even searched the attic.

But his project was missing. Maybe forever!

Then the doorbell rang.

Jason's mother called to him.

He sat on the beanbag in his room feeling sad. “Who is it?”

“Your friends are here to see you.”

Jason sighed. He didn't move an inch.

Soon, he heard giggling. It was Stacy and Abby. He'd know their giggles anywhere.

Jason got up and scurried down the hall. The living room was full of kids—the Cul-de-sac Kids.

Stacy and Abby were still giggling. And now his mother was, too!

“What's so funny?” Jason asked.

Abby poked her hands in her pocket. “Oh, nothing.”

Stacy tried to stop laughing.

Dunkum asked, “Where did you see your sprouts last?”

Jason thought. “On my windowsill,” he said.

“
After
that,” said Stacy.

Jason thought some more. “Beats me.”

“Well, think!” Eric said.

Jason felt nervous. He looked around the room at his friends. “Do you know something I don't?” he asked.

All of them nodded.

Jason jumped up and down. “You've found my sprouts?”

Eric pointed to the kitchen. “Look! I can see them from here.”

Jason whirled around. He stared straight ahead. Eric was right! The sprouts were in plain sight—on top of the
refrigerator. Right where Stacy had put them.

Jason raced to the kitchen. He dragged a chair across the floor.

Zoom!
He dashed back into the living room. His friends were smiling. Really smiling.

Jason stood there holding his sprouts. His stomach was in knots. “I'm sorry,” he began. “I did a horrible thing . . . I mean about the cheese in your sneakers.”

Dunkum went to stand beside Jason. “That's okay.”

Eric frowned. “That's easy for
you
to say,” he told Dunkum. “You don't have stinky sneakers!”

“
I
forgive Jason,” Abby said. She came over and looked at his sprouts. “We stick together around here, remember?”

Shawn nodded. He ran around hugging all the kids.

Jason grinned.

TWELVE

The next day, the Cul-de-sac Kids hurried to Blossom Hill School. Together.

When Miss Hershey saw Jason with his sprouts, she clapped.

“Look who found his project,” Abby said.

Miss Hershey smelled the bright green alfalfa sprouts. “Mm-m. Could I pay you to grow some for me?” she asked Jason.

“Sounds good.” Jason looked at Eric and Shawn. He looked at Abby and
Stacy. “I need to buy some new sneakers for my friends,” he said.

Eric smiled. But not that sly smile.

Jason danced a jig to the science fair table. He put his sprouts on display.

Abby offered to water them. Eric straightened the plastic under the carpet.

Jason stepped back for a long look.

Then he knew. First place didn't matter anymore. Not really.

Later that day, the judges came to Miss Hershey's class. The first-place ribbon was big and blue. It had shiny gold letters on it.

The judge placed it next to Eric's fingerprint experiment. Eric had won. He deserved first place!

The class cheered. Especially Jason.

“Eric . . . Eric . . .” Jason started the chant.

The rest of the class joined in.

Eric's name flew all around the classroom.

And Jason was glad.

THE CUL-DE-SAC KIDS SERIES
Don't miss
#8!

PICKLE PIZZA

Eric Hagel wants to do something special for his German grandpa for Father's Day. The Cul-de-sac Kids have terrific gifts for their dads. But Eric can't think of anything to make. Besides that, he's broke!

Then Eric remembers something—his grandpa loves pickles. Pickles on eggs, pickles on cheese, pickles on everything. Eric has an idea. What about a pickle pizza?

Eric's plan falls apart when the girls in the cul-de-sac agree to a taste test. They gag and choke. Eric's pickle pizza is a flop.

Time has run out for Eric.
Now
what can he do?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Beverly Lewis thinks Jason Birchall and all the Cul-de-sac Kids are super fun. She clearly remembers growing up on Ruby Street in her Pennsylvania home town. She and her younger sister played with the same group of friends year after year. Some of those childhood friends appear in her Cul-de-sac Kids series—disguised, of course!

Beverly thanks her niece, Amy, for the “super sprouts” idea in this story. (Yes, you really can grow alfalfa sprouts in a piece of carpet!)

If you love mystery and humor, be sure to read all the books in the Cul-de-sac Kids series.

Also by Beverly Lewis

Amish Prayers
The Beverly Lewis Amish Heritage Cookbook

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IRLS
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The Crossroad
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The Redemption of Sarah Cain
October Song
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Sanctuary
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The Sunroom

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