3. Practicing

3/Practicing Daddy drove me home in the car. I kept on sniffing the air. "You smell like a lovely woman," I said. Daddy wasn't that friendly. "It's the hair gel," he grouched. I sniffed some more. "Mmm. I love that smelly hair gel," I said. "Plus also I love sweeping and holding the fluffy towel. And so maybe I might be a beauty shop guy when I grow up." "Wonderful," said Daddy. "I know it is wonderful!" I said. "And here's another wonderful thing. I already have a name tag and a towel and a broom and some scissors! And so I am all set to go to work,

probably!" Just then, Daddy quick pulled the car to the curb. "No, Junie B. No. You're not all set to go to work," he said. "You don't just pick up some scissors and start cutting hair. Do you understand? Working in a beauty shop takes years and years of practice." "Yeah, only I already know that," I said. "I already know it takes years and years of practice." "Years and years and years," said Daddy. I did a huffy breath at him. "I already know that, I told you," I said again. After that, I leaned back in my seat. And I thinked about the years and years of practice. Finally, I did a big sigh. I would have to get started right away.

Daddy pulled the car into our driveway. I runned inside my house zippity quick. "I'M HOME!" I hollered. "I'M HOME FROM THE BEAUTY SHOP!" Mother runned out of baby Ollie's room. "Shh! I just put your brother down for his nap," she said. I stood there for a minute. 'Cause that woman just gave me a sneaky idea, that's why. I did a fake yawn. "Hmm. I need a nap, too, I think," I said. "'Cause that beauty shop got me all tired out." I walked to my bedroom. "Well, nightie night. Don't let the bedbugs fight," I said. Mother followed me.

Her face looked suspicious. Suspicious is the grown-up word for I think maybe you might be fibbing. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on there a second," said Mother. "I thought you hated naps." "I do," I said. "I do hate naps. But today I worked at the beauty shop. And that job got me pooped, I tell you." After that, I closed my door. And I got under my covers. Mother peeked in at me. I did a fake snore. Then I waited and waited till she closed the door again. I stayed in bed till it was safe. Then finally, I tippytoed to my desk. And I opened the top drawer real quiet.

I searched my hands all around that thing. Then all of a sudden my heart got very pumpy! 'Cause my hands felt what they were looking for! And their name is my bestest shiny scissors!