3. Laughing All the Way

3 Laughing All the Way We went to the Sing-Along after lunch. And ha! The auditorium looked like Santa's workshop! There were a jillion cute elves in that place! And wait till you hear this! Room One got to sit in the very first row! I sat in the seat right next to my friend Herbert. "This Sing-Along is going to be fun! Right, Herb? Right? This Sing-Along is going to be the time of our life!"

Just then, May plopped down in the seat on the other side of me. I stopped smiling. "That seat is saved, May," I told her. "I am saving it for someone else." She looked all around. "For who?" she asked. "For someone not you. That's who," I said. May did not budge herself. "You can't make me move, Junie Jones.

This seat is public property," she said. She scooted closer to me. "I'm going to stick to you like glue. It's the only way to make you behave yourself today." I showed her my teeth and I made a grr noise. May did not look fearful. Finally, I moved closer to Herb. And I pretended she was invisible. Pretty soon, the Sing-Along got started. Mr. Toot said to turn to page one in our holiday songbook. The first song was "The Twelve Days of Christmas." It is about a guy who gives his girlfriend a bunch of stupid presents. I tapped on Herb real curious. "What would you do with ten lords a- leaping, do you think?" I said.

He thought for a minute. "I'd take them back and get store credit," he said. I nodded. That Herb has all the answers. After that, we sang "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" and "Winter Wonderland." Finally, Mr. Toot stood up at his piano. And he said it is time for "Jingle Bells"! Room One hurried to the stage. It was very thrilling. Except for May kept on sticking to me like glue. She stepped on my heels going up the steps. Then she crowded in real close to me. And she whispered in my ear. "I'll be listening to you, Junie Jones," she said. "I'll be hearing every word you sing." I smiled to just myself. 'Cause I had a surprise up my arm, that's why.

Pretty soon, Mr. Toot raised his hands to start the song. I stood up straight and tall. Then I took a big breath. And I sang the words out, loud and clear. Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh, O'er the fields we go, Laughing all the way. (ha, ha, ha) Bells on bobtail ring, Making spirits bright. What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight! My eyes glanced over at May. Her face looked disappointed, almost. I smiled. Then I took another breath. And I sang the chorus in her ear.

Ohhh… Jingle bells, Batman smells. P.S. So does Maaay…. I'd throw May Right off the sleigh, And then I'd drive away. "HEY!" yelled May.