15 Presents of Mind

CHAPTER 15 PRESENTS OF MIND We put all the presents under our tree. Eric finally brought in his ornament. He made a Darth Vader helmet. I don't know if it catches the spirit of Christmas. Doris is wearing mistletoe taped to her hat, and wants everybody to kiss her. No way! GEE.

Freddy has baked cupcakes for the whole class, and Derrick has brought in soda pop. Mrs. Green hands out the presents. I can't wait for Penny to open hers. There's a flurry of flying wrapping paper and a lot of Oh's and ah's and a few boos. I hope Penny is an oh and not a boo. A DRAWING OF ME. A PAPER STAR.

I look over at her and there's a tear running down her cheek. She's hugging my doll. I hope the head doesn't fall off. HOW PRECIOUS! I LOVE IT! WOW!

"Do you like it?" I ask. "I love it," she says. "Where did you buy it?" "I made it," I say proudly. She puts the doll down. "You didn't buy it!" she exclaims. "I made it," I say, "except for the boots." "How much did it cost?" she asks. "Nothing except time and effort," I say. HEY! GIVE ME THAT!

THANKS, MOM. "Well," says Penny, coming over and taking back her gift, "I'll make you something, when I have the time." Boy, I'll never understand girls, and I'll never know what she got me. But fortunately Doris got a Barbie Doll and wants to trade Penny for the doll that I made. Yay! I could kiss her... almost.

Penny says okay and gives me back my present. I thank her, but I don't open it. There's a boy named Tim in the special ed class. He's in a wheelchair and I'm going to give him my present. THANKS, PAL.