10. One More Job to Do

Chapter 10 One More Job to Do Bradley's parents and all seven kids ate ice cream on the back porch. When they were finished, Bradley's mom handed her husband a list. "Honey, would you mind picking up these things in town?" she asked. Mr. Pinto looked at the list. "There are four different stores here," he said. "I'll bring the kids with me, and we can split up the shopping." "No, I need the kids here!" Mrs. Pinto said. She smiled. "I have a special job for them."

"Another job!" Brian wailed. "I've been catching wild animals all day!" Mr. Pinto got into his car and drove away. "Okay, kids, into the kitchen!" Bradley's mother said. "What's going on, Mom?" Bradley asked. "You'll see," she said. "All of you follow me!" The seven kids trooped into the kitchen. The first thing Bradley noticed was about eight baskets of strawberries on the counter. Then he saw mixing bowls, sugar, and lemons. "What's up with this, Mom?" Josh asked. "We're going to make strawberry jam for Daddy," his mother said, tying on an apron. "And we have to be finished by the time he gets home." Bradley beamed. "That's why you sent him shopping!" he said. "Yes, and when he gets to the hardware store, Mr. Carmady is going to keep him busy," his mother said. "I think we have almost two hours!" "This is cool, Mom," Brian said. "How did you know we wanted to make strawberry jam for Dad?" Bradley asked.

"A little bird told me," his mother said. "Actually, it was Josh. He overheard you talking about making strawberry jam. I think it's a wonderful present, and Dad will love knowing we made it from his mother's recipe. I bought the strawberries from Perry's Farm this morning." Bradley's mother had Grandma Pinto's jam recipe in her hand. "Now each of us will have a job," she said. "If we work together, we'll be done before Dad gets back." She handed the recipe card to Lucy. "Lucy, your job is to read us the recipe. Make sure we follow all of Grandma Pinto's instructions. Okay, now let's get busy!"

The next morning when Bradley and Brian came down to the kitchen, their father was sitting at the table. He was getting ready to spread butter on his toast. "Wait a second, Dad," Bradley said. He ran out of the room, then came back with Josh and their mom. They each placed a small jar on the table. Every jar had a label that read: GRANDMA PINTO'S FAMOUS FATHER'S DAY STRAWBERRY Jam "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!" they all yelled. "Where did this come from?" their father asked. He had a big grin on his face. "We made it," Brian said. "We all helped, but it was Bradley's idea." Bradley's father twisted the lid off one of the jars. He picked up a spoon and dipped it in, He put a lump of jam in his mouth.

Everyone else stood and watched. Bradley had his fingers crossed. Mr. Pinto closed his eyes as he tasted the jam. Then he opened his eyes. Bradley thought he saw tears. "Is it as good as your mom's jam?" Josh asked. His father grinned. "It's perfect," he said. "This is the best present ever!"