7 Monster Truck Mega-Palooza

CHAPTER SEVEN MONSTER TRUCK MEGA -PALOOZA SIMON TOLD US his idea. "It involves my favorite thing in the world," Simon began. "I call it Monster Truck Mega- Palooza!" Rosie looked at me. I looked at Rosie. We were both worried about where this could go. "I get a monster truck!" Simon began. He put his pizza slice down. "I drive it over to your house on moving day. I'll run over some mailboxes and garbage cans on the way! You know, smash stuff up and make

a lot of noise. Then when the moving truck pulls into your driveway, I'll run over it and squash it to pieces!" Rosie and I stared at him. "If you don't have a moving truck to take your stuff away," he explained, "then you can't leave!" "Umm, Simon," I said and tried to hide the disappointment on my face. I looked at Rosie. "You don't have a license. And you, umm, don't know how to drive." "What's so hard about driving?" Simon asked. "Turn the steering wheel. Press the gas pedal. Run over stuff!"

I turned to Rosie for help—she was twirling her hair. "Wait," I said. "Do you have an idea?"

"Something Simon said made me think of it," Rosie answered. "He said his plan would involve his favorite thing in the world. And I think if we remind your parents about all their favorite things around your house, then maybe they won't want to leave." "What kinds of things?" I asked. "Anything," Rosie answered. "Favorite rooms, favorite foods, things they like to do. You could even get them something from their favorite stores in town. Whatever." "Could it be memories too?" I asked Rosie. I was starting to like this idea. "Like the driveway where they taught me how to ride my bike? Stuff like that?"

"Yes!" Rosie exclaimed. I think she appreciated how I took her idea and expanded on it. "Memories are a great idea!" "Let's remember that this all started with my monster truck idea," Simon said proudly. He stuck one end of his last celery stick in his mouth and asked, "But how is Molly going to make that work?"

"What do you mean?" I asked. "Well, you can't just give them their favorite candy. Or sit them down on their favorite chair or whatever," Simon said. "There has to be a reason for them to find stuff. Or to remember when something special happened." "You're right," Rosie said and started to twirl her hair again. "There needs to be a way for them to remember everything. A reason." "Can I have some more of your celery?" Simon asked and pointed at my lunch tray. "I'm still hungry. I could take two pieces. That way you'll still have an even number for yourself. I know it's counting day and everything."