8 Two Donuts, Two Bites Each

CHAPTER EIGHT TWO DONUTS, TWO BITES EACH THE PLAN WAS to set up a whole day filled with my parents' favorite things—and special memories. We wanted to make it like a game. There would be clues and everything. It was a way to remind them of all the things they'd leave behind if we moved. We had no idea if it would make them want to stay. But I definitely wanted to give it a try. The first thing I had to do was make two lists. I did it during free time that afternoon. I showed the lists to Rosie and Simon as we

walked home. "We have to make clues for each thing," Rosie said. "Like riddles or something. And we have to figure out what order they should be in." That's what we did on Friday. We made clues— and we made a plan. CLUES DONUTS CHOCOLATES FRENCH FRIES HUMMINGBIRDS RIDING A BIKE MAKING A PIZZA And on Saturday morning, we put the plan into action. I woke up before Mom and Dad on purpose. I had to get a lot of stuff ready. I put all four clues in the right places. I turned the couch to face the hummingbird feeder. I moved the bikes out of the garage. Lots of stuff.

And I had to meet Rosie and Simon outside. They got up early too. They came up the driveway while I parked the bikes. Simon had two big cups of coffee. And Rosie had a box of donuts. Simon's mom waved to me from the sidewalk. She had a box of donuts too.

"Thanks for getting up early and going to the bakery," I said. "And helping me with this." "We don't want you to move," Rosie said. "We'll do anything." "Plus Hooshman's Bakery is my mom's favorite too," Simon said and wiped some chocolate from the corner of his mouth. "Simon's already had two chocolate-covered donuts!" Rosie said and laughed. "He eats them in two bites!"

Simon smiled and shrugged. Then something caught his eye. He pointed toward my house. He said, "I think I just saw your dad walk past the window. Your parents might be up." "I have to go!" I said. I tucked the donut box under my arm and held a cup of coffee in each hand. "Thanks, you guys!"

"Good luck," Rosie said. "I hope it works." "We'll be back with the french fries and chocolate later on," Simon said. I nodded and hustled inside. Mom and Dad were waiting for me. Dad had the first clue in his hand.