Our Pet Monkey

Chapter 6 Our Pet Monkey " I knocked several times, " Mom said. “ But I guess you didn't hear me. " " We were . . . busy, " I said. " Yes. Busy, " Claudia said. She slowly moved over to block Mom's view of the computer.

" What's so funny in here?" Mom asked. “ Nothing, " I said. " Nothing?" Mom asked. " You know me, " I said. " I like to laugh. " Mom chuckled. “ You sure are a giggle box sometimes. " " I am. " I grinned. " But even you don't laugh at nothing, Clyde, " Mom said. She looked at Claudia. My sister was still standing in front of her computer. Her face turned red.

" Are you hiding something, Claudia?" Mom gently pushed my sister to the side and looked. " That's your class picture on the computer screen, isn't it?" " Yes, " Claudia said. She grabbed Mom's arm. “ But you don't want to see it. " " Why not? It looks nice. " Mom stared at the computer screen. “ I see you, Claudia. But where are you, Clyde?" I didn't answer. I was hoping she wouldn't notice that I had turned into a- " Is that a monkey?" Mom asked. " Uh-oh! " I said.

" What's going on, Clyde?" Mom asked. I tried to think of an answer she would believe. “ It's my pet monkey, " I said. “ What?! " Mom said. " I mean, our pet monkey. " I pointed to my sister. " Is that true, Claudia?" Mom asked. Claudia looked confused. She has a hard time not telling the truth. So do I. But sometimes I bend it a little. " He was loose at school, " I told Mom. “ And I tried to catch him. But as I did, he jumped into the picture. "

Now Mom looked confused. “ That's the silliest story you've ever told. " " But it's true, Mom, " I said. “ Where's your monkey now?" she asked. " He likes to stay outside, " Claudia said. " And climb trees, " I said. " And eat bananas, " Claudia said. " Enough with the jokes! " Mom stared. " Just tell me what is going on! " Claudia looked at me and shook her head no. And she was right. Who knew what Mom would do if she found out I could turn into a monkey?

“ Clyde! " Mom glared at me. “ You know the punishment for lying! " " But I'm not! We do have a pet monkey. And I can prove it! " I raced from Claudia's bedroom and out to the backyard. I tried thinking about exciting things. Like birthday gifts. The circus. And how a monkey got into our class picture! I bounced . . . and bounced. Then my head started spinning. My heart raced. Faster. And faster. I sneezed. “ A-CHOO! "