Lucy's Tricks and Treats (7 page)

Bobby looked around the class. There
were some pretty good costumes. Dexter was Spider-Man. Marta was a flower with colorful petals attached to her headband. Jack was a baseball player in a blue uniform that matched his hearing aid.

Finally it was time for the parade to begin. All the classes would march around the school. They’d get to see each other’s costumes. Parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors came to watch the parade, too.

Bobby was happy the day was sunny and not too cold. Having to wear a coat over a Halloween costume was the worst!

“I know everyone is excited,” Mrs. Lee said with a smile. “But let’s try to stay in line as we march.”

Lots of people were waiting outside. It seemed as if half the town had come to watch the Halloween parade.

Bobby saw Mr. Davis standing with Shawn’s dad at the edge of the playground. He gave them both a big wave.

Then Bobby heard a very familiar bark. He knew what that meant! Sure enough, he turned his head and saw Lucy with his mother.

Lucy looked great! She was dressed in her pirate costume. Her shirt was on. Her boots were on. The pirate hat was atop her head.

Some of the students saw Lucy in her costume. They nudged each other and pointed her out. Lucy sat up straighter.

Then Lucy spotted Bobby. Mrs. Quinn held her leash tight. Lucy wanted to join that parade.

“Later, Lucy,” Bobby called to her. “We’ll all go trick-or-treating. You, me, Shawn, and Candy.”

Bobby noticed Jack right behind him. “Do you want to come with us, too?” he asked.

Jack smiled. “Sure.”

Lucy chose that moment to give a long howl. If you listened closely, it sounded like
Haaallooweeen!

“That’s right, Lucy,” Bobby said. “Happy Haaallooweeen!”

Read all the books
about Bobby and Lucy!

Bobby’s mother smiled. “Now it’s time for your special present,” she said.

His father said, “Close your eyes.”

Bobby was glad to close his eyes. It would be easier to look surprised when he opened them.

“Okay, Bobby,” his father called, “you can look!”

Bobby opened his eyes. He didn’t have to pretend to be surprised. Or happy. In his father’s arms was a puppy. The cutest, squirmiest little dog Bobby had ever seen.

“Ben!” Shawn said. “What happened to Lucy?”

“She … she ran away!” Ben said in a shaky voice.

Bobby jumped up. “Ran away? Where?”

“That way.” Ben was confused. He pointed in one direction. “Or maybe that way.” He pointed in the other direction.

“Which way was it?” Shawn demanded.

“I’m not sure.” Ben was almost crying. “But she was chasing a big orange C-A-T!”

On the way out, a large, colorful poster taller than the boys caught Bobby’s eye.

The poster had a drawing of different kinds of animals crowded together in front of a television camera. Across the top were the words
WANTED: SPOKESPET FOR PET-O-RAMA!
Under the picture of the animals it said, “Is your pet cute? Smart? Funny? Enter the Pet-O-Rama spokespet contest and your pet could be on TV!”

Bobby read the poster carefully. Cute, smart, funny? That described Lucy! She could win the spokespet contest, easy!