Halloween #3

The Trouble With Papa

It was a beautiful fall day in Bearville, but Sister wasn't out playing with the other kids. She had something on her mind.

"Mama," said Sister, "Why does Papa always wear the same overalls? Why does he always eat in the shed? How come Doctor Bear has been here so much this week?"

"Now, now, Sister," said Mama. "There is nothing for you to worry about. Have an oatmeal chewy caramel cookie and go play with Brother."

"Oh boy!" said Sister and happily ran to the park. Papa was thumping and yelling in the shed.

Brother and his friends were throwing a baseball around and having a friendly argument.

"I think zombies are a curse from God!" said Freddy, throwing the ball to Too Tall.

"Ha!" said Too Tall. "That's because you're stupid. Everyone knows that someone becomes a zombie when another zombie bites 'em."

"I think -" said Brother and stopped when he saw Sister coming. "Let's talk about something else now, boys!"

They played ball until suppertime, and then Brother and Sister walked back home together. Papa was still thumping and yelling in the shed.

"Papa sure is busy right now!" said Sister.

Brother looked sad. "Hey Sister!" he said. "Look at that neat cloud!"

That's funny, thought Sister. It was almost like Brother was changing the subject.

Doctor Bear was just getting into her car as the cubs got to their house.

"Is everything all right, Doctor Bear?" asked Brother.

"Everything is much the same, Brother," said Doctor Bear. "Remember what I said about helping Mama look after Sister."

"I don't need Brother to look after me!" said Sister. "I am almost eight years old. I can look after myself."

"Of course," said Doctor Bear, but she seemed distracted. "Goodbye, cubs. I'll be back tomorrow morning."

Mama called them in for supper. "Cubs," she said while they were sitting at the table. "Tomorrow, Papa and I are going away on a long... vacation. You are going to go stay with Gram and Gramps! Won't that be fun?"

Sister thought it did sound like fun, but she wondered where Mama and Papa where going. She wondered what Papa was making in the shed that was keeping him in there all the time. She wondered why he was thumping and yelling so much.

All of a sudden, Sister had a great big idea. After everyone was in bed, she would sneak out of the house and go see what Papa was making in the shed! It would be such a good surprise!