At first.

Slowly, though, a change came about. I made some friends. They became good friends. Becca and I each made a best friend. Now I can't see going back to Oakley. I'd have to leave too many memories behind — like my baby-sitting adventures. Or the time our whole school went on a trip to a ski lodge in

Vermont. Or the time my friends and I went to summer camp.

But luckily Daddy said, "No, we're not moving."

Then it struck me. "You're having a baby, aren't you? You and Mama are having a baby! Oh, 1 hope it's another boy. Then our family would be even. Two girls, two boys."

Dadddy chuckled. "It's not a new baby, either," he said. "And why don't you stop guessing? I'm afraid I'll give it away if you really do guess it."

"Okay," I said, but I continued guessing in my head. We had won the lottery. We were taking a trip to Disney World — or maybe evenTexas . I had always wanted to seeTexas . Then I got another idea. I bet Mama and Daddy really were having a baby, but Daddy was too smart to let on.

All the way to Stoneybrook, I hugged the secret to myself. As soon as Daddy parked the car in the driveway, I ran inside and straight to Becca's room.

"Guess what! Guess what!" I cried.

Becca looked up from her third-grade homework. "What?"

"Daddy brought a cake home and he says we're celebrating something tonight, but he

won't say what. You know what I think, though? I think Mama and Daddy are going to have another baby!"

"You do?" Becca's eyes widened.

"Yup. I really do."

I was wrong. After dinner that evening, Daddy brought out the cake. When he had cut it and served it, he said, "We have something wonderful to celebrate."