A pool.

It made so much sense. Sprinklers are great, but a pool is much better. You can use it all day long, and you can exercise while you cool off. Not to mention pool parties. And besides, our backyard was the perfect size for one.

I had a feeling it would be impossible to convince my parents, until I remembered a great technique Mal had thought up. She had used it when she needed to convince her parents to let her take horseback-riding lessons — and it worked.

I decided to try my own version of it that evening at dinner.

"Great seafood casserole, Mama!" I began. This was step one — complimenting the meal and making my parents feel good.

"I'm glad you like it," Mama said. "Your dad took care of the seasoning."

"Mmmm, great seasoning," I added. "Just right for a hot day. May I have some more?" This was step two — mentioning the weather. I -was working up to the climax (step three) where I'd bring up the pool.

"Thanks," Daddy said with a laugh. "You usually don't get so excited about a meal un-

less we're going to Pizza Express. You don't just happen to want something, do you, Jessi?" He looked at me with raised eyebrows.

"What?" I said.

"Just a hunch. Correct me if I'm wrong."

Step three was fizzling into thin air. I couldn't believe it. He could read my mind!

"Well..." I said, "I was just thinking about how hot it gets here in Stoneybrook, and how it's going to be a long summer, and we could use a place to cool off . . ."

"Sweetheart, the weather's no different here than in Oakley," Mama said.

"I know, but we have this nice big backyard, and — well, the sprinkler is great, but maybe we could get something we all can use. You know, like a pool."

There. I said it. Aunt Cecelia let out a huffy little laugh (typical). But Becca's eyes lit up and she exclaimed, "A poott Yeah, let's get a pool!"