Free The Problem Child (The Sisters Grimm, Book 3) by Michael Buckley Page B

Winkle rubbed his tired eyes and looked down at Elvis. Then he noticed the remains of his lunch.
    "This dog is a menace," he complained.
    The big dog licked his lips with an expression that seemed to say, "Who? Me?"
    "Elvis, that's not very nice," Granny said. "We'll stop on the way home and get you something to eat, Mr. van Winkle."
    "And a cup of coffee," Sabrina grumbled as she climbed into the front seat next to the gassy dog.
    * * *
    By the time Mr. van Winkle pulled the cab into the driveway of the family's two-story yellow house, everyone was a nervous wreck. Granny shoved a handful of bills into the cabbie's hands.
    "Thanks for the ride," the old woman said. "And Merry Christmas to you."
    Mr. van Winkle seemed pleased with his tip. "Sure, lady. And remember, the next time you need fast, reliable, and friendly service, call me," he said as he shoved business cards into everyone's hands. "But next time the furball stays home." Moments later he was gone.
    "This place hasn't changed at all," Uncle Jake said as he marveled at the little house. "I bet there's still a dozen Frisbees on the roof."
    "Things don't change much in Ferryport Landing," Granny said as she climbed the porch steps to the front door and began to unlock it.
    "Wait a minute! I know something that's different. Why isn't the house decorated for the holidays?"
    The old woman blushed as if she was ashamed.
    "When we were kids, this place had so many lights on it you could probably see it from space," Uncle Jake told the girls. "The electric bill was so thick they had to spiral-bind it."
    "We've been a bit busy lately," Granny Relda explained.
    "Well, leave the decorating to me then," her son said as he reached into his pocket and took out a long, carved wand. "I'll have this place looking like the North Pole in no time."
    "Jake, I absolutely forbid it," Granny Relda said, but Uncle Jake ignored her. He held the wand aloft and shouted, "Gimme some Christmas!"
    A blinding ray of red-and-green light illuminated the yard. Within the beam Sabrina could see tiny particles moving and rearranging into solid objects that zipped across the lawn and grew in size. Suddenly, two enormous inflatable snowmen appeared in the center of the yard. A row of ten-foot candy canes lined the driveway all the way to the end. Red ribbons encircled the porch banisters and a mechanical Santa Claus in a shiny sleigh landed on top of the house. An odd, robotic "Ho, Ho, Ho!" blasted out of its mouth. Lines of multicolored blinking lights entwined every tree, bush, and shrub. Even poor Elvis found himself wrapped from head to toe in twinkling lights.
    Daphne ran to a candy cane, sniffed it, and then gave it a lick. "Uh, hello! This is real!"
    Granny rushed to Elvis's side and did her best to free him from his holiday-inspired bonds while Jake led the girls into the house.
    "That takes care of the outside," he said. He handed the wand to Sabrina. "Want to give it a try?"
    Sabrina eyed the wand carefully. Just holding it sent a charge through her like nothing she had ever felt. This simple stick of wood packed a lot of power and Sabrina could feel it all the way down to her toes.
    "What do I do?" she asked.
    "Imagine how you want everything to look," Uncle Jake said as Granny finally entered the house. "And then ask for it.'"
    Sabrina closed her eyes, nodded to herself, and then aimed the wand at the living room.
    "Sabrina Grimm, I absolutely forbid it!" Granny cried, but she was too late again.
    "Gimme some Christmas," Sabrina said, and the light blasted out of the wand. The rearranging particles twisted and turned into forms that eventually became a beautiful white-needled tree, covered in shiny bulbs and lights, showered in tinsel, strung with popcorn garlands, and topped with a gleaming angel. Mountains of presents were tucked underneath. A choo-choo train raced from room to room on a track and Bing Crosby crooned "White Christmas" from a stereo exactly like the one Sabrina and Daphne's