Free Never Swipe a Bully's Bear by Katherine Applegate Page B

Pig,” Max said.
    I didn’t answer. On account of I was ignoring Max.
    â€œWyatt is a real pain,” I reminded Dad.
    â€œWant me to talk to him?” Max said. “I could threaten to lock him in the boys’ room.”
    â€œMax!” Mom said. “Don’t even think such a thing!”
    â€œA minute ago you were teasing Roscoe,” said Dad. “And now you’re trying to protect him?”
    Max made his shoulders go up anddown. “It’s my job, Dad. I’m his big brother.”
    We looked everywhere for Hamilton.
    Under the couch. In the laundry room. In the toy chest. In the garage.
    I even checked the bathtub.
    Everybody tried to find Hamilton. Even our dog, Goofy.
    He could tell we were looking for something.
    So he brought us a slobbery tennis ball. A dirty sock. And a Lincoln Log he’d chewed on.
    But no Hamilton.
    Finally, Mom said, “I’m afraid we have to call it quits for tonight. Hamilton will show up, honey. He’s just a very good hider.”
    We headed upstairs. I climbed into bed.
    â€œMy bed feels funny without Hamilton,” I said.
    Mom tucked the covers around me. “We’ll find him, sweetheart,” she said. “But for tonight, what could we do to make it easier to sleep?”
    I stared at the ceiling. I have a mobile hanging there. It glows in the dark.
    It’s all the planets. Except Pluto. Which Goofy ate.
    I guess that’s okay. Since the science guys decided Pluto’s not really a planet.
    â€œThere’s nothing we can do,” I said. “I can’t sleep without Hamilton. Period. End of story. No more discussion.”
    Mom says that a lot.
    You can pick up some really usefulsayings from adults.

    Hazel came into my room.
    She was wearing her Pretty Prancing Pony pajamas. With footies.
    â€œSweetie, you’re supposed to be asleep,” Mom said.
    â€œI brought something for Roscoe,”
    Hazel said. She held up one of her Barbie dolls.
    The doll was wearing an astronaut helmet.
    And a white doctor coat.
    And purple sparkle high heels.
    â€œHer name is Janelle,” Hazel said.
    She lay Janelle on my pillow.
    It felt all wrong to see that sparkly astronaut doctor lying on Hamilton’s favorite spot.
    â€œYou can borrow her,” said Hazel. “Since you losted Hamilton.”
    â€œI didn’t lose him!” I shouted. My voice was pretty grouchy. “He disappeared!”
    â€œRoscoe, Hazel is just trying to help,” Mom said.
    I felt a little bad. Especially because Janelle is Hazel’s favorite Barbie.
    â€œThanks, Hazel,” I said. “You’re a good sister.” I picked up Janelle. Even though I really didn’t want to.
    She had pointy little hands.
    Hamilton had nice soft piggy paws.
    â€œRemember that Janelle likes to sleep with her high heels on,” Hazel said.
    She sounded a little worried.
    â€œYou know what?” I said. “I think Janelle would miss you.” I handed Janelle back to Hazel. “She probably wouldn’t be able to sleep. But thanks, Hazel.”
    Hazel grinned. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Janelle is very picky.”
    Mom kissed the top of my head. “Sleep tight, Pumpkin. Hamilton will turn up, I’m sure of it.”
    After they left, I stared up at my glow-in-the-dark planets.
    There was a big, empty spot next to me.
    Right where Hamilton was supposed to be.
    He snores a little, but that’s okay.
    Because all pigs do.
    The planets swirled softly over my head.
    Usually Hamilton and I loved to watch them.
    But tonight all I could think about was Pluto.
    The missing planet.

7
Pig-Napper!
    â€œRoscoe, you look terrible,” said Emma the next morning at school.
    â€œREALLY terrible,” Gus agreed.
    â€œI had bad dreams all night,” I said. “I dreamed I was a giant pig. And I got locked in a suitcase. And sent to Alaska.”
    â€œAlaska, huh?” Emma