Free Pickle Pizza by Beverly Lewis Page B

Hill Lane.
    Eric ran after the frog. “Croaker, come back!”
    Boink! The frog leaped into a bush in front of Dunkum’s house. Out of sight.
    Eric got down on his knees. He pushed the branches back. But Croaker was out of reach.
    â€œWhat’re you doing in there, Croaker?” Eric called.
    Suddenly he heard footsteps. Eric turned around.
    It was Jason Birchall.
    â€œWho are you talking to?” Jason asked.
    â€œTo your frog.” Eric pointed to the bush. “He disappeared in there.”
    Jason leaned down and peered into the bush.
    â€œHow’d he get loose?” Eric asked.
    â€œYour grandpa came over to borrow some sugar. He wanted to see my frog up close,” Jason explained. “So I tookCroaker out of the aquarium.”

    Eric scratched his head. “My grandpa wanted to see your frog?”
    â€œYep.” Jason stood up and brushed off his jeans. “And he said something really weird.”
    â€œLike what?” Eric asked.
    â€œSomething like: frogs and pickles look alike.” Jason laughed.
    â€œHey, don’t make fun.”
    Jason poked playfully at Eric. “Frogs and pickles do have something in common.”
    â€œYeah. They’re both green,” Eric said. “And they have bumps.”
    Jason pushed up his glasses. “How do frogs taste?”
    Eric laughed out loud. “That’s gross! But some pickles are sweet. My favorite!”
    â€œNot me,” Jason said. “I like dill pickles.”
    â€œSo does my grandpa.” Eric thoughtabout Father’s Day again. “Are you making something for your dad?”
    â€œFirst I have to find my frog.” Jason inched around the bush, looking.
    â€œWell, good luck finding your four-legged pickle,” Eric teased.
    Frogs and pickles . Grandpa should do stand-up comedy!
    Quickly, Eric headed up the cul-de-sac. He wanted to stop by Stacy’s house again.
    He stuck out his chin. This time he’d get brave. He would invite himself to Stacy’s art class.
    It was now or never!

FOUR
    Eric ran up the steps to Stacy’s house.
    He could see inside the screen door. Sunday Funnies wagged his fluffy tail.
    â€œHey there, boy,” Eric said.
    The white cockapoo always found the Sunday comics first. That’s why he had such a silly name.
    Sunday Funnies yipped and jumped up.
    Eric hoped Stacy would hear herpuppy. He wanted her to come to the door, so he wouldn’t have to knock.
    Seconds passed, but Stacy didn’t come.
    Eric decided to knock. A soft, shy knock. The screen door flapped gently against the frame.
    He waited.
    Sunday Funnies kept barking and running around. He wanted to play.
    At last, Stacy came to the door.
    Eric stood tall. “Hi, again.”
    â€œHi.” She stared at him.
    Eric felt silly. He looked down at his sneakers.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Stacy asked.
    â€œUh . . . nothing.”
    â€œReally?” she said.
    â€œIt’s just . . .” He was having trouble saying it.
    â€œWhy don’t you say what you’rethinking?” Stacy opened the screen door and came outside.
    OK, here goes , Eric thought. He took a deep breath. “Can I go to your art class tomorrow?”
    â€œ Can you?” There was a twinkle in her eye. “I don’t know if you can.”
    â€œI can’t?” Eric asked.
    Stacy frowned. “Are you allowed to come?”
    â€œAllowed?” Eric was mixed up.
    â€œYeah, did you ask your mom?”
    Eric shook his head. “Not yet.”
    â€œWell, the correct way to ask is: ‘ May I go with you?’ ”
    Eric sat on the front step.
    â€œJust remember, can means able to,” Stacy said. “ May means allowed to.”
    Eric sighed. He hadn’t expected a speech lesson.
    â€œOK,” Stacy said, smiling. “That’s settled.” She pulled a piece of greenbubble gum out of her pocket. “Want some?”
    â€œSure, thanks.”