Free Dunc's Undercover Christmas by Gary Paulsen Page B

I’m going to get you a gift?”
    â€œCome off it! You always get me something.” Amos looked worried. “You
are
getting me a gift, aren’t you?”
    Dunc’s eyes had a mischievous look. “Yes and no.”
    â€œWhat does that mean?”
    â€œIt means I’m getting you something. But I don’t have all the details worked out yet.”
    â€œWhat kind of a present has details to work out?”
    Dunc changed the subject. “Have you thought of anything for T.J. yet?”
    â€œOh, that’s easy. A gift certificate from the electronics store. He spends most of his time building different gadgets. I’m sure he can use some spare parts.”
    â€œThe electronics store is at the other end of the mall.” Dunc pulled on his sleeve.
    â€œOkay, okay. Give me a minute. Let me take one last test run around this aisle.”
    Dunc sighed. “Try to hurry.”
    Amos and the robot rounded the corner. They were making their way through the pet section when Amos accidentally pushed the fast-forward button. The robot took off. It ran smack into someone’s black boot.
    Amos looked up. It was Santa. Or rathera man dressed in a Santa suit with a long white beard.
    He winked at Amos. “This what you want for Christmas, son? Well, I’m the man to talk to about it. Of course, you haven’t been all that good this year, have you?”
    Amos stared at the Santa. His mouth was hanging wide open.
    â€œLet’s see. There was that unfortunate problem with your dog.” The Santa laughed. “And there’s the incident involving your sister’s diary. But who knows?” He winked. “I may stop by your house anyway.”
    The Santa reached down, picked up the robot, and handed it to Amos. “Take care you don’t test run the battery down.” Then he walked down the aisle ringing a silver bell and saying, “Ho, ho, ho.”
    Amos watched him until he was out of sight. Then he blasted around the corner to the counter where Dunc was waiting.
    â€œWhat took you—” Dunc started.
    Amos interrupted, “You won’t believe it—Santa—real—he knows!”
    Dunc frowned at him. “Calm down. What happened?”
    Amos started again. “He’s real. He knows things about me. I thought he was only for little kids or dweebs, but he’s really
real
.”
    Dunc scratched his head. “Are you okay? Maybe we’d better get you home. Let you get some rest. We can shop later.”
    â€œNo. You don’t understand. Santa—I met the real Santa. He told me things.”
    â€œIs that all? Those guys are paid to tell you things. They tell everybody the same things over and over.”
    Amos grabbed the front of Dunc’s coat. “Listen to me. This one knew real-life things about me.”
    â€œAmos.”
    â€œHe knew about my dog and my sister.”
    â€œGet real, Amos. Those are common things. He made a good guess. Don’t let it spook you.”
    â€œI don’t know.…”
    â€œCome on. I’ll buy you a soda. You needit. What would Melissa say if she heard you carrying on about a real Santa Claus?”
    Amos’s shoulders slumped. “Maybe you’re right. I lost it there for a minute. He caught me off guard with some of that stuff. Don’t worry, I’m okay now. Uh—Dunc?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œLet’s keep this just between us. Okay?”
    â€œNo problem.”

Amos chucked a basketball at the hoop above his garage door. It bounced off the rim. He caught it on the way down. Dribbled to the end of the driveway, and turned to face the basket.
    A dreamy look came to his face. He was in the game of his life, standing at the free-throw line. A hush came over the crowd. The score was tied with only two seconds left on the clock. It was the last chance for his team to score. The winning point restedon his shoulders. He bounced the ball.