Free Home Alone by Lisa Church

Chapter One

    "Aw, Mom, come on! I can't believe you won't let Alec and me stay by ourselves for an hour!" Winnie Frazier slumped down onto the couch, making her disappointment easy for her mother to see. She was eleven and a half now. Alec was eight. When was her mother ever going to trust them to stay alone for a while? When was she finally going to see they were beyond needing a babysitter?
    "Honey, I know you're responsible. It's just that… what if something happened?" Mrs. Frazier stopped her ironing and looked at her daughter, her eyes full of concern.
    "You mean, something like a fire… or someone getting hurt?" Winnie asked, but didn't wait for a response. "Mom, I know all the emergency numbers. I know Grandma's number. I'll even memorize the grocery store's number if it means you'll give us a chance! I'm old enough to handle anything!"
    Winnie could see her mother reflecting on her words. The young girl thought she saw a frown, or maybe it was a smile. She continued her pleading with a glimmer of hope.
    "Alec will listen to me, Mom, I know he will. And we won't use the stove or answer the door or phone… Mom, we won't even flush the toilet! Just please say you'll give us a chance and let us show you we can be without you and Dad for an hour!"
    If Winnie's last plea didn't convince her mom, she didn't know what would. She was done. She had given it all she had. The only thing left to do was sink further back into the couch cushions and wait for her mom's reply.
    Mrs. Frazier smiled at her daughter. She was rather impressed by the girl's spirit to win this battle.
    "They're calling for rain showers. You'll have to take the wash off the line if it begins to sprinkle," she said quite matter-of-factly.
    "No problem," Winnie said, a smile spreading across her face.
    "And I'll expect to see the table set for supper by the time we get home," Mrs. Frazier added with a wink as she continued her ironing.
    Winnie thought of balking at the last request but pulled herself out of the sofa cushions and ran to give her mother a hug instead. Taking down laundry, setting the table — these chores would be a small price to pay for a chance to finally be treated like a young woman instead of a child.
    "This is great!" she said, running for the door. "I'm going to tell Alec." She left her mother alone, hoping the woman wouldn't change her mind while she was gone.
    It was early yet. Her parents wouldn't be leaving for a few hours. But that gave Winnie something to look forward to on this dark, dreary Saturday.
    Ever since they had moved to Florida, she found the days long and uneventful. Winnie missed everything about Pennsylvania — the cooler weather, her friends, even her school. She knew that her family had no choice but to move. Her father had been transferred at work. It was either move to Florida or give up his work at the company. Even with tears from the children, Winnie's parents had decided to make the move. The young girl didn't really blame them. Jobs like his were hard to find. She just wished her old friends weren't so far away. Winnie knew she would make some new ones in time. But school was out for the summer, and their home was in an area with few other houses. They had a big back yard with lots of room to run and play, but no one close by to share it with.
    Winnie tried to shift these somewhat sad thoughts to the back of her mind while she searched for her brother. She looked on the back porch first then headed for the small stream at the end of their property.
    "Hey," she yelled, waving her arms when she caught sight of him. Alec gave her a quick look then went back to the sand he was digging. Obviously, whatever he was doing was much preferred to talking with his sister.
    "What's up?" Winnie asked when she got close enough. It was clear he was searching for something in the soft ground, but she wasn't sure what or why.
    "I'm looking for these little lizards," he said, holding a speckled, squirming