Finders Keepers Read Online Free PDF Page A

Princess Jessie’s bedroom. It looked just like Mac Neals toy store on King Street. As soon as a new toy or game came on the market, it was hand-delivered, and then she was forced to play with it with her parents. Everything was bright and shiny new because she didn’t want to disturb her mother’s arrangements. She knew when she was dropped off at school that her mother rushed home to arrange everything to her liking. She flopped back on the bed to stare up at the lacy canopy overhead. Belgium lace, whatever that was, hung in folds and drapes.
    â€œJessie, sweetheart, what are you doing up there?”
    â€œI’m coming, Mama.”
    Jessie suffered through the tea party and the obligatory ride around the garden in her electric car. She did two turns on the sliding board, allowing her mother to push her on the swing before she was forced to ride her own personal carousel and what her mother called her pony. Raucous music filled the garden. She heaved a sigh of relief when the merry-go-round shut down.
    â€œWould you like to play Old Maid or Candy Land, sweetie?”
    â€œI have a lot of homework, Mama. I’m going into the playhouse to do it.”
    â€œGoodness, I’m going to have to speak to Miss Primrose. It’s almost the end of the year. You shouldn’t have homework now.”
    â€œMama, please don’t talk to Miss Primrose. Today is the last day of homework. I want to make sure I do it perfectly.” From years of experience, Jessie knew if she hugged and kissed her mother and said, “I love you,” she would allow almost anything.
    â€œAh, that’s my girl. Mama loves you so much it hurts. I’ll wait on the verandah for you. When you’re finished with your schoolwork we can take a walk around the garden and perhaps pick some flowers for your room.”
    â€œAll right, Mama. You won’t forget to ask Daddy about the phone, will you?”
    â€œDon’t I always do what’s best for you?”
    â€œYes, Mama.”
    Inside the playhouse that was really three small rooms complete with bathroom, Jessie went straight to what she called her bedroom. She tossed her books onto the built-in bunk bed. Everything was neat and tidy, the games and toys frayed and used. It was cozy here with the small white rocking chair and stacks of books. She loved the bright colors, but something was missing. She reached up to the lowest shelf for a giant teddy bear. It belonged, but it didn’t belong. She sat down on the floor, Indian fashion and waited. She did this every day and didn’t know why. She rolled over and over on the thick carpeting and didn’t know why she did that either. Something was supposed to happen, but it never did. What? She forgot about her homework that really wasn’t homework at all. All she was supposed to do was erase all the pencil marks she’d made in her books during the year. She hadn’t made any marks, so there was nothing to erase. Her books would be perfect when she turned them in.
    Jessie waited expectantly for something to happen. When it didn’t, she reached for the teddy bear and started to stroke its furry head. Within seconds she was asleep on the floor, the teddy bear alongside her.
    â€œI’m going to huff and puff and blow this place down,” a voice shouted from the small doorway.”
    Jessie woke with a start. “Daddy!” she squealed. “Are you home early?”
    â€œI came home early just to see my princess. Did you finish your homework?”
    â€œAll done. Daddy, you promised I could have a phone in my room and one in the playhouse. Are you going to keep your promise?”
    Barnes Roland clucked his tongue. “When you come home from school tomorrow it will be hooked up. Do you want a colored one or one of those old black ones?”
    â€œI love bright colors. Red. I love red.”
    â€œThen red it is.”
    â€œCan I call Sophie as much as I