Taken Read Online Free PDF Page A

inside and found her mother upstairs sorting through Phillip’s outgrown clothes.
    “I know this is a good idea, Jessie. But I’m getting teary-eyed going through these sweet things. Brings back nice memories of baby Phillip. And I keep thinking of Anna and little Andel.” Her mother dried her eyes with a tissue.
    “They’ve got to find him, Mom.” Jessie started looking through a box of toys. “It’s getting cold and he’s so small.” She lifted a wooden play phone from the box.
    “That’s my phone,” said Phillip. “Give it back.” He tried to pull it from Jessie’s hand.
    “Wouldn’t you like to give some of your old toys to children who have no toys?”
    He looked at her with big tears in his eyes. “NO!!”
    “But, Phillip,” Jessie said. “You don’t even play with these anymore.”
    He ran to his mother. “Make Jessie stop!”
    “Logic doesn’t work well with a two-and-a half-year-old, Jessie.” Her mom pulled Phillip close. “Let me handle this part.”
    “Sure. Okay,” Jessie said. “I want you to come and see the garage. I think it looks pretty good.”
    “We’ll be down in a few minutes,” said her mother.

Chapter Eight
    “Oh, this looks great!” Her mother held Phillip’s hand while they looked at the transformed garage. “See, Phillip,” she smiled down at him. “Some people are coming here to see if they want to buy our old stuff to give to their children.”
    Phillip looked suspicious. “My toys?”
    “Well maybe you can sell some things that you don’t use anymore and keep the money to buy some new toys.”
    He thought about that. “Maybe.”
    Amazing , thought Jessie. “Do you want to help me put the clothes on the shelves?” Jessie asked Phillip.
    He ran into the house. Jessie and her mom followed him up the stairs to the piles of clothes. Phillip began pulling toys from the box. “Help me, Jessie.” Jessie picked up the toys he’d chosen and carried them downstairs. Her mother followed with a pile of baby items.
    In the garage, Jessie said, “I suppose we should put the stuff in categories. This shelf can be for newborn clothes, and the next for one-year-olds.”
    “Let’s separate boys and girls in piles,” offered her mother. “And label them.”
    Phillip started to place toys on the bottom shelf.
    “That’s good, Phillip,” said Jessie. “Then if little kids come they can see them better.”
    Her mother went to the back of the garage, rolled out a stroller and went back for a crib. Then she stepped inside and brought out a bucket of sudsy water and rags. She began to wash down the baby equipment.
    “We should leave a couple of shelves for little baby stuff ’cause Tina’s folks are bringing boxes after dinner,” Jessie said.
    “This is so smart, Jessie,” said her mom. “We’ll have extra space in the garage and someone can really use these things.”
    “Can you and Daddy leave your cars outside for a few days so people have room to move around in here?”
    “For a few days,” said her mom.
    Outside, a car drove up. Jessie pushed the button to open the garage door. Her dad was shoveling the driveway. His car was parked at the curb. He walked in and admired the sale set-up. “Wow. You’ve gotten a lot done,” he said. He picked up Phillip and admired the shelves.
    “See,” said Phillip. “Old toys. Now I get new ones!”
    “A very good plan, Phillip!” laughed his father. We’ll go shopping after the sale.”
    Phillip laughed too. “Okay.”
    Mr. Hanson finished shoveling while Jessie and her mother tidied up the rest of the garage. “I’ll put my car outside tomorrow,” said her mom. They closed the garage door and went inside for dinner. “We’d better hurry up. Tina and her folks will be here soon.”
    * * *
    Tina and her dad arrived an hour later and carried in box after box of baby clothes, bedding, infant car seats and toys.
    “Oh, my gosh,” said Jessie. “This is great!” She rearranged the shelves so there