5. The air was bitter cold as I stepped tentatively on the treacherous, ice-covered sidewalk. I steadied myself in a clumsy, jerking motion. "I hope he appreciates this," I grumbled. I was shopping for the one gift he wanted and I needed to brave the blizzard in order to pick it up. Snow blinded me and I ducked my head as the heavy flakes pelted my winter hat. I opened the door to the old shop at the end of the street. I hadn't really noticed it before, but he had said what he wanted most was inside this dilapidated building. The bell on the door tinkled as I yanked it open. What I found inside was almost indescribable. (half page) 

The store was filled with animals. Of all kind. Anything from fish, parrots, dogs, even some snakes.I had not been expecting this. Maybe some type of electronics store, since dad was such a computer nerd, but not a pet shop. Ever since I was a little kid, I had wanted a pet. Either a dog or cat. Since my mom was allergic, we couldn't get any of the ones I had wanted, but now that they divorced, and I was living with my dad, I hadn't even thought about it.


I didn't see anyone in here, not even working. Huh, wonder where they are, I thought. Just as I started down the first row of pets, I heard a noise behind me. I spun around.

I had come face-to-face with a short, old, wrinkly, mean looking woman, wearing a shirt with Gertrude's Pet Store written on the front . "Welcome to Gertrude's Pet Store," she said in a nasally voice, without any enthusiasm. "What can I help you with today?"


I thought for a moment, "Um, I'm not sure actually. You see, my dad sent me to this store, and said that it would be ready when I got here."

"Oh," the old woman said, "So you're Sarah. Yes, your father mentioned that you would be stopping by today."

She left me standing in the middle of the aisle, and went into the room marked employees only. I was only waiting a few minutes when she returned with a bag, and a little puppy, with light brown fur, in a carrying case. Oh my God, oh my God. All of a sudden, a smile appeared on my face. I was ecstatic. A puppy, all for myself. Well, and dad.


"Yes, here she is," the woman said, "Your father has pre-paid, so you can just leave." She looked happy telling me to go. But it didn't matter to me, because I was the one with the puppy. I took her with pleasure and walked out of the store. It felt like a dream. I walked home feeling dazed. How had I not figured out dad was getting us a dog? He is terrible at keeping secrets. I took Lily, which I had decided to name her, out of the carrying case and rummaged around the bag looking for a leash. Finding it, I attached it to the collar around Lily's neck, and walked quickly back to my house, away from the blizzard.

 Once I got home, I ran inside, with Lily trailing not far behind me and hugged my dad, who was reading the paper. 

"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," I told him over and over again.

"I thought you would like your present," Dad said.

 He walked to the garage. When he came back, he was holding a dog bed in his hands.

"Here," he said as he handed it to me, "Your dog can sleep on this. Either in your room or by the back door. Having a dog is a huge responsibility. But I think your old enough to handle it. Don't make me regret this."

"I won't," I replied. Lily and I walked up the stairs to my room, leaving dad to his paper.