Anthony’s Big Surprise Electronic book published by ipicturebooks.com 24 W. 25th St. New York, NY 10010 For more ebooks, visit us at: http://www.ipicturebooks.com All rights reserved. copyright © 1998 by Wade Hudson No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. e-ISBN 1-59019-159-5 Library of Congress Number Cataloging-in-Publication data is available ISBN: 0-940975-73-4 by Wade Hudson u CHAPTER ONE u “I’m home, Mom,” Anthony Young yelled as he closed the door behind him. He took his school books into his room and put them on his desk. Anthony’s mother would never tolerate his throwing them on the sofa or on the floor. Patricia Young believed everything should be clean and orderly: throw paper in the garbage: wash the dishes after every meal: hang coats and hats in the closet: put books and school supplies on the desk in your bedroom. But very seldom did she have to remind Anthony to do those things, be- cause he appreciated cleanliness and order as much as she did. As Anthony headed for the kitchen, he bumped into his mother. “What time is the game?” Ms. Young asked. “Seven,” Anthony answered. “What’s for dinner? I want to leave a little early so I can meet Naimah, Liz, and Tayesha.” “We’re doing Italian today,” said Ms. Young. — 1 — Anthony’s Big Surprise “Spaghetti and meatballs. In fact, you can set the table now. Everything is almost ready.” It was Anthony’s job to set the table and to wash dishes. He had his responsibilities and his mother had hers. For as long as Anthony could remember it had been just the two of them. Ms. Young wasn’t married when Anthony was born. His father was killed while serving in the army in Europe before he was able to marry Patricia Young. Anthony thought about his dad some- times, wondering how he looked and what he was like. Ms. Young tried her best to provide Anthony with a good and happy life. After Anthony was born she started working for the Daily World newspaper as a receptionist. Now she was a sales manager in the advertising department, and one of the company’s most valuable employees. “Oh, I almost forgot,” Ms. Young said as she placed several ears of corn on a dish. “You have a package. It came in the mail this morning.” “A package?” Anthony asked quizzically. “From who?” “From whom?!” corrected his mother. “From whom?” Anthony repeated, accepting the correction. — 2 — Anthony’s Big Surprise “There was no return address on it. It’s in the living room on the coffee table.” Anthony hurried into the living room and picked up the large package. It was wrapped in brown paper. It’s not that heavy, Anthony thought. As he be- gan to unwrap the package, Ms. Young walked into the living room. She watched as he pulled the brown paper from around the box. “I don’t know what this could be,” Anthony told her. “Maybe it’s from Naimah, Tayesha, Liz, or Eddie,” offered Ms. Young. “But why would they send me a package? It’s not my birthday.” Liz, Naimah, Tayesha, and Eddie were Anthony’s best friends. They all lived on Mary Street. Sometimes, the kids at school called them the Mary Street crew. But they called themselves NEATE, a name they created by using the first letter of each of their first names. Anthony folded the brown paper and stared at the box that the paper had covered. He was almost too scared to open it, but he managed to muster enough courage to pry open the flaps. “There are three sweaters in here,” Anthony — 3 — Anthony’s Big Surprise said softly to his mother. He couldn’t figure it out. Why would some- one send him sweaters? Why wouldn’t the per- son put his or her name on the package? There wasn’t a card or note either. Nothing! “Maybe someone is trying to surprise you,” his mother suggested. “It has to be one of your friends. I’m sure you’ll find out soon enough.” “But those are expensive sweaters, Mom.” “I know.” Anthony’s mother was concerned, too. But she didn’t want Anthony to know. “You’d better get something to eat. You’ll have to leave for the basketball game soon.” Anthony headed into the dining room. Just as his mother reached the dining room door, the doorbell rang, and she went to answer the door. It was Mrs. Delaney, Eddie’s mother. “Hello, Pat. I’m sorry to barge in on you like this, but I need a favor.” Mrs. Delaney talked very fast, and moved almost as fast, too. “What is it?” Ms. Young asked. “You know our club is sponsoring a fund- raiser next week. We’re trying to get as much publicity as possible. One of the ladies on the publicity committee submitted a press release to the Daily World but they haven’t done anything — 4 — Anthony’s Big Surprise with it. I was wondering if you could put a word in for us.” “Oh, sure, I’ll be glad to, Juanita. But I can’t promise anything.” “I know, but they respect you. They’ll listen to you.” “I’ll do the best I can, Juanita.” “That’s good enough for me.” Anthony hurried from the dining room toward the front door. “Hello, Mrs. Delaney,” he spoke. “Hello, Anthony. You’re late for the game aren’t you?” “A little late.” “Did you eat?” Ms. Young asked. “Yes.” “It couldn’t have been much. Not that quickly.” “I’m all right.” Anthony dashed out the door. “I guess everybody is at the game,” Mrs. Delaney said. “Floyd must have been the first person at the gym. He’s so into basketball, he even makes poor Eddie uncomfortable.” “He’s very supportive of Eddie. He’s a good father. I know Anthony respects him a lot.” Ms. Young sounded a little envious. — 5 — Anthony’s Big Surprise “I must admit Floyd is a good father, even if he is a little overbearing.” “Sometimes I wish Anthony had a father around the house. A boy needs a male figure around so he can learn to be a man.” “You have done a great job with Anthony, Pat. You ought to be proud. I think you have done a better job than Floyd and I have done with Eddie and Daisey.” “I’ve tried my best. But you really never know what a child has missed until later. And then it’s too late.” “That’s true even for families with a father and a mother, Pat.” “I guess so,” Ms. Young told her friend as she walked slowly from the sofa toward the dining room. “Would you like dinner, Juanita? I’m hungry.” “No, thanks. I’ve already prepared dinner at home,” replied Mrs. Delaney. “In fact, I should get back there now.” Ms. Young escorted Mrs. Delaney to the door. “See you later, Pat,” Mrs. Delaney said as she walked onto the porch. “O.K.,” Ms. Young said. She closed the door gently behind her neighbor. — 6 —