The Granny Game by Beverly Lewis Page A

sweets. She only has eyes for junk food and goodies.”
    â€œ That’s not why!” Carly insisted. “It can’t be!”
    â€œAsk Mom,” Abby said. “You’ll find out.”
    Carly shook her head. “ You ask.”
    â€œI don’t have to. I know I’m right,” Abby said.
    Carly tossed her head. Her ponytail brushed against her cheek. “Okay, I’ll seefor myself.” She dashed out of the bedroom.
    Abby sat on the bed and sighed.
    When would her sister ever believe her?

    Abby helped Dad carry the suitcases to the car.
    Her parents kissed her good-bye.
    They kissed and hugged Carly, Shawn, and Jimmy, too.
    Dad’s face was serious. “Please obey your grandmother.” He looked at each of them.
    â€œWe will,” Abby said. She glanced at Carly. “Won’t we?”
    Carly was trying to keep from smiling. Abby could tell by her sister’s flat lips. A giggle might burst out any minute!
    Jimmy was whispering to Shawn in Korean.
    Abby recognized several words.
    Jimmy was telling Shawn something about broccoli.
    Abby listened more carefully.
    Oh no! she thought. Shawn was telling Jimmy not to eat the broccoli!
    Dad caught Abby’s eye. He must’ve heard, too. “Now, boys,” he began. “You must eat your vegetables while we’re gone.”
    â€œWe have to?” Jimmy whined.
    â€œGrandma will be in charge of you,” Dad said.
    Jimmy’s eyes rolled around. “Green vegetables make little boy very sick.” He was pointing to himself.
    Shawn’s face was droopy, too.
    But the boys weren’t going to fool Dad. Probably not Grandma Hunter, either.
    â€œYou’ll eat whatever your grandmother makes,” Mom said. Her words were firm.
    Jimmy started to groan.
    He held his stomach.
    He pretended to be too sick to stand up.
    Ker-plop-ity! He fell over and slammed onto the floor.
    Then . . . Shawn and Carly fell over, too.
    There were three kids on the floor, faking it good.
    Abby shook her head. She felt like joining them, but she knew better. Her parents were watching.
    â€œWe’re counting on you,” Mother said. She was giving Abby “The Eye.”
    â€œThe Eye” was nothing to fool around with. It meant important business.
    â€œNo funny stuff,” Daddy warned. “We want a good report when we return.”
    Suddenly, Abby wished she wasn’t the oldest. Why did the oldest kid have to behave the best? Always!
    She guessed she knew why.
    It was important to be a good example. For Carly, Shawn, and Jimmy.

    â€œOkay, enough of this,” Dad said. He looked at the wiggling threesome on the floor. He snapped his fingers. “C’mon! Up you go!”
    Shawn, Carly, and Jimmy were on their feet. But they were still holding their stomachs and moaning.
    â€œDon’t worry,” Abby told her parents. “I’ll make sure everyone obeys Grandma.” She glanced at her sister and brothers. “ All weekend!”
    â€œSince when is Abby the boss?” Carly said, making a face.
    Mother and Daddy set her straight. “Abby’s the oldest. She’s going to help Grandma,” Dad said. “End of story.”
    Carly made another face. A pickle face!
    What a weekend , thought Abby. What a wacky weekend!

THREE
    Grandma Hunter arrived in a yellow taxi cab.
    She stepped out, wearing her pink Sunday dress. And a pretty apron. A single strand of pearls hung around her neck. And there were earrings to match.
    â€œLet me look at you, children.”
    Smack! She planted a kiss on each face.
    Jimmy turned around. When no one was looking, he wiped off the kiss.
    Abby saw him do it. She frowned hard at him.
    Jimmy shot daggers with his eyes.
    But Mother and Daddy didn’t notice. They were smiling, almost too pleased. Especially Mother.
    Grandma Hunter greeted Mother and Daddy. “My grandchildren and I are going to have a splendid time.” She glanced at