The Water Park

Midge ran to the house next door. “Booker-T!” called Midge as she ran through the gate. “Where are you?”

“Hi Midge,” said Booker-T as he came around the corner of the house. “Why all the excitement? Are you okay?”

“I’m on my way to Jake’s house,” said Midge. “Are you coming with me?”

“Sure,” smiled Booker-T. “But why the big hurry?”

“Did you see what they are doing across the street?” asked Midge.

“I see the tractor is still digging,” said Booker-T.

“They just put up the sign,” said Midge.

“What sign?” asked Booker-T.

“See that big sign over there?” asked Midge.

“I see the big sign,” said Booker-T.

“Did you read it?” asked Midge.

“No,” said Booker-T. “I think they just put the sign up this morning early. I saw the truck out there.”

“They are putting in a water park,” said Midge. “I thought they were going to put in another café.”

“Why did you think they would put in another Café?” asked Booker-T.

“I don’t know,” sighed Midge.

“A water park?” asked Booker-T. “Why are they putting in a water park? What is a water park?”

“It is a park where the kids go to play in the water,” said Midge.

“Isn’t that a swimming pool?” asked Booker-T.

“It has a pool but it also has slides and all for them to play on,” said Midge.

“Oh,” said Booker-T. “That will be fun. Think we can go play there?”

“I think it will be only for the humans,” said Midge. “We have to use the pond at the park.”

“Maybe we can sneak in,” said Booker-T. “You are always good at doing that.”

“Maybe,” smiled Midge. “I will try and think of something. But I have seen water parks before. They have big fences around them.”

“Maybe we can climb over the fence,” suggested Booker-T.

“Climbing over a fence is easy for you,” said Midge. “But Jake and I can’t climb of if it is one of those chain fences.”

“Hmmm,” said Booker-T. “Maybe when the gates are opened we can find a way to sneak in.”

“You are the one who is good at doing that,” laughed Booker-T.

“Come on,” said Midge. “Lets go to Jake’s.”

“Okay,” said Booker-T as he followed her out the gate. “Wait! Slow down.”

“Hurry,” said Midge.

“Why are we hurrying?” asked Booker-T.

“We have to tell Jake what they are building,” said Midge.

“But we don’t have to hurry so fast,” said Booker-T.

“I guess you are right,” said Midge as she slowed down a little.

Booker-T and Midge entered the gate at Jake’s house. “Jake!” called Midge. “Where are you?”

“Hi,” said Jake as he sat up on the swing. “I’m right here.”

“Guess what they are making across the street!” said Midge.

“Nothing,” said Jake as he looked across the street.

“Not here,” said Midge. “Across from my house.”

“What?' asked Jake.

“A water park!” said Midge.

“You thought they were going to put in another cafe,” said Jake. “How do you know it is a water park?”

“They put up the sign this morning for it,” said Booker-T.

“It will be fun in the summer time when it is hot,” smiled Jake.

“We can't go in,” said Midge.

“Why not?” asked Jake.

“It will be for the humans with a fence around it and a guard at the front gate,” said Midge.

“How do you know?” asked Jake.

“She saw one of the parks before,” said Booker-T. “We will have to sneak in.”

“Well,” laughed Jake. “Midge is really good at that.”

“We can play in the pond at the park and don't have to sneak in,” said Jake. “Wouldn't that be easier?”

“But I like the challenge of sneaking in,” said Midge. “I want to slide on the big slide into the water.”

“They have slides?” asked Jake.

“Yes,” said Midge. “The have more than one slide. They are different kinds of slides.”

“That would be fun,” said Jake. “Start thinking Midge.”

“Thinking about what?” asked Midge.

“How to get us into the park to slide on the big slide,” said Booker-T.

“We don't know how long it will take to build the park,” said Jake.

“The sign says it will be ready in two months,” said Booker-T.

“Just in time for the summer,” said Jake. “When the kids are out of school.”

“Good,” said Booker-T. “They can play at the water park and we will have our little pond at the other park all for ourselves.”

“Maybe,” said Midge. “You know the kids like to fish in our pond.”

“But they never catch anything,” said Booker-T.

“They never catch anything because there are no fish in the pond,” laughed Jake. “I don't think anyone told them it isn't a fish pond.”

“They are putting in picnic tables and all around the pond,” said Midge. “It will be busy all the time now.”

“We can swim in the pond and beg for food,” laughed Booker-T.

“You are always wanting to eat,” said Midge.

“I like food,” said Booker-T.

“I know,” laughed Jake. “You beg really good for a cat.”

“I learned from the best,” said Booker-T. “Midge is great at begging.”

“Want to go see what they are doing?” asked Midge. “You can come in and visit with Snappy too.”

“Sure,” said Jake as he jumped out of the swing and joined Midge and Booker-T as they headed out the gate.

The three hurried along the sidewalk. When they got to Midge's house, they saw the tractor being loaded on the truck.

“Wow,” said Jake. “Our big hill is all gone.”

“I know,” said Midge. “No more sliding down the hill in the snow. My neighborhood is changing a lot.”

“There is the sign,” pointed Booker-T.

Jake looked over at the sign. “Dixie Water Park,” read Jake. “It has the same name as the school.”

“Start thinking how we will sneak in,” said Booker-T. “I want to slide on the big slide.”

“Okay,” said Midge. “Come on lets go see Snappy.”

They all agreed and the three hurried to the back yard and into the house through the doggie door on their way to see Snappy.