The Park Express

Jake was napping on the porch swing when Midge and Booker-T entered the yard through the gate.

“Hey Jake,” called Midge as she ran to the front porch. “What are you doing?”

“I'm taking a nap,” said Jake.

“Why?” asked Midge.

“Why not?” asked Jake.

“Don't you want to play?” asked Booker-T.

“Play what?” asked Jake.

“Why are you asking me questions?” asked Midge.

“Because you are asking me questions,” smiled Jake.

“We should go for a swim Jake,” suggested Midge. “Soon they are going to take the pond out of the park.”

“They aren't going to take it out,” said Jake.

“Gabby said they were going to take it out,” said Midge.

“They are going to take it out only for a little while,” said Jake. “They are going to make it a bigger and better pond for everyone at the park.”

“Okay,” said Midge. “That will be good, right?”

“Yes, Midge,” said Jake. “It will be good for everyone.”

“Well, do you want to go for a swim?” asked Midge. “It is warmer today. I think winter is all gone now.”

“Do you want to swim Booker-T?” asked Jake.

“Sure,” agreed Booker-T. “Lets go.”

The three left the yard and started along the sidewalk. When they reached the park, they looked both ways at the street and then hurried into the park.

“Why are they putting train tracks in the park?” asked Midge as they entered the park.

“I don't know,” replied Jake. “They weren't here the other day.”

“Is there a sign somewhere?” asked Booker-T.

“I don't know,” said Jake. “Lets follow the tracks and see where it goes.”

They followed the tracks past the pond and the picnic area and found a small building that looked a little like a train station.

“Over there Jake,” said Booker-T. “I see the big sign.”

“I see,” said Jake as he walked toward the sign.

“What does it say?” asked Midge.

“It says the Park Express,” said Jake. “It goes all the way around the park.”

“We can ride the train when we come to the park,” said Midge.

“That will be fun,” said Booker-T.

“I like to ride the train,” said Midge. "Why are they putting in the train?" 
“On this sign, it shows there will be three stations around the park,” said Jake. “So humans can get on and go from one area of the park to another.”

“Where are the stations?' asked Booker-T.

“It says one will be at the picnic area, one at the pond and one near the street corner where we enter the park,” said Jake.

“Does it say when the train will be ready for humans to ride?” asked Midge.

“It says the Park Express will be complete,” said Jake. “At the end of May.”

“Wow,” said Booker-T. “That will be nice when the humans come to see the summer shows and swim in the pond and have their picnics.”

“So almost two months it will be ready,” said Jake.

“They are really making the park nice,” said Midge.  "When they start running the train, we need to come ride it."

“Every where in the town they are building stuff,” said Booker-T. “It is really changing. Soon, we will have a bigger town.”

“Guess what they are building near that little cafe,” said Jake.

“What?” asked Midge.

“A Pizza cafe,” said Jake. “I like pizza.

“Me too,” said Midge. “When it is ready, we have to go and beg for some pizza like we did at the other little cafe.”

“We have two more weeks to wait,” said Jake.

“We can wait,” smiled Midge. “We have two weeks to think of a way to beg for the pizza.”

"Oh boy," said Booker-T.  "I like pizza too. Think really hard Midge." 

"Come on," said Jake.  "Lets think about it later and now lets go swimming."