Tarantula Toes Read online

  Beverly Lewis Books for Young Readers

  PICTURE BOOKS

  Annika’s Secret Wish • In Jesse’s Shoes

  Just Like Mama • What Is God Like?

  What Is Heaven Like?

  THE CUL-DE-SAC KIDS

  The Double Dabble Surprise

  The Chicken Pox Panic

  The Crazy Christmas Angel Mystery

  No Grown-ups Allowed

  Frog Power

  The Mystery of Case D. Luc

  The Stinky Sneakers Mystery

  Pickle Pizza

  Mailbox Mania

  The Mudhole Mystery

  Fiddlesticks

  The Crabby Cat Caper

  Tarantula Toes

  Green Gravy

  Backyard Bandit Mystery

  Tree House Trouble

  The Creepy Sleep-Over

  The Great TV Turn-Off

  Piggy Party

  The Granny Game

  Mystery Mutt

  Big Bad Beans

  The Upside-Down Day

  The Midnight Mystery

  Katie and Jake and the Haircut Mistake

  www.BeverlyLewis.com

  Tarantula Toes

  Copyright © 1997

  Beverly Lewis

  Published by Bethany House Publishers

  11400 Hampshire Avenue South

  Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

  www.bethanyhouse.com

  Bethany House Publishers is a division of

  Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

  www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

  Ebook edition created 2012

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

  ISBN 978-1-4412-6081-9

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

  Cover illustration by Paul Turnbaugh

  Text illustrations by Janet Huntington

  To

  three of my young fans,

  all in one family!

  Chris, Collin, and Linsi Stoddard.

  CONTENTS

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  The Cul-De-Sac Kids Series

  About the Author

  Other Books by Author

  Back Cover

  ONE

  Jason Birchall zipped through his homework.

  I have to tell someone my secret! he thought.

  He didn’t bother to check his spelling. He didn’t even read over his work.

  Jason was in such a big hurry. He slapped his name on the paper and pushed his homework into a folder.

  Then he dashed outside.

  It was still light, so he jumped on his bike.

  His friends, Dunkum and Eric, were already out riding. They zoomed up Blossom Hill Lane when they saw him. “Hey, Jason!” they called. “Wanna ride?”

  “You bet!” Jason said.

  “Did you finish your homework already?” Dunkum asked. He was always talking school stuff.

  “Ya-hoo! It’s done,” Jason hollered. “But let’s not talk about that.”

  He glanced around.

  Was it safe?

  He made his voice sound mysterious. “Listen up, guys.”

  Eric stared at Jason. “Why are you talking like that?” Eric said.

  “Because,” said Jason.

  “Because why?” Dunkum asked.

  “Because I’ve got a secret,” Jason said.

  “So tell us,” Eric said. “I’m sure you’re dying to.”

  Jason smiled. His friends knew him well. “OK, I’ll tell you. But you have to promise not to say one word to the girls.”

  Dunkum’s face lit up. “You can trust us. You know that.”

  Eric agreed. “We promise.”

  Jason looked over his shoulder. “Are we really alone?”

  Dunkum nodded. “It’s just us guys.”

  “Let’s not take any chances,” Jason said. He motioned to Eric and Dunkum. And the three of them headed up the driveway. When they reached the garage door, Jason whispered, “I’m starting up a zoo.”

  “That’s your secret?” Dunkum said.

  “Shh!” Jason peered around, checking for other Cul-de-sac Kids. “It’s top secret.”

  “Are we talking a real zoo?” Eric asked.

  Jason leaned a little closer. “You heard right. June is Zoo Month, so I’m starting a REAL zoo in my room.”

  Eric scratched his head. “Does your mom know about this?”

  “My parents think it’ll be an adventure.”

  “You mean like a learning experience?” Dunkum said with a frown.

  “That’s exactly right.” Jason reached into his pocket. He unfolded a page out of the newspaper.

  Eric leaned on his bike for a closer look. “Whatcha got?”

  “Check out my super-secret,” Jason said. He pointed to a picture of a big, hairy spider. “I’m gonna buy this tomorrow.”

  Eric did a gulp. “Is . . . is that what I think it is?”

  “It’s a tarantula, all right,” Jason said proudly.

  “Hey, let me see.” Dunkum grabbed the paper. “Whoa, Willie Millie! I can almost see Abby Hunter’s hair sticking straight up!”

  Abby was the president of the Cul-de-sac Kids. Nine kids on one block. A really cool club.

  Jason started jumping around. “Stacy Henry will freak out, too. So will Dee Dee and Carly!” he chanted.

  “Wow, what a scary spider!” Eric said. “Are you buying him just to scare the girls?”

  “Shh! How can you say that?” Jason said. But he didn’t stop grinning or hopping. He felt good all over. “It’s a pink-toed tarantula. And tomorrow he’s all mine!”

  “I don’t know about this,” Dunkum said. He studied the picture a little longer. “A tarantula might not be such a good idea.”

  Jason pushed up his glasses. “What do you mean?”

  “They eat frogs, right?” asked Dunkum.

  Jason started to laugh. “Oh, I get it! You’re thinking about Croaker. But you shouldn’t be. My new pet will NOT be eating frogs.”

  Jason knew exactly what to feed Pinktoes. His spider book told all about tarantulas. Everything he needed to know. There was even a chapter on how to handle spiders.

  “Crickets and earthworms are Pinktoe’s favorite snacks,” Jason spoke up.

  “Well, good luck finding insects like that around here,” Dunkum said. He handed the newspaper back.

  Jason looked at Dunkum. His friend was probably right. Crickets needed plenty of oxygen. The air was thin in this part of Colorado.

  “Don’t worry,” Jason said. “I’ll take good care of Pinktoes. You’ll see. I might even let him crawl on me.”

  Dunkum’s eyes were big and black now. Really black. “What about fangs?” he asked. “Don’t tarantulas bite?”

  “I’m not afraid,” Jason bragged.

  Eric looked a little pale.

  Dunkum looked worried.

  “I’ll have Pinktoes by tomorrow,” Jason said. “Then you’ll see how brave I am.”

  “Tomorrow? That soon?” Eric said.

  Before Jason could
answer, Eric hopped on his bike and rode away.

  Dunkum did, too.

  Jason wasn’t surprised. Some kids were just ’fraidy cats. But not him. He was going to be brave. He was going to be the bravest kid in the world.

  Besides, no one else had a zoo in their bedroom.

  No one else had a pink-toed tarantula. All the way from South America.

  Not one single Cul-de-sac Kid did. Not one!

  I’ll be the only tarantula keeper around, he thought.

  He could hardly wait.

  TWO

  At last, it was Saturday.

  Tarantula time!

  Jason awoke early, even before his parents.

  Rolling over, he found the newspaper ad. Right where he’d left it—under his pillow!

  He burst out laughing. Dunkum and Eric would shake with fear. They’d shiver and shake if they knew. He was sure they would.

  Whoever slept on a picture of spiders?

  Kids with courage. That’s who!

  Just then his father called to him. “What’s so funny over there?”

  His dad was up. Yes!

  Jason rushed into the hallway. He stood at his parents’ bedroom door. “Ready for a visit to the pet store?” he asked.

  His mother made funny little noises. She sounded half asleep.

  The door opened.

  Mr. Birchall was wearing a bathrobe. “You’re up too early, son,” he said.

  Jason pushed his glasses up. “Because I can’t wait. Let’s go get my spider!”

  His father smiled and headed for the kitchen.

  Jason was right on his heels. “C’mon, let’s go NOW!”

  “Are you really sure about this spider purchase?” Dad asked. “Have you thought it through?”

  Jason couldn’t believe his ears.

  “Of course I’m sure,” he said. “The tank’s all set up. Everything’s ready.”

  “And you followed all the directions?”

  Jason nodded. “I followed everything exactly right.”

  Dad smiled. “And you’ll be very careful if you decide to handle your new pet?”

  “If I do? I KNOW I will!”

  His father put a firm hand on Jason’s shoulder. “You must be gentle, son. Tarantulas are delicate pets.”

  “I’ll be the best spider keeper ever,” Jason promised. “You’ll see.”

  Jason got dressed for the day. In a hurry. He heard his dad humming in the shower.

  Bacon-and-egg smells floated from the kitchen.

  “Today’s tarantula day,” he told his mother.

  “What a brave one you are,” she said. “I don’t know how you even look at those spiders. And to think one of those hairy things is coming to live in my house.”

  “Pinktoes will live in my bedroom,” Jason reminded her. “He’ll stay in his tank . . . most of the time.”

  Mrs. Birchall’s hand flew to her throat. “Most of the time? Don’t you mean all of the time?”

  “Oh, not when I’m showing him off,” Jason explained. “Sometimes he’ll be on display.”

  His mother’s eyebrows arched. “Oh?”

  “There’s nothing to worry about. Nothing at all.”

  “I hope not.” She wiped her forehead. “I really do.”

  At breakfast, Jason and his parents talked even more. All about the spider.

  “He needs cork bark to climb on,” Jason said.

  “We’ll buy some today,” Dad said. “Crickets too.”

  “I’ll dig for earthworms after lunch,” Jason suggested. “A tasty treat for a tarantula.”

  “Good thinking,” Mother said. She wrinkled up her nose. The subject of worms was a no-no at the table.

  “Uh . . . sorry, Mom,” Jason said.

  “It would be much better if we talk after we eat,” she said.

  A wink came from Jason’s father.

  And Jason understood.

  But gross stuff didn’t bother him. Not one bit. Worms or crickets, spiders and frogs were just fine.

  Any old time!

  THREE

  The ride downtown took forever.

  Rush. Faster. Hurry . . . hurry, thought Jason.

  Even the light stayed red too long.

  Jitter, jitter. Jump, jerk. Jason couldn’t sit still.

  “Excited?” asked his dad.

  “Pinktoes comes home today!” Jason said.

  Then he spied the pet shop sign.

  His father parked the car. “Have you told your friends yet?” he asked.

  “I told only two.”

  “Boys?” His father was grinning.

  “I told Dunkum and Eric. They promised not to tell it around,” Jason explained.

  “So it’s a secret?”

  “A super-spider super-secret!” Jason said. He leaped out of the car and raced to the pet store.

  Inside, a large glass tank was waiting. A tiny tan spider was perched in the corner.

  Pinktoes was nowhere to be seen.

  “Where’s my spider?” Jason wailed.

  The clerk hurried over. “May I help you?”

  “Where’s Pinktoes?”

  “Wait one moment,” said the clerk.

  Jason took off his glasses and twirled them on his finger. He jittered and jived.

  “Someone bought my spider,” he fussed. “Bought him out from under my nose!”

  His father shook his head. “Don’t worry, son. Here comes the store owner.”

  A tall man smiled at them. “We’re getting more pink-toed tarantulas in on Monday.”

  “Two more days? That’s way too long,” Jason said.

  “Sorry about the wait,” the man said. “I’ll be happy to put your name on one.”

  “My name?” Jason looked at his dad.

  “He means he’ll save one for you,” his father explained.

  “Oh . . . sure, that would be great!” Jason burst out.

  But he didn’t feel great inside.

  Nope.

  Dunkum and Eric would never believe this. They’d think he was fooling about getting a super-spider. They’d say he was making it all up.

  “We’ll be back on Monday,” Jason’s father said.

  “Right after school,” added Jason. “And not a minute later!”

  His father nodded.

  The pet store owner waved.

  And Jason scuffed his feet to the car.

  The ride home went too fast.

  All green lights.

  Phooey.

  Jason scooted down in the front seat. He didn’t want Dunkum and Eric to see him. Not without Pinktoes.

  How will I tell them? he thought.

  Then he had an idea. He’d say that Pinktoes was crawling home. He’d say that the tarantula was last seen headed this way. A big, black tarantula was on the loose. Headed for Blossom Hill Lane!

  That’s what Jason decided.

  It was a whoppin’ big lie.

  But Dunkum and Eric would be scared silly.

  FOUR

  The car was hardly in the driveway.

  Here came Dunkum and Eric, running.

  Rats! thought Jason.

  Dunkum called to him from behind a tree. “Where’s your big, mean spider?” he said.

  Jason glanced over at his dad. He didn’t want him to hear what he was going to say.

  “Hello, boys,” his dad said, waving at Dunkum and Eric. Then he went inside the house.

  Jason got out of the car. He stood tall. Now he could tell his made-up story.

  “I thought you were buying a hairy monster,” Dunkum said. “Where is it?”

  The boys stayed close to the tree.

  “And I thought you were too scared to see it,” Jason replied.

  “Well, we’re not,” Eric said. “We’re braver than you think.”

  Jason lowered his voice. “Well, if you really wanna know, he’s on the loose. And coming this way!”

  Eric looked around. “I don’t see anything.”

  “You jus
t wait,” Jason said. But he felt funny inside.

  Dunkum scratched his head. He inched close. “You mean your pet spider is crawling here? To Blossom Hill Lane?”

  It sounded very fishy. Foolish too.

  Jason almost laughed at his own words. But he pulled himself together. “You heard me,” he said. “Pinktoes is on the prowl. He’s coming. You better watch out!”

  Eric was still staring at the ground, looking for super-spiders. “Better break your secret and warn the girls, then,” Eric said. “They won’t wanna see a scary spider around here.”

  “No!” Jason shouted. “Don’t tell them. We have to keep it a secret.”

  “How come?” Dunkum said. He was still frowning.

  He doesn’t believe me, thought Jason. He knows I’m lying.

  “So . . . what’s the expected time of arrival?” asked Dunkum. “For your tarantula, I mean.”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Jason spoke up. “It might take him till Monday.”

  It was sort of true. But not really.

  Eric stared at him. “Can spiders smell their way? Like dogs and cats do?”

  Jason swallowed hard.

  Rats.

  What could he say? More lies?

  “Uh, I don’t know for sure,” he mumbled. “Maybe they can. But I think I hear my mother calling.”

  “I don’t hear anything,” Eric said. He looked at Dunkum.

  “Me neither,” Dunkum said.

  Both boys gave Jason a weird look.

  “Go ahead and find your mother,” Dunkum said. His face had a big grin. “Eric and I will be on the lookout for your tarantula.”

  “Don’t step on him,” Jason warned. “He’s part of my zoo.”

  Dunkum Mitchell, whose real name was Edward, laughed out loud. He laughed all the way down the cul-de-sac.

  “Double rats!” Jason said to himself.

  Jason could hardly eat lunch.

  His hamburger stuck in his throat.

  “What’s wrong, dear?” his mother asked.

  “I’m not hungry,” he replied.

  “Are you sick?” she asked.

  Sick of lying, he thought. But he didn’t say that.

  He didn’t know what to do. Dunkum and Eric would never believe him now. Not even if he tried to tell the truth.

  The whole truth.

  He’d just have to wait. Two more days.

  By Monday everyone would know about Pinktoes. Especially Dunkum and Eric. Then they could see for themselves.