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a mom. But there are other ways to become a mom, too. A person can adopt a baby. A chickencan sit on another chicken’s egg. A dog can take care of a fawn. Or a puppy can take care of an even younger, newborn puppy.’” Lizzie looked at Bella on Tina’s lap, with Buddy gazing up at her. That ache came into her throat again. But she managed to keep speaking.
    “‘Being a mom is about more than having a baby. Being a mom is about loving and caring for someone who would not survive without your love and care.’” Lizzie went on, trying to read with lots of expression and hand gestures, as Mrs. Abeson had taught them. Finally, she finished. “‘In other words, if my puppy, Buddy, can be a mom, anybody can. Anybody can be a mom. All it takes is love.’” Lizzie looked up at Mom, Charles, and Tina. “The end,” she added.
    They all clapped and cheered. Lizzie saw Tina pull a tissue out of her pocket and blow her nose. “That was beautiful.” She sniffled a little as she went back to stroking Bella.
    Lizzie was impressed. Her speech had made somebody cry! “Thanks,” said Lizzie.
    “No, thank
you
,” said Tina. “You helped me make a decision. I wasn’t sure I was ready for this, but I think I am. Since I am up all night anyway, I would like to offer to take care of Bella for the night shift, so you all can get some sleep.”
    Mom turned to her. “Really? You would do that?”
    “Sure,” said Tina. “It’s no trouble, really. She can sit on my lap while I work on the computer.”
    “What about Buddy?” Charles asked. He was on the floor now, with his arms around Buddy. “Won’t he be upset if Bella goes away?”
    Mom thought for a minute. “He usually goes to sleep for the night around the same time you two go to bed. As long as Bella isn’t crying in the night, he probably won’t wake up worrying about her.” She turned to Tina. “If I bring her over to your house after Buddy’s gone to sleep, it should be fine.”
    Lizzie nodded. She had to admit that she kind of liked the idea of not hearing Bella cry in the night. Maybe she could get some sleep before her big speech tomorrow. “I think that will work,” she said.
    Mom smiled at Tina. “It’s almost dinnertime — for us, anyway. If you don’t mind having lentil soup for breakfast, you’re welcome to join us.”
    Tina looked surprised. Then she smiled. “That would be great,” she said. “It would give Buddy and Bella a chance to get to know me a little more.”
    Bella sat on Tina’s lap throughout dinner, and Buddy stationed himself right under her feet. Tina told the Petersons more about what it was like to work for a Chinese company, and they told her about some of the other puppies they had fostered. She especially liked the stories Lizzie and Charles told about the naughtiest puppies, like Pugsley and Rascal.
    Later that night, just after Lizzie had gone to bed, she heard the back door close. She knew it must be Mom, bringing Bella over to Tina’s. She held her breath, waiting to hear Buddy start whining when he realized “his” puppy was gone, but thankfully the house stayed quiet. Lizzie drifted off to sleep, practicing her Persuasive Essay speech even in her dreams.
    She woke with a start early the next morning when Buddy stuck his cold, wet nose under her covers. Buddy whined a little and paced restlessly to the door of her room and back, as if he were looking for something. “She’s not here, Buddy,” Lizzie told him. She patted the bed. “Bella’s safe and sound next door. Come on up and go back to sleep. It’s barely light out yet.” Buddy jumped onto the bed. “Mmm,” said Lizzie. “Good boy.” She pulled up her cozy covers and rolled over to go back to sleep. But then Buddy jumped off againand went back to the door, looking at her over his shoulder and whimpering softly.
    “Okay, okay,” said Lizzie. She stumbled out of bed and went to the window. Sure enough, there was a light on at Tina’s, next door.