Read Bella for Free Online Page B

had finished his speech on “Why Kids Should Get to Choose Their Own Bedtimes.”
    Lizzie walked up to the front of the classroom, her heart beating hard. She turned to face the class and cleared her throat. She stood up straight and tall. She took a deep breath. And then she began, imagining that she was talking to Alexandra. “‘Anybody can be a mom,’” she said, slowly and clearly.
    A few minutes later, it was all over. Everyoneclapped, including Ms. Abeson. “Very good, Lizzie,” she said. “Very convincing.”
    “That was great,” Maria whispered, when Lizzie got back to her desk. “I can guess why you didn’t tell me about Bella before. I’m glad she’s going to make it.”
    Lizzie managed a smile. “Thanks,” she said. “I was going to ask you home today to meet Bella. But now I don’t know if you’ll ever get to meet her.” She told Maria about how Bella’s real owner was coming to see her.
    When Lizzie arrived home from school, she saw an unfamiliar red car in the driveway. Her heart began to thud again, just as it had before her speech. She could hardly stand the idea of saying good-bye to Bella, but she felt even sorrier for Buddy. The two puppies had become so close. How could anybody bear to separate them? She also felt terrible for Tina, who had given her heart toBella. It would be so hard to see her have to say good-bye. Lizzie squared her shoulders as she pushed open the front door, preparing herself for the bad news.
    But it turned out that the news was not bad. It was not bad at all. There, in the living room, sat Tina with Bella in her lap and Buddy at her feet. She smiled and waved at Lizzie. So did Mom, and so did the woman who sat next to her on the couch. “Hi, I’m Alexandra,” said the woman. She petted the pretty little red and white cocker spaniel who lay next to her. “And this is Sissy.”
    Lizzie smiled back. She had no idea why everybody looked so happy, but she had a pretty good idea that she would find out soon.
    “Can I pet Sissy?” Lizzie asked. “She’s pretty.”
    “As long as you’re gentle,” said Alexandra. “She’s still not quite herself. That’s why I’m so glad to hear that Tina would like to adopt Bella.”
    Lizzie felt her heart lift.
    “Really?” “Isn’t that great, Lizzie?” Mom asked, beaming.
    “It’s the right thing. I’m sure of it,” said Alexandra. “I’m so grateful to your family for saving Bella’s life.” “And I can see that Bella and Buddy will be lifelong friends. Bella was so busy playing with Buddy that she barely sniffed at Sissy when we came in. That’s good news, since Sissy would not be up to taking care of Bella the way Buddy and all of you have been.”
    “Lizzie even wrote a paper for school about Buddy being a great mom,” said Mom. “It’s a Persuasive Essay. She had to give it as a speech today.”
    “Mom!” Lizzie felt herself blush.
    “Really?” Alexandra asked. “Would you give it again? I’d love to hear it.”
    “I’d like to hear it again, too,” said Tina. “It was very persuasive. It convinced me to try taking care of Bella.” She smiled down at the puppy. “And — I have some other news. Taking care of Bella convinced me that maybe I am ready to be a mom, after all. I’ve been thinking for a long time about adopting a baby girl from China, and I’ve finally decided to do it. I submitted the application just before I came over.”
    “Wow!” said Lizzie. “Really? Can I babysit?”
    “Definitely,” Tina said. “As soon as you’re both old enough.”
    Lizzie stood there smiling. Everything had worked out so perfectly. Bella would grow up right next door, so she and Buddy could always be friends. And soon there would be a new baby next door, too!
    “Speech, speech,” called Mom. “Let’s hear it.” Lizzie went to stand by the fireplace. Shecleared her throat. She stood up straight and tall, and took a deep breath. “This speech is dedicated to Bella and Tina,” she