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much,” Josh says.
    â€œYeah, me neither,” I say.
    â€œGood,” says Mom. “Your dad would like you both to meet some of our neighbors with him before dinner, to say hi and introduce the store. It’ll be good for business.”
    â€œOkay,” Josh says. “I’ll tell him we’re home.”
    I’d rather not go meet a bunch of strangers after the bad day I’ve had. But since Mom and Dad both lost their jobs in Pittsburgh, I’ve wanted to help out however I can. We have to make the store work. Plus, if I say no, it’ll make Dad unhappy. If I volunteer to help, maybe it’ll put him in a good mood so I can talk to him about adopting Chewie. “I’ll go, too,” I say, and run after Josh.
    â€œWhat about me?” Sophie says.
    But Mom tells her, “Next time.”
    I catch up with Josh before he enters the store. “Don’t forget,” I say. “You have to help me convince Mom and Dad about Chewie. They have to send a signed permission note.”
    â€œYou need help—that’s for sure!” Josh says. “Step one: Did you think of a better name than Chewie?”
    â€œNo,” I say. “Not yet.”
    Dad’s on the phone when we enter the store. He smiles, waves, and holds up one finger, motioning that he’ll be just a minute.
    While Dad’s on the phone, Josh and I sit on one of the empty displays and whisper ideas for less-destructive-sounding bunny names. “How about Leo?” Josh says.
    â€œIt’s a girl,” I say.
    â€œUm, Jules, I think a girl rabbit is a bad idea. What if she gets outside? Won’t we end up with a bunch of little baby rabbits hopping all over the place?”
    â€œI’d make sure she stays safe inside the house. And anyway, I have a coupon to get her spayed.”
    â€œAt Dr. Mac’s?” Josh asks.
    â€œYes, but I was thinking maybe I could take her to the shelter instead of to Dr. Mac.”
    â€œI thought you were going to fix that whole Maggie situation?”
    â€œI tried,” I whisper. “It didn’t work out.”
    By the time Dad gets off the phone, our final name choices are on a list tucked into my pocket for safekeeping: Cinnamon, Cuddles, Mrs. Dandelion, Auntie Whiskers, and Hip-Hop. Josh thinks Cuddles is our best chance. I prefer Auntie Whiskers or Mrs. Dandelion. Still, Cuddles sounds the tamest. Who wouldn’t fall in love with a sweet bunny named Cuddles?
    â€œOkay,” Dad says, finally hanging up the phone. “Time to be neighborly. I’ve got a list of the local merchants I’d like to give flyers to today about our grand opening. We’ll start together so you’ll get the idea, then I think we’ll need to divvy up the list in order to reach everyone. I promised your mother we’d be back in time for dinner. Are you ready to meet and greet?”
    Josh and I nod. Dad hands us each a folder full of flyers and grabs a canvas bag full of yardsticks with “ WRENCHES & ROSES ” and the store phone number and address printed on them.
    Ready or not, here we go.
    The copy shop is the first place we stop. Dad’s a pro. He made the flyers there, so he already knows the owners.
    â€œHello,” he says. “I’m back. I want you to meet my kids.” He introduces us, tells them about the grand-opening sale, and asks if he can leave a few flyers and some 15-percent-off coupons on their bulletin board.
    For forty-five minutes, the three of us drop in together at the craft store, a women’s clothing store, and a Laundromat. Dad introduces us again and again, and asks each neighbor if they need him to carry any particular items in our new store.
    â€œWe’re here to help,” Dad says. “Just let me know what you need.” He gives everyone his business card, a flyer, and a free yardstick. Dad is super good at being friendly. Josh smiles, answers questions, and tells