Maya:

“Oh my god! We were right!” I cry, staring at the newspaper article.

“Yeah,” Wendall says, looking as though he is in shock. “Wow…I mean, I thought…but, wow!”

Perry is unimpressed. “Anyone can write a newspaper article, guys,” he says. “Uncle Louie totally rocks! And anyway, what would he want with a dumb wallaby?”

“It’s probably worth a lot of money,” Wendall replies. “How many people do you know with pet marsupials from Australia?”

“Not many,” I admit. “Not any, actually. But Perry does have a point. Maybe we should go visit that bookstore. Main Street Books, right?”

“Yeah,” Wendall agrees.

We all three tiptoes out of the library, Perry making exaggerated tiptoeing motions. Not for the first time, I have a distinct desire to smack him. “How on earth did we get saddled with him?” I wonder aloud.

Wendall is just about to reply, when we pass the parlor.

“Look!” Perry says, pointlessly, because we are all gaping.

There, on the loveseat, are Mrs. Widmeyer and Uncle Louie, in a liplock.