11. Ellie
ELEVEN
ELLIE
My nose tickles.
Open eyes, Ellie Belly.
But go slow!
Tickle, tickle.
It’s a funny winged creature.
Right on Ellie Belly’s nose.
Hello, little guy.
Be really still, Ellie Belly.
Don’t scare the funny winged creature.
What does Forever Mom call these?
Flutterbyes?
That’s right.
Flutterbyes.
Thump!
Uh-oh.
What was that?
Flutterbye is leaving because Ellie Belly moved too fast.
Sorry, Flutterbye!
I need to make sure Forever Mom’s safe.
Sniff, scan, sniff, scan.
That smells like Forever Dad.
Look for Forever Mom first, Ellie Belly.
Forever Mom’s asleep on the rocking bed in the sky.
Ellie Belly will investigate.
And bring a sock.
Yes, I’ll pick . . . sniff, sniff, sniff . . . that one!
That’s the perfect sock for Forever Dad.
Quiet steps.
Don’t wake Forever Mom.
Forever Mom’s tired.
Tiptoe, tiptoe.
He’s inside by the big car.
But no funny lights.
Why no funny lights this time?
“Ellie?”
Wag, wag, wag.
Hi, Forever Dad!
Trot, trot, trot.
Here you go!
“Another sock?”
Sock?
Yes, sock!
For you, Forever Dad.
Here, take it.
Nudge, nudge.
“Um, thank you?”
It’s the bestest sock.
Just for you.
“Where’s your mom?”
Sleeping.
On the rocking bed in the sky.
C’mon, Forever Dad.
I’ll show you.
“She fell asleep reading a book, and you don’t have a leash?”
Leashes are dumb.
Destroy!
Ellie Belly doesn’t need a leash.
Pat, pat, pat.
Forever Dad gives good pats.
The bestest pats!
“You better go back to your mom before she catches us in cahoots.”
Don’t worry.
Ellie Belly will keep Forever Mom safe.
Bye, Forever Dad.