Megan Stine_Jeffery & the Third-Grade Ghost 03 by Christmas Visitors Read Free Book Online

bows.

    When the tree was decorated, everyone left the room to bring their presents to put under the tree. Jeffrey came back first, carrying a package for his parents and another small special package.
    “Daddy-o, Daddy-o, Daddy-o,” Max said excitedly, appearing out of nowhere. “Like, I’m trying to be cool, but this little package
does
say ‘To Max, From Jeffrey,’ doesn’t it?”
    “It does,” Jeffrey answered.
    “Absolutely presentsville,” said the ghost. “Too much.”
    Max tore open the package quickly and pulled out a bright red sweatband and two wristbands. He looked puzzled at first, but then he smiled. “Like, I’m hip that the small ones go on my knees, but isn’t this big one smallsville for a belt?”
    Jeffrey laughed. “Where have you been for thirty years, Max?” he teased his friend. Then he slid the wristbands onto Max’s wrists and put the sweat-band on Max’s forehead.
    “Cooler than cool, Daddy-o,” Max said, looking in the mirror. “I mean, totally fresh, for sure, dude.”
    “Merry Christmas, Max.”
    “Like, the merriest to you, too, Jeffrey,” said the ghost.
    Then Max disappeared just as Wendy and Jonathanand Jeffrey’s parents came back with their presents.
    “I didn’t really get you guys anything,” Jeffrey told Wendy and Jonathan.
    “Sure you did,” Jonathan said. “You got us a turkey dinner, didn’t you?”
    “Ho ho ho,” said Max. He was sitting on the back of the couch. Of course, no one but Jeffrey could see him. But for a change, somebody
heard
him!
    “Who said that?” said Mr. Becker.
    “Who said what?” Jeffrey asked.
    “Who said ‘ho ho ho’?”
    “You just said it, Dad,” Jeffrey said.
    “I meant, before me,” argued Mr. Becker.
    “I think the Jolly Green Giant said it first, Dad.”
    “Hey, Aunt Betsy, maybe your house is haunted,” Jonathan said with a laugh.
    “It
is
haunted,” Wendy agreed. “I can feel it. I think there’s a ghost in here right now.”
    Jeffrey tried not to look in Max’s direction.
    “Everyone thinks I’m bananas, but I believe in ghosts,” Wendy said.
    “I don’t think you’re bananas, Wendy,” Jeffrey said. “And you know what? I think if you keep believing in ghosts, I’ll bet you’ll see one one day.Maybe next time you come for a visit. How about New Year’s? We’re having a baked ham.”
    “You mean you don’t have macaroni and cheese on New Year’s Day?” asked Jonathan.
    Jeffrey’s stomach did a quick flip-flop. Macaroni on New Year’s? “Uh, well, it’s a possibility,” Jeffrey said. “Anything can happen around here—even macaroni and ghosts!”

Here’s a peek at Jeffrey’s next adventure with Max, the third-grade ghost!
    PET DAY SURPRISE
    That afternoon, after lunch, it was Ben’s turn to give his science report. He picked up his shoe box and note cards and walked up to the front of the class. Then he wrote the word SNAKE on the chalkboard in wavy snakelike letters.
    “People don’t understand a lot of things about snakes,” Ben began. “But now its time to come face to face with the truth.” With that, Ben dramatically ripped off the top of the shoe box and pulled out Miranda—his long, dark, garden snake. Miranda was a foot and a half long and thin. She curled around Ben’s arm, her tongue darting in and out.
    “Pass her around,” said Melissa.
    “Don’t do it!” shouted Arvin Pubbler. “Put it back in the box!”
    Ben started to show the snake around. But Arvin Pubbler kept yelling.
    “It’s on me! I can feel it!” Arvin shouted.
    Everyone looked over at Arvin.
    “It’s crawling on my neck!” Arvin said, afraid to move.
    No one could see a snake on Arvin. And no onecould understand why he was so upset. Only Jeffrey knew.
    Standing next to Arvin was Max, the third-grade ghost. He was running his finger up and down Arvin Pubbler’s back, giving him the chills. He made himself visible only to Jeffrey for just a second. Then he disappeared