Next week is Mom’s birthday. We are making a party. It is a surprise. It is hard to make a surprise party. You have to keep it a secret. You have to watch what you say. You have to tell everyone that it is a surprise. Only tell people who can keep a secret. Do NOT tell your little sister. Little sisters cannot keep secrets.

I make signs for Mom’s party. I make them in secret. I lock my door. But today day I forgot.

Someone knocks. Oh no! What if it is Mom? I am making a poster. It says “Surprise, Mom!”

Suddenly my door opens! It is not Mom. It is my sister, Jenny.

“Jenny,” I yell. “Get out!”

Mom hears me. “Be nice,” she calls. “Do I need to come up there?”

“No!” I call. “Fine, Jenny. Come in. Close the door.”

“What is Mom’s surprise?” asks Jenny.

Uh oh. I forgot. Jenny can read.

I tell Jenny about the party. “It is a secret. You cannot tell Mom.” Jenny nods. Her eyes are wide. She says she will not tell.

That night at dinner…

Jenny says, “Mom! I have a secret. But I can’t say what it is. And I’m not saying anything about a surprise.”

Mom looks at Jenny. Mom looks at me. Mom looks at Dad. Dad looks at me. I look at Dad. I look at Jenny. I slap my hand over my face.

“What is going on?” Mom asks. “Are you making me a surprise party?”

“No!” we all say. It is not a lie. It is not a surprise anymore. Is it?