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Back The Copycat Save as PDF
Chapters (68)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. Epigraph
  4. One
  5. Two
  6. Chapter One
  7. Three
  8. Four
  9. Five
  10. Six
  11. Chapter Two
  12. Seven
  13. Eight
  14. Nine
  15. Chapter Three
  16. Ten
  17. Eleven
  18. Chapter Four
  19. Twelve
  20. Thirteen
  21. Fourteen
  22. Chapter Five
  23. Fifteen
  24. Sixteen
  25. Chapter Six
  26. Seventeen
  27. Eighteen
  28. Nineteen
  29. Chapter Seven
  30. Twenty
  31. Twenty-One
  32. Twenty-Two
  33. Chapter Eight
  34. Twenty-Three
  35. Twenty-Four
  36. Twenty-Five
  37. Chapter Nine
  38. Twenty-Six
  39. Twenty-Seven
  40. Chapter Ten
  41. Twenty-Eight
  42. Twenty-Nine
  43. Thirty
  44. Thirty-One
  45. Chapter Eleven
  46. Thirty-Two
  47. Thirty-Three
  48. Thirty-Four
  49. Thirty-Five
  50. Chapter Twelve
  51. Thirty-Six
  52. Thirty-Seven
  53. Thirty-Eight
  54. Chapter Thirteen
  55. Thirty-Nine
  56. Forty
  57. Forty-One
  58. Forty-Two
  59. Chapter Fourteen
  60. Forty-Three
  61. Forty-Four
  62. Forty-Five
  63. Forty-Six
  64. Forty-Seven
  65. Chapter Fifteen
  66. The Following Summer
  67. About the Author
  68. About the Publisher

“Folks, take your time this morning,” the radio announcer said. “Visibility is down to thirty feet in some places. It’s so foggy, a herd of seals has come ashore on Tin Can Beach.”

“Where’s Tin Can Beach?” Ali asked Digger.

“Out where the south end of the city juts into the bay, just down from the port and Market Square. The fog must be terrible if the seals went there.” A mosquito flew past his head. He swatted at it and missed.

Ali’s mother pretended not to notice as Digger turned into a bat to chase the mosquito. “Are you sure you want to join the debate team, Ali? You’ve always wanted to join a swim team, and now that we’re finally someplace that has one, I hate to see you cast that aside.”

Ali exhaled. Her mother had said the same thing last night when she’d told her about Alfie. “Mom, it’s a good way to get to know him. Besides, Digger called about me trying out for the Fundy Tide swim team last week. It costs a lot of money if I make it. Debate is free.”

Digger the bat dive-bombed the kitchen sink but missed the mosquito. Ali giggled, but her mother wasn’t done with swim team. “We can find the money, sweetie.”

“Mom, I’ve made up my mind.”

Her mother nodded, took a sip of coffee, and watched Digger chase the mosquito out of the kitchen. “It makes me dizzy when he does that.”

Ali laughed. “Me too.” There was a thud in the distance, which meant Digger had hit a wall again. At least he hadn’t broken another lamp. “Do you like your new job?”

“I do, but it’s hard work.” Her mother stretched her arms overhead. “I hope Digger finds a part-time job so I don’t have to work so many hours. . . .”

Ali smirked. Digger never found work, at least not for very long.

Her mother grinned. “You’re right. I’m just glad that he and Gigi are spending time together. It’s good for both of them. Family is important.” She reached for Ali’s hand. “You know, I get how much you want to meet Alfie, but promise you’ll think about swim team. I don’t want you to give up your dreams.” She kissed Ali on the cheek and went off to search for the bat before she left for work.

Ali was putting her cereal bowl in the dishwasher when a triumphant Digger returned, this time as himself. “Your mother’s right about swim team.”

“I know, but I want to be Alfie’s friend. Debate team is something we can do together.” She pointed to a black smudge on Digger’s bottom lip. “You didn’t eat that mosquito, did you? Because that would be gross.”

ALI’S ANIMAL RULES (AMENDED)