Matt Sprouts and the Search for the Chompy Wompers
12 MATT SPROUTS AND THE SEARCH FOR THE CHOMPY WOMPERS Whoa Slow down there buddy Dad laughed as he served Elliott some salad One idea at a time I can barely keep up See Even Elliott thinks it's a good idea I said I looked at Mom to try to get her involved in the conversation And we never agree on anything It's true Elliott agreed I think the last thing we agreed on was to take a break from wrestling each other That was my decision Dad reminded us You two were getting the carpet full of dirt and grime with your tumbling and rumbling Anyway Mom redirected What inspired you to want a neighborhood party I bet he just wants his girlfriend to come Elliott said He batted his eyes like a cartoon princess You love her Elliott was referring to Grace Yes she was my girlfriend And yes I wanted her to come But that's not why I wanted to have the summer party It was just an amazing bonus to having a summer party Zip it Elliott You're supposed to be on my side with this one remember I asked him But then I noticed he wasn't paying attention Elliott Elliott Are you even listening to me Elliott's attention is about as long as the hair on my chin which is to say not very long In the short time that had passed he had moved on to something else and I could tell
PARTY TIME 13 he was playing with something underneath the table so I called him out Hey Elliott I smirked I thought the rule was no toys at the table MATT Stop it Elliott shouted It's not a toy I told you to keep that thing in your room Mom said It gives me the creeps What are you talking about I asked What gives you the creeps This Elliott said and then put it on the table Mom's description of that thing was pretty accurate It was a toy but it was very strange and awkward looking I wanted to call it a stuffed animal but that would be an insult to all stuffed animals This thing was more of a creature It was short green and chubby Its face was basically flat and carried a weird expression like the face you make when you are having a hard time going to the bathroom
14 MATT SPROUTS AND THE SEARCH FOR THE CHOMPY WOMPERS Why does that thing look oddly familiar I asked Is it because it looks like you Ha Ha Ha Elliott laughed sarcastically I'll have you know that this is one of the most amazing most popular collectibles in the I don't care I interrupted Matt that was a bit rude don't you think Mom intervened I remember someone who used to play with his stuffed bear until he was in fourth grade from It's true Dad added I couldn't get that thing away you if I tried Sorry Elliott I quickly apologized and then pointed at the creature in front of him Well at least my stuffed bear didn't look like that That thing looks like a mix between a blob of green sludge and a giant half eaten wad of gum But that's what makes him so adorable Elliott said and petted the top of its head like it was a dog In any case Dad said motioning Elliott to put it back under the table I like this idea of a summer party I think it would be great to get all the neighbors together I could use a little social time too Work has been a lot Mom clapped her hands together It's settled then she said This will be exciting And just like that my amazing idea was in motion We spent the rest of dinner making a list for invites brainstorming games to play and of course asking Elliott to put that strange stuffed creature back under the table
PARTY TIME 15 We had no idea that our summer party would end up being the event where the entire neighborhood would hear the worst news we've had in a while No idea
