"Hurry up!" Annie said to her mom as she went barreling down the stairs.
             "I'm coming." Ms. Mary Weston called back to her daughter. She was almost ready to go Christmas shopping when she remembered that she had forgotten to get her gloves out of her coat pocket.
             She found Christmas to be a bittersweet time of year at their house. Her beloved husband of eighteen years had passed away on Christmas Eve four years ago. Annie was only five when Richard died of cancer. She was too young at the time to fully grasp what was happening. But now she was nine and old enough to be told exactly what happened to her father.
             The drive to the local mall was difficult in heavy holiday traffic. Mary took this opportunity to ask Annie what she wanted Santa Clause to get her for Christmas this Year.
             "I want a bicycle, and a dolly, and...."
             Good. Maybe she won't ask for anything outrageous this year. Mary thought to herself.
             " Also I want a puppy, and a kitty, oh and a elephant too."
             So much for that idea. She wondered how in the world Annie came up with this stuff.
             " I'll make you a deal. I will tell Santa to get you the bicycle and dolly plus a few surprises. How does that sound?"
             "Okay I guess." Annie sounded slightly disappointed at her mother's decision.
             They finally found a parking space within walking distance of the mall's entrance. As Mary was doing her Christmas shopping she thought about her daughter's request. She knew it was silly, but she had on of those "dangerous ideas" as Richard called them. She had to admit that over time, she had spoiled Annie a little bit. All right, a lot. Anyway, her idea was to get her the bicycle and doll for Christmas and save the best present for her birthday, the day after Christmas.
             The next day, Mary left work early to put her plan in motion. She stopped by the zoo to talk with the owner. The deal was done. Annie w
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