Abby Klein - Shark Tooth Tale

Hey, can I go look around Treasures of Time? I asked my mom during our latest trip to the mall.

Not that dumb store again, my sister, Suzie, whined. I am sooo sick of that place. You make us go in there every time we come to the mall, and it is so boring.

It is not dumb, I said. It has really cool fossils, and rocks, and treasures. You just dont like it because it doesnt have lip gloss or anything pink.

What did you just say, Wimp? Suzie asked, sticking her nose in my face.

Get away from me, Weirdo. Your breath stinks, I said, holding my nose.

Well, your whole body smells, Suzie said, poking me in the chest with her finger.

All right. Enough, you two, my mom said, stepping in between us. Youre making a big scene.

So, Mom, can we go to the store? I asked. I want to see if they have anything new.

I dont think so, Freddy. Its getting late. I still have to go home and make dinner.

Pretty please with a cherry on top? Just for five minutes. I swear. You can even time me, and I promise Ill leave when five minutes are up.

Yeah, right, Suzie muttered under her breath. As if.

Oh, all right, my mom said. But just for five minutes, Freddy, and then we really have to go home.

Youre the best, I said, hugging her.

I ran over to Treasures of Time and stopped in my tracks as soon as I saw it in the window. I had never seen anything like it before. No way, I whispered as my mouth dropped open in amazement.

Why arent you going in? my mom asked when she and Suzie caught up to me.

I just stood there staring.

Uh, hello, Suzie said, waving her hand in front of my face. Earth to Freddy. Earth to Freddy.

Huh? What? I mumbled.

What are you doing, honey? my mom asked. Dont you want to go in? Remember, I said you only have five minutes.

Look at that, I said, pointing. My eyes were growing bigger by the second.

Look at what? Suzie and my mom said together.

That sharks tooth, I answered, pointing into the store window.

A sharks tooth, Suzie said, laughing. I cant believe you are drooling over a stupid sharks tooth. You already have a bunch of them at home.

But I dont have that one.

Whats so special about that one? my mom asked.

Its a fossilized Megalodon tooth. They are very rare, I continued. Ive always wanted one.

Well, your five minutes are almost up, Suzie butted in. Are you going to go inside or not?

Yeah. I want to ask the guy how much it costs. Its awesome!

I went inside and ran to the cash register. Umm Excuse me, I said to the guy behind the counter. How much is that Megalodon tooth in the window?

We just got that in today. Its cool, isnt it? Its more than a million years old. I almost didnt even put it out. I thought I might just keep it for myself, he said, laughing.

How much is it? I asked again.

Fifty dollars, the guy said, smiling.

Fifty dollars? Did you say fif fif fifty dollars? I stuttered.

Yep. Worth every penny.

My heart sank. Fifty dollars! I didnt have fifty dollars, and my birthday and Christmas were months away. I couldnt wait that long. Somebody would buy it before then. What was I going to do?

OK, Freddy, my mom called. Its time to go. Come on.

My mom came over to the counter. Freddy, you promised, remember? Its time to go. Your five minutes are up.

But I have to get this today, Mom. If I dont, someone else will come along and buy it. Will you get it for me, pleeeaaase?

Not today, but if you really want it, you have money in your piggy bank. You can buy it for yourself.

But it costs fifty dollars.

Fifty dollars! Suzie said. Fifty dollars for a silly tooth. Thats crazy!

That does seem a bit much for a sharks tooth, my mom agreed.

Not really, said the guy behind the counter. You dont see these too often. This is the first time weve ever had one here in the store. They are rare.

You see, Mom, I said. Its really special. I have to have it.

Like I said, my mom continued, if you want it, then you have to pay for it with your own money.

But I dont have fifty dollars.

Well then, I guess you cant get it, Suzie interrupted. Can we go now, Mom? Its been a lot longer than five minutes.

Yes. Come on, Freddy. Time to go.

I couldnt leave the store without it. But Mom, wait, I called after her. How about an early birthday present? I promise I wont ask you for anything else for my birthday.

Absolutely not, Freddy. End of discussion. You already broke one promise you made to me today. You told me you would only be in this store for five minutes, and weve already been in here for ten. Im not staying one more minute. Daddy will be home soon.

As we started to walk out of the store, the guy behind the counter called after me. Hey, kid, I know how much you want that tooth. I can hold it for you for one week.

Really? I said, turning back, my face brightening.

Yep. One week.

Gee, thanks! I said. Ill be back.

As we left the store, I took one last look at the tooth shining in the window. I decided I had to get that tooth, some way, somehow, if it was the last thing I did. But I only had one week to do it.