The Infamous Ratsos (2 page)

When the Ratso brothers
wake up, it’s snowing. Everything in the Big City looks like it’s draped in white sheets.

“No school today, boys,” says Big Lou. “The buses can’t get down the roads.”

“Buses are for softies,” says Louie.

“I’m off to do some snowplowing,” grumbles Big Lou. “Hang tough. And try not to get into too much trouble while I’m gone.” He slams the door behind him.

“I have an idea,” says Louie.

“How much trouble will it get us into?” asks Ralphie.

“Plenty,” says Louie. “Let’s go.”

The Ratso brothers put on their snow pants and coats and gloves and boots and scarves and hats. They grab their shovels and go outside. It is still snowing.

“I can’t see,” says Ralphie. “What’s the plan?”

“The plan is that we shovel all the snow from the sidewalk and pile it all up in front of Mr. O’Hare’s store. When he comes down for work this morning, he won’t be able to open the door!”

“That’s mean,” says Ralphie.

“That’s
tough
,” says Louie.

“Righto,” Ralphie says, cracking his knuckles. “Let’s make some trouble.”

The Ratso brothers go out to the sidewalk and begin shoveling. They shovel and shovel and shovel, even when the snow starts falling so heavily they can’t see a thing.

“This is hard work,” says Ralphie.

“It will make us tougher,” says Louie. “Keep shoveling.”

“This way,” says Ralphie.

“No, this way,” says Louie.

“I’m pretty sure it’s this way,” says Ralphie.

“I’m pretty sure I’m the big brother,” says Louie. “
This
way.”

The brothers shovel and shovel until they can’t shovel anymore. They fall back onto a snowdrift.

“I’m tired,” Ralphie says with a yawn.

“Me, too,” admits Louie. Soon the Ratso brothers are asleep.

“Why, you boys are as good as gold!” a voice exclaims.

“What?” says Louie. He nudges Ralphie awake.

Mr. O’Hare is in the doorway of his store, tears forming in his eyes. “It would have taken me all day to shovel that. I’m going to tell every one of my customers how thoughtful you are!”

“We’re not thoughtful, we’re TOUGH!” insists Louie. But Mr. O’Hare isn’t listening; he’s already open for business, with a little extra spring in his step.

“How did he get out?” asks Ralphie.

“We ended up shoveling all the snow away from Mr. O’Hare’s door instead of
toward
it,” Louie explains. “Somehow, we got turned around.”

“Somehow?” says Ralphie.

“Don’t worry,” says Louie. “I’m sure another idea will come to me.”

“Sure,
big brother
,” says Ralphie.

The Ratso brothers trudge home. They spend the day shivering in front of the heater in their long johns, drinking hot chocolate.

“This is Florinda Rabbitski.
She’s just moved to the Big City,” Mr. Ferretti announces to his students, including Louie.

“I like being called Fluffy,” Florinda says meekly, looking at the floor.

“Her name sounds funny. And she looks weird,” says Chad Badgerton.

At lunch, no one sits with Fluffy Rabbitski. She picks at her lunch of lettuce and raw vegetables and carrot juice. She seems sad, and lonely.

As always, the Ratso brothers sit together and eat their cheddar cheese sandwiches.

“Check out the new girl,” says Louie.

“She smells like carrots,” says Ralphie.

“Her name is Fluffy Rabbitski. She seems like a softie,” says Louie. “Even her name sounds soft.” He wrinkles his nose. And then he reaches into his brain and picks out another tough idea.

That night, before they go to bed, the Ratso brothers make their cheddar cheese sandwiches for the next day. They also make a very special sandwich, piled high with the worst foods they can find in the refrigerator.

“Fluffy Rabbitski is in for a big, stinky surprise,” Louie says.

At lunch the next day, Fluffy Rabbitski is about to sit by herself again when Ralphie gives her a whistle. Louie pats the seat next to him.

“Why don’t you eat with us?” he suggests.

“Thank you,” says Fluffy. She sits down and quietly takes out her sad little lunch of lettuce and raw vegetables and carrot juice.

“We thought you might like a real Big City treat,” Louie says, pushing the sandwich in front of her. “We call it the Fluffy Special. We made it just for you.”

Fluffy unwraps the sandwich and takes a sniff. Her eyes grow wide. Ralphie doesn’t know whether to laugh or pinch his nose. The sandwich smells beyond awful.

But then Fluffy Rabbitski grabs the sandwich with both paws and takes a huge bite.

“Mmmmm,” she says, swallowing. “Pickled mushrooms and beets and eggplant, just like my nana used to make! How did you know?”

“We didn’t,” Louie says. But Fluffy is too busy enjoying her sandwich to care. When she finishes, she pats her belly and looks at the Ratso brothers with shining eyes.

“I’ve been missing my old house and my nana since we moved here,” she explains. “You two are the first to make me feel at home. I can’t wait to tell everyone how generous you’ve been to me.”

“We’re not generous. We’re TOUGH!” Louie insists. But Fluffy Rabbitski is not listening. She’s licking her lips, still tasting that sandwich.

“Is this seat taken?” asks Tiny Crawley, sliding in next to Fluffy.

Louie throws up his hands.

“Maybe
I
should come up with the next idea,” suggests Ralphie.