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When the doorbell rings, Henry gets super excited. He already knows who it is—his friend Alice. She’s coming to sleep over tonight.
“Hi, Henry!” Alice shouts.
“What’s in that big bag?” Henry asks, surprised.
“My sleeping stuff, of course,” says Alice. “I’m sleeping here tonight.”
Alice has never slept at Henry’s house before, but Henry has slept over at Alice’s many times. He usually just brings pajamas and a toothbrush.
“Let me show you what I’ve packed,” says Alice, tugging at the zipper.
“I’ll leave you now, sweetheart. Have fun!” Alice’s mom gives her a kiss, and Alice gives her mom three kisses before she goes inside.
“I’ll put Alice’s bag in your room,” says Henry’s dad.
“Will you fold out the sofa bed now?” Henry asks.
Alice brought her blanket, her lion, her teddy bear, and her plush tiger that plays a tune when you pull a string. She brought her toothbrush, her favorite nightgown, and a little cuddle pillow.
“Why did you bring all that?” Henry asks.
“I have a teddy, a music moon, and my little hedgehog too.”
Alice blushes. “I’ve never slept at someone else’s house without my mom before,” she says softly.
But she’s not really alone—she’s with Henry, her very best friend. They get into their pajamas right away. Henry’s dad helps them.
“Where’s your mom?” Alice asks.
“At work,” says Henry.
They eat dinner in their pajamas—which they never do at Alice’s house. Henry’s dad made rice pudding with cinnamon sugar, a butter lump, and red juice.
“That’s my favorite!” says Alice.
Henry’s dad smiles. “I know. Henry told me.”
After brushing their teeth and getting under the covers, Henry’s dad reads them three bedtime stories. Then he gives Henry a goodnight kiss.
Alice doesn’t want a kiss from Henry’s dad. She wants one from her mom! But her mom isn’t there. So she kisses her lion and her teddy bear instead. Still, she misses her mom.
Henry’s dad turns off the light. At home, Alice always sleeps with a little lamp on, so Henry’s dad leaves the hallway door slightly open.
“Goodnight, Alice,” Henry whispers. But Alice can’t fall asleep without hearing her tiger’s lullaby. Henry pulls the string. They listen to the tune several times, but Alice still can’t sleep.
“We can try my moon lullaby,” says Henry. Now it’s Alice’s turn to pull a string. Henry’s moon plays a different tune. But Alice still can’t sleep.
Then they pull both strings at the same time. It sounds very funny—and Alice starts giggling.
Henry sneaks over and closes the door so his dad won’t hear that they’re still awake. When he gets back to bed, he sees that Alice is fast asleep. She’s holding her cuddle pillow, her lion, her teddy bear—and her best friend.
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