Later that evening Ben was eating dinner with his family.
"How was school today?" Ben's father asked.
"Were monsters getting ready for the pet show?"
"Yes," Ben said. "When I signed up to volunteer, I got to see some cool pets.
The real show takes place tomorrow and Saturday."
He told his family about the obedience, tricks, and best pet competitions.
"I hope you're not shopping for a pet," his mother said.
Ben took another bite of creeploaf and didn't answer.
But his brother Sid's ears had perked up.
"Can we get a pet, Mom? Please?"
His mother looked at Ben.
"Please pass the spoiled eggs, Ben. The slime sauce too."
Ben passed the food as Sid tried another approach.
"Can I at least go to the pet show?" he asked.
"I want to see some cool pets too."
"Maybe we can all go to the show together," Ben's dad suggested.
He put a big pile of fried bat wings on his plate.
"Sid's right. It would be interesting to see the pets—and it could be a fun family outing."
Ben's mother shook her head. "I don't know if that's such a good idea."
"I know you don't like dogs, Mom," Ben said.
"But there will be other pets at the show."
She shuddered. "I can't stand most animals.
Uncle Edgar's bird gives me the creeps.
Aunt Petunia's stinkworm makes her house smell terrible, and the neighbors' tarantula is always digging up our backyard!"
Ben's father put down his fork.
"Maybe Ben, Sid, and I will go to the show," he said.
"You can stay home, honey."
"You're forgetting something," she said. "Sid is allergic to some animals."
"It's okay, Mom," Sid said quickly.
"I just break out in green spots.
Green spots are a little itchy, but they look cool!
I'll put up with hundreds of green spots, if it means we can have a pet."
"Good one, Sid!" Ben thought, glancing hopefully at his mother.
But her lips were tightly pursed.
"We're not getting a pet," she said firmly.
"Right now we are only talking about pets—and the pet show."
"Where we can definitely find a pet that you'll like!" Ben said.
"I'll be at the show all weekend long. It's a great opportunity!"
Sid clapped his hands. "Yeah!"
"Boys, that's not what I said."
Ben's mother closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
Then she opened them again.
"Okay, I'll think about it. But I'm making no promises."
"I can help Ben look at pets at the show," Sid said.
"We'll do a simple test. If I don't get green spots, I'm not allergic."
Their mother tapped a finger on the table. "Hmm . . ."
"We can at least let the boys look around at the show," their father said.
"There's no harm in that."
"Please, Mom," Ben pleaded softly.
"All right," she said at last.
"You two can look." She stared hard at Ben.
"But if Sid starts sneezing or itching a lot, you have to bring him home immediately."
"Bring him home?" Ben repeated.
"Yes," his mother said.
"I'll drop Sid off at Monster Academy tomorrow after school.
You can keep an eye on him."
"Oh, boy!" Sid shouted. "This is going to be great!"
"But I have volunteer stuff to do at the show," Ben moaned.
Besides, he wanted to hang out with his friends.
"Sid can help you with the duties," his mother said.
"I'm sure he won't get in the way."
"But—"
Ben's father cut him off with a stern look.
"A ghost who wants a pet needs to show responsibility, Ben.
So you should certainly be able to take care of your little brother for a few hours without difficulty."
Ben was trapped. "Okay," he said with a heavy sigh.
When Ben arrived at Monster Academy the next day, he grinned at the unusual scene.
As always, monsters were streaming into the school building.
But today some of them had brought their pets with them.
Mr. Freaky stood outside, blowing his noses.
"Now, students. Remember what I said:
This afternoon you'll have an opportunity to work with your pets.
Until then, let's keep everything under control!"
Ben looked around. Gaby had her giant albino shrew.
A vampire had brought a spider.
Jen had her singing slug, and Cleo was towing a pet jackal with a leash.
"Lucky Deb," Ben thought as he gazed at the pets.
She had a funny piranha-keet that she had taught to speak.
"Wrawck!" the bird squawked.
"Everything is totally under control!"