It was now the fourth of July. Aunt Bee told me to stay at Barney's place for a while, so I did just that. I didn't argue with my aunt.

"Is your visitor going to stay at your house?" Barney asked.

"How am I supposed to answer that? Aunt Bee didn't tell me anything. Did she tell you who the surprise visitor is?" I asked.

Barney nodded.

"She did, Andy. It's going to be a very nice surprise for you."

"At least it's a good thing. Why don't you go ahead and tell me?"

"Okay. You have to promise that you didn't hear it from me."

"All right. I promise," I told him.

"Good. The guest happens to be a family member you haven't seen since you were two weeks old."

"That long ago? Please continue, Barney."

"Aunt Bee said the surprise visitor is your own mother."

"What! I don't think Aunt Bee told me any stories about my mother when I was growing up. Did she tell you how long she'll be staying?" I asked.

This sure is quite a surprise, so it was no surprise that Barney would tell me, the surprise is now ruined.

"Barney, don't get Aunt Bee angry if you told her what you said to me."

"That's why I told you not to know. All you have to do is pretend to be surprised. Can you do that?"

I nodded and said, "Barney, I happen to think this pretending thing would give Aunt Bee a hint that you ruined it."

"I know. It'll be my fault that I told you."

I agreed with my best friend.

"My mom and dad already know because Aunt Bee stopped by at my house earlier so that way you would be with me until she wants you to return."

"That's fine with me. You and I hang out almost all of the time."

"That's true, Andy. I enjoy your company when we're together like this."

"So do I," I agreed.

We went outside since it was really nice out there today.

"So that means the surprise visitor will be here in time for fireworks?" I asked.

"I have no clue. Let's just wait and see what time the flight shows up."

"That makes sense. Flights can be complicated."

Barney agreed. That's how it works when you're flying on the airplane. We grabbed a couple of lawn chairs so we could sit down. We didn't have sunscreen, but it didn't matter much to us.

We didn't say much when we sat on our chairs, which was okay. We had lemonade in our glasses. Barney's mother usually makes the lemonade homemade, and it's really wonderful, if you ask me.

"I bet Aunt Bee made my room look nice for the visitor."

"Probably. I happen to think your bedroom needs a makeover, Andy."

"What makes you say that?"

"The paint looks like it wants a fresh coat or two with the same color."

"I don't care what the paint has done to my wall."

"Maybe not you, but I'm sure Aunt Bee will probably say the same thing."

I didn't say anything right away. I watched as Barney gulped his lemonade.

"I'm going back inside and get another refill. Do you want anything else?"

"Thanks for the offer, Barney, but no thank you."

"Aunt Bee mentioned to Mom and Dad that she'd call when the visitor arrives so you can go back home."

"That's fine with me."

I drank more of my lemonade.

"Tell your mother this lemonade is wonderful."

"I'll make sure to do that, Andy. Glad you liked it."

"I always like it."

"True."

I wasn't yet ready to return home. There's no telling if this visitor will be staying here at my house or what. That I'll have to find out for myself.