Read Online Anything You Want by Geoff Herbach - Free Book Online

sternly. “You’re a baby.”
    â€œSeventeen in a month,” I offered.
    â€œYou don’t drive,” Mrs. Corrigan said.
    â€œNot interested in driving,” I said.
    â€œYou don’t have a job,” Mrs. Corrigan said.
    â€œUp to this point, I’ve been too involved in school activities to find time for gainful employment. But my family comes first. I’ll begin a job search pronto.”
    â€œOh my God. Oh my God.” She closed her eyes and put her head in her hands. “We’re going to end up raising this baby, Reggie,” she said.
    That set a fire under the professor’s rear. “We should discuss adoption,” he said.
    â€œNo!” Maggie shouted. “This is my baby! You can’t give away my baby!”
    â€œI’m not giving away your baby—just suggesting that you’d be doing a wonderful thing for a couple and for your child if you did. You’d be giving the gift of your love to people who—”
    â€œNo!” Maggie cried. Tears began sliding from her eyes. That set a fire under me.
    â€œI hear you, sir. Love is a wondrous gift. Very wonderful. But first and foremost, my job is to support the emotional needs of my wife.”
    â€œYour wife?” Mr. Corrigan repeated.
    â€œYou didn’t. You couldn’t,” Mrs. Corrigan said to Maggie.
    â€œThey couldn’t,” Mr. Corrigan said. “They’re minors.”
    â€œWe could if we had your permission,” I said.
    Mrs. Corrigan stood up. She held her teacup so tightly, it looked as if she would crush it. Then she whipped that teacup onto the wood floor so it smashed into a million pieces.
    We all jumped.
    â€œJesus, mom! Psycho much? You think I’m crazy? I learned from the best!” Maggie cried.
    Mrs. Corrigan glared at Maggie. “Shut your mouth.” She turned and took off into the kitchen, cursing us all out under her breath. Maggie kicked back her chair, cursed, and chased after her mom like she was a dog going after a stick somebody threw.
    A moment later, shouting came from the kitchen.
    Meanwhile, Mr. Corrigan and I sat in the dining room. I smiled at him. Mom had told me to smile if I was ever confused because I have a nice smile. I didn’t know what else to do. Our meeting wasn’t going very well.
    Mr. Corrigan shook his head. “Taco,” he said. “This is real. This is happening.”
    â€œI get it,” I said. “Reality.”
    â€œDanielle has been in counseling to deal with anger. Maggie too. This situation…this fighting?” Mr. Corrigan pointed at the kitchen door and shook his head. He looked so sad. “These are two people I love who are liable to destroy each other. Can you help me please?”
    I took a deep breath. I wasn’t really sure what he was asking. But I wanted to help him, and I figured if I helped Maggie, I was also helping him. “I will do everything I can,” I said.
    Mr. Corrigan nodded. “I’ll help you if you help me.”
    In the kitchen Maggie screamed stuff I won’t repeat. Mrs. Corrigan screamed back. Some glasses broke.
    â€œI think you should leave now. We’ll talk again soon,” Mr. Corrigan said.
    â€œI’m worried about Maggie. Danielle…Mrs. Corrigan won’t accidentally stab her or make her want to die or anything?” I asked.
    â€œNo, Danielle loves Maggie very much,” Mr. Corrigan said. “This is just a hard time.”
    Because Maggie seemed so sad when she came to my house the night before and because it was her mom who caused her to be so sad, I didn’t know if I should believe Mr. Corrigan, you know? My mom would never have made me feel like that. My mom also told me to be polite and respectful though, and Mr. Corrigan was a good and trustworthy person who would protect his daughter, so I decided to believe him. I took a deep breath and said, “Please tell Maggie to contact me at