Read Online Boiling Point by Diane Muldrow - Free Book Online Page B

Tightwad to pay you,” said Justin with a laugh, handing her back some money.
    “Okay,” said Amanda, grateful that both Justin and Natasha were trying to make her feel better.
    Mr. McElroy dropped off Natasha, then drove towards Amanda’s house.
    Justin didn’t say much after that, though he’d been pretty chatty while Natasha had been in the car.
    Amanda had run out of things to say.
    Mr. McElroy cleared his throat a few times.
    Amanda was never so glad to see her house.
    “Thanks a lot, Mr. McElroy,” she said as he pulled up in front of the Moore’s house.
    “You’re welcome, Amanda. Glad I could help.”
    “Well. thanks, Justin,” said Amanda. “I hope you had fun, anyway.”
    “I did! I’ll see ya later,” said Justin.
    Amanda gave a little wave and shut the car door.
    As she walked up the steps, she saw Molly waiting for her at the front door.
    “Hi,” said Amanda.
    “Look at this e-mail from Shawn!” exclaimed Molly, thrusting a printout at Amanda.
    “You’re not grounded from the computer anymore?”
    “I guess not. I helped Mom weed the garden after you left, and she said I could check our e-mail.”
    Amanda took the paper from Molly and read:

    You know where to find me if you decide you ever want to get in touch with me.
    Shawn
    “That’s just great,” said Amanda, looking up at Molly. “Shawn’s mad at us.”
    “I can’t blame her,” said Molly with a sigh. “We have to write her back fast!”
    Amanda sighed.
    “So, how did it go, anyway?” said Molly.
    “Ms. Brenda Broke didn’t pay us.”
    “What!”
    “Yeah, she’s broke! She didn’t have any cash! ‘Why don’t you come back tomorrow, Amanda?’ ” said Amanda, imitating Ms. Barlow again. She and Molly walked down the hallway and through the kitchen, out to the garden.
    “Hi, honey!” called Mr. and Mrs. Moore as Amanda came out to join them and Matthew. They were relaxing before dinner.
    “Hi.”
    “How are you, sweetie?” asked Mr. Moore. He was lying on the chaise lounge.
    Matthew barely looked up. He was too busy making Kitty wear Mom’s big sunglasses. As usual, Kitty was putting up with it.
    “You look tired, punkin,” said Mrs. Moore soothingly. She smiled her understanding “Mom” smile.
    That’s what did it.
    “Punkin.”
    And the sound of Mom’s gentle voice.
    Mom and Dad and Matthew looked so relaxed and happy, and Amanda suddenly felt so tired and hungry and mad, that she began to sniffle, then really cry. Standing up, in front of everyone.
    Amanda glanced at Molly, who was looking at her pityingly. That made Amanda cry harder.
    “Amanda, honey, did you have lunch?” asked Mom, suddenly worried. She quickly handed Amanda a cracker with some cheese on it.

    “No. And I’ve been running around and finding people to help us and m-making sure everything’s o-k-kay for Dish and Justin and Natasha got along better than Justin and I did and we had to do so much today and Shawn is, like, so mad at us now and—and— Brenda Barlow didn’t even pay us!” She began to cry again, in between gobbling down the cracker.
    “Didn’t pay you!” thundered Dad.
    “What!” cried Mom.
    “She told Amanda to come back tomorrow,” Molly explained.
    “She should have paid you upon delivery of all the food!” exclaimed Mom.
    Well, duh, thought Molly. Everybody knows that. Even Brenda Barlow.
    “Ms. Brenda Butthead is more like it,” Matthew giggled.
    “Save it, Matthew,” said Mom. She patted her chair. “Sit down, sweetie,” she told Amanda. “We’re going to make dinner right now. Have another cracker.” She hurried into the kitchen.

    Amanda felt a little better after she’d had about twelve crackers with cheese.
    She sat at the big picnic table in the backyard with Matthew and watched Mom, Dad, and Molly bring out dinner.
    Dad’s blue eyes twinkled as he set down a platter of tuna, fresh off the grill.
    “You’ve finally reached the boiling point!” he told Amanda. “Get it? Boiling