Read Online Bounce by Natasha Friend - Free Book Online Page A

contemplate.
    So I won’t think about it.
    Instead, I will think about the fact that for an entire week there will be no parents in this house. For an entire week, I can do whatever I want.
    â€œEmergency numbers on the fridge,” Eleni says. “Al’s cell, my cell, the B and B, fire department, poison control…Food money here, in this envelope. That’s food money, not shoe money, understand?”
    Thalia nods. “Of course.”
    In loco parentis, Thalia is in charge. Which is a joke, because there’s no way the sweater twins are going to listen to her.
    But this morning everyone pretends. There are instructions about bedtime (reasonable) and TV watching (limited). Suggestions for outings we might take (How ‘bout the zoo!), to foster stepsibling bonding. Reminders that the usual rules of the house apply.
    Sure they do.
    â€œAnd if there are any problems,” Eleni says, going down the line, hugging everyone, “any problems at all…call Linus.”
    She is directly in front of me when she says this, so when I smile she thinks I’m smiling at her.
    â€œEvyn, honey.” She sandwiches my cheeks with her hands. “I hope you have a wonderful week.”
    â€œUh-huh,” I say.
    â€œLove you.” She’s looking me straight in the eyes and still has me in a cheek-wich, so there’s no pretending I didn’t hear her.
    But I will not say it.
    I mutter Okay and wait for her to move on to Phoebe, who jumps into her arms and starts planting wet ones all over her face. “Muh! I love you, Mommy! Muh! Muh! I love you and love you and love you and miss you and miss you! Muh!”
    I get a sick feeling in my stomach, watching them.
    I look at Birdie. He opens his arms.
    â€œHave a good trip, Al, ” I say, walking out before he can try to hug me.
    On the bus, I think about the kinds of “problems” that might arise that would necessitate a call to Linus.
    A clogged drain. A small stove-top fire. Clam getting his fat face stuck between the slats of the fence.
    â€œLinus,” I will say, “this is Evyn. You know, from the wedding? We danced to ‘She’s Always a Woman’ by Billy Joel?Anyway, we’re having this little problem here at the house, and I was wondering…”
    And he will say, “Of course, I’ll be right over.” Even though it might mean missing his poli-sci class. Or coming straight from the gym, in his shorts, with that good kind of guy smell wafting off him.
    There is so much I want to learn about Linus, but I have to find it out carefully, bit by bit, because I can’t be too obvious. If I reveal my true feelings too soon, I’ll ruin everything.
    It’s like this. I know we’re related, but we’re not really related. We’re not actual blood relatives. Our children wouldn’t be born with webbed fingers or with an extra foot growing out of their back or anything like that. And I know we’re six years apart, and that seems like a lot now, but what about when I’m twenty and he’s twenty-six? Or eighty and eighty-six? We’ll both have dentures by then, and applesauce running down our chins, so what would it matter?
    For now, the trick is to show him that although I’m thirteen, there is more to me than just a number.
    Much more.
    As soon as I walk into homeroom, I am attacked.
    â€œSo?” Chelsea says. “Who is it?”
    Crap.
    â€œWe’ve been waiting for, like, ever for you to get here!” says Jaime. “You found out, right?”
    Double crap.
    I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to say right now. But I can’t let them know this. I have to give them something.
    â€œOf course.” Mysterious smile. “…I’ll tell everyone at lunch.”
    â€œNo way, you’re going to make us wait?”
    â€œBut E-vyn, we’re dying here.”
    Well, at least someone got my name right.
    â€œGood things