Read Online California Demon by Julie Kenner - Free Book Online Page B

they laid eyes on each other. Laura and I quickly followed suit, and the Dupont and Connor females make good use of the back-fence gates that allow us easy access to each other’s homes.
    Over the years, the only hint of jealousy that had ever reared its head between the girls appeared after the faculty committee anointed Allie, but not Mindy, with one of the three coveted freshman spots on the cheerleading squad. Thankfully, the tension eased after about a week. That’s when the girls realized that Mindy has a voice that could give Celine Dion a run for her money, whereas my daughter sounds remarkably like Kermit the Frog. The universe shifted back, and the jealousy flitted off to annoy some other less-well-adjusted children.
    Needless to say, Laura and I were greatly relieved. We could still be best friends even if our girls weren’t. But it was a heck of a lot easier this way.
    Around us, parents, kids, and teachers were shifting to stations that had been set up around the perimeter of the gym. Drama club, math club, surf club, cheerleading. And, of course, the snack table. I wondered idly what kind of cupcakes Laura had bought, but it didn’t really matter. At the moment, all I cared about was my brilliant and accomplished daughter.
    As the choir started up with a medley of Christmas songs, Allie bounded across the auditorium, all composure now abandoned. “A check!” she yelped, as Eddie caught her in a hug. “Mom, Eddie, look! I got a check for five hundred dollars!”
    Eddie took it from her, then held it at arms length, squinting at it through his thick glasses. “Whoa-ho there, hotshot. Look at you. You’re rich!” He ruffled her hair, and she didn’t even duck away like she usually does when I show too much affection around her peers.
    Eddie leaned in closer, his eyes on me as he spoke sotto voce to Allie. “Run,” he said. “Run now. And if anyone mentions educational savings accounts, you shoot first and ask questions later.”
    I tried to look stern as Allie giggled and linked her arm through Eddie’s. Beside me, Laura stifled a smile as she looked from one to the other. “Good luck,” she finally said, giving me a quick pat on the shoulder. Then took off across the gym toward the choir risers, leaving me to deal with my insane family alone.
    I sighed, and hoisted Timmy up onto my hip.
    “So?” Allie said, bouncing from one foot to the other. “Can I buy an iPod? Please, please, pleeeeeze ?”
    “I don’t know,” I said, a little distracted because I saw Marissa stalking across the room toward us.
    “Oh, come on, Mom! Eddie’s right. It’s my money. And I promise I won’t use it during class.”
    That caught my attention. “I really hope you’re kidding. Because if that’s even an option at this school, we’re going to have to seriously consider the value of a private education.”
    I was being serious, but that was lost on Allie. “Oh, Mom!” Then she looked at me with puppy dog eyes until I gave in.
    I sighed. “It is your money—”
    “Yes!” She shot her fist up in celebration. “You’re the bomb, Mom!”
    “I know,” I said, amused. Timmy squirmed, demanding to be put down. I did, and then Allie grabbed his hands and did a little dance with her brother.
    All in all, a nice little family moment. Except for the fact that we were missing part of the family.
    A skinny girl with a long ponytail walked by with a tray of cookies and a determined expression on her face. Timmy immediately stopped dancing and looked at her longingly.
    “Cookies!” Timmy said. “Want a cookie!”
    Since the girl hadn’t heard him, I reached for his hand, figuring that was as good an exit line as any, but Eddie got there first. “Come on, youngster,” he said. “I’m gunning for one of them chocolate chunk monstrosities.”
    “Monsters?” Timmy said, looking more excited than scared. “I wanna see the monsters!”
    I frowned and met Eddie’s eyes, certain that he could read my mind.