Read Online Death of a Kleptomaniac by Kristen Tracy - Free Book Online Page B

him. “I’m using the toaster to melt my ice cream.”
    â€œYou can’t eat ice cream for breakfast,” he says.
    I spot the keys on the counter tucked behind a pile of our junk mail. I hand them to her. “Mom,” I say, “can you explain the ice cream to him? I need to shower! And thanks for going to Donna’s!”
    â€œI’m headed to the store,” my dad says. “Don’t you have any equestrian questions for me before I leave?”
    My father doesn’t know that much about horses. I’m certain. But instead of racing down the hallway like a madwoman to get ready, I give my dad a quick hug and say, “I do. How do you make a horse go blazingly fast?”
    My father tenses up a little, and I release him. “You don’t,” he says.
    In his heart I know he’d rather I stayed home, so I probably shouldn’t antagonize him, but I can’t help it.
    â€œI’m kidding,” I say.
    Then I race to get ready. Why didn’t I get up earlier? I want to look perfect and amazing. Also, I want it to look like I didn’t try hard at all.
    After my shower I start setting out clothes. My focus isn’t functionality. I want to look cute. Jeans? No. Too pedestrian. My black pants with all the pockets? They make my legs look so long. And they’re tight in the butt in a way I think guys like. Pants decided. Do I need a coat? Yes. Mountains can be frigid. I hear the phone ring. Ugh. I am not going to talk to Ruthann. Considering how things are going, I should quit that stupid squad. High school shouldn’t be this much drama. I should be enjoying myself. Being a triangle point isn’t that important. So I’d get my picture taken and be featured on a news blog for a day. Am I going to put that on a job application? Will it matter when I’m thirty?
    My father stands in the doorway holding the phone. I’m surprised he hasn’t left yet. “I am not taking that call,” I say. “I’m avoiding somebody.” I say the last part in a whisper. I’m convinced that it’s Ruthann. She wants to sabotage my date. I know it.
    My father covers the receiver. “It’s some guy named Henry.”
    A burst of excitement rushes through me. “Really?” I don’t reach out for the phone. I’m not sure I want to talk to him. You can’t jerk girls around like that. Melka or me. It’s not fair. Henry doesn’t deserve my attention right now. I’m doing something else.
    â€œI don’t want to take it,” I say. “Can you tell him that I’ll call him back?”
    â€œWhy? Is he bothering you?” my dad asks.
    Oh, no. Did Henry hear my dad say that? “Tell him I’m getting ready to go horseback riding. I’ll call him when I get back.”
    My father looks suspicious. But I want Henry to be a little disappointed. He should have considered that I might not take his calls before he made out with me and got back together with Melka.
    From the hallway I hear my father explaining that I’m getting ready for a day trip to Wyoming. I hope Henry understands that I’m going out with Tate. Let Henry Shaw feel what I felt. He’s coming in second. How does that feel? Nobody wants to think of himself as the runner-up.
    â€œI’m officially gone now,” my dad yells from the kitchen. “I love you.”
    â€œDitto!” I call.
    â€œUh-oh!” he calls. “We’ve got a problem. But it’s not huge.”
    I hope he’s joking.
    â€œHopkins got out,” my dad says.
    Traditionally, Hopkins escapes less than five times a year, during spring and summer months, when our neighborhood squirrels are most active. Apart from that, he accepts his indoor imprisonment. I have no idea what inspired him to bolt today. This fall, our neighborhood squirrel population has dropped to nearly nil.
    â€œHe’ll find his way home,” I yell. He