Read Online Keeping Secrets by Ann M. Martin - Free Book Online Page B

Willow uncertainly.
    Flora could hear their voices perfectly. She bent and pretended to re-tie her sneaker.
    â€œYou know what,” said Mrs. Hamilton.
    â€œI really don’t. Um, my shoes?”
    â€œNo, not your shoes! Your closet door. How many times do I have to remind you? Can’t you remember a single thing?”
    Flora risked a glance over her shoulder. Willow had backed down a step. “I promise I’ll do it right,” she said. “I’ll do it this minute.” She hesitated. “Can I come inside?”
    Mrs. Hamilton stared at her. “Fine.” Then,
“Fine.”
She jerked Willow’s elbow as Willow squeezed by her. Then she slammed the door closed with such force that Flora heard windows rattle.
    Â 
    On Wednesday afternoon, Ruby and Olivia had after-school activities, so Flora sat on her stoop, presiding over the younger Row House children: the Morrises, Olivia’s brothers, and Cole Hamilton. She wasn’t officially baby-sitting, but she liked to give the appearance of a baby-sitter, figuring it was good advertising.
    Presently, Mrs. Hamilton called to Cole and handed him a leash, Bessie on the other end of it. “Bessie needs to get out for a while,” she said.
    Flora watched Cole run along the sidewalk with Bessie. “Hey, Cole!” she called. “Did Willow tell you about the dog parade?”
    Cole came to a stop, turned, and walked Bessie across Flora’s lawn. “What dog parade?”
    â€œIt’s on Friday afternoon.” Flora once again described Nikki’s idea. “It should be a lot of fun,” she added. “And I could help you with a costume. There’s still time, if we pick something simple. I could make Bessie into —”
    But Cole was shaking his head. “No.”
    â€œThere’s time, Cole. Really,” said Flora. “And, hey! On Saturday, you could take Bessie trick-or-treating with you! She’d have her very own costume. Wouldn’t that be fun? I bet Bessie hasn’t been trick-or-treating before.”
    â€œOkay …” said Cole. He paused. “Well, actually, no.”
    â€œBut why not?”
    â€œThere’s no point. My mom won’t let me go to the parade without an adult.”
    â€œWell, couldn’t you go with the Morrises? Or how about with Willow? Or with your own mom? Why doesn’t she take you?”
    Cole shook his head again. “She won’t.”
    â€œShe won’t let you go without an adult or with an adult? That doesn’t seem fair. Look, I’m really good at sewing. I could whip up a costume for Bessie in no time. Let’s go talk to your mother.” Flora took Cole by the hand and led him and Bessie back to his house.
    â€œFlora, no. This isn’t going to work.”
    â€œOh, come on.”
    â€œReally. My mom doesn’t —”
    Flora had reached the Hamiltons’ stoop. She knocked on the door, and when Mrs. Hamilton opened it, she told her about the parade. “And I could help Cole with the costume,” she said finally, then stopped talking when she realized with astonishment that Mrs. Hamilton was starting to cry. And not in that silent way in which Min occasionally cried. No, after just a few moments, she was wailing with full force like a child about to have a temper tantrum.
    Mrs. Hamilton drew in a shaking breath, then let out a loud, long sob. “No! I won’t have Cole going to such a crowded event.”
    Flora took a step backward.
    â€œI won’t!” cried Mrs. Hamilton. She pulled Cole and Bessie through the front door and shut it hastily.
    Flora stood for a moment before the house with its shades drawn. Then she turned and ran all the way to Main Street and the safety of Needle and Thread.

Paw-Paw Sherman sat drooling in the backseat of the car, watching the county road speed by. Nikki wondered what else he saw, what dogs truly saw when they stared so intently out