Read Online Maxed Out by Daphne Greer - Free Book Online Page B

do that?”
    Duncan ignores me.
    â€œCan’t you work something out?” Ian whispers. “He could hang out here while we skate.”
    â€œI wish,” I say. “Look at him.”
    Duncan is now crouched down, eating snow.
    â€œWell, you gotta play next Friday, Max,” says Ian. “We’ve got a game with the Red Eagles. I don’t want to play against Cody without you.”
    â€œI’ll see what I can do.” Ian glances back at the guys on the ice. “Okay, I better go. See ya…” He zooms across the pond and steals the puck.
    I smile to myself as I pretend I’m on the ice. Then I turn toward Duncan.
    â€œWould you stop eating the snow. For all you know, a dog could have peed on it.”
    Duncan puts his face closer to the snow. “Nope, no dog pee.” He eats another handful.
    â€œI give up. Come on, let’s go home.” With one last look back at the pond, I lead the way along the path. The sounds of the skates scratching the ice and the shouts from the guys repeat in my head long after we’re out of earshot.
    â€œI’m hungry,” Duncan says.
    â€œYou should have eaten more snow,” I say underneath my breath.
    The smell of smoke from Mr. Cooper’s fireplace means we’re almost home. It signals food to Duncan and reminds me of the days when Mom was in the kitchen watching soaps on tv while she made us a snack.
    All that changed when Dad died. Dads aren’t supposed to die before their kids are grown up. But mine did.
    Some days it feels like my mom did too.
    As I open the door, Mouse gets up from his sunny spot in the kitchen. He stretches and walks over to us. He rubs up against Duncan’s legs and then mine.
    â€œHi, Mouse,” Duncan says. He reaches down to pat him. Mouse purrs loudly. Duncan hangs his coat on his hook and places his boots so that the toes touch the wall. He then straightens all the shoes into a perfect straight line.
    I dump my coat on the chair and throw my hat like a Frisbee. “Yes!” I say when it lands on the hook. Usually it takes me a couple of tries.
    â€œI’m hungry,” Duncan says.
    I’m staring into the fridge, trying to figure out how I can play hockey. I hear Duncan, but I’m too busy thinking to answer.
    â€œI’m hungry !” Duncan wails.
    The sound of something landing on the floor with a thud startles me. I slam the fridge door. Duncan is on his hands and knees like he is praying.
    Sighing, I squat down beside him. “Do you really have to do that?”
    He doesn’t answer. He keeps talking about how his superpowers aren’t working because he’s so hungry.
    â€œDuncan!” I say in a louder voice.
    â€œYeah?” he finally says.
    â€œI’ll get you something to eat, okay ?”
    â€œOkay.” Duncan sits up and looks at me with his big brown eyes. “I’m hungry,” he whimpers.
    â€œI know you are.” I hold out my hand and help him stand up. “Let me guess. Macaroni and cheese?”
    Duncan smiles.
    â€œAt least you’re predictable.”
    â€œI’m not predictable! I’m, I’m Batman. And, and, you’re Robin,” he says in a low voice.
    â€œWhatever you say.”
    On Saturday morning the usual crowd is coming in and out of Bucky Dwayne’s All-In-One Store. “Duncan, hurry up!” Three people slip through the door before he catches up to me.
    Inside, I pull out the list Mom gave me before she crawled back into bed. I hate it when she works the night shift, because Duncan has to go everywhere with me so she can sleep. Saturday is the worst day to come to Bucky Dwayne’s, especially with Duncan.
    â€œStop touching everything!” I yank him by the arm and pull him closer. “Let me look at the list for a minute, would ya?”
    Duncan starts whispering into his hand. “Batman…Batman, you there?”
    â€œOh, don’t start,