Read Online My Fairy Godmonster by Denice Hughes Lewis - Free Book Online Page B

charge.”
    “It’s my house.”
    “I know. She’s the adult. Do you
understand?”
    “I understand that you are leaving me in the
hands of a closet dictator. I’ll be lucky to be alive when you
return.”
    “Don’t be so melodramatic.”
    My heart is breaking and he keeps
talking.
    “I left all the directions for everything on
my desk in the stable. I know you can handle it. David and John
will help with the outside chores. Can I count on you?”
    I hate those words. Count on you. Like it’s
okay to be a kid until a dad wants something from you. Why do
parents count on you when you don’t want them to?
    “Winifred?”
    I swallow the bitter taste in my mouth.
“Sure, Dad. I’ll take care of the zoo.” Don’t forget to bring back
a straitjacket, I think.
    The lump in my throat grows when David drives
the green and gold horse van out of the barn. My home away from
home with all the comforts inside; beds, refrigerator, stove,
bathroom as well as horse compartments and hay storage.
    David jumps out, leaving the motor
running.
    I shut down inside.
    David says, “Since you’re going to be gone,
I’ll use the barn for building everything I need for the garden,
Dad. The supplies are supposed to be delivered today. We’ll be
lucky to finish in time.”
    Dad hugs David. “Good luck, Son. Help Win as
much as possible.”
    Scott whistles as he comes out of the kitchen
with a duffel bag. He stops when he sees my face. “Er, ready to go,
Mr. Smith.”
    I want to throw up.
    John and Claire follow him outside. John
ruffles his brother’s hair. “Be good and drive carefully. You’re
not used to such a big rig.”
    Scott says, “I’ll get lots of practice before
we pick up the horse.”
    Dad looks at all of us. “I’m sorry I have to
leave. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to get this
stallion.”
    “It’s okay, Dad,” says David. “Claire, John
and I will help Winifred. You be safe and don’t worry.”
    Scott turns to me. “I’m sorry you can’t go,
too.”
    I can’t speak, ‘cause if I do, I’ll burst
into tears.
    Mr. Dudley comes outside. He shakes Dad’s
hand. “Have a good trip and don’t
    worry about things here. Erminia is great at
organizing.”
    He goes back inside and I hear Weasel. “I
don’t really want to do this, Otis.”
    Otis says, “You have to do your part,
Erminia.”
    “What will I cook?” she asks.
    “We don’t need extravagant dinners, dear.
Cook something simple, like chili. You haven’t made chili in twenty
years.”
    Dad winces. “Help as much as you can.” He
kisses me goodbye.
    I grab his arm. He pats it. “You’ll be so
busy with the wedding, you won’t miss me. I’ll call to check in
with you. Be good.”
    Dad and Scott climb into the van.
    I can hardly stand up when Dad drives away.
At least, I could talk to Scott. And now he’s gone.
    “Dad, don’t leave me. Please come back,” I
whisper.
    The van disappears around a corner.
    “Winfred!” commands Weasel from the back
door. “I need those invitations before the mail comes and we need
to discuss your chores.”
    “I thought we were going to plan them
together.”
    “You are always gone, so I made them. She
hands me a bunch of papers. “Here is the list of daily chores and
here is the list of things that absolutely have to be done before
the wedding.”
    I don’t want to look. I know her lists. I
stuff them into a pocket.
    “Sorry, the horses come first.” I take off
for the stable.
    I collapse in Dad’s office chair and read his
list. Kong puts his head in my lap. Pain and betrayal wash over
me.
    I gotta’ get out of here. I feed all the
horses, except Dancer. I bridle him, grab my hardhat and we ride
out of the stable.
    Daria runs from the house shrieking,
“Winifred, Mommy wants you to come at once!”
    Dancer does a little sideways hop and rears.
“Whoa, boy. Easy.” We were way too close to Daria.
    I calm my horse down, burning inside. I see
red. “Don’t ever scream around a