Read Online Philip Gets Even (9781597050807) by John Paulits - Free Book Online

and got to his feet.
“Let’s go watch.”
    “Watch what?” said Emery in alarm.
    “Let’s watch Johnny boy deliver his cupcakes
and M & Ms to a newspaper office that’s going to think he’s a
nut.”
    ~ * ~
    The newspaper office was in a corner building
in a small, outdoor mall. Mr. Conway and the boys were peeking out
from behind a truck in the parking lot.
    “Maybe he was there and left already,” said
Emery. “We probably should just go home.”
    “Nope,” said Philip. “He hasn’t been there
yet because here he comes now. See him?” Philip pointed.
    There, carrying his big blue bowl full of
colorful M & Ms, was Johnny Visco. His mother was walking
alongside him, a shopping bag dangling from one hand.
    Mr. Conway giggled. “This should be
good.”
    “My stomach is killing me,” said Emery.
    “Shhh,” said Mr. Conway.
    They watched as Johnny Visco and his mother
entered the first floor office. Philip tried to imagine the scene
inside, Johnny Visco’s mother trying to explain about the phone
call she got and no one knowing what she was talking about. He
imagined Johnny Visco standing there, stupidly holding a giant bowl
of candy and getting madder and madder. Now his stomach was
beginning to hurt, too.
    “Here they come outside,” said Mr. Conway.
Out of the office came Johnny Visco and his mother, hands still
full, their faces angry, both talking at once. They were still
talking angrily when they disappeared from sight.
    “Well,” said Philip in a quiet, unsure voice,
“We wanted to make him angry.”
    “Yeah,” said Emery dismally. “This part of
the plan is working real good.”
    “And so will the rest of the plan,” bubbled
Mr. Conway. “I was upstairs all this morning and it’s almost
finished and after my nap, I studied the instruction booklet
again.”
    Emery moaned. “Please don’t take any naps for
the next two days.”
    “Don’t you worry,” said Mr. Conway
reassuringly. “Little Johnny boy is going to get his,” and he
walked slowly away.
    Philip and Emery walked him to his street and
then they turned toward home.
    “Well,” said Philip. “Mr. Conway thinks
little Johnny boy is going to get his.”
    “Well, I hope little Philip boy and little
Emery boy aren’t going to get theirs, too.”
    “Does your stomach hurt?” Philip asked
quietly.
    Emery nodded.
    “Mine, too,” Philip admitted.
    Emery moaned and the two boys parted.
     
     

 
     
     
     
Eleven
    The next morning Philip’s father drove Emery
and his son to Mr. Conway’s house to pick up Everyday Things and get it safely to school. Philip’s dad waited in the car while
Philip and Emery went to Mr. Conway’s door. The doorbell rang
loudly and a moment later Mr. Conway came to the door carrying the
painting. He handed it to Philip.
    “The big day. This is it,” he smiled, rubbing
his hands together.
    “You know you have to be at school as soon as
class lets out today. And at two o’clock tomorrow. That’s when they
have the assembly to announce the winners of the art show,” said
Philip.
    “And don’t fall asleep,” said Emery. “No
naps.”
    Mr. Conway smiled and nodded. “Yep, the big
day.”
    “I said don’t fall asleep and miss
everything,” Emery said louder.
    “Sleep? Oh, yes. Slept very well.” Mr. Conway
smiled.
    Emery looked at Philip and rolled his eyes.
He tapped himself on the ear then twisted his wrist as if he was
turning something on.
    “Eh, oh.” Mr. Conway tapped himself in the
ear. “Dang thing.” He removed his hearing aid, fiddled with it,
then replaced it. “There we go. Works great.”
    “Yeah, when you turn it on,” Emery
mumbled.
    “Be at school at three today and two
tomorrow,” Philip repeated.
    “And don’t take any naps,” said Emery.
    “Don’t worry. I’ve set three alarm clocks.
I’ll hear them if I doze off.”
    Emery moaned. “We’re going to get mushed. I
know it.”
    “What did you say? Dang.” Mr. Conway tapped
himself in the ear