Read Online Removing the Mask by Aimee Whitmee - Free Book Online Page A

first then ask him if he would like to be a part of it.
    I find myself in the puppy room giving them all the attention they deserve before settling down on the floor and reading the battered old paperback that I’ve read so many times I could probably recite it by memory. But the author is such a good writer I feel like I’m reading it for the first time. 
    My head snaps up when I hear the door open noisily, the keys rattle against the wood before the door slams closed. I hesitate for a second before springing to my feet and dashing into the living room. Jimmy’s taking his blazer off when I walk in and grins when he sees me.
    “Hey cuz’,” he greets me with a bear hug before leading me into the kitchen. “I take it mum’s already told you about the new members of the family.” His eyebrows rise and I take it from the look on his face it’s a common joke around here.
    “Yeah, I thought I was coming here to go to school, but no, I’m here to look after puppies and chickens.” I run my hand through my hair, combing it back from my face.
    “Don’t worry about it, it’ll become routine before you know it.”
    “Is that supposed to be reassuring?”
    He rolls his eyes before turning to rummage through the fridge.  When he reappears, he’s got two bright, red cans in his hands. He gives me one before leading the way back into the living room. “You’re complaining now, but wait till you have homework every night; you’ll feel a lot worse.” He collapses onto the sofa and I follow suit with the armchair next to it.
    “Again, is that supposed to be reassuring? Your words bring me no comfort!”
    “I’m not a shrink! I’m not here to give you comforting words!” He smiles before placing his empty can on the coffee table. He starts rummaging through what I assume is his school bag before taking out books, pieces of paper and a pen.
    “Colour me shocked! Jimmy McKay! Are you doing homework?” I laugh and watch him shrug.
    “I’ve got enough homework for three people, so yeah, I’m starting it now.”
    Amused, I sit back and watch him crack on. But it’s not long before I’m bored of watching him squiggle across the endless pieces of paper. I’m about to retrieve my book when the back door slams.
    “Jimmy? McKenzie?” Bessie’s voice is haggard, making me wonder what she’s been up to.
    “Yeah?” Jimmy and I answer at the same time making Bessie chuckle as she comes into the room.
    “First of all, we’re ordering Chinese for dinner, so let me know what you guys would like.” She turns to me. “Second of all, your dad just called. He won’t be driving you stuff up tonight; he’s going to bring it up tomorrow, which means no school, because you don’t have any gear.”
    “I don’t have a problem with that!” I settle back into the cushions and watch both Bessie and Jimmy roll their eyes.
    “Right then! The menu’s in the kitchen if you want it. I’m going to go get changed.”
    Jimmy stands up and stretches. “Mum, me and Ken can go get it if you want. I know you’re tired.”
    “Ken and I.” I correct him without thinking and ignore the weird look he gives me. 
    She starts to shake her head before nodding. “Yeah, okay.” She hugs Jimmy before coming and kissing my cheek. “I still need to get changed. Jim, you know what I usually have.”
    I wait till she’s left the room, before voicing my thoughts. “She looks absolutely, shattered! What has she been doing all afternoon?” I help Jimmy gather all the paper and books strewn across the sofa and coffee table.
    “There are millions of things I could guess from, either way, she’s got a lot on her plate.” I don’t know whether he knows about our argument. Guilty or innocent, he’s hit the nail on the head.
    Jimmy calls in the order before we leave, so it ’s ready by the time we get there. The walk is nice; Jimmy doesn’t stop mucking around the whole way there and back. By the time we get back, I feel light, like