Read Online Ten Ways to Make My Sister Disappear by Norma Fox Mazer - Free Book Online

engineer and an architect, and he’s there to consult about building schools. For everyone. I mean, schools for girls too. You know they wouldn’t let girls go to school, I mean those people, the Taliban, and my father says the schools he’s going to build, they will definitely admit girls.” The words pour out. “When he went there, I mean, when he flew over last week, it was Friday, and we were watching a movie, and my sister and I didn’t even know he was gone. He couldn’t tell us, it was a security thing.”
    â€œI understand,” Mr. Julius says. “So how long will he be gone, Sprig?”
    â€œToo long,” she blurts.
    â€œHow long is that?”
    â€œI don’t know exactly. Last night when he called, he said it could be six weeks or even two months.”
    â€œThat probably does seem like a long time to you.”
    â€œIt is a long time,” Sprig says, and then, checking herself, she asks politely, “When will Miss McKenna be home?”
    Mr. Julius drums his fingers on the desk. “Not for another year. Actually fourteen months.”
    â€œOh! Why is she going to be away so long?”
    â€œLieutenant McKenna signed up for another tour,” Mr. Julius says. “She felt it was her duty.”
    â€œOh,” Sprig says again. Fourteen months! “Mr. Julius.” She leans forward. “Maybe she can come home sooner. Maybe things will change there, and they’ll send her home.”
    â€œThat’s a good thought, Sprig. I’ll hold on to it.” He looks up at the clock. “You better go back to your desk now.”
    As soon as she sits down, Sprig leans over to Bliss and whispers, “I told him about my dad being in Afghanistan. I was stupid to say anything! His girlfriend isn’t going to be home for fourteen months. He probably hates me now.”
    â€œOh, please! I do not agree!” Bliss grabs Sprig’s arm. “You wanted to tell someone about your dad —”
    â€œWell, why didn’t I just tell you?”
    â€œBecause I already know, dodo! Maybe Mr. J. was happy to talk to someone about his girlfriend,” Bliss whispers. “I bet he was really glad someone else understands.”
    â€œThat’s a good thought,” Sprig says. “I’ll hold on to it.”

“P EOPLE!” Mr. Julius calls. “Will everyone please pay attention?” He raps on his desk. “Russell has an announcement to make. Bliss and Sprig, could you two quiet down? I know it’s Friday, but we need to stay on task, people. We still have work to cover today. Okay, Russell, you’re on.”
    Russell pulls his shirt straight, clasps his hands, and bows. “You’re all invited to a party at my house Sunday night, starting at five P.M .,” Russell says in his deep voice. “In fact, the whole school is invited, ’cause of my sister, Lara, who’s in Sprig’s sister’s class.” He points two fingers at Sprig, and everyone turns and looks at her. “It’s Lara’s birthday. She’s going to be thirteen. There’ll be lots of food — stuff kids like, not real healthy stuff, so don’t worry.” Everybody laughs, and Russell takes another bow. “ My parents say be sure to tell your parents that my parents will both be present, so your parents don’t think it’s some wild, unsupervised, party-animal thing.” More laughter. Another bow. “And you’re invited too, Mr. Julius.”
    â€œThank you, Russell,” Mr. Julius says. “Okay, everybody —”
    â€œMr. Julius —” Russell puts up his hand. “I have something else to say, okay?”
    â€œAll right, Russell, but let’s make it snappy.”
    â€œWell, besides being Lara’s birthday, it’s also a sort of winterfest party to celebrate the new year, that’s what my dad says, even though it’s already February,