Read Online The Black Sheep by Sandy Rideout Yvonne Collins - Free Book Online

arrive. This time I really do forget about the cameras for a moment. One of the guys, Aaron, invites us to a party this weekend, saying his parents will be away.
    I’m going to a party with my new friends! A party without parents! I’ll be breaking at least six of the top twenty rules, and my parents will get to witness it on TV.
    It’s Maya’s turn to have her mature, A-student, art-loving spirit crushed under the weight of The BLAH .
    I chopped all the vegetables for dinner and mixed my first vinaigrette. It took a while, but I painstakingly layered equal amounts of cubed beets, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, and peppers over two kinds of lettuce. It was a marvel of precision. Max commented that he’d never seen a more attractive salad, before grabbing a pair of tongs to give it a hearty toss.
    He was probably worried it would steal the glory from Mona’s tofu loaf, which looked like dog food straight from the can. It was surprisingly tasty, though, because she used so much garlic and spice. You could season a dead ferret like that and no one would recognize it. Not that I hate Manhattan as much as usual tonight: the twins found my watch under the anti-sonar placards in the closet, and I was able to wear it to dinner. I’m never taking it off again.
    I tell Mona and Max about the party invitation, coming clean about the absentee parents. It’s the right thing to do. Besides, Judy will tell them anyway.
    Mona’s usually genial face clouds over. “We’re going to the same rally as Aaron’s parents, dear, and we hoped you’d camp out with us.”
    Max’s eyes light up at the thought of the tent rally and one hand disappears under the table. Mona giggles, and Meadow and I, in agreement for once, roll our eyes.
    â€œPlease, Mona?” I ask. “This is a huge opportunity for me. I never get to go to parties at home.”
    She ponders as she rises to clear the table. “Well, I suppose there will always be another rally.” My heart soars, until Max gives her nudge and tilts his head toward Chili’s camera. Suddenly mindful of the fact that she’s on national television, Mona adds, “But I’m not happy there won’t be any adults in attendance. It’s easy for parties to get out of hand.”
    So much for all that freedom I keep hearing about. “I’ll be with Carrie, and I can be home early.”
    Mona looks at Max and he shakes his head. “We can’t let you go alone.”
    â€œBut—”
    She holds up a hand. “It’s settled: Mitch will take you.”
    â€œMitch!” I’m horrified and I sound it. “There’s no way he’ll agree to go.”
    â€œHe’ll go,” Max says, his tone indicating that it really is settled.
    Why did they have to choose this moment to get all normal?
    After dinner, Mona, Meadow, and I make chocolate-chip cookies. I’ve never baked before, but I find precision comes in handy, especially when you’re quadrupling the recipe. My biggest challenge is keeping the twins’ busy hands out of the chocolate chips. Finally I promise the biggest cookie to the twin who can track down my watch. It went missing again when I took it off to scoop the flour.
    â€œMore chocolate chips,” Meadow commands. “You need to gain a few pounds.”
    â€œThen you wouldn’t be able to steal my jeans,” I say. Not that I want them back, after the damage she’s done to them. They’re hers now, and her smile says she knows it.
    Mona cranks up the stereo and hits repeat on Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi.” She teaches Meadow and me the words and soon we are all bellowing, “They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.”
    A shout drifts up the basement stairs. “Mom! Will you quit it? I’m trying to study!”
    It’s Mitch. I didn’t even know he was home. He usually leaves before I’m up and returns