Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway Read Free Book Online

Wednesday.”
    â€œThat’s right.” She smiled and handed the milk carton back to me. “Babysitting night.”

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
    HarperCollins Publishers
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    I ’ve been babysitting for Nora and Molly off and on for the past six months. It was originally my idea. I needed cash to buy a new surfboard and wet suit because my old ones no longer fit me, and Maureen had asked me to watch the girls that night so she and Rick could have a date night. Which, judging from the tension that always seems to be between them whenever I go there, they desperately need.
    â€œOh, hi, Emmy. Hi!” Maureen said when I let myself in through the back door. She was fluttering through the kitchen, stacking magazines and newspapers on top of the counter before going to fluff the couch cushions. Their house has always looked impeccable, even after the twins were born. My dad says that Maureen has control issues.
    â€œWell, wouldn’t you if your child was kidnapped?” my mom always says in her defense. “You have to do something , you might as well dust.”
    â€œIs that would you do if I went missing?” I had asked her, incredulous. “Dust?”
    â€œIt’s a metaphor, sweetie.”
    I do not think my mom understands the meaning of metaphor .
    â€œHi, Emmy!”
    â€œHi, Emmy!”
    I glanced up to see the twins looking at me through the banister. “Hey, ladies!” I said to them. “What are you doing up there?”
    â€œPlaying spies!” Nora whispered in a way that, not to be critical, was not very spy-like at all. Next to her, Molly nodded.
    Molly definitely had the better chance of making it into the CIA.
    â€œI left money for pizza—” Maureen said.
    â€œPizza!” Molly cried, pumping her fist in the air.
    â€œPizza!” Nora echoed.
    â€œâ€”and Oliver’s upstairs if you need anything. Rick’s still at work so I’m going to meet him and . . .” Maureen trailed off as she wiped crumbs off the crumb-less table. “Oh, I don’t know. I don’t even think I should be going out tonight.”
    The pizza celebration stopped midcry.
    â€œYou should go,” I told her. “We’ll be fine. We’re going to do awesome, fun things. Right, you guys?”
    â€œYeah!” Nora said.
    â€œI’m not a guy , I’m a girl ,” Molly announced as she trooped down the stairs. “And I want pizza.”
    Maureen took a deep breath. “I’m just not sure that it isn’t too soon. The therapist said it’s important to stick to a routine but—”
    Nora came over so she could hang on to my leg. Her hands were probably sticky and I tried to peel her off without wincing. “The therapist said that I’m a good colorer,” she said, head tilting back so she could look up at me. “I can see up your nose!”
    I disentangled her. “Wonderful,” I said. “Go play spies with Molly. Pretend it’s the 1980s, during the Cold War.
    â€œAnd Maureen, it’s fine. We’ll have pizza, watch TV or something, they’ll go to bed. Easy times all around.”
    â€œThe therapist said that I’m a good jumper!” Molly announced as she started jumping around us.
    â€œThe therapist said that I’m also good at playing video games!” Nora cried. “And coping!”
    Maureen looked horrified. “She must have overheard us,” she whispered. “Oh God, I—”
    â€œThey’re fine ,” I said to her. “I have your cell; obviously, I’ll call you if anything goes wrong, and Oliver’s upstairs, right?” I didn’t mean for that last part to sound so much like a question.
    Maureen glanced toward the upstairs part of the house, and the two little girls followed her gaze. “Okay,” she finally said. “But if