Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures #12: Escape to California by Jeff Brown Read Free Book Online Page A

television screens on one wall. There were no windows—just a slit at the front, through which Stanley could make out the back of the driver’s head.
    â€œMy name is Lily Fox,” said the girl in the wheelchair. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Lambchop. You’re a hero of mine.”

    â€œWhat? Oh, uh, thank you,” stammered Stanley’s father.
    â€œActually, I was talking to Stanley,” said Lily.
    All at once, Stanley realized what was happening. “You’re kidnapping me!” he blurted. “Just like my friend Oda Nobu’s fans kidnapped him when I was in Japan!”
    Mr. Lambchop pointed a finger at Lily Fox. “How dare you! Don’t you know it’s impolite to kidnap people?”
    â€œWe’re not kidnapping you,” Lily answered calmly. “You don’t have to come with us if you don’t want to.”
    For the first time, Stanley noticed the wheels on the girl’s wheelchair. They were big, studded, and rugged, like a mountain bike’s tires.
    Stanley got to his feet. “What do you want?”
    Lily Fox wheeled over to the console and pushed some buttons. A grainy black-and-white video flickered to life on one of the screens: It was a street scene with a crowd of people. A boy walked up to a cardboard cutout and shook it roughly.
    Wait a minute, thought Stanley. That’s me and that boy at Fisherman’s Wharf earlier today!
    Stanley’s stomach turned as he remembered the kid’s face. The boy had recognized Stanley as “the famous flat kid.” Without even asking, he had pulled Stanley’s head back and put his chin on Stanley’s shoulders so it looked as though his head was perched atop a flat body. “Quick! Take a picture!” He’d cackled to a friend. Stanley had been too embarrassed to speak. He might as well have been a painted wooden character at a carnival.

    â€œStanley, do you ever get tired of people looking at you funny?” asked Lily, bringing him back to the present.
    Stanley sucked in his breath. “Sometimes,” he said.
    On the screen, his head was tucked out of sight as people crowded around and started lining up to have their pictures taken.
    â€œDo you ever feel as if you’re invisible? Like all that most people can see is that you’re different, and they can’t see anything else?”
    On the screen, Mr. Lambchop shooed everyone away with an angry wag of his finger. In the van, he gently squeezed Stanley’s shoulder.
    Stanley looked at his feet. “Yeah. I guess.”
    The girl pushed a button, and the screen went black. “Then imagine what it’s like being in a wheelchair.”

    Stanley looked at Lily for what felt like the first time. She was a few years older than he was. Her hair was pulled back in a dark ponytail. She looked athletic, and there was something strong about her face. She looked . . . determined.
    With a slight jolt, the van came to a stop. A moment later the driver opened the cargo doors. He was a tall man wearing a tank top, Bermuda shorts, and flip-flops.
    â€œWelcome to the Muir Woods,” said the man. “I’m Theo Fox, Lily’s father.”
    â€œMr. Fox,” said Stanley’s dad, “I think you and Lily have some explaining to do.”
    â€œIt’s Dr. Fox,” the man corrected. “And that’s why we’re here.”
    Stanley looked around. They were in the middle of a forest . . . except the trees were so much larger than any Stanley had ever seen. Some seemed as big as skyscrapers.
    â€œThese are the redwoods, or Sequoias,” said Dr. Fox. “They’re among the biggest, oldest trees on Earth. We Foxes always come here when we have a big decision to make.”
    â€œAmazing,” Stanley whispered, gazing up at the trees.
    â€œStanley, you said yourself that you’re tired of others judging you by your appearance. I feel the