Home Alone by Todd Strasser, John Hughes Read Free Book Online Page B

Kate stepped in her way.
    "Excuse me," Kate said. "I must get on that flight to Chicago, but there's no room. So here's my offer. I have five hundred dollars, a pocket translator, and two first-class tickets for a flight leaving next week. I'll trade it all for your coach ticket."
    The woman stopped and thought. She was looking at Kate's wristwatch.
    "Is that a real Rolex?" the woman asked.
    "Yes." Kate held up the watch. "See how the second hand sweeps instead of ticking to each second? That's how you can tell."
    The woman nodded. "What else you got?"
    "Well." Kate thought fast and then started pulling her jewelry off. "I've got this gold necklace, bracelet, and sapphire ring."
    "That is a nice ring," the woman said. Kate felt encouraged. The woman actually seemed interested. Then a portly man wearing a hearing aid and a Chicago White Sox Cap came by.
    "Come on, Irene," the man said. "They're gonna board soon."
    "Wait, Ed," Irene said. "This woman's offering us two first-class tickets to Chicago for next week, plus a ring, a pocket translator, five hdndred dollars, and—"
    "I'll throw in the Samsonite luggage," Kate offered eagerly.
    Ed took off his cap and scratched his head. "It's a nice offer, but what about our Christmas plans?"
    "Don't forget the bracelet," Kate said.
    "I didn't care for the bracelet," said Irene. Kate showed it to Ed in case he liked it. She was so close! She couldn't let them slip through her fingers now.
    "Naw, I don't like the bracelet, either," Ed said. He started to pull Irene away. "Thanks, anyway."
    "But the ring!" Kate said, following them. "You liked the ring, ma'am."
    "She's got plenty of rings," Ed said, pulling his wife harder. "Now come on, Irene. Let's go!"
    "Wait? Kate begged. "Please . . . my little boy's home all by himself. I'm desperate. I beg you. From a mother to a mother. Please ?"
    "Ed?" Irene was wavering. She looked back at her husband.
    Ed tapped his ear. "Say what? Darn hearing aid went out. Come on, honey." He yanked her away.
    Kate stood in the middle of the gate area as passengers rushed past her to board the plane. She was almost ready to cry. Was there no humanity left in this world?

December 23

    Oak Park

    3:30 P.M.
    Kevin stayed in the house. He was terrified that the police or old man Marley would get him. But there was nothing left to eat that was easily nukable or could be consumed straight from the box. And he was getting hungry.
    With about an hour of sunlight left, Kevin made a bold decision. There was a grocery store down the street from Santa's Village. If he wore a red ski hat pulled low, a passing policemen might not recognize him. As far as old man Marley was concerned, Kevin would have to take his chances.
    Kevin left his house and ran, across the street. Once he was past old man Marley's house, he started to walk backward, to make sure the old man didn't sneak up on him from behind like he had in the drugstore.
    What Kevin didn't know was that Harry and Marv had just finished ransacking the Bensons' house and were quietly backing their van down the driveway. Kevin continued to walk backward. It was just luck that Harry saw him in the rearview mirror and jammed on the brakes.
    The sound of the van skidding made Kevin jump and turn around. The van slid to a halt right in front of him. Kevin looked up as Harry rolled down the driver's window.
    "Gotta keep an eye out for traffic, son," Harry said.
    "Yeah," Marv added. "Santa don't visit funeral homes."
    Kevin just stared up at Harry. That gold tooth!
    "Step back, kid," Harry said and backed the van into the street. Kevin stood on the sidewalk and watched. It was the policeman who'd come over the other night! Only now he was disguised as a Plumber. Kevin quickly figured out that the police were wearing disguises so they could sneak up and get him for stealing the toothbrush. And he'd used it already so he couldn't even give it back!
    Harry knew the kid was watching him. He stopped the van in the middle of the