It's an Aardvark-Eat-Turtle World by Paula Danziger Read Free Book Online Page B

American and his brother’s Canadian.
    Once before I asked Phoebe. She wasn’t sure but said, “If you had Duane as an older brother, wouldn’t you want to move to another country?”
    Driving into Toronto, Michael points out some of the sights. The CN Tower stands over the city. Toronto is such a beautiful, clean city. There’s a Chinatown and other ethnic areas. There are sections that look like suburbs with homes and little apartment buildings.
    We travel along until we reach Russell Hill Road. Michael pulls into a long driveway and stops at a house that looks like an old English mansion.
    â€œHome,” he says.
    Well, Phoebe, I guess we’re not in Woodstock anymore.

CHAPTER 13
    â€œO h, Rosie. I miss Dave so much I could die.”
    â€œYou saw him yesterday,” I remind her. “We just got here. We’re unpacking.”
    â€œBut my heart hurts, I miss him so much.” Phoebe puts one hand to her forehead and the other to her heart.
    She’s been watching too many soap operas.
    â€œDo you think that he’s thinking of me at this verymoment?” She swoons on the bed. “That our two hearts are throbbing in unison across the continent between the two nations?”
    I may puke.
    She sits up. “He’s at work. I’ll call him later.”
    Changing the subject, I say, “Isn’t this house incredible? Have you ever seen so many beautiful things in one place? It’s so comfy and warm.”
    â€œThe art, the pottery, antiques. It’s great.” Phoebe hangs up her clothes.
    I guess she’s neater visiting than living.
    â€œWho would have thought that Duane would have human relatives?”
    â€œI wonder what their kids are like.” I finish putting my clothes in the dresser.
    â€œWe’ll find out when they get back from their music lessons. Bev said that Jason’s a little older than we are and Aviva’s our age.” Phoebe sits down on the bed. “Listen, Rosie, I’m really glad you’re here.”
    â€œMe too.”
    â€œRosie! Phoebe!” Bev calls up the stairs. “Jason and Aviva are here. Come on down to meet them.”
    Phoebe brushes her hair and says, “Well, let’s check them out.”
    I put on some lipstick and say, “They’ll be checking us out also.”
    She grins. “Oh . . . right. I wish you hadn’t mentioned that.”
    We go down the stairs, Phoebe first, and enter the kitchen.
    Aviva and Jason are emptying grocery bags.
    They look like brother and sister. Brown hair. Brown eyes. Both are cute without being so attractive that you’re afraid of them.
    Jason in fact is very cute and seems very nice.
    Phoebe notices.
    She begins to flirt with him.
    I wonder how Dave’s heart is feeling right this second. I also wonder if I’ll ever get over feeling shy around boys that I might like.
    Phoebe asks him what sign he is.
    I’m a goner if that’s what it takes to have boys pay attention.
    He grins. “My sign? . . . ‘Slow Children at Play.’ That’s always been my favorite sign.”
    I laugh. “I’ve always liked the ‘No Standing’ sign. I feel guilty about being upright around one of them and wonder if I should lie down and roll through the area.”
    Jason looks at me and smiles.
    Phoebe says, “The two of you are very silly.”
    We agree and then we all ask each other some questions to get to know each other, like school grade, interests, favorite ice cream flavors.
    Aviva’s a drummer.
    Jason’s a guitar player and singer.
    Phoebe’s standing right next to Jason, acting like he’s the most important person in the world.
    It’s not fair. She’s got Dave.
    I hope she’s not going to pair off with Jason. I’d really hate that.
    I’m getting so good at pretending it doesn’t matter that even I’m beginning to believe it.

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