OMG, A CUL8R Time Travel Mystery by Bob Kat Read Free Book Online Page A

baby sitter just called, and she’s sick.  She didn’t want Lilly to catch whatever she has, so I told her you’d be glad to watch your little sister for one day.”
    “But I’ve got plans.  I can’t even work in my lab because she gets into my stuff.”
    Kelly tried not to listen, but the houses were close enough that it was practically impossible not to hear the conversation.  Apparently, he and his mom were outside of Scott’s lab which was close to the fence that separated the two lots.  She thought about going in the house, but she was afraid they would hear her and think she had been eavesdropping . . . which she was . . . but unintentionally.
    “Look, I’m glad you’ve got a new friend, but I have to go to work, and I don’t have time to find someone else.  Lilly’s cereal is on the counter. There are popsicles in the freezer and plenty to eat for lunch. I’ll see you later.  Okay?”
    Scott’s words dripped with disappointment.  “Sure.  I’ll watch her.”
    “Thanks.  I’ll pick up pizza on the way home.”
    Kelly heard the sound of a car door slam and soon Sandy’s car engine faded away.  She decided she’d better get dressed, but it looked like a long, lonely day ahead.  After a quick shower, she put on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and pulled her still wet hair back into a ponytail.  She went back outside and pulled a lawn chair over to the fence.  She climbed on it and braced her arms on the top of the cedar boards.
    The door to Scott’s lab was open.  She couldn’t see directly into it, but she could tell there was someone inside.
    “Hey, Scott.  Are you in there?” she called.
    He immediately appeared in the doorway and looked around, startled to hear her voice.  When he saw her propped up on the fence, he smiled and walked toward her.  “You’re up bright and early.”
    “Yeah, I haven’t been sleeping all that great.  And then there’s the macaw wake-up service in th e tree every morning.”  She pointed toward the lacy Queen palm outside her window.  “I was hoping you could help me design some sort of perch for him and maybe a feeder.”
    “Sure, but I’ve got Lilly duty today.  Why don’t you come over here?   The front gate’s unlocked.”
    “My aunt gave me an epic lecture last night about not locking the door.”
    “Yeah, my mom’s the same way.  But I’m expecting Austin any minute, so I didn’t lock it.  Just don’t mention it the next time you see her.”
    Kelly solemnly shook her head.  “My lips are sealed.  I’ll be right over.”  She jumped off the chair, returned it to the porch and went inside, careful to lock the patio door and the front door as she exited.  She walked through the gate at the Talton house and into the backyard.  “Knock, knock,” she announced when she reached his lab, in spite of the fact that the door was still open.
    “ Come on in,” Scott said turning away from his workbench.
    Lilly sat on a stool at one end of the workbench, busy with her coloring book and cookies.  She looked up and said, “Hi, Scott’s girlfriend.”
    “She’s not . . . oh, never mind,” Scott sputtered.
    Kelly stepped inside and saw another boy squatting down next to the self-propelled lawnmower.  It took a few seconds for her eyes to adjust from the brightness outdoors to the fluorescent lighting inside the lab, so she couldn’t really see his features until he stood and walked closer.
    “You’re Kelly!  I’m Austin.”  Austin stuck his fist out and K elly responded with a fist bump, followed by a splayed hand explosion.
    “How late did you guys play OOT last night?” she asked.
    “About midnight , I guess,” Austin answered for them.  “I work nights stocking at the Publix, but I got off early last night.  So, we usually try to get a couple hours in.  I hear you’re going to join our group.”
    “Is that okay with you?”
    “Scott seems to think you’re pretty good at it.”
    “I am,” she stated