Rio 2 by Christa Roberts Read Free Book Online Page B

Last one to the waterfall is a rotten egg!”
    Blu watched as they did loop de loops and barrel rolls, then slid down a waterfall.
    â€œYeah!” Tiago shouted. “This is great!”
    Jewel landed on a branch. “Tiago!” she called, tossing him a piece of fruit. She ripped into her own fruit, juice dripping down her beak.
    Blu had never seen her act this way. “Whoa.”
    He decided to go brush his teeth first, keeping up his regular routine. But as he was brushing, he realized he wasn’t alone. Eduardo was standing there. Watching him.
    â€œMorning!” Eduardo bellowed.
    Blu swallowed down the toothpaste foam and started coughing. He didn’t like being snuck up on.
    â€œSee you overslept a little bit here, son,” Eduardo said. “Our days start pretty early here in the jungle.”
    Jewel swept back in and Blu quickly wiped his beak.
    â€œMorning, Daddy!”
    â€œThat’s my girl, already up and at ’em!” Eduardo said proudly.
    â€œWhy did you let me sleep in?” Blu asked Jewel under his breath. He hated looking lazy in front of his father-in-law.
    Jewel looked at him. “What are you talking about? You sleep in every day!”
    â€œYeah, but—”
    Bia swooped in carrying clay in her talons. “Hey, Dad, Aunt Mimi says clay is good for your digestion. Try some!” And despite Blu’s protests, Bia shoved the clay into his beak, making him cough again.
    â€œIt’s good, right?” Bia grinned. “I’m gonna go get some more.” She took off.
    â€œSmart girl. Clearly she takes after her mother,” Eduardo said fondly. “So I thought I’d take Stu here for a little tour of the area. Show him around.” He put his arm around Blu. “Let’s shake that city off you, son.”
    â€œOh, that’s a great idea!” Jewel exclaimed. “You go have fun with Daddy and I’ll explore around here with the kids!”
    â€œOh, oh yeah, okay. Sure. Yeah, great, I just gotta—” Blu pulled out his fanny pack. “Okay, ready.”
    Eduardo cleared his throat. “Okay. Stu, come here. It’s okay, Stu. Come closer.”
    Blu moved a little closer. “Even more? Okay, yeah.”
    â€œNot so close,” Eduardo said.
    Blu backed off. “Oh, okay.”
    Eduardo sighed. “Listen, I know you come from a . . . I realize a different background.” He pointed to the pack. “But, you gotta . . . you gotta lose that human pocket, okay?”
    â€œOh, this is a fanny pack,” Blu corrected.
    â€œIt’s human,” Eduardo said firmly. “And I can’t have my flock corrupted, so you understand.” Finished, Eduardo flew off. “I’ll meet you by the clay banks!” he called.
    â€œCome on . . . corrupted?” Blu let out, exasperated. “By a fanny pack?”
    Jewel tried to calm him. “Remember how I was when I met you?”
    Blu nodded. “Uh, yeah. Rude, violent, borderline psychotic.”
    Jewel smiled. “All right, easy there, partner. I was wild. These are wild birds.” She smoothed Blu’s feathers. “We have to try to be culturally sensitive while we’re here. Besides, it won’t kill you to leave behind the fanny pack.”
    â€œAll right,” Blu agreed. Jewel flew off as Blu put the pack on the ground.
    â€œHappy wife, happy life,” he said, sighing. He took flight, trying to keep up. Then he looked back at Jewel, with the kids and Roberto.
    Jewel waved. “Have fun, honey!”
    â€œUh, yeah, sure. Bye!”
    Â 
    In another part of the jungle, a different expedition was taking place. Nigel, Gabi, and Charlie stalked through the rain forest. Nigel had disguised himself with leaves and vines.
    â€œThere he is,” Nigel said, looking into the sky. A blue bird was flying unsteadily ahead of them. “Now’s our chance. Prepare the