The Road to Paris

The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes Read Free Book Online

Book: The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes Read Free Book Online
Authors: Nikki Grimes
served up the turkey while Mrs. Lincoln started sending the rest of the dishes around the table. Sheldon, seated opposite Paris, stuck his tongue out at her as soon as he could catch her eye.
    “Quit it, Sheldon!” snapped David. He leaned over to Paris and said, “Feel free to not like him. We don’t like him much, either.” He said it loud enough for Sheldon to hear. Paris was pretty sure Mrs. Lincoln heard it, too, yet for some reason, she let it pass without comment.
    Paris concentrated on loading her plate up with candied yams, a few string beans for color, corn pudding, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and turkey. She took a swallow of eggnog before digging in.
    “So,” said Sheldon’s mother, Jolene. “This is the new one, huh? My God, Sis, you collect sick kids like strays.”
    Paris choked on her eggnog.
    Mrs. Lincoln banged the table with her fist.
    “They are not sick, and they are not strays!” she said, between tight lips.
    Earletta patted Paris on the back until she stopped coughing.
    “Don’t mind Aunt Jolene,” whispered Earletta. “She can’t help herself. She was raised by wolves. That’s why she knows so much about stray dogs.”
    Paris managed to smile at that. She spent the rest of the afternoon avoiding Jolene and Sheldon, though. Those two were poisonous. It was hard for Paris to believe that they were part of the Lincoln clan at all.
    After the main meal, the kids raced to the park at the foot of the hill and arranged a game of softball. Uncle Raymond joined them, and for once so did Earletta. David knocked at several neighbors’ doors and picked up a few more kids along the way.
    When they set up teams, Sheldon decided to sit out the game. He said softball was a stupid game, but David told her the real reason was that Sheldon couldn’t play for spit, and he was the world’s sorest loser.
    Paris was happy to be included. She had an okay time, too, even though she never got a home run. She couldn’t quite shake off Jolene’s comment, and Sheldon didn’t help. Everytime he caught her looking at him, he’d say, “What you lookin’ at, Foster?” He wouldn’t call her by her name, just Foster, short for
foster child.
Not once did he or his mother let her forget that she was an outsider, that she didn’t belong, that this new home of hers was borrowed.
    Back at the house, Paris stuffed her feelings with fresh-bakedpumpkin pie and ice cream, having seconds, and even thirds.
    Now, she was too stuffed to sleep. She lay awake for a long time, hearing Sheldon’s taunting voice in her head, calling her Foster. It was enough to give her a bellyache. And it did.

Chapter 15
ADDRESS UNKNOWN
    Dear Malcolm,
    I miss you everyday.
    I’m living in a place called Ossining. Ever hear of it? It took a long train ride to get here. Its got a famus prison. Sing Sing. What a funny name for a place where they lock you up. I bet nobody who lives there sings. I wouldn’t.
    The house I’m in is nothing like a prison. They don’t beat me here, Malcolm. Not so far. Or lock me up in closets. You know what? The people here are preety nice, except for one aunt and one cousin. But they’re not worth talking about.
    Mrs. Lincoln, the mom, is a big lady, but not jolly at all. She’s crusty as burnt toast on the outside, but inside, she’s all soft and sweet as pudding. Mr. Lincoln is quiet, mostly. I onlysee him at breakfast and at night after work. But you always know when he’s in the house, cause the whole house calms down. Even Jet.
    Jet’s the dog. Well, he’s practically a pony, he’s so big! He’s not scarey or anything. He’s like a big, fluffy kid who wants to play all the time. You would like him alot.
    There are two boys, so I’ve still got brothers to pester me. (smile). David is the oldest, and Jordan is the baby. David is helping me so I don’t have to be afraid of the dark all the time. Jordan hangs onto me sometimes like I’m really his big sister. He’s cute. Did I used to hang onto

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