Aldo's Fantastical Movie Palace Read Online Free PDF Page B

backside, and in the garden Mom fought wet wood to start a bonfire.
    Yep, the strangest family in Kanabec County. Good thing Nick won’t see any of it
.
    By late afternoon, all was in order. Which was one reason Chloe dashed outside at the sound of Dad’s idling truck. Her brothers hooted and hollered and threw each other against the side of the truck bed.
    â€œWhere are you guys going? Dinner is in a few hours!”
    â€œFishing.” Q stepped toward Chloe. “Um. Dad said he wanted a fish fry when your friend comes over.” He paused. “You want to go dig some crawlers? He didn’t ask you to come, did he.”
    â€œWhen does he ever ask me?” Chloe felt her jaw tighten.
    Q exhaled. “It’s been a while.”
    â€œHey, Q, get my tackle box!” Grif shoved his brother, who stumbled into Chloe. “Oh, didn’t see you there, sis. You might want to make yourself scarce. Dad’ll be here soon and it might be awkward, him not wanting you along and all.” Grif raised his eyebrows, grinned, and climbed in the cab.
    Q looked at Chloe, started to speak, but then closed his mouth.
    â€œOkay, boys, let’s mount up and hightail it outta —”
    Dad came around the back of the truck and ducked his eyes at Chloe. He breathed deep and removed his cap.
    â€œReckoned we better catch some fish for your friend,” Dad said, and dug his toe in the dirt.
    Chloe stepped back and spoke quietly. “I like to fish.”
    â€œDon’t you worry none.” Dad backed away too. “We’ll provide a feast.”
    â€œI like to fish.”
    Dad took another deep breath and forced a smile. “Come on, boys. Chloe’s countin’ on us.”
    They all hopped in, and the truck pulled away, Q’s face pressed against the glass.
    â€œNo, Dad. I stopped counting on you long ago.”
    Chloe raced to Grandpa’s, her heart pounding.
    â€œI hate him, Grandpa. I hate …” She burst into tears. It took several minutes, enveloped in Grandpa arms, before her crying slowed.
    â€œI think I would like a date with you. Do you have some time, Chloe?”
    â€œNow?”
    â€œIt’s not too late. Go get your swimsuit and meet me by the river path. It’s been a while since I’ve gone for a swim.”
    Chloe sniffed and nodded. When she reached the path, there stood Grandpa Salvador, white wisps fluttering out from beneath a bright orange knit cap.
    â€œIt’s not hunting season yet.” Chloe grinned.
    â€œNo, it is not. But this does not seem to stop your brothers. Besides, I think Grif, when he returns, would not think twice about peppering me given the excuse.”
    He took Chloe’s hand and walked down toward the river. The east turned a deep shade of blue while the western sky blazed with pinks and purples.
    â€œYour father does not know what he’s missing,” Grandpa said.
    â€œHe knows. I know. Everyone knows. He’s ashamed of me.”
    â€œHe is many things —”
    â€œYeah,” Chloe interrupted. “Crazy. Cruel. Cuckoo. A lot of
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words, actually.”
    Grandpa squeezed her hand. “Your father is many things, but ashamed of you is not one of them.” He straightened. “My Chloe, I’ve come to enjoy our late swims over the years, and yet I can’t help thinking you would have more fun at the pool with your friends.”
    â€œI have classmates. I don’t have friends.”
    â€œHmm. I have a feeling that some are not too far away.” Grandpa looked to the clouds. “Do you see those puffs? Your great-grandpa Aldo used to tell me that one day he would figure a way to ride them across the sky. Then he’d take me for a ride. What do you think?”
    â€œI think Aldo was crazy.”
    â€œPerhaps.” Grandpa swept a clump of grass from the path. “But when I see the sky, I am sure I see him looking down on me. All these years, and I