Brilliant Hues Read Online Free PDF Page B

against a trashcan and wore a green coat and hat and face paint. He pulled the bushes back together, and I took a few casual steps away, like he hadn’t actually scared me. Mom had gone totally pale.
    “Mom, it’s okay.” I helped her to a bench. “He’s that street performer that scares people. We’ve seen him before. Remember?”
    But tension rippled across her shoulders and she held her purse so tightly her knuckles were white.
    Alexis shrugged at the still-gathered crowd and gave a forced laugh. “Picked on the wrong people, I guess.”
    Mom shivered and looked over her shoulder.
    “Are you cold, Cindy?” Alexis asked.
    “Maybe I should buy a sweatshirt,” Mom said, but I got the feeling she wasn’t really cold. “And then let’s find clam chowder. You girls must be hungry.”
    We crowded into a tourist shop filled with I Heart SF gear, and Mom found a hooded sweatshirt with the Golden Gate bridge embroidered on the back. Pips and I riffled through keychains and postcards, but in the end, we didn’t buy anything. Across the street, we spotted an outdoor food court. Mom and I circled until we found an empty table, and Alexis and Pips joined the clam chowder line.
    Smells of cream and garlic and baking bread filled the air. My stomach growled. Mom’s glance flitted from face to face as we sat down in the metal chairs.
    “Mom, do you really think Karl would follow us or find us out here? Why would he?”
    She set purse on her lap and massaged her hands, trying, I know, to relax. “You’re right, Sadie. He’s just unpredictable. Dad thinks Karl will keep pushing until he gets his way.”
    “But how will following us around help him?” I asked.
    “It’s not logical. That’s the thing. When people aren’t logical, that’s when they’re truly scary.” Mom sighed. “Sorry, Sadie. I didn’t mean to say that. I don’t want you to worry.”
    Just then, Pips and Alexis walked over to the table, each balancing two trays in their arms.
    “Lunch is served!” Pips set a bread bowl filled with clam chowder in front of me.
    I scooped up a spoonful, and blew on it until it was cool enough to sip. The chowder was warm and creamy, and with each bite, I felt a little warmer, even though the wind continued to bite at my cheeks and fingers. Only in San Francisco could it be so cold in the middle of June. As I ate, I scanned the plaza for doors. I still hadn’t found one I wanted to draw.
    “So …” Pippa said after a while, when we’d all eaten most of the actual chowder and had started tearing off pieces of the bread bowls. “Have you decided about design camp, Sadie?”
    Before I could answer, Mom asked, “What is this camp?”
    I’d have to sell this well. “Bri’s been taking design classes here in San Francisco, and next week she’s competing for an internship with a real designer. She asked us to be her team.”
    “Can we go, Mom?” Pippa asked.
    Alexis and Mom had one of those silent conversations that usually meant no.
    “I don’t think I want you in the city on your own,” Mom finally said. “Isn’t there something closer to home you could do?”
    “You were talking about being a junior counselor at Explorer’s Camp, Pippa.” Alexis backed up Mom immediately. “How about that?”
    Pippa eyed me uncertainly. “I’m not sure Sadie wants to work with little kids.”
    “Didn’t Jess say she wanted someone to teach art?” Alexis asked. “That’s right up Sadie’s alley.”
    Had she and Mom planned this ahead of time?
    “I want to go to design camp,” I said. “The girls wanted to stick together this summer.”
    Mom continued as though I hadn’t spoken. “I do like the idea of camp at church, Alexis. Teaching art, Sadie? So perfect for you.”
    I felt like tossing my empty tray across the room. “Isn’t anyone listening to me?”
    Mom closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, but I wasn’t about to back down.
    Finally, she sighed. “Sadie, this isn’t Owl Creek. I know we