Claudia And The Terrible Truth Read Online Free PDF Page A

asked.
    The boys looked at each other. Then they nodded. "I think it's okay," said Joey.
    "Great," I said. I found a knife and began spreading peanut butter onto celery sticks. Just as I'd finished the first one, the doorbell rang. I put down the knife, wiped my hands on a paper towel, and ran for the door with Joey and Nate trailing behind me.
    I opened the door to find Mr. Nicholls standing there, looking a little sheepish. "I forgot my keys," he explained. He came in and looked the boys over. "Have you been good this afternoon?" he asked.
    Joey and Nate nodded. Mr. Nicholls looked at me, and I found myself nodding too. "They're always good," I said.
    "That's what I like to hear,” said Mr. Nicholls over his shoulder as he headed for the kitchen. He was taking off his suit jacket and loosening his tie as he walked.
    The boys and I went into the living room to put the toys and things back into my Kid-Kit. I was just dropping the last of the markers into their box when I sensed someone in the doorway. I looked, up to see Mr. Nicholls standing there, holding the jar of peanut butter. I'd forgotten about our snack. It had seemed more important to clean up the living room.
    "Who left this open on the counter?" he asked in a very quiet voice.
    For a second, nobody answered. "I said, who left the peanut butter open on the counter?" Now his voice was much louder.
    The boys didn't answer. I saw them draw closer together. I was so surprised that I couldn't say a word.
    "I'm going to ask one more time," said Mr. Nicholls. And then he began to shout. "WHO LEFT THE —" "I did," I said quickly. "It was me. I'm sorry. I was making us a snack when the doorbell rang, and — " "No problem," said Mr. Nicholls calmly.
    "Please forgive me for hollering. I thought it was one of my dumb, slobby sons who did it." I was shocked. I'd never heard a parent talk that way. But Nate and Joey didn't even seem to notice.
    "Now, can I offer you a ride home?" asked Mr. Nicholls. He sounded relaxed, even friendly. — "Thanks, no," I said quickly. "I can walk. It's not far." I could not fathom the idea of being alone in a car with Mr. Nicholls just then.
    On my way out, I remembered something. "Hey," I said to the boys and their father. "Tomorrow there's going to be a planning meeting for the St. Patrick's Day parade. I'll take you guys, if you'd like to come, and if it's okay. They'll meet lots of kids there," I pointed out.
    "I suppose it's all right," said Mr. Nicholls. I could tell he was still trying to be nice. 'As long as you promise to tell me if my boys misbehave." "Sure," I said. I knew Joey and Nate would behave just fine. They were good kids. I glanced at them on my way out, and when I saw their faces I could tell they were sorry to see me leave. I knew then that they hadn't had a bad experience with a baby-sitter.
    I wasn't the one they were afraid of.
    Chapter 5.
    Since Mal and Jessi were going to be sitting for Mal's brothers and sisters on Friday afternoon, they offered to host the St. Patrick's Day planning session. By the end of the day the kids had finally agreed on a great idea for the parade, but the process hadn't exactly been smooth.
    The Pikes' lawn may never be smooth again either.
    The kids were pretty excited about St. Patrick's Day. Jessi sensed that the moment she arrived at the Pikes' with her sister, Becca (who's eight), and Becca's friend Charlotte Johanssen (also eight).
    "Top o' the mornin' to you!" yelled Adam, one of the ten-year-old Pike triplets, when Becca and Charlotte entered the yard. It was one of those warm, springlike days early March can bring. The grass was just beginning to turn green, little sprouts of tulip leaves were starting to push up in the flower garden, and a lone robin patrolled near the apple tree.
    "It’s not morning, silly," answered Charlotte.
    "Top o' the