Father Knows Best Read Online Free PDF Page A

former country after graduation. That’s where he’s from. Bosnia. Cool, huh? I mean, most people would just rely on Ismet to do all the translating, but not Meryl. She wants to understand. I think Bosnian is a pretty difficult language, too. Plus there’s the Croatian and Serbian, which are sorta like the same language as Bosnian but a little different. Like British English versus American English versus Australian English, at least that’s how Meryl describes it. But she’s really good with foreign languages, and I’m not even talking about pig Latin, like the rest of us speak…”
    Pathetic, dwindling end to ramble. Commence face-stuffing.
    “That’s really impressive,” Chloe said, just as I jammed an oversized bite of the syrupy toast into my mouth.
    I nodded.
    “My daughter has a wonderful circle of friends,” Dad said.
    Chloe flashed him a quick smile, then turned back toward me. “What’s your summer goal, Lila?”
    Gak!
    That was more than just an expression in this instance, by the way. It’s almost what I did. Gak up my food, that is. After the instantaneous lurch of my stomach from the unexpected question, I tried to swallow the bite too fast or something, and the toast took a wrong turn, launching me into a near-puking hack fit.
    Luckily, nothing sprayed out during the spectacle.
    Being a female herself, Chloe likely would not transport that kind of embarrassing story back to her son, but one never knew.
    When I pulled myself together and reassured everyone that, yes, I would live to see another day, both Chloe and my dad settled back down and peered at me in anticipation.
    My gaze ping-ponged from one to the other. “What?” I asked.
    “Your goal for the summer?” Dad prompted. “You never answered the question.”
    “Yeah, I was busy almost going toward the light, sorry,” I said, with classic Lila snarkitude and a prodigious scoff.
    I waited for them to drop it.
    They waited for me to answer.
    Good thing I hadn’t showered yet, because I instantly began to sweat, interrogation-style. I slid my glance away, another clear sign of deception. Sometimes it sucked having a cop for a father, because he would know I was hiding something. “I, uh, haven’t actually decided on a goal.”
    Dad laughed.
    I’m not sure what that meant.
    Before I could ask, he lifted his chin toward my plate. “Finish up, m’ija . I have a big surprise for you today.”
    Surprise? Rock on!
    But wait—what about Dylan? “Today?”
    “Trust me.” He held up a hand. “You’ll like it.”
    Curiosity got the better of me. I admit it. “Tell me!”
    He grinned, plating some French toast for himself. “It’s something you’ve been talking about for a long time now.”
    Enough with the teasers already! “What?!”
    “We’re going to buy you a car.”
    My fork dropped with a clatter, thanks to the shock-provoked hand spasm. I didn’t even bother to pick it up, because I wasn’t hungry anymore. Instead, I gripped the edges of our countertop, fighting hyperventilation. “Dad, if this is some sort of a cruel joke—”
    “It’s not. I promised I’d match your savings, didn’t I?”
    “Yeah?”
    “And I think you’ve proven yourself responsible enough after last year’s problems.”
    Forging parental signatures for cash, getting busted, detention. Ugly memories. “I did. I am. I swear.”
    He took a bite of his French toast, chewed, swallowed, then wiped his mouth. “Then today’s the perfect day. It’ll take your mind off Caressa leaving.”
    “Oh, Dad!” I scrambled from the bar stool and ran over to throw my arms around him. “Thank you! You rock the most.” Then I remembered we had an audience, and the self-consciousness kicked in big time. So naturally, Luke swaggered in, all wrinkled clothes and bed head, at that moment.
    “Aw, check out the sweet little suck-up,” Luke drawled.
    “Shut up, Luke.” I scowled.
    “Don’t tease your sister, son,” Dad said. “Do you want