Freddy Anderson’s Home: Book 1 Read Online Free PDF

Johnny,” Mrs. Crain said.
    “Hello, Johnny.”
    “Hi.” Johnny was nine years old and looked a lot different from the rest. His complexion was darker, and he had bushier eyebrows over dark blue eyes. His hair was cut in a typical boy’s short butch cut. He was tall and very stocky. He had a look on his face like he was highly irritated about something.
    “And last, but not least,” said Mrs. Crain, “this is Annabelle, my baby.”
    Annabelle gave her a look that said, I’m not a baby.
    I said, “Hello, young lady.”
    She smiled back at me and said, “Hello. You’re nice.” Annabelle was five years old, and she appeared to be a little ball of fire. Emotions played across her face like waves during a storm. Her blonde hair hung down to the middle of her back and spilled over her shoulder and halfway into her plate. She had her mother’s blue eyes and a smile that would light up the darkest room.
    I looked at Mrs. Crain and complimented her on her wonderful family as well as the nice dinner that was spread before us. I told her that I hadn’t had a home-cooked meal in over a year.
    When she heard this, she picked up a fork and started eating, and so did everyone else. I think she purposefully waited until my mouth was full before asking me the first question.
    “Dr. Anderson, what brings you way out here without proper supervision?”
    I had just taken a small bite of the most wonderful roll with real butter. I raised one finger in response while I continued chewing. She smiled and waited. When I had finished the bite, I said, “Mrs. Crain, this is where the government has allowed me to live. They granted me the land south of here, and I intend to build a home and settle here. The reason I am here alone   …” I started to choke up a little and desperately tried to hold back tears—memories of Mom and Dad still did that to me.
    “I’m sorry,” she said with concern. “I did not mean to meddle in something that is obviously painful to you.”
    “It’s all right, ma’am. I need to get used to it. I’m sure the subject will come up many more times. I am without ‘proper supervision’ because my mother and father died in a plane crash. I have no one to provide me with supervision. After they died, I petitioned the government for my own emancipation.” I could hold on no longer, and the tears fell.
    The table was silent after that. Mrs. Crain said, “I’m sorry, dear.”
    “That’s okay, ma’am.”
    After a few minutes of enjoyable eating, I looked over at Johnny. My curiosity got the better of me, as I knew that he was upset about some punishment he earned. I looked at Mrs. Crain and asked, “May I ask what caused Johnny to be punished?”
    Johnny turned four shades of red. Mrs. Crain said, “Johnny is being punished for flipping up his sisters’ dresses in public.”
    I looked at Johnny and asked, “Are you a bully?”
    Johnny started to answer but was cut off by his mother. “No, he’s normally a good child, but sometimes he gets into trouble. I find that a little swat on the backside and time doing the girls chores is a good way to put him back in line.”
    “I personally find the idea of teasing girls appalling,” I said. “I am glad you love him enough to correct his ways.”
    “Thank you very much, Dr. Anderson.”
    We ate the rest of the meal in silence, but Becky kept smiling at me.
    After dinner I started to help clean up, but since I was a paying customer, I was told that I was not allowed to help. “Besides,” Mrs. Crain said, “I want to talk to Johnny alone, and this is a good time.” She scooted the girls and me out of the house “for a little while.”
    I started walking out to the beach. It was still early, and I thought I would do a little exploring. The whole group followed me. Annabelle, being little and not at all shy, asked me, “Why are you wearing earrings?”
    I looked at Carroll for the right to answer, and she nodded for me to go ahead.
    I told her,