Give and Take Read Online Free PDF Page A

as the trio reached the school lobby. The other kids from their volunteer group were gathered together in a huddle except for Egg, who was missing.
    Señora Diaz tapped her foot impatiently. “Does anyone know where Walter is?” she asked.
    As if on cue, Egg jumped out from behind a bank of lockers. He leaped in front of the group with a bold “Ta-da!”
    A few kids laughed, but Señora Diaz frowned and pushed him toward the school exit. “Follow us,” she told the rest of the group. The corners of her mouth got all scrunched up as if she was about to spit. “Next time, we have to get to the lobby on time, don’t we, Walter?”
    Egg just sighed. “Yes, Señora Diaz.” He often called his mother that when they were at school. As silly or as angry as Egg got, and as much as Señora Diaz could push his buttons, Egg tried not to disrespect his mother in the school building.
    Everyone rushed the van and took their seats.
    Hart and Egg sat in the middle with Joey O’Neill, who didn’t seem to care much where he sat or who he sat with. Davy sat in the back row behind Hilary Klein. She wasn’t too happy about that one. She had to plug her nose during most of the ride. A fourth girl named Monica Rizzo sat across the aisle from Hilary.
    Once again, Madison and Ivy faced a seating dilemma, just like at the meeting. They sat a row apart this time, far enough to have their own “space,” but close enough to talk—if they wanted to. Ivy sat closer to Señora Diaz. They would spend the entire ride chatting, Madison guessed. Ivy pretended to be soooo interested in everything their teacher had to say.
    Señora Diaz explained how The Estates mansion and guest homes had been built by a rich landowner searching for a sanctuary away from New York City. Here, it was private and peaceful. Madison looked around as they approached the property. She could understand why people would want to live there. Owners over the years had planted beautiful gardens where visitors and residents could walk around. As the seventh-grade minibus pulled into The Estates cul-de-sac, Madison could see the shallow dirt where rows of flowers would grow in springtime.
    Egg’s aunt Ana greeted the van with a grin.
    “Hola!” Ana cried, sounding an awful lot—and looking an awful lot—like her sister, Señora Diaz.
    Ana threw her arms around Egg to say hello. His family had always been affectionate like that. Madison knew it embarrassed him.
    “Hola, Tía Ana,” he said softly.
    Ana grinned. “I’m glad to see you here.”
    Davy Miller snickered and Hart elbowed him to shut up.
    The group was led through the front doors of The Estates, past two huge potted plants, a pile of suitcases, and a cluster of older people seated in a lounge area. One woman was knitting, a few men were playing cards, and the rest were just staring off into space.
    “Look at them,” Ivy whispered to Madison. “It’s like they’re not really there.”
    “I wonder what they do all day?” Madison wondered aloud. “I would get so bored, I think.”
    Ana showed the group into a small office with a conference table and sodas. Egg grabbed a Sprite as soon as he sat down. Davy Miller grabbed two.
    “First of all,” Nurse Ana said, “I want to thank all of you for coming to see us today. I know the group of seniors you will meet is very thrilled to meet you, too. Our activity director, Mr. Lynch, will take you inside and pair you off. Then you and your partner can spend the afternoon together. Sound good? We’ll all come back in an hour or so for a little refreshment.”
    Mr. Lynch came into the room next, followed by a cluster of older men and women. Madison felt her heart beat inside her chest. It was exciting to make a new friend, she thought, no matter what age she was. She stared at every new face.
    Everyone waited patiently as Mr. Lynch handed a piece of paper to Señora Diaz. She read the list of pairs slowly.
    Hilary Klein was first on the list, which wasn’t in any