London Art Chase Read Online Free PDF Page B

one’s watching.”
    The trouble was, everyone was watching.
    Dad counted everyone in, and started the first chords on the piano. As the music started up, the drums, guitars, and piano all rumbled through Maddie’s body, making her feel full and tingly and ready to dance. Mia and Lulu danced in time with the music.
    â€œThis little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,” Mom started.
    Mia and Lulu sang along. The sound filled the entire room, and Maddie could hear each distinct voice—Mom, Mia, Lulu. She stared at the microphone in her hands. Opening her own mouth to join in seemed impossible.
    â€œCome on, Maddie,” Mia called, bumping her with her hip. “Sing with us!”
    With effort, Maddie opened her mouth and began singing along. At first, her voice sounded like a rusted old gate, squeaky and awkward. She was sure that as soon as anyone heard it, they’d laugh. But as the song continued, she realized everyone was smiling and having fun. No one was laughing at her. Mia caught her eye and grinned, nodding encouragement. Maddie let go inch by inch, and soon she was truly singing out loud—she could hear her own voice weaving together with the others. Truthfully, she had to admit that singing with her mom and sisters was fun. She couldn’t keep her feet still, thanks to the way the drummer kept beating out the rhythm. The band played the familiar song in a funky way, with the keys and bass taking the lead, making the song feel more like a party than anything else. As the last round of the chorus wound down, they all moved to center stage and sang their hearts out. Then, Miss Julia and the backup singers jumped to their feet and clapped and whistled and yee-hawed. Mom pulled all the girls into a giant hug and then they all bowed and bowed again.
    Laughing, Mom went down to the auditorium to talk to Miss Julia about the day.
    Maddie took Mia’s hand and squeezed it. “Thank you.”
    â€œFor what?” Mia asked.
    â€œFor making me sing, even when I didn’t want to. It was fun.”
    â€œSo does that mean you want to sing in a concert?” Mia asked.
    â€œI can’t wait to sing in a concert!” Lulu announced.
    â€œNo way!” Maddie said, not even having to think about it. “Not me.”
    â€œYou never know,” Mia said. “You might change your mind.”
    â€œGirls, are you ready to go to the National Gallery?” Miss Julia asked. “We have until seven tonight—that’s when the concert starts.”
    â€œAnd we’ll sing with Mommy!” Lulu shouted.
    â€œNot tonight, Lulu,” Mom said. “But maybe sometime soon. We’ll see.”
    It was finally time to go see the paintings. Maddie checked her bag one more time to make sure she had her sketchbook and pencils. Hopefully she would have time to sketch a few of the paintings. Lots of artists did this, sitting in galleries and learning from famous painters by drawing versions of their images. Sitting with sketchbook and pencils in hand, Maddie felt the exact opposite of how she felt when she walked onstage to perform. Instead of the spotlight being on her, her own eyes were the spotlights. When she was drawing, she could see people and places clearly, much more clearly than she saw when she hurried by on her way somewhere. Especially with people. She’d see something inside of them, something absolutely unique to them, something you could draw but not necessarily put into words. Maybe what she was seeing, actually, was their glimmer. Maddie twined her pencil from finger to finger, thinking.
    â€œWhat do you say we ride on a double-decker bus to the gallery?” Miss Julia asked.
    â€œIs that like a double-decker ice cream cone?” Lulu asked.
    â€œSimilar. It’s a bus with two floors. We can ride on the top, which is a little like sitting on the roof,” Miss Julia said.
    â€œSeriously?” Mia