Operation: Normal Read Online Free PDF Page A

important dads were. This was due to the fact that she
never had a decent relationship with her own father, who she described as verbally abusive and
domineering. That's why she'd left home right after high school. That's why she'd never gone
back. Yeah, the woman definitely had reasons for her daddy issues. Good ones.
    So was I sorry for going behind her back and hunting up Kayly's dad anyway?
    At the moment, not one bit.
    Because I had daddy issues, too, as in I sincerely wanted one particular
daddy--Kayly's--to call me with a big fat "Yes!" As for the other missing dad--mine--he
really had nothing to do with my current quest for normal. And if he ever called again, well,
I'd figure out what to do about him then.
    Mom checked in with me at ten-thirty, Texas time. That meant it was really late, or
really early in London, which was probably why she sounded so tired. She didn't mention the
riots; I didn't mention Seth. She did comment on her flight over, the weather, and her hotel. I
talked about Sylvie and Kayly. In all, our conversation about nothing lasted exactly seven
minutes and ended with Mom promising to call me the next night.
----

Chapter Four
The Daddy Dilemma
    On Tuesday morning, I did laundry. Sylvie helped me fold our clean clothes, admiring
this pair of jeans or that sequined tee. She even asked to try on a pair of designer low-rise that I
bought with some Christmas money back in January. I let her, and she did look good in
them.
    Sylvie admired some other things in the apartment--the big TV, Mom's laptop, and our
Tivo. I concluded she must not be used to much. And no wonder. Nannies weren't paid all that
well, in my opinion, even though they provided a valuable service.
    At exactly nine-thirty, Seth popped into my head. That shouldn't have meant anything,
since I'd been thinking of him so much lately. But this time seemed familiarly different, as in five
seconds later my cell phone rang. I suddenly remembered how I'd felt just before my dad
called.
    "Hello?" My voice shook. I was that disconcerted. What if this was Seth?
    "Ally? Is that you?"
    It was Seth! It really was him! What could that mean? "Y-Yes." Gulp.
    "Can you meet me in a couple of hours to talk? Let's say noon?"
    "Sure. Where?"
    "What would work best for you?" asked Seth.
    I thought for a second. "How about the McDonald's on Fifth Street."
    "Fifth Street. What's that close to?"
    "Our apartment for one thing. Republic Park, for another."
    "Okay. I know the place. See ya." He hung up without a goodbye.
    The minute he did, I dashed to my room and scrambled for something to wear. Why, I
don't know. He'd already made his feelings about me perfectly plain. I still agonized for several
minutes, finally choosing jeans, Nikes, and a sheer mint green shirt with a matching cami under
it. I borrowed some of mom's hoop earrings, then had a little difficulty closing the lid of her
jewelry box. In fact, I had to rearrange a few things before I could lower it completely.
    "Whoa!" exclaimed Sylvie when I came out of the bedroom. "Hot date?"
    "No, I'm just meeting someone for lunch at McDonald's. Want me to bring you
something?"
    "I'd love an apple pie," she said, reaching for her purse.
    "My treat."
    "When will you be back?"
    "A couple of hours," I told her. After giving Kayly a kiss, I left the apartment to walk
the eight blocks to the restaurant. I really enjoyed the blue sky, the sun, and a slight breeze,
which made it seem cooler than the ninety-nine degrees I saw on the bank thermometer. I loved
the way it felt on my damp neck. Kayly's dad--wow, did that ever seem weird--was already there,
I saw, sitting at one of the outside tables that were made of shaped concrete. Even as I scoped out
his trendy jeans, Docs, and tee, I wondered if he'd made a decision about her.
    "Hi, Seth," I said when I reached him.
    "Actually, I go by Zach."
    That flustered me. "Oh. Sorry. Since you signed the contract Z. Seth, I assumed you
went by your middle name."
    "Yeah, well,