Seven Kisses in a Row Read Online Free PDF

The flowers looked just like earrings.
    Emma looked in the mirror. “They’re beautiful, Aunt Evelyn.”
    â€œI think they look a little dumb,” said Zachary, peering over her shoulder.
    â€œDifferent strokes, Zach,” said Emma, looking at one ear, then the other. “Different strokes.”

Lessons
    There was a knock at Emma’s door.
    â€œEmma? Are you awake?” called Uncle Elliot.
    There was no answer.
    â€œIt’s morning,” said Uncle Elliot through the door. “Time for divided grapefruit with a cherry in the middle. And seven kisses.”
    â€œI’m asleep,” called Emma. “Come back later.”
    â€œShe is not asleep,” said Zachary out in the hall.
    Uncle Elliot opened the door. There was a big lump that was Emma in the middle of the bed.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, Emma?”
    â€œHow did you know I was awake?” asked Emma from under the blankets.
    â€œI guessed,” said Uncle Elliot. “Don’t you want to get up? It’s our last day here before your parents come home. We’ll do something special.”
    Emma groaned. “I’m very sick,” she said. “My head is squishy, my ears are numb, my feet are prickly.”
    â€œProbably she is not sick,” said Zachary.
    Uncle Elliot sat down and reached under the blankets to feel Emma’s head.
    â€œYou’re not hot,” he said.
    â€œHotness is not part of my sickness,” said Emma. She poked her head out of the covers. “I did have spots. They are gone now.”
    â€œSpots! Where were those spots?” asked Uncle Elliot.
    â€œShe never has spots,” whispered Zachary.
    â€œOn my feet and ears,” said Emma, glaring at Zachary.
    â€œThat sounds like calling the doctor,” said Uncle Elliot.
    â€œNo!” Emma sat up in bed. “The doctor does not like me. She has a cold heart-listener. She puts an ear looker in my ears and sticks that Popsicle stick down my throat. Also, she is on vacation.”
    â€œI’ll bet the doctor is not on vacation,” said Zachary.
    â€œWhat’s the trouble?” asked Aunt Evelyn.
    â€œI’m catching,” said Emma. “And probably you and Uncle Elliot and Zachary and Wayne are, too. You had better call my parents and tell them not to come home for a week or three months.”
    Aunt Evelyn thought for a moment. “Even if we asked them to, I don’t think they would stay away, Emma.”
    Uncle Elliot nodded. “They have not told you so yet,” he said, “but I am sure they’ve missed you.”
    â€œYes,” said Emma. “They always miss me when they go to an eyeball meeting. They bring me place mats and postcards of hotels and city parks.”
    â€œPapa brings me new dirt for my dirt collection,” said Zachary. “And colored eyeball pictures. I use them for my dart board.”
    â€œSo there you see,” said Aunt Evelyn. “They love you and will want to come back even though you are very sick and catching.”
    â€œI know she is not sick and catching,” announced Zachary.
    â€œHow about breakfast in bed?” said Uncle Elliot. “Divided grapefruit right here.”
    â€œOur parents don’t allow us to have breakfast in bed,” said Zachary. “Because of the crumbs.”
    â€œCrumbs don’t come with grapefruit,” said Emma, sitting up.
    â€œWe’ll all have breakfast in bed,” said Uncle Elliot.
    There were oranges and grapefruit and cereal and toast. There were lots of crumbs, too. But only for a little while, because Wayne came and cleaned them all up.
    â€œI’m sorry you’re not feeling better,” said Uncle Elliot. “Today you were going to give me more father lessons.”
    â€œEmma doesn’t have to give you father lessons if she doesn’t feel well,” said Aunt Evelyn. “We’ll go to classes once a week when we get