Dangerous Deception Read Online Free

Mom had felt well enough to return to work that morning so I didn’t have to explain my actions.
    Whenever I have to sell stuff for school, Mom and Dad always insist that I go with a friend, rather than knocking on doors by myself. This time I was alone, so I went only to the homes of neighbors I know. That way, I’d be safe.
    By the time I left on my mission, the April showers had stopped and the dark clouds had moved on, replaced by sky the color of a first-place ribbon. My mood brightened, too. I’m doing a good thing, I told myself. I’m helping someone who is less fortunate, so how can that lead to trouble?
    I decided to go to the houses at the far end of my block first, and work my way home so I wouldn’t have to carry the food both directions.
    I skipped Mrs. Braider, who lives next door to me. Even though I was certain Mrs. Braider would contribute, I also knew I could count on her to say something to Mom about it. Mrs. Braider is one of those gossipy people who spends her time poking her nose into other people’s business.
    When I was three, Mom had turned the hose to a slight drizzle on a hot summer day and allowed me to water the flowers in our backyard. I had a wonderful time until Mrs. Braider called Mom to report that I was wasting water by sprinkling the fence instead of the roses, and Mom told me to stop. After that, I had thought of our neighbor as Big Mouth Braider.
    In the years since then, the trees and shrubs in our backyard had grown thick and tall, blocking off her view. Now she could spy on us only when we were out in front.
    I hurried past her house with my empty tote bag, and then again when I returned with the bag loaded with food items.
    When I told my neighbors that my class was collecting food for a needy family, they generously handed over cans of soup, baked beans, evaporated milk, and spaghetti sauce. I received a box of oatmeal, packets of hot chocolate mix, two kinds of crackers, macaroni-and-cheese mix, and even a big tin of fancy mixed nuts, the expensive kind with lots of cashews.
    The nuts came from Mrs. Woodburn, who lives with a parrot named Popeye.
    â€œGo away!” squawked Popeye, when I rang the doorbell. “Go away!”
    â€œHush, Popeye,” said Mrs. Woodburn as she tried to hear what I wanted.
    When she handed me the nuts, she said, “These were a birthday gift, but I’m on a diet. You’re doing me a big favor by taking away temptation.”
    â€œThanks,” I said. “I’m sure this will be a treat.”
    â€œGo away!” shrieked Popeye. He ruffled his bright green feathers, as if he wanted to fly toward me.
    I wondered how Mrs. Woodburn could stand the screeching, but as I left she leaned close to Popeye’s cage and said, “Kiss, kiss!” Popeye stretched forward, put his thick yellow beak near her lips, and I swear he said, “Kiss, kiss,” too.
    When I got to the Freemans’ home, Mr. Freeman asked me to step inside so he could close the door. “We don’t want the cats to get out,” he explained. “Bieber and Gaga are regular escape artists. We should have named them both Houdini.” As if to prove his point, two black-and-white cats dashed toward the fresh air. When the door shut before they got to it, they rubbed on my ankles and waved their tails back and forth.
    The cats reminded me of Sophie’s request.
    â€œI’m collecting cat food as well as people food,” I said. “The family who will be getting this donation has a pet cat.”
    â€œDid you hear that, Martha?” Mr. Freeman called to his wife, who had gone into the kitchen. “The family that Emmy is helping needs cat food.”
    Mrs. Freeman returned with several cans of cat food, a big jar of three-bean salad, two cans of peaches, and a gray felt catnip mouse with a tail and whiskers.
    I laughed when I saw the mouse. “This is perfect,” I said. “Thank you so