Harmony Read Online Free Page B

that I’m going to sleep in here, not just tonight, but . . . and now Ialmost start crying again, because I don’t know how long we’re going to have to stay.
    â€œHey,” says Tilly. “How tall do you think the Aluthgama Buddha would be if he stood up?”
    â€œI have no idea,” I say, as sarcastic and annoyed-sounding as I can. But she doesn’t even notice.
    I get up and walk to the window, which is between the two beds; I stare out until I can make my face stop crumpling up. I could probably go outside and walk around—that’s part of why we’re here, right, because we don’t want to live in a place where you can’t let your kids play outside by themselves? But I don’t want to; I’m almost scared, like I might get lost in the trees. All the green that goes on forever like an ocean.
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    Around five, Mom calls out that she’s going to go over to Scott’s and see what he’s got planned for dinner. “Anyone want to come with me?” she asks. Tilly and I both stare at her, like we’re scared she’s going to make us. Dad’s finally awake, sitting up, rubbing his eyes.
    â€œI’ll stay here,” he says, though I’m not sure Mom was really inviting him to go with her. Someone has to be with the kids. Or maybe not—maybe it’s so safe here that none of the rules apply.
    Mom sighs. “Okay,” she says. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Just so you know, you’re all probably going to need to pitch in to help with dinner.”
    I don’t complain, because I know that’s what she’s expecting. Once she’s out the door, the mood seems to change a little bit in the cabin, like we’ve all been holding our breath.
    I go over to the couch and sit down next to Dad. “So,” I say. “Why are we doing this, again?” I’m trying to make a lame joke, kind of.
    Dad looks at me very seriously and says, “Because we don’t like video games.”
    I crack up, so glad to have a reason to laugh, and Tilly comes over to join in. “That’s right, Daddy,” she says. “We don’t like video games; we
love
them. We
adore
them. We
cherish
them.”
    â€œHmm.” Dad looks thoughtful. “So that can’t be it. Is it because we hate TV? And delicious snack food? And using the computer?”
    Tilly and I are both giggling. I’m leaning against his shoulder, and Tilly is climbing up on the arms of the couch to try to sit on his neck, like for a piggyback ride, even though she’s way too big. “No, Dad,” I say. “We love that stuff, remember?”
    â€œThat’s right, we do.” He turns to Tilly, who’s practically climbing on top of him, like she’d stand right on his shoulders if she could. “Come on down, sweetie, okay?”
    She does, and he hugs us both close to him, one on each side. “I don’t know, then,” he says. “Why
are
we doing this?”
    He’s going to make us say it.
    â€œBecause you only get one chance to raise us?” says Tilly.
    â€œAnd you think this is going to be a better place for our family than Washington was?” I add.
    â€œOh, yeah,” he says, like he’s remembering something important. “That’s right. Thanks for reminding me.” He kisses each of us on the tops of our heads. I love my dad.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” says Tilly. She pats his head like he’s a dog and adds, “We’re always happy to help.”
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    When my mom comes back, she’s got Scott with her. He has to duck his head to get his shiny hair through the door.
    â€œGet your shoes on,” Mom says. “Let’s go see the big kitchen.”
    â€œOr come barefoot,” says Scott. “It’s summertime. Gotta toughen up those feet.”
    Tilly goes