The Black Cadillac Read Online Free Page A

bathroom floor.
    He grabbed the shampoo and squeezed a dollop onto his hand. He started washing his sister’s hair with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
    “I wonder why Mom is so tired. It’s early for her to go in her room already, isn’t it?” she asked.
    “Because she works really hard to support us, and her work is super busy at this time of the month,” Cody replied.
    “Oh well, that makes sense,” she said, even though she looked a little confused.
    Cody changed the subject.
    “So how was school today? Did you learn anything fun?” asked Cody.
    “Kind of. We are learning about presidents. Also, I’m making something cool in art class for Mommy,” she said with excitement.
    “That’s great! Who is your favorite president?” asked Cody.
    “Um, I like the guy on the dollar bill,” she replied.
    “Oh okay, George Washington. Good choice,” said Cody. “What kind of art project are you making for Mom?” he asked.
    “Something really cool that she will like. It’s a surprise. Next week, I’m going to start making something for your birthday too,” said Olive, smiling.
    “Oh, wow. My birthday isn’t for a couple of months, though,” said Cody.
    “Well, I’m starting on it soon.” replied Olive.
    Cody changed the subject. “Olive, do you know what to do if a stranger were to try and talk to you?” he asked.
    “Yeah, dum-dum. I am supposed to say no . Everyone knows that,” she replied, looking like a white-bearded little girl with bubbles all over her face. Olive loved her bubbles.
    “Okay, good—but especially if someone were to offer you a ride in their car, okay?” he said.
    “Yeah, I got it,” she replied back.
    “Don’t ever, ever get into a stranger’s vehicle, okay?” Cody told his sister.
    “Okay, okay,” replied Olive.
    “You know I will never let anyone ever hurt you, don’t you?” he added.
    “Yes, I know. You’re my big brother!” she jokingly said.
    Cody finished rinsing his sister’s hair with a cup.
    “That’s right. Now dry yourself off, brush your teeth, and I’ll meet you in your room to read you a story,” he said.
    Cody left the bathroom and went into Olive’s bedroom.
    Cody sat on the wooden rocking chair in the corner. His sister’s room was pretty girly for an eight-year-old. Olive loved unicorns, so there was a unicorn of some sort in practically every corner of the room. The room was small with pink and white paint on each wall. He had painted a unicorn on her wall above her bed when she first got a big-girl bed. It was hot pink with a silvery mane and golden horn. Olive loved that he did that for her. It was her favorite unicorn of all, and her brother had made it just for her.
    Olive, all dressed in her pajamas, pounced into her room and onto her bed. Then she quickly hopped back out and went straight for her small bookcase. She pulled out The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss off the top shelf and handed it to her big brother.
    “Here you go, brother!” she said excitedly.
    “Great choice. This is one of my favorites,” Cody replied.
    His sister hopped back in to bed and pulled the covers up to her chin getting comfortable for the story. She was excited and sleepy at the same time as she waited for her brother to begin reading.
    “Thank you, brother.” she squealed.
    “You’re welcome, sis.” Cody responded.
    By the time Thing One and Thing Two were ready to clean the house up, Olive was fast asleep. Cody kissed his sister good-night, flipped on her unicorn night-light, and quietly closed the door as he left.
    Cody grabbed a towel from the closet and headed for a much needed shower.

CHAPTE R IV Lyin g i n Bed
    I t was going on 9:00 p.m., and Cody couldn’t even think about today’s homework. He scampered to his room and sat right back down at his desk.
    The notes he had taken earlier were still sitting there, waiting to be further analyzed. He had almost forgotten that Zach hadn’t called yet. Cody tore off the first page of his