The Secret Talent Read Online Free

department?” I asked.
    She smiled and went to grab Uncle Theo. On the way out to the car, he put his arm around my shoulders and squeezed.
    â€œAre you okay, Timotheos? You hardly touched your yogurt.”
    I shrugged and smiled. “What can I say? It’sGreek yogurt or no yogurt.”
    Uncle Theo chuckled and ruffled my hair. “Always the comedian.”
    He and Gabby talked about ways to improve our biggest dance number for the museum performance while I peered out the window.
    What I’d told Ryan was true; I wasn’t scared of him. But the more time I had to think, the more I started to wonder what exactly he was planning. He wouldn’t post that picture of me all over school. That’d be too easy for me to explain away. I could just tell people I was goofing around. Ryan had to know at least that much.
    I hated to admit it, but I’d have to do what he said, and wait.
    Uncle Theo pulled his car into the driveway, and Gabby leaped out, racing to the front door.
    â€œLobster mac! Lobster mac!” she cried.
    Her excitement was contagious, and I found myself hurrying up the driveway too.
    Gabby left the front door open, and the smell of baked cheese wafted from the kitchen on warm currents of air. The scent enveloped me and slipped past, carrying worries about Ryan with them. Then Uncle Theo’s arm wrapped around my middle, and he hoisted me off the ground, lugging me under one arm.
    â€œHey!” I said with a laugh. “I’m not a football.”
    â€œYou can say that again. Oof!” He dropped me onto the carpet just outside the kitchen, where my parents were darting back and forth doing last-minute meal prep.
    â€œIncoming bread crumbs!” Mom called to Dad seconds before she threw him the canister. Luckily, Dad turned just in time to catch it between his oven-mitted hands. He nodded to me, Gabby, and Uncle Theo.
    â€œHey, guys. You’re just in time. And I hope you’re hungry.” He sprinkled the bread crumbs over a gooey, melty bed of yellow and red. Thenhe popped the lobster mac back into the oven.
    â€œWe had frozen yogurt, but I can still eat,” Gabby said, hopping up onto a stool.
    â€œTheo!” Mom bumped the fridge shut with her hip, a bowl of salad and a dressing bottle in her hands. “What have I told you about giving the kids sweets before dinner?” She raised an eyebrow at her brother.
    Uncle Theo grinned. “That it’s an excellent way to make them like me?”
    She rolled her eyes. “Are you staying for dinner?”
    â€œI wish I could,” he said, “but I’ve got a date tonight.” Uncle Theo puffed out his chest and smiled broadly.
    â€œNice! Try only talking about Greece every other sentence,” Mom said, smirking at him. “Tim, honey, can you get the salad tongs?”
    I grabbed them while Uncle Theo kissed Gabby on the forehead. “Good-bye, matakia mou . And you too,” he said, ruffling my hair again. “I’ll see you both on Saturday.” He waved to Mom and Dad and then was gone.
    â€œI hope his date goes well,” Gabby said after he left. “And that she doesn’t notice his shirt is on backward.”
    â€œWhat?” Mom looked up from the salad she was tossing. “Why on Earth didn’t you tell him?”
    â€œBecause if he wore it frontward, his date would see the huge yogurt stain,” I chimed in.
    â€œOh good grief.” Mom rolled her eyes.
    â€œWell, it can only go uphill from there,” Dad said, squeezing Mom’s shoulder.
    â€œUnless he shows her one of his dance videos,” I said.
    â€œBe nice.” Dad set the oven timer. “You share the same heritage and do the same dances.”
    â€œYeah, but I’m not over-the-top about it.” I took the bowl of salad Mom offered me and popped a tomato into my mouth. Now that I wasin the safety and comfort of my own home, my appetite was making a