True Colors Read Online Free

Mom said, after swallowing a bite of sandwich. “And sometimes a chief marketing officer, a chief creative officer, a chief security officer, a chief digital officer, a chief legal officer . . . there are a lot. You can have someone in charge of every part of a business. Bigger companies have all those positions and more. Smaller companies sometimes just have a CEO.”
    Aly licked a drop of jelly off her thumb. “Will True Colors get all of those?”
    â€œMaybe one day if I open lots and lots of salons and we need a team to run all of them.”
    â€œIs that what you want to do?” Aly asked. “Open lots of True Colors salons?” She hadn’t known that was her mom’s plan, but now it seemed like maybe it was.
    â€œJust dreaming,” Mom said. “I’m just dreaming. Far into the future. For now, we’ve got one salon and one broken arm to look after.”
    She pushed her empty plate forward. “Anyway, as the co-CEO of the Tanner household, I’ve made an EMD—an Executive Mother Decision.” Mom grinned and continued: “Brooke has to rest and recuperate. I don’t want the two of you jumping around. So I’ve moved some of your clothes and your sparkle pens and a few pieces of your favorite purple paper into the office upstairs. While Brooke’s in pain, I think it’s better for you to move in there. At least for a few days.”
    As Mom brought their dishes to the sink, she added. “And tomorrow, can you please pick up Brooke’s homework assignments and any other schoolwork she’ll miss?”
    â€œSure,” Aly said, her brain quickly switching from True Colors to her sister. “But . . . what if Brookeneeds someone in the middle of the night? I should be there to help her.”
    â€œI left the cordless phone with her,” Mom said. “She’ll call my cell if she needs something. Besides, if she doesn’t feel well in the middle of the night, I don’t want her to wake you. Don’t forget, you have school tomorrow.”
    Aly was not happy. She didn’t like the idea of sleeping in the tiny office. And she didn’t like not being with Brooke, either.
    â€œCan I at least go check on her?” Aly asked.
    Mom nodded. “Just don’t wake her if she’s sleeping.”
    â€œI won’t,” Aly said.
    She tiptoed up the steps and slowly pushed open their bedroom door. She poked her head in and saw Brooke, her arm wrapped in a big white cast, asleep in her bed. Sparkly was curled up at her feet. Her stuffed animals were next to her.
    â€œHi, Brooke,” Aly whispered. But Brooke didn’t budge. Aly sighed. Hopefully, Brooke would be up the next morning before Aly left for school. She’d see then if Brooke would be able to polish with a cast on. Because Aly really, really needed her to be ready to work in the salon by Thursday!

four
Traffic Coney Island
    T he next morning when Aly looked in on Brooke, she was still sleeping. Sparkly hadn’t moved from the end of her bed. Her stuffed animals had fallen to the floor.
    â€œShe had a rough night,” Mom said when Aly walked into the kitchen. “Her arm really hurt. I’m glad she finally fell back asleep.”
    Aly had not planned on this.
    â€œBut I need to know about the polishing!” shecried. “We have fourteen manicures for the dance showcase tomorrow!”
    Mom sighed. “I’m sorry, honey. But I wouldn’t count on Brooke being able to help. Think about it, Al. Would you be able to polish with one arm in a cast or a sling?”
    Aly hadn’t really considered that. She held her left arm against her stomach and realized that, without it, she wouldn’t be able to open any bottles, file fingernails, keep a customer’s hand steady, or polish well at all.
    She closed her eyes. What was she going to do tomorrow afternoon? Aly already knew she couldn’t ask