Carrots: A Shelby Nichols Adventure Read Online Free Page A

several eyewitness reports, but they were mostly reactions to what had happened. Apparently everyone else had ducked when the shots rang out.
    It was hard to believe someone would rob a bank inside a crowded grocery store, but according to the paper, this was the third time in two months this had happened at different stores. Only this time, people got hurt. Poor Carl Rogers. At least my injury was small compared to his.
    The phone rang, but this time it was my best friend, Holly. She wanted to know all the gory details, which I felt obligated to tell her. Plus, she would definitely appreciate the cute paramedic part. Talking to Holly was always good therapy. Of course, I left out the fact that I could read minds. I wasn’t going to tell anyone about that. They’d think I was crazy, or delusional. Until I told them what they were thinking.
    I’d barely hung up the phone when Then they’d probably want to stay as far away from me as possible.it rang again. This time it was my next door neighbor, and when I finished that call, it happened again. It seemed like everyone I knew in the neighborhood had read the newspaper, and wanted to know the whole story. After about the eighth time, I was ready to throw the phone at the wall. I figured an abbreviated version was in line, so the next time it rang, I answered abruptly without checking the caller ID.
    “Yes I was shot in the head, but the bullet only grazed me, and I’m still alive. I had to have stitches, but my hair pretty much covers it up, so you won’t be able to see any blood. Other than that, I’m doing fine.”
    “Honey?”
    “Oh, hi Chris.”
    “I take it you’ve been getting a lot of phone calls.”
    “Yeah, only about fifteen or so.” I was exaggerating, but by the end of the day it could be true. “But that was the first time I used the shortened version.”
    “I just thought I’d call to see how you were doing. Did your mom call?”
    “Yes, she’s bringing dinner tonight. Isn’t that nice?”
    “Yeah, that’s great. Maybe you should turn the phone off.”
    “That’s a great idea. I think I will.”
    “I’ll try and come home a little early. Are you sure you’re all right?”
    “Yeah, I’m fine. So how early is early?”
    “I’ll try and be home around five-thirty…unless you need me before that?”
    “No, that sounds good.” Five-thirty was early for him, and I didn’t want to push my luck. We said our goodbyes and I quickly turned off the phone. All that talking had given me a headache, and the stitches didn’t feel too good either, so I decided another pain pill was in order. Besides, who knew? Maybe I’d be back to normal after a little nap.
    ***
    I woke to the back door slamming. That had to be Josh. He always made a grand entrance. “Hey mom! Where are you?” Before I could answer, he was striding into my bedroom full of excitement. He had Chris’ brown eyes and my blond hair, and I knew he’d been fighting off the girls since he was ten or eleven.
    “Did you see the paper? You’re a celebrity! Everyone at school was asking me about it. So did you really see the guy who shot you?”
    “Um…yeah. The police came over this morning with an artist for a description.”
    “Cool. We’ll have to be sure and watch the news tonight so we can see what he looks like.” Before I could answer, his attention was already wandering. He was hungry, and wanted to play his new video game. He also had a lot of homework that was due tomorrow.
    “Why don’t you get something to eat, and then start on your homework?”
    “I don’t have any homework.” I arched my brow and narrowed my eyes at him. He frowned. “Okay, I have a little, but I can do it after dinner.” He really wanted to play his video game.
    “Not tonight. You do your homework first, and then when you’re done, you can play your game.”
    He gave me a sharp look, but reluctantly agreed. As he thought about his homework, he decided he could rush through it pretty