Read Online New Year's Eve by Caroline B. Cooney - Free Book Online

about that,” George muttered.
    â€œThis is a side show,” Mike said to Kip. “They should charge admission.”
    Kip was shaking her head and moaning softly. “The only thing I can console myself with,” she said, “is that Gwynnie will be a bigger side show.”
    â€œI think we should arrange for a pre-midnight switch,” Mike said. “We’ll give Dumbo here to Gwynnie, and get Gary back for Beth Rose.”

Chapter 6
    K EVIN PUT ON HIS Sunday jacket. He couldn’t find his white oxford shirt or his pre-knotted tie, so he settled for a green and gold striped pullover sweater he’d worn the day before to clay class. A small cloud of grey dust flaked off each time he moved, but Kevin figured it would all fall off before they reached The Hadley.
    He brushed his hair and his teeth and was very proud of his grooming.
    Pete felt he should have a decent jacket, but he had outgrown his and not yet grown into the next size hand-me-down. Several times he had spoken to his parents about this, but they did not feel it was important. Pete went into George’s closet. George did not have what you might call a large selection of formal wear, but Pete took this golden opportunity to wear George’s safari jacket. He stood in front of his sister’s full-length mirror and admired how the jacket hung, how the pockets—it had as many pockets as a jet has dials—were lined up waiting to be filled with good stuff like maps and compasses and survival food.
    Food. Now that was a good idea.
    Pete raided the kitchen, filling his pockets; you never knew when you might need to eat.
    The Oreo cookies crumbled at the bottom of a deep white pocket when he shoved two apples down on them, but he didn’t notice.
    Jamie, fresh from a tantrum over tuxedos, happily chose his new sweatsuit. Jamie rarely possessed anything new, what with three older brothers to give him their stuff, and he was in love with his sweatsuit. It was the brightest blue in the whole world, and it had the yellowest streak in the universe going down the side seams. With vast pride that he had been honored to keep watch over his big brother’s cummerbund, he fastened the wide satin around his waist. It covered him from his nonexistent hips to his armpits. He tightened it up with a couple of safety pins laboriously fastened. Over that he put Pete’s winter jacket (red and black hunter check) and their father’s best baseball cap.
    â€œBoy, we’re ready now,” Kevin said happily. “Somebody call a taxi.”
    Christopher started the car.
    It was not his wonderful classic red Corvette, which had been sold. His father had refused to pay the insurance when the roommate explained just why Christopher had been asked to leave college. No, this was an old Subaru: dented on the outside, faded and torn on the inside. It was not a car that rejoiced in cold weather, and it took Christopher several tries before the engine caught. He breathed a sigh of relief when it did. Driving to Molly’s, he hoped she would be ready at the door: if it idled more than a minute it stalled, and he’d have a terrible time starting it up again. He planned to park underground in the garage at The Hadley, where the temperature should be fairly moderate and the car might even begin the New Year by starting!
    When he stopped at Molly’s, Christopher’s mind was full of cars. Molly was pretty relaxed: she liked to laugh and would be amused by a car that had to be nursed.
    Molly’s stepfather opened the front door. “Hello there, Christopher,” he said cheerfully. “Happy New Year.”
    â€œHappy New Year to you, too,” Christopher said, unable to remember the stepfather’s last name. “Molly ready yet?”
    â€œIs she ever,” the stepfather said dryly. “I just hope you are.”
    Christopher, worrying about his car, said, “Well, as long as it doesn’t have to