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Previous chapters of the River Road story:
Chapter 9: Spot-On “Where’s Mia?” Mrs. DeLorca looked over her shoulder. Mr. DeLorca took his cell phone from his pocket once again. “Who are you calling, dear?” Mrs. DeLorca asked. “Eben.” Mr. DeLorca said quickly. “I’ll ask him to investigate.” Eben answered his cell phone. “Hello.” “I say, my boy.” Mr. DeLorca responded hurriedly. “What is it, Father?” Eben asked. “Didn’t you hear the scream, lad?” Mr. DeLorca asked. “No.” Eben responded. “The music is so loud in here; I can barely hear the kids talking next to me.” “Mia’s in more danger than a box full of frosted mini-doughnuts in the glove compartment of my ecologically-sound tomato-powered car-boat.” Mr. DeLorca said. “That’s a lot of danger.” Eben responded. “And, a lot of hyphens.” “Careful, boy.” Mr. DeLorca whispered into the phone. “I say, we don’t want you alarming Sarah, Isaac, Kathy and Nancy. We need you to go investigate. Mia’s scream came from the west staircase. I say, but if you would go there now and see if she’s all right, there’s a jolly big basket of muffins in it for you—full size. Not even mini-muffins.” “Ummm, thanks. I don’t need to be bribed. I’ll do it without the muffins.” Eben answered. “More muffins for me, then.” Mr. DeLorca said. “And, don’t startle the children and such. And whatever you do, don’t call Shakuntala. You know how my pelican feels about Mia Duomo. Poor thing would be pulling out her feathers in clumps.” “I won’t…I won’t do any of that.” Eben said. Hanging up the phone, Eben smiled at Nancy, Sarah, Isaac and Kathy. “Who was that?” Sarah asked. “My father.” Eben answered, still smiling. “Everything okay?” Sarah asked. “I thought you said something about ‘danger.’” “No. My father was talking about doughnuts.” Eben answered, trying not to frighten the kids. “You know my father—doughnuts are always in danger when he’s around.” “Uh huh.” Sarah nodded. “We also talked about grammar—hyphens, commas, and the like. At one point there was the usual natural switch to a mention of pelicans. Not surprising, that.” Eben rambled nervously. “You sound more like your father every day.” Sarah smiled. “I know,” Eben clasped his hands together. “That little nugget of information hasn’t escaped me.” “Are you okay?” Nancy asked. “Of course. However, will you all excuse me for a moment?” Eben said, getting up quickly. “I’ll be right back.” “Where are you going?” Isaac asked. “Just…” Eben paused. “It’s just…warm in here. I thought I might, uhhh, step outside and cool off.” “Can I come, too?” Isaac asked. “I want to go.” Sarah said. “Me, too.” Kathy added. Eben’s face turned red. He looked at Nancy. “I wouldn’t mind getting some air, too.” Nancy added. “Well…” Eben squinted. What should Eben say? He should tell them the truth? Go to next chapter!
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