Free Boiling Point by Diane Muldrow Page A

you, Mom?”
    “I think you should do it. It’s good experience!” said Mom in her “peppy” voice.
    The twins groaned.
    “And you shouldn’t feel weird about calling her,” added Dad. “She owes you money!”
    The twins sighed.
    “I’ll tell you what,” said Dad. “If you don’t have any luck on the phone with this Ms. What’s-Her-Name, then Mom and I will help you talk to her. Okay?”
    The twins nodded.
    “Okay,” they said.

    Later that night, the twins checked their e-mail. They were surprised that Shawn hadn’t written them back.
    “Wow, she must be really mad at us,” said Amanda.
    “I know,” said Molly.
    “Should we write her again?” asked Amanda.
    Molly shook her head. “What else can we say? We already said we’re sorry. Anyway, Shawn never stays mad at us for long. She’ll probably write us tomorrow.”
    “Hey, I know! I’m gonna send Justin an e-mail. Should I?” said Amanda.
    “Why?”
    “Oh, just because. I guess I want him to know that we’re trying to get the money out of Brenda Barlow.”
    Molly shrugged. “I really don’t think he cares about the money, Amanda. Besides, how do you know his e-mail address?”
    “We were all talking about our e-mail addresses in the car.”
    “Go ahead,” said Molly with a sigh. She watched over Amanda’s shoulder as Amanda began to type.

    “There,” said Amanda. “Do you think it’s okay?”
    Molly chuckled. “You misspelled ‘sorry.”’
    “Do you think he’ll write back?” asked Amanda, typing in the other ‘r’ in “sorry.”
    “How should I know? Enough already. Just send it!”
    Amanda sent it.
    “Hey, here’s an e-mail from Shawn! It just got here.” said Amanda. She clicked on it.

    Molly and Amanda look at each other and laughed.
    “Kangaroo potholders? ” Amanda said.
    “Whatever, I’m just glad Shawn’s not mad at us anymore. What a relief!” Molly said.
    “I know. At least one thing is going right for us!” Amanda said, still laughing.
    “I can’t wait for Shawn to get home!” exclaimed Molly. “And for Peichi to not be grounded anymore. Things need to pick up again.”
    “Are you kidding?” asked Amanda. “I still need a break.” She logged off the computer, and the twins went upstairs.

chapter 12
    E arly Sunday morning. Peichi called.
    The Moores were in the kitchen, which was full of good smells: brewing coffee, sizzling turkey bacon, and blueberry pancakes cooking on the griddle.
    “Hello?” said Amanda, answering the phone.

    “Hi!” Peichi practically shouted. “I’m not grounded anymore! And we’re having a big cookout today! It’s for our family but my mom said I could invite you and Molly. Do you wanna come over at two o’clock?”
    “Okay,” said Amanda. “We’re ready to have some fun.”
    After breakfast, Molly and Amanda practiced the piano and cleaned their room.
    “What are you gonna wear?” Amanda asked Molly.
    “Oh, I don’t know, maybe my new white shorts.” replied Molly, who was stretched out on her bed.
    “With what else?” asked Amanda. She frowned as she looked into the closet.
    “Um, my new ‘Brooklyn’ T-shirt.” Molly smiled. She knew Amanda didn’t like that shirt.
    Amanda groaned.
    “Then tell me what to wear,” said Molly.
    “You’re so lazy,” Amanda giggled.
    Of course Amanda tried on three different outfits before she was happy. By the time the girls got to Peichi’s, it was two-thirty.
    “I thought you guys were never gonna get here!” cried Peichi when she opened the door. “There aren’t any kids here, and I’m so bored! Come on outside.”
    Peichi led the girls out to the pool area where Mr. Cheng was grilling lots of food, and Mrs. Cheng was offering cold drinks.
    Molly blushed when she saw Mr. Cheng. She still felt guilty about sneaking off to Chinatown with Peichi.

    “Hello. Molly,” Mr. Cheng said in a friendly voice.
    “Hi, Mr. Cheng,” she said, looking down at the ground.
    Mr. Cheng chuckled. “Have you