Hannah Smart, Operation Josh Taylor Read Free Page A

back later!” I slam down the phone and rush back to my seat at the table. “Okay, Dad, as you were saying?”
    â€œOkay,” he says, raising his eyebrow. “This afternoon I got some wonderful news. Actually, it’s great news for all of us! I just found out I’m getting a big promotion at work.”
    â€œBut Dad, I can’t go to the concert. I have no money to buy a ticket,” I say with a sigh.
    Dad shakes his head. “Hannah, what are you talking about?”
    â€œYou just said you were taking us to the Josh Taylor concert, and I said I don’t have money for a ticket.” I glance over at my mom, who is frowning.
    â€œI didn’t say anything about a concert.” He looks confused.
    â€œYou didn’t? I’m sure you just said you were taking us to the concert. Didn’t you?”
    â€œNo, Hannah, I said I got a big promotion at work.”
    â€œPromotion?” I repeat dumbly.
    â€œYes, promotion! This is my exciting news! This is what I’ve been trying to tell you!” His face is beaming. “Today I got a promotion.”
    You know when you’re in a soccer game and you’re right beside the net, the ball is speeding toward you, and you’ve got a clear shot to score the winning goal, but instead the ball slams you right in the gut …
    No one seems to notice that I’m in a state of shock. Why would they care? They have exciting news to talk about. What’s so exciting about a stupid promotion anyway? I mean a promotion is just … well, a better job and more money and … wait a second … I think I may have possibly found a silver lining to this grey cloud of information.
    â€œHey, Dad,” I say, flashing a big smile, “congratulations on your promotion. So I guess that means you’re going to be making, like, tons of more money, right?”
    He smiles back. “Well Hannah, it means a lot of things, and yes, a nice boost to my salary is one of them. It also means that there’s going to be a few changes around here. I’ll be working a lot and so I won’t be home as much as I am now. Your mother is going to need you to help out more.” He reaches over to give my mom’s hand a squeeze. For some reason she isn’t smiling back. Weird … you’d think she’d be crazy happy about a nice fat paycheque! Instead, she gets up and starts clearing the table.

    â€œSo, Dad,” I say in my sweetest voice, “I heard some exciting news today, too. Josh Taylor is coming to Glen Haven. Isn’t that exciting?”
    â€œI’m sure it is for you, Hannah,” he says.
    â€œYeah, so I really want to go to his concert,” I blurt out.
    â€œThat’s nice,” he replies, totally not taking the bait.
    â€œWell, Dad, with your new raise and everything, do you think you’d have enough money to buy me a ticket?” I half whisper.
    â€œYeah, I think I could manage that,” he whispers back, smiling.
    â€œReally! You could manage it?” I say in a hushed squeal.
    He nods. “Yup, I think I can definitely manage it.”
    Wow, that was easy! He said yes! It’s totally official! I am going to see Josh Taylor, live in concert, breathing the same air and …
    â€œManage what?” says my mother from across the kitchen.
    I shove a piece of pizza in my mouth.
    â€œHannah just asked me …” Dad starts.
    â€œMmmmm,” I say loudly, with my mouth full, “this pizza is so good!”
    My mother’s eyes narrow. “Hannah, what did you ask your father?”
    â€œOh, Mom,” I scold her, “this is Dad’s night, not mine. Let’s not talk about me.”
    â€œHannah, I know what’s going on here,” she says, frowning, “and it’s not going to happen.”
    Great, and just like that another soccer ball slams me right in the gut.
    My stomach hurts.

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    Two Plans Are Better Than One
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