Lost in Paris Read Free Page B

horsepower to your motor. I know a guy.”
    The man in the wheelchair didn’t seem to understand any of this. Henri leaned over and whispered in his ear. Wheels clapped when Henri finished; apparently he was a fan. But, really, I was their biggest fan, so I should totally get those tickets.
    The man in the wheelchair pointed to a young lady with a stethoscope dangling around her neck. “Fine,” Beef said. “She can come too.”
    Looked like Gwen Russell wouldn’t be hunting on Team Beef.
    My mom whispered very softly, “I don’t want to get in trouble for talking, but do you think we should try to get tickets?”
    â€œReally? Are you serious?” Shock Value—Alec, Winston, and Glen—occupied every inch of every wall in my bedroom. I knew every word to every song. “YES! I think we should try to get the tickets!”
    â€œLet’s do it!” she said. “The boys are leaving at nine o’clock tomorrow morning for lacrosse, so we’re free.”
    I couldn’t believe it. Less than a day in Paris, and I was in the running for tickets for Shock Value—AND I was going to see the city in the coolest way possible!
    And Mom was actually on board with this plan! I didn’t know who had swapped my mom for this totally cool lady, but I was pretty sure it had something to do with a lantern and a certain wish.

4

    The lacrosse bus was parked in front of the hotel ahead of schedule. The driver put up his hand and stopped JTC from getting on the bus. He came over to talk to my mom. “Bonjour, madame. Je crois qu’il y a un problème.”
    Mom didn’t speak French, but she understood “problem.”
    â€œLes garçons—et un parent,” the bus driver said, trying to explain.
    Mom held up her palm. She walked away and came back with Brigitte, who’d been waiting in the lobbywhen we got off the elevator. Brigitte began speaking to the driver in French. Then she said to Mom, “The boys, they need a parent.”
    â€œOh. Oh my.”
    Brigitte explained this to the bus driver, who replied something in very fast French.
    Brigitte said, “Yes, they can go with the team, but they must have a parent with them.”
    Mom looked at me. “I guess you’ll have to come too. I’m so sorry we can’t do the treasure hunt. Maybe we can still buy regular tickets.”
    â€œIt’s sold out, remember?” I said. “I’m not going to another one of their tournaments. I could do that in Pennsylvania. We’re in Paris!”
    I thought of a few lines of lyrics:
    Wishing on paper lanterns does NOT work.
    Don’t let the French tell you it’s true.
    Because it’s not.
    It’s not.
    Topher called out the bus window, “Yo, Mrs. Russell, you’re holding up the team!”
    She motioned that she needed one minute. As I like to say, her one minute finger.
    While she thought, Charlie yelled out, “Paris is sweet, huh, Gwenny?”
    Right now I hated JTC. They always ruined everything.
    â€œWell, you can’t just hang out alone at a hotel in a foreign country,” Mom said.
    â€œI won’t be alone. I’ll be with Brigitte.” I grabbed Brigitte’s hand. She looked at me in surprise.
    Mom studied the two of us.
    â€œIt is a good idea,” Brigitte said. “I will take care of her like she was my very own sister. You go to the game. It is fine.”
    â€œAre you sure?” Mom asked her. “Don’t you have to work?”
    â€œNo problem.” She smiled. “She can go with me to care for the pets.”
    â€œWhat pets?” Mom asked.
    â€œMy job—a business, actually. I care for people’s pets while they are out of town. It is called ‘Boutique Brigitte—Pour les Petits Animaux.’”
    â€œYou do? I love pets,” I said.
    â€œ Oui. I have a minivan and everything!” Brigitte explained. “And we can