Double Vision Read Online Free

Thornton drones on about character, responsibility, and the “gravity of the situation.”
    I apologize about six times. He gives me detention.
    So I was all ready for the usual on Saturday morning, especially once Thornton showed his pearly whites. “I’m glad you could come in today, Mr. and Mrs. Baker.”
    My mom sat with her legs crossed. She was in her scrubs, since she had a shift at the hospital later. She said, “You mentioned on the phone that you had some urgent things to discuss about Linc’s trouble. Something about an arrangement?” Mom liked to get to the point.
    Principal Thornton didn’t. He had his script to follow, after all. “You have to understand the gravity of the situation,” he said slowly.
    â€œWe do,” Mom said. Dad just sat back in his chair.
    â€œLincoln here caused a lot of trouble during yesterday’s school expedition,” Principal Thornton went on, ignoring Mom. He made a little tent with his fingers. “This isn’t the first time Lincoln here has caused damages for the school. Damages that I, as principal, have to account for. Make right, if you will.”
    I was pretty sure Dad was sleeping with his eyes open. Mom looked like she was about to clock Principal Thornton.
    â€œFarmer Johnson is suing Lompoc Middle School. Lincoln here is no longer welcome. He’s being expelled.”
    â€œ Expelled ? I thought he was just being suspended. Lincoln is ready to make amends,” Mom argued.
    I wanted to tell them both that I was sitting right there and that they could talk to me, instead of about me. But it was best to keep my mouth shut, I knew from previous meetings with Principal Thornton. The phone rang, and the principal answered. “Send him in,” he said.
    That was when Agent Fullerton showed up. Instead of his black suit from last night, he wore a navy sports coat, jeans, and a white polo shirt. He looked like the boss of something. “Hello.” He shook Mom’s and Dad’s hands, ignoring me completely. Flashing an expensive-looking golden watch, he introduced himself as Ned Fullerton, head of Fresh Start Incorporated, a company running camps for kids.
    â€œFresh Start Incorporated?” Mom asked. She was not impressed by Agent Fullerton. “What does this have to do with Lincoln?”
    Dad obviously bought the whole act. “What kind of camp is this?” he asked.
    Agent Fullerton smiled. “It’s a camp for troubled kids. Kids who might need a little more discipline. It’s boot camp designed to change Lincoln into an improved version of himself.”
    A version called Benjamin Green, I thought.
    â€œWe can give Lincoln all the discipline he needs at home,” Mom shot back. I’d warned Agent Fullerton that she would be toughest to convince. Mom liked to have me home, eating apples and yogurt, and doing my math homework. “A boot camp! Like they do with soldiers?”
    â€œNot exactly,” Agent Fullerton answered. He had this fake, reassuring voice. “Like our company name says: we give kids a fresh start. This camp is especially designed to teach Lincoln here how to make better choices, how to control impulses, like opening up chicken cages.”
    I was pretty sure Mom was buying into it now, too, but she still shook her head. “No. Linc’s staying home.”
    â€œWhen he gets back, he’ll be able to attend Lompoc Middle School again, no expulsion,” Agent Fullerton said with his eyes on the principal. Principal Thornton gave a curt nod. You could tell Thornton wasn’t looking forward to having me back at any time, not even after some super-duper boot camp. “This sort of preemptive correction of behavior also looks good when it comes time to go to court.”
    â€œWhere is this camp, exactly?” Dad sat up.
    â€œGeorge.” Mom grabbed his arm. “We’re not sending our twelve-year-old son to boot camp. I