He jumped down off his bike and bowed. “It was my honor and privilege, young lady.”

Zoe smiled. “I pray you get lots of business this afternoon to make up for our free ride.”

Elijah jumped back on his bike and turned the pedicab around. “Whether I do, or whether I do not, that is up to the Lord. He’s got me.”

Elijah waved, and we waved back. And just as he was pedaling away, Flames poked his beak out.

Zoe smiled at the bird, then frowned at me. “Seriously, Arcade, what are we going to do with a flamingo?”

I gave Zoe a tight grin. “Not sure. But we’ll think of something. Maybe Doug can hide him at his place.”

Chapter 7
Greenstone for Sale

“I love our street!” Zoe tilted her face to the sky and put her arms out, twirling around and around. I love it too. The trees on our street provide great shade in the hot afternoon.

“Okay, let’s go see Doug. Maybe Flames can hang out in his extra bathroom.”

Zoe and I approached the stairs to Doug’s house. “Here we are. My favorite greenstone!”

“It’s a brownstone, Arcade. How many times do we have to debate this?”

I pointed to the paint on the door. “As many times as we need to until you admit this is green.”

Zoe put a hand on her hip. “I know the color is green, but these houses are historically called brownstones.”

“HEY, GUYS!” Doug flung the door open and stepped out on the landing. He was munching Chili Cheese Fritos. He’s always munching on something, though with his new braces, he’s had to cut back on his favorite sticky foods, like gummy bears.

Squawk! Squawk!

Doug dropped the Frito bag. “Whatcha got in that backpack? A bird? Is it Milo?” Milo is my sister’s dumb cockatoo that mocks my every word.

“No way, bro! You think I’d take Milo for a walk?” I set the backpack down on the ground. “Is your grandma home?”

Doug glanced back toward the house. “Nah. She’s uh . . . getting some special medical care.”

SQUAWK!

I unzipped the backpack and pulled Flames out.

Doug jumped back. “WHAT IS THAT?”

I bobbled the bird a bit, but then got him comfortable in my arms. I glanced over at Doug’s bedroom window and noticed it had a new sign in it. I pointed to it with my free hand. “WHAT IS THAT?”

“WHAT IS THAT?”

Zoe palmed her forehead. “Here we go . . .”

Doug likes to repeat things people say. It’s funny . . . until it’s not.

Doug turned to look at the sign. “You answer my question first! WHAT IS THAT?” He pointed to Flames again.

I adjusted Flames some more.

Squawk!

“Dude, this is a flamingo. Can’t you tell?”

“Can’t I tell?”

“That’s what I said.”

Doug came in closer to pet Flames. “Aren’t flamingos supposed to be orange?”