The Underground Railroad by Jeffery L Schatzer

to call Tamika,” the professor answered. “I should even pay her a visit sometime this week.”
    â€œMaybe if you invited her mother to come along next time, she won’t be so scared,” I suggested.
    â€œThat’s a great idea,” Mr. Spinner added. “Can I come along next week, too? This is really interesting stuff.”
    â€œSure! Sure!” said the professor with a wink and a smile. “The more, the merrier.”

A Visit from the Professor
Tamika’s House—The Next Day
    P rofessor Tuesday called Tamika the next day. Tamika was at her piano lesson, so the professor talked with her mother.
    â€œGood afternoon, Mrs. Jones. I was hoping to talk to Tamika,” the professor said. “Her friend, Jesse, told me that studying about slavery and the Underground Railroad has been a little scary for her. I also heard that she has been having bad dreams.”
    â€œOh, my,” Tamika’s mother replied, “I didn’t know that. She was very excited about her study of George DeBaptiste, but she has been acting strangely lately. She wasn’t feeling well for a couple of days. I wonder if her stomach ache had anything to do with her bad dreams?”
    â€œI don’t really know,” answered the professor. “But I’d like a chance to talk with her.”
    â€œOf course, professor,” said Tamika’s mother. “You are welcome to visit any time.”
    Professor Tuesday swallowed hard. “I don’t usually like to go out on Thursdays. As you may know, my favorite day of the week is Tuesday. But I think it’s important that we meet. I don’t want her to be scared, but I think learning about this part of history is important for her.”
    â€œI totally agree,” said Tamika’s mother. “If you can, why don’t you stop by tomorrow evening? How does 7:00 PM sound?”
    â€œI’ll be there,” answered the professor. Then he wrote down Tamika’s address.
    The very next day, Professor Tuesday was fumbling around in his office. “Where did I put that?” he muttered to himself as he looked through his desk and file cabinets. As the day wore on, the piles of papers, books, and junk got higher and higher. The professor searched all day long. Just before he gave up, he found the box he wanted.
    â€œAha! Aha!” the professor shouted, “there you are!”
    Professor Tuesday opened the box, inspected the item inside, and looked at his watch. “My goodness,” he said, “where has this day gone?” He grabbed the box, locked his office door, and headed for Tamika’s house.
    At 7:00 PM sharp, the professor pulled up in his Tuesdaymobile in front of Tamika’s house. Nearly everyone in town knows Professor Tuesday by his crazy car. It’s bright blue with red stripes and yellow stars. The Tuesdaymobile has a long, whip-like antenna with an orange ball on the end. The orange ball helps him find his car when he goes to the mall. It also has a yellow thing on top that lights up and spins when the professor pushes a special button on his instrument panel.
    All of Tamika’s neighbors stared at the Tuesdaymobile as it pulled up in front of her house. Professor Tuesday climbed out and walked up to the house. He knocked on the door and Tamika opened it.
    â€œHello, Tamika,” the professor said. “I heard you were sick last week?”
    â€œYeah, I had a bad stomach ache,” she said quietly.
    â€œI hope you are feeling much better now. Is your mother home?”
    â€œMOM!” Tamika yelled over her shoulder. “Professor Tuesday is here.”
    Tamika flopped down on the couch in the living room. In a few moments, her mother and father walked into the room.
    â€œForgive us,” Tamika’s mom said, “we were just cleaning up after dinner.” Mr. and Mrs. Jones shook hands with Professor Tuesday.
    â€œIt’s nice to meet you,”