Bingo Brown's Guide to Romance by Betsy Byars Read Free Book Online Page A

against the sill.
    â€œWhat?”
    His mother was sitting on the edge of the bed. Beyond her lay his father with his eyes closed, his freckled hands folded at his waist. He was still trying to absorb his disappointment.
    â€œI just wrote something in Jamie’s baby book,” his mother said with what sounded like false cheer. “Want to hear it?”
    â€œI guess.”
    â€œThis is under ‘Firsts’—you know, like first step, first tooth—which, incidentally, I’m still waiting for, Gummy.”
    This was directed to Jamie. She lifted him in the air, and he drooled with delight.
    â€œYou need teeth, because teeth dam up the drool, yes, they do!”
    Bingo continued to wait in the doorway until she turned back to him.
    â€œAnyway, this is a first—of sorts. Here’s what I wrote, Bingo. ‘First time going wrong way on a one-way street. Occasion: Chasing brother’s girlfriend …’ ”
    â€œOh, Mom.”
    â€œWait, Bingo, there’s more. It gets funnier.”
    But Bingo had had all the humor he could stand. He started for his room.
    â€œOh, by the by,” his mother called after him. “Did you see Melissa?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhat did she have to say?”
    â€œNot much.”
    â€œWhen you grow up, Gummy,” she said, dismissing Bingo, “I hope you’re going to have a better sense of humor than your big brother!”
    Bingo went into his room and lay down on his bed. He closed his eyes.
    He was asleep in seconds, and he was in luck. His favorite dream began at once.
    In the dream Bingo was on a stage. It was obviously him onstage, and yet it was a more mature, handsome version of himself. It was Bingo Brown at, oh, age twenty, and Bingo was very pleased at the way his form and features had shaped up.
    He needed a dream like this.
    He was a famous singer, and his backup group was the Brownettes. Bingo Brown and the Brownettes. The dream was so pleasant and full of promise that Bingo came partially awake, but he forced himself to go back to sleep.
    The audience was calling for him. “Bin-go! Bin-go! Bin-go!-Bin-go!”
    It made him love his name and everything else about himself.
    Then, without warning, the dream fast-forwarded and became a nightmare. He was onstage, but the Brownettes had turned against him.
Me-lissa’s back and Bingo doesn’t have her.
    Nyah nyah, nyah nyah, nyah-nyah-nyah, nyah.
    Bingo groaned in his sleep. A hand gripped his shoulder. Now his mother was in the dream, saying, “Can I ask a big favor?”
    â€œGet off the stage, Mom, before the audience sees you. It’s—”
    â€œBingo!”
    â€œWhat? What?”
    He struggled back to consciousness.
    â€œBingo, your dad and I want to get out of the house. Will you watch Jamie, please?”
    â€œHow long have I been asleep?”
    â€œI don’t know—two or three minutes. Will you watch Jamie?”
    â€œMom, I’ve got to read The Red Badge of Courage for English. I haven’t even gotten to the war yet.”
    She made a worried face and turned her eyes back toward the bedroom where his father still lay. “Your dad is really depressed,” she whispered. “I’ve got to get him out of the house. So will you watch Jamie?”
    She lowered her voice again; Bingo could barely hear her himself now.
    â€œPlease, Bingo, I’m worried about your father.” She sank down on the edge of Bingo’s bed. “You know what the rejection letter said?”
    Bingo shook his head. “No.”
    â€œIt was just one sentence, Bingo. One sentence! ‘We have read your manuscript and regret that it does not meet the needs of our list.’ What does that mean, Bingo—‘meet the needs of our list’?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œAll those hours and hours of work and it doesn’t meet the needs of their list.”
    Her shoulders sagged.
    Bingo