Bobby the Brave (Sometimes) by Lisa Yee Read Free Book Online

he would go into the backyard where Rover was buried and leave little presents, like a shiny penny or an interesting rock. He missed talking to him. Rover had been an excellent listener.
    â€œHey, you guys,” Bobby said as Beatrice circled the castle. “Do you have a couple of minutes to chat?” When they didn’t say no, Bobby took that as a sign that he should continue. “My PE teacher thinks that just because I’m The Freezer’s son, I’m good at football. I’ve got until Monday to figure out what to do.”
    Koloff and Beatrice were silent for the longest time.
    â€œI know,” Bobby agreed. “This is a tough one. I’m eating seven meals a day, and I’m doing a hundred sit-ups and push-ups every morning. Well, starting tomorrow I’m going to do that. I figure, if I’m bigger and stronger, I’ll be better at football and won’t embarrass myself in front of Mr. Rainerhaus and my class.”
    Koloff did a spin around the aquarium.
    â€œWhat was that?” Bobby asked. He sensed that Koloff was trying to tell him something. But he couldn’t figure out what the fish wanted him to know. “What is it, Koloff? Is it about football?”
    Koloff swam around the tank again.
    â€œSomething about not embarrassing myself?”
    When Koloff rested inside the castle, Bobby gave up trying to guess what his fish was trying to tell him. Koloff wasn’t like Rover, who was easy to understand. “Well, okay then, thanks for listening. We can talk more later. In the meantime, look what I have for you!” Bobby brought out one of the hoops that Rover used to play with. Carefully, he placed it in the water.
    â€œHey, squirt!” It was Annie. Her football jersey was covered in dirt. She looked into the aquarium. Koloff stared back at her. “What’s up?”
    â€œNot much.”
    â€œWell, guess what?” Annie said. Even though she was wearing her helmet, Bobby could see her smile. “Coach says I’m one of the best quarterbacks Rancho Rosetta High School has ever had. Can you believe that?”
    â€œI can believe that,” Bobby said. His voice was flat.
    â€œYou don’t sound too happy,” Annie said. “What’s with you?”
    â€œWhat’s with you ?” Bobby shot back. “Why do you have to be so good at football?”
    â€œWhoa, what’s your problem?”
    Bobby stared at Diver Dave. “I don’t have a problem,” he said as his jaw tensed. “Everything’s fine. Now leave me alone.”
    â€œGeez,” Annie muttered as she backed out of the room. “And you say that I’m moody!”
    Bobby waited until he was sure she was gone to start talking to his fish again. “It’s not fair,” he told them. “I’ll never be like Annie, no matter how hard I try.”

A ll weekend the familiar sound of the sewing machine whirring away filled the air. To Bobby, it seemed like his dad had been working on the Sandy costume forever. Yet whenever he’d ask about it, Mr. Ellis-Chan would say, “Soon enough, son. You’ll have to wait until it’s done to get the full effect!”
    While Annie was out buying Halloween decorations with Mrs. Ellis-Chan, Casey stayed home to watch Princess Becky’s Planet . Princess Becky sang to the Halloween pumpkins to make them grow big and strong. That’s what I need , Bobby thought. If I could get Princess Becky to sing to me, maybe I’d get big and strong.
    As he watched the rest of the show, Bobby wondered if his mom would let him quit school. He didn’t want to face Mr. Rainerhaus on Monday. Perhaps he could get a job. Bobby tried to think of what he was qualified to do. Ice-cream tester. Donut taster. Rock collector.
    The sewing machine noise ceased and Mr. Ellis-Chan appeared in the doorway holding a football. “Bobby, how about tossing the ball with me for a