Button Down by Anne Ylvisaker Read Free Book Online Page A

anyone who happened to be out, or if Ned could just see him sitting in his spot on his porch, whistling or napping. The day was dragging on forever.
    When the bell finally did ring, Ned sprang out of his seat and dashed into the hallway. Just as he got to the door, Franklin grabbed his arm.
    “Is Granddaddy coming?”
    “He can’t today,” said Ned. “You guys go ahead without me. I’ll be back.”
    Ned ran all the way home, eager to see Granddaddy, to tell him about the challenge, dreading seeing an empty porch chair or Gladdy waiting on the front step again. But Granddaddy had nodded off on his porch chair like always, his chin resting on his chest, one arm resting on his belly, the other slack by his side.
    Ned hesitated at the bottom of the steps. What if Granddaddy wasn’t napping this time? What if he had died right there in his chair? How would Ned know? He took a cautious step up, his eyes on Granddaddy’s chest. Was he breathing? So far, nothing. He took another step. Was his mustache rustling, maybe, with the breath coming out of his nose?
    Then Granddaddy snapped awake, flailing his arms and shouting, “Fire! Fire!”
    Ned fell backward off the step. “Granddaddy!” he said. “I thought you were dead!”
    Granddaddy guffawed. “Well, then. I must have startled you good. Everybody’s treating me like I’m a goner. Shoot. It’s just my ticker. It’s got a few beats in it yet; don’t you worry.”
    Ned brushed himself off and stood in front of Granddaddy, not sure what to do next. Could he talk to Granddaddy about football now that his heart wasn’t working right?
    “It’s just me, same as always,” said Granddaddy Ike. “Now, quit your foolish staring and get
Oz
. Skip ahead to the part about the piles of wolves. I do love to think about that Tin Man chopping up all those wolves. Tickles me every time.”
    Ned sidled past Granddaddy and got the book. He sat on the top step and read, and as he read he relaxed. Granddaddy probably wouldn’t die before supper.
    “Remember those plays we talked about, Granddaddy? I got together with the boys and we tried them.”
    “Well, that’s something, my boy. That is something. I knew you could do it. Showed Burton the old throwing arm, did you?”
    “I, well, not Burton, exactly, the other fellows, but . . .”
    “Oh, that’s fine. Fine! You’re playing. That’s the ticket. You’ve got strategy. You’ve got that apple-throwing arm. You’re on your way.”
    “The thing is, I kind of suggested that we challenge Burton and Clyde to a game.”
    “That so?” said Granddaddy. “Well, now.”
    “Don’t you think we can take ’em?” said Ned.
    “Sure you can, sure. But you might need a few more tricks up your sleeve if you’re going to go challenging the oxes.”
    “Right!” said Ned. “That’s what I wanted to ask you. I need to know some more plays.”
    “We’d best go back out to our apple field, then,” said Granddaddy. “Help me out, will you?”
    “I have to go practice with them now. But could I bring the other fellows over here tomorrow? We thought you could help us, sort of coach us.”
    “Even better,” said Granddaddy.

“Where are you going?” asked Gladdy. “Wait up!” She broke away from her friends when she saw Ned walking home with a parade of boys. Tugs and Aggie ran over, too.
    “It looks like fun,” Tugs said. “What’s going on? What did I miss?”
    “Will there be food?” said Gladdy.
    “Is there going to be a fight?” asked Aggie.
    “No,” said Ned. “We’re going to Granddaddy’s to get his help on some football stuff.”
    “Great! We’ll come, too, won’t we, Aggie?” said Tugs.
    “Sure we will.”
    “Does Mother know?” Gladdy pestered. “You aren’t supposed to wear Granddaddy out. Seems like a whole passel of boys is going to wear Granddaddy out. You’d better check with Mother.”
    “It’s FINE, Gladdy,” said Ned.
    Tugs walked with Ned. “Can Aggie and I play, too?” she