Edsel Grizzler by James Roy Read Free Book Online Page B

impact on his … social life. That’s all right, isn’t it?’ he asked Ms Finn, who nodded.
    â€˜Whatever you think is best, Graham,’ she said.
    â€˜And what would you be doing in these sessions?’ Dad asked.
    â€˜Oh, just getting to know one another, Edsel and I,’ Graham replied, and he flickered a smile at Edsel. ‘We’ll talk about strategies for creating friendships, and empowering him to become a stronger individual in a team setting. How does that sound, Edsel?’
    â€˜Oh, that sounds great,’ Edsel said, relieved to have been included in the discussion at last. ‘Then you can get Kenny and the others in, and we can tell each other how much we all want to be friends, and I’ll have mates at school, and won’t need a nasty, disease-carrying pet!’
    Now Graham was practically grinning. ‘Yes! Exactly!’
    I was being sarcastic, you twit, Edsel thought.
    â€˜That sounds good,’ Dad was saying. ‘What do you think, Tilda?’
    â€˜Oh yes, wonderful, wonderful. Anything that helps our Edsel fit in better has to be good. We do worry about him sometimes, you see.’
    â€˜Yes well, we’ll do what we can,’ Graham promised.
    â€˜Excellent.’ Ms Finn rubbed her hands together. She looked relieved that the interview was almost over. ‘So, was there anything else you wanted to ask?’
    Not unless you know how to help someone disappear into thin air, Edsel thought bitterly.
    â€˜No, no, I think that’s all going to be terrific,’ Dad replied.
    Ms Finn stood up. ‘Good. Well, thanks for coming in. We’ll let you know how it’s going.’
    â€˜That’s right,’ Graham agreed. He rested his hand on Edsel’s shoulder. ‘And hey, you shouldn’t be afraid to share your feelings with your parents.’
    You really wouldn’t want me to share the feelings I’m having right now, thought Edsel, but he didn’t say it. He simply smiled and followed his parents out of the classroom. It had stopped raining, and the air was cool and fresh. A number of other families were standing under the cover of the awning, waiting for their appointments.
    â€˜Well, that was good,’ he heard his father saying, and his mother made some kind of sound of agreement. ‘Very encouraging indeed. It’s so heartening to know that they’re looking out for him.’
    â€˜Hey, look who it is,’ said Kenny, who was sitting outside on one of the lunch benches. He was alone. ‘How’d you go? Everything all right?’
    â€˜Fine thanks.’ Edsel put his head down and kept walking, hoping that his parents wouldn’t hear Kenny, wouldn’t notice him, wouldn’t turn around and say …
    â€˜Oh, hello there, Kenny!’
    â€˜Mum …’
    â€˜Look, Edsel, it’s Kenny, from over the road! Are you waiting to see the teacher and that nice Graham chap as well, Kenny?’ she asked.
    Kenny shook his head dumbly. ‘Who? Who’s Graham?’
    â€˜No one’s Graham,’ Edsel said quickly. ‘Graham’s no one. Mum, we should—’
    But his mother wasn’t listening. ‘The counsellor, Graham. He seems awfully nice.’
    â€˜The …’ Kenny laughed. ‘The counsellor? You’re seeing a counsellor? Why, what’s wrong?’
    â€˜Nothing’s wrong. Gee, thanks for that, Mum.’
    â€˜What?’
    â€˜What are you going to see a counsellor for?’ Kenny was asking. ‘You feeling sad? You feeling upset? You wetting your bed?’
    â€˜Be quiet,’ Edsel said. ‘Please.’
    â€˜Or … Oh, I know what it is!’ Kenny said, brightening suddenly. Then he stood up, and started swaying his hips. ‘You’re trying to get in touch with your feelings!’
    â€˜Just shut up, all right?’ Edsel snapped. ‘Just … just shut up!’
    â€˜Edsel!