Kickoff! by Tiki Barber Read Free Book Online Page B

thing was, could he and Ronde go out on the field tomorrow and really do it?

CHAPTER FIVE
MOM RULES
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    â€œYES, YOU DO HAVE TO COME!” MRS. BARBER SAID. She stood in the open doorway, one hand on the doorknob, the other holding her purse—the fancy one she took with her when it was a special occasion.
    â€œAw, Ma!” Ronde stomped the carpet with his foot, but it didn’t impress her. Tantrums never did.
    Ronde pulled at the starched collar that was itching his neck. It was hot to be wearing long-sleeved white shirts and ties, but their mom had insisted. They were coming with her to this stupid district council meeting whether they liked it or not, because she said it was important.
    â€œIf you don’t understand why,” she told them, “you will afterward.” That was all she would say about it.
    Mrs. Pendergast was waiting for them, outside, in her rusty, crusty old car. “Hi!” she greeted them. “Hop in!’
    Mrs. Pendergast sure seemed cheerful. Sure, thought Ronde. Why shouldn’t she be happy? She’s got my mom on her side.
    Ronde and Tiki were not cheerful—not at all. Paco and Jason were sitting on the curb and saw them go. Itwas embarrassing to be seen by all the guys going out all dressed up with your mom and Mrs. Pendergast—the weirdest lady in town! Why couldn’t Mom have driven?
    They pulled into the parking lot at the local library and went inside. Tiki and Ronde tried to stay a few feet in back of their mother and Mrs. Pendergast.
    There were nine people sitting behind a big long desk. They had microphones and their names on plaques in front of them. Ronde knew that these were the men and women of the council—the ones his mom wanted to talk to.
    There weren’t very many other people in the room when a man their mom said was the clerk banged his gavel down and started the meeting. A few more came in while the council dealt with other things. Then it was time to discuss the planned new factory.
    â€œWe will now have our public comment period. Would anyone like to speak?”
    Mrs. Pendergast went first. Ronde didn’t listen too closely to what she said, but he could see she was very angry about the factory. She was almost yelling at the council, and Ronde could tell they didn’t like that. They were all frowning at her.
    Two other people also spoke—more softly, thank goodness. Then Mrs. Barber stood up, and went to the public microphone in the center of the room.
    â€œMy name is Geraldine Barber,” she said. “I live on Mews Hill Drive, only six blocks away from the site. AndI think it is a shame that there aren’t more people here—more people who are worried about this factory, and afraid of what will happen if it’s built. I have two boys myself,” she said, and put her hand out toward Tiki and Ronde.
    Everyone in the room looked at them. A few people in the audience even applauded. Ronde looked down at the floor, and out of the corner of his eye, he could see Tiki doing the same thing.
    â€œI want to hear more about this factory before you go and let them build it,” she said. “I think it’s a shame more people didn’t know about this meeting—but you didn’t let them know ahead of time!”
    All at once, everyone in the audience got up and applauded. Ronde couldn’t believe it! The clerk banged his gavel, but nobody stopped clapping.
    The clerk finally hammered the room into silence. Then the council president spoke. “Very well,” she said. “I move that we allow another public comment session before deciding on the application to build the factory. All in favor, say ‘aye.’”
    Five council members said ‘aye.’ Four said ‘nay.’ The people in the audience stood up and cheered again, applauding Mrs. Barber.
    On the way out, Tiki and Ronde each held one of her hands. Everyone congratulated them—the boys, too,