One Fat Summer by Robert Lipsyte Read Free Book Online Page B

cents, well, a deal is a deal.
    It was fifty cents or nothing, I’d say. Fifty cents is better than nothing.
    It you stood up to him like a man you’d get your seventy-five cents, she would say. If he really didn’t like your work he would have fired you. Obviously, he can’t get anybody else at even a dollar an hour.
    You just don’t understand, I’d say.
    I understand one thing, she’d say. If he thinks you’re just a rug, he’ll walk all over you. Next time it’ll be twenty-five cents an hour. Now, tomorrow, you tell him…
    That’s Joanie. Once in class I got caught with a note one of the hoods told me to pass to his girlfriend. The teacher snatched it away from me, tore it up and told me to stay after school. Joanie made me go up after class and explain what had happened. I didn’t have to stay after school, but thehood beat me up on the way home. Joanie said she was sorry I got beat up, but it was more important to show that no one could take advantage of me. I really showed them, didn’t I?
    Swinging, I got a little mad at her. She got me into this whole mess in the first place. If she had kept to our deal, I could be spending the summer working on a nice little project for school, no Dr. Kahn and no Willie Rumson.
    I went into the house and had a meat loaf sandwich with mayonnaise. And a glass of orange soda. I was still eating when my mother came home, carrying books.
    â€œBobby! We’re going to eat in a little while. You’ll spoil your dinner.”
    â€œNo, I won’t. You’ll see.”
    â€œHow was your day?”
    â€œJust fine.”
    â€œWhat did you do?”
    â€œOh, I worked on the project. With Joanie.”
    â€œOh?” She put her books down on the kitchen table and poured herself a glass of orange soda. She poured a little more soda into my glass and sat down. “Bobby?”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œSit down.” She looked very serious. “The one thing I won’t stand for is being lied to.”
    Dumb. I really stepped into that one. Of course she must know that Joanie and her parents went back to the city.
    Michelle burst into the kitchen. “What a day. Those little brats are…” She stopped when she saw us sitting together. “Is this a secret meeting or can I join in?”
    â€œYou might as well sit down, too. What did you do today, Bobby? The Millers are in the city.”
    â€œWell, I was going to surprise you. I’ve got a job.”
    â€œWhat kind of job?”
    Michelle’s Barnard sweatshirt gave me the idea. “I’m helping out Pete Marino.”
    Michelle’s eyes got wide, but she didn’t say anything.
    â€œDoing what?”
    â€œOh, just sort of helping around. Sweeping up. He’s not going to pay me right away, but after I learn how to make sandwiches and collect money for the boats, he’ll pay me top dollar. Now I’m just sort of in training.”
    â€œIs that going to last all summer?”
    â€œIf I want it. When Joanie comes back I’ll decide if I want to stay or work on the project with her. So I wasn’t really lying. I’ve been working on the project in my mind.”
    â€œI’m not sure your father will be satisfied with that.”
    â€œIt’s too late to get into camp anyway.”
    â€œI’m sure we can still get you in.”
    I jumped up. “I feel like cutting the grass.”
    â€œYou do?” My mother looked surprised.
    â€œSure. Duz does everything. I want to surprise Dad.”
    â€œYou sure will,” said Michelle.
    â€œWhy should he have to cut the grass after a tough week in the city?” While they were looking at each other I ran out and got the mower.
    A narrow escape. I probably should have told Mom the truth. She would have helped me convince Dad. But then she would have interfered, driven over to look at Dr. Kahn’s lawn, maybe even talked to Dr. Kahn. I