One True Friend by James Cross Giblin Read Free Book Online Page A

Listening to her read was like
watching television almost. She made the story so alive that I stopped noticing that her cornrows needed redoing.
    Then Charlene said she had to go to the playground because she didn't want her sisters coming to the library looking for her. "All they think about is double dutch and being in first place in that double-dutch tournament in the fall." I thought to myself how terrible it must be to have bossy, loony sisters bugging you all the time. It makes me appreciate Gerald. At least in his world I'm the boss.
    Anyway, me and Charlene have a lot in common. She might even become a soul friend, like you. We're going to meet in the library again tomorrow. Also, she's coming around the block to visit me later on—I'm not allowed to have company when my parents aren't home So we'll just sit on the stoop in front of my building. I know the rumor factory will be working overtime—Doris is hanging out with those drugged-up sisters, Doris is getting wild, Doris is doing ... You know the rest. They better not say it, otherwise I will be going upside some heads—starting with Lavinia and the twins.
    Only one month more of summer vacation, and then a whole new world of middle school. I can't wait. It'll be so nice to get away from all of my immature ex-friends.
    Well, I guess that's all for now. Gerald just woke
up, and Charlene just rang the downstairs bell. Bye for now.
    Love,
    Doris
    Your one true friend

    Amir folded Doris's letter and put it in his pocket. Though he was sitting on the bench in the backyard, he hadn't heard the car coming up the driveway.
    Ronald's voice startled him. "Mama and Papa bought you a paint set and two sketchpads."
    Alvin Smith slammed the car door and frowned. "Boy, you like a broken refrigerator. Can't hold nothing."
    Mrs. Smith shook her head. "Ronald, we wanted to surprise Amir."
    "He is surprised. Ain't you surprised, Amir?" He smiled earnestly at his brother.
    Amir stood up, looking more confused than surprised. "Thank you," he stammered. "I ... uh ... I ... I really appreciate this."
    Mr. Smith handed Amir a large package. "Now you can finish that drawing of me and Mama here, son."
    Amir nodded but didn't flinch.
    "Alvin, don't worry the boy, telling him what to paint."
    "He's going to paint me, right, Amir?" Ronald looked up at him.
    "Ronald, you, too. Stop worrying your brother. He'll paint what he wants when he wants," Mrs. Smith said.
    "Thank you," Amir repeated, and his eyes opened wide when he pulled up the lid of the large aluminum case. Inside were colored pencils and markers—shades of red, purple, tan, brown—cakes of watercolors, oil pastels, drawing pencils, paintbrushes, a mixing tray, and a pencil sharpener and eraser. He was speechless.
    Ronald tugged at Amir's shirtsleeve. "Come on, Amir, paint a picture of me."
    "Boy, you think the sun rises and sets on you," Mr. Smith said. "Amir is going to finish the picture of me and your mother." He fingered his mustache."Going to put some color on our faces. Because we are people of color, you know."
    Mrs. Smith giggled. "Hush your foolishness.
Now
where is the sun rising and setting? You and Ronald are like two peas in a pod. Leave Amir alone."
    Alvin studied Amir for a moment. "Do you really like the paint set?"
    "Yes, sir. I do."
    Ronald tugged at Amir's sleeve again, "So you going to paint a picture of me now?"
    "Okay, okay, I'll paint a picture of you."
    Mr. Smith folded his thick arms. "I think me and your mama spoiled you, Ronald."
    Grace rubbed Ronald's head. "He's a sweet kid. Not spoiled, just pampered and treasured, the way all children should be."
    "That's right, Mama. I'm not spoiled. Come on, Amir, paint my picture." He pulled Amir toward the bench as the Smiths went into the house.
    Ronald and Amir sat facing each other, and Amir began sketching out Ronald's round face. He was surprised that Ronald sat so still. He didn't begin to fidget until Amir was almost finished. As his