Spud by Patricia Orvis Read Free Book Online

be fun. The road games. The girls from school
who come to cheer us on. The bus rides. What’s not to like? We’ll be like jocks!”
I tease. Country boy Spud is not a jock.
    “Haha. A jock. Who would have thought? Does that mean I’ll have to wear a jock strap?
Isn’t that what all you big, tough, sports guys brag about?” he teases, and I smirk
at him. “Well, whatever wins the ladies, right? I think I’ve got a few homers in
the old arm here,” he’s sitting up and takes a pretend swing. “Not too crazy ‘bout
them gay looking uniforms, though.”
    “What?” I ask, shocked. “The uniforms aren’t bad. School colors, green and yellow.
I think. Might be green and white, though. At least they ain’t purple or something.
Of course, you’d probably be thrilled to wear some pink polka-dotted tutu or what
not, show yer feminine side,” I can dish it out to him, too. He gives me a whatever look, rolling his eyes.
    “But, really,” I continue, “at least it’s pants and jersey shirts, no shorts, and
we don’t have to wear those skimpy things the wrestlers wear. Can’t even think about
girls when you’re wearing one of those!” We both chuckle.
    “And we get our names on the backs of the shirts,” Spud’s getting a bit more enthused.
“Think they’ll make me get ‘Cooper’, like you? Or will they let me have ‘The Cool
Cooper’ and you ‘The Nerdy Cooper’?”
    “Very funny. If you’re lucky, they’ll let you have ‘The Ugly Cooper’!”
    We both laugh. Who knows what the names will be. Right now, it’s just fun.
    Settling back into our chairs, Spud passes me the bag of Doritos he’s been munching
from, and I trade him the bag of Oreos I’ve been snacking. This is how we operate.
    Singing out from the television in front of us is that catchy theme song from Happy
Days, and we switch gears to sing along.
    “Rock around the clock tonight…” Spud croons, and we both glance at the clock behind
me on the wall. Three o’clock. We’ve been pretty lazy all day, and it’s only the
middle of the afternoon. Zoë actually made us some grilled cheese sandwiches for
lunch, as she likes to cook, and is good at it, since Mom works so much, so it’s
been all right. But a little bit of a boring afternoon. I was actually surprised
Zoë made us lunch, though, since Ma’s home, but I guess she was letting Ma get some
things done and have some solo time. Plus, Zoë likes to make appearances when Spud’s
over, even if sometimes she gets huffy and aggravated. Typical teen girl, I guess.
    You would think, as you’ve noticed our grammar slip ups and our use of slang, that
maybe we’d pick up a book and read. Take a trip to the air conditioned library, check
out some stuff to keep our brains sharp and get ready for next year. I already know
I’ll be reading To Kill a Mockingbird for English class, so maybe I should get a
first-read in. But no. Spud and I would rather watch TV or goof with music or follow
the Sox. But Zoë, she is reading a new book every other day. That girl. No wonder
she’s so smart. And starting high school this fall, she’s already read the required To Kill a Mockingbird . She tested out of English 1 and jumps right into the same
class I’ll be taking, English 2. Lucky me. Maybe she’ll help a non-reading brother
out? Doubt it.
    Dad finally arrives from who knows where. Great timing, though, because we really
should move a bit and quit loafing in front of the screen. We’ve just been trying
to pass the time, while waiting for Dad to say we’re heading to Ned’s gathering.
Ma has cleaned all day, done the laundry, mopped the kitchen floor, washed windows,
as it was her day off from the gas station, and Pops is a trucker, so he’s off for
a few days, and finally the moment comes.
    “Ned decided to keep the cookout at his place. Just too hot for the park. Be ready
in five, you all,” Dad says and goes out to the kitchen to ask Ma what they should
stop and pick up, while Spud