The Wild Kid by Harry Mazer Read Free Book Online Page A

them in his knapsack. “You want to know what it is?”
    Sammy didn’t reply.
    Kevin put on the knapsack. “Come on.”
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œYou’ll see.”
    It was a hot day. They climbed the rock rubble above the shelter and Sammy was soon sweating. He was glad when they reached the dead trees and they were back in the woods again. He followed Kevin closely, swatting at the flies biting his neck. They crossed a trail and came out of the woods at the edge of a small pond.
    â€œSo what do you think?” Kevin said. “Is that a good surprise or not?”
    â€œGood! This is good, Kevin.” He loved water. He swam in the Special Olympics every year, and every year he came home with ribbons. He squatted down and put his hand in the water.
    â€œMaybe we can catch some frogs,” Kevin said. “You want to eat a froggie?”
    Sammy shook his head. “No way, man!”
    â€œYou didn’t want to eat rabbits, either. But you did, and it was good, huh?”
    â€œNo frogs,” Sammy said. “Let’s go swimming.”
    â€œYou go,” Kevin said, throwing the clothes he’d brought into the water.
    Sammy shed his clothes and plunged in. The water grabbed him and soothed him. It made him happy all over.
    As he swam across the pond, birds flew up out of the reeds. “Hello, birds. It’s me, Sammy,” he told them. “Don’t be afraid.”
    He swam all around the pond, then back to Kevin. He was sitting on a rock with his clothes spread out to dry.
    â€œCome on in,” Sammy said. “Don’t you want to swim?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWhy not? Everyone likes to swim.”
    â€œNot me.”
    â€œIt’s not even cold anymore.”
    Kevin put a toe in the water. “Okay, I’m in. How’s that?”
    â€œAll of you,” Sammy said.
    Kevin let himself into the water and dog-paddled around, staying close to the edge.
    â€œYou don’t swim that good,” Sammy said. “Put your face in the water. That’s the dead man’s float. Only you’re not dead. And you kick your feet.” He demonstrated, making a big splash.
    Hanging on to a log, Kevin made a bigger splash.
    â€œWant to swim to the other side with me?” Sammy said.
    â€œIs it deep?”
    Sammy let himself sink down. His toes touched mucky mud. He popped up. “Just a little deep.”
    â€œNo, thanks, I’m staying right here. And if you get in trouble, I’m not going to save you.”
    Sammy swam around him. “Don’t be afraid, Kevin.”
    â€œHey, who’s afraid?” Kevin let go of the log and took a couple of strokes.
    â€œThat’s the way,” Sammy said.
    Then something happened. Kevin swallowed water and choked and started thrashing around. “I’m drowning!”
    â€œGet on your back,” Sammy said. “Turn over, Kevin! I’ll help you.” But when he got near, Kevin caught him and wouldn’t let go, and they both went under.
    Sammy kicked loose and popped up to the surface.
    Kevin came up. He went down and he came up. His eyes looked crazy, and he went under again.
    When he came up, Sammy was behind him. “Don’t grab me,” he shouted. He got hold of Kevin’s hair. “Let me…don’t grab.” He pulled Kevin into shallow water.
    Kevin staggered to the rock. He was coughing, spitting up water. He sat in the sun, shivering.
    â€œI saved you,” Sammy said.
    Kevin pulled a towel around himself.
    â€œYou were learning to swim,” Sammy said.
    â€œMan, I was learning to drown.” Afterward he sat on the rock, picking at scabs on his legs while Sammy swam back and forth across the pond.

20

    â€œWe’re going on a special trip,” Kevin said.
    â€œWhere? What is it? Tell me what it is, Kevin.”
    â€œYou’ll see. You’ll like it.”
    â€œBecause we’re friends?” Sammy