Yellow Flag by Robert Lipsyte Read Free Book Online

Kris the race. Jackman went into the weight room.
    Kyle spotted his Camaro in a repair bay, on a lift. The redhead was peering up at it. Her braid was tucked inside a cap. When she saw him, she said, “Don’t you ever listen to your car? You drive like Kris.”
    It was no compliment the way she spat it out. He felt off-balance and blurted, “What are you doing here?”
    â€œDrove your car back. Kris rode home with Jeff.”
    It took him a moment to remember Jackman’s name was Jeff Myers. He’d been calling himself Jackman for years, ever since he had talked Uncle Kale into letting him take over the top spot on the pit crew. “Well,thanks. You going to fix it or just take it apart?”
    â€œI can fix it.” She sounded insulted. “I’m a certified mechanic, and I’ve crewed in modified and late model. Drove ’em, too. What?”
    â€œI didn’t say anything.”
    â€œYou don’t believe me?” She waved a wrench in an oily hand. “You thought I was some groupie?”
    â€œNo offense—I didn’t think about you at all.” He liked the way that rocked her back, but she recovered, nodded, and turned again to the underside of the Camaro.
    â€œWhen’s it gonna be ready?”
    â€œWhen I fix what you broke.”
    He walked away. Three bays down, Dad was circling number 12. The car was scraped and dented. The back panels were smashed in where the green Ford had rear-ended it at the finish. “Took some shot there.”
    â€œYou know Slater?” said Kyle.
    â€œHe ran Busch and Craftsmen Truck, did okay, woulda gone up to the Cup series, but he couldn’t get along with anybody. He’s trying to restart his career.”
    â€œSome start. He should get set down for that.”
    Dad shrugged. “Hard to prove it was deliberate.” He took a breath. “You kind of leave yourself real vulnerable with the sling.”
    â€œWouldn’t’ve won otherwise.”
    â€œTrue. When you boys cook that up?”
    Never lie to Dad. “Just before the race.”
    He nodded. “Kris been practicing it?”
    â€œNot that I know.”
    â€œKale’s pretty wound up. If Kris misses any races, he’s gonna chew your ear.”
    â€œDid already.”
    â€œThat’s his way.” He put his hand on Kyle’s shoulder. “I know you thought you were doing the right thing.”
    That made Kyle feel worse. Kris better be okay. For me as well as for him.

TEN
    He thought he’d be glad to have Kris home even though he didn’t expect a return to the days before he had moved into a condo in town with Jackman last year. Back then Kris’d invite Kyle into his room for video games, TV football, a wrestling match. At the very least Kyle figured he’d have someone to talk to who wouldn’t be laying on a guilt trip for calling the sling or missing the Brooklyn Brass in Charlotte.
    But he hardly saw Kris even though he was next door in his old bedroom. Meanwhile, Mr. G and the other brass players didn’t give him a hard time. They weren’t angry or disappointed that he had missed Charlotte; they just felt sorry for him. The trip had energized them, brought them closer as an ensemble, and left himout. When they played, he felt he was missing signals. On breaks they reminisced about the trip, discussed techniques they’d picked up. They didn’t try to include him. Were they punishing him? Did they think he wanted to bail on them? He avoided Nicole, who didn’t seem to notice.
    His makeup lesson with Mr. Sievers was a little tense. He had barely practiced the new piece. Mr. Sievers already thought he was giving Mr. G and the quintet too much time.
    Kris was asleep when Kyle left for school and at the garage when he got back. The family didn’t eat together until Tuesday night. Kris looked tired. He picked at Mom’s lamb shanks, usually a holiday meal and one