Yellow Flag by Robert Lipsyte Read Free Book Online Page B

truly amazing. I just got an e from Terence himself.” He paused to let everyone nod at that. “A major grant came through—Brooklyn Brass will be the ensemble in residence at the arts center. They will tour middle schools. There will be a slot for a high school group. They want us.” He suppressed a squeal. “It’s proforma, but state rules require an audition, so, people, we need to prepare a classical piece, a marching piece, and a jazz piece. We have four weeks. Can we do it?”
    It took Kyle a moment to realize that Mr. G was staring at him. He nodded. Everyone else was squawking notes.
    â€œAlso, we are going to need a name. Next Monday I want every one of us, myself included, to come in with three names. I hear yes?”
    He was still staring at Kyle. This time he blew off a squawk too. He felt bogus.
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    After practice Nicole caught up with him in the parking lot. Her hair was pulled back from her face. She is pretty, he thought. “Don’t you talk to me anymore?”
    â€œAbout what?” said Kyle.
    â€œDon’t you want to be part of this Brooklyn thing?”
    â€œWas I voted out or something?”
    â€œAre you paranoid?”
    â€œWhat’s your point?”
    She snorted. “Don’t blow it. You’re better than Todd. Mr. G thinks so too, but he’s going to have to pick a first trumpet, at least for the jazz piece. You gotta show some enthusiasm.”
    He wondered if Mr. G had really said he was better than Todd. He wasn’t sure he was. “I’m here. I couldn’thelp last Saturday.”
    â€œHow about next Saturday? We could work on names.”
    â€œGotta go to the race.”
    â€œHow long’s this gonna go on?”
    There was too much to explain. “Till it’s over.”
    â€œThat’s all you got to say?” She waited a beat for an answer, then pivoted on one black boot and marched away. He thought of Uncle Kale leaving after ordering him to show up next weekend. Nobody wants to hear from me.
    What is it I want to say?
    He drove to the garage. The Camaro purred all the way. It had never sounded so happy. Jimmie had replaced the shocks and springs, too.
    Kris was in the main office, standing on a box while two men in tight, shiny white T-shirts circled him, murmuring to each other through the pins in their mouths. Kris was wearing the new Family Brands uniform, shifting from foot to foot.
    â€œWhat do you think, Kyle?” It was Winik, the pudgy suit who had asked him questions in the plane.
    â€œLooks good.” It was ugly. The Family Brands red-and-green logo clashed with the Hildebrand deep blue.
    Kris rolled his eyes at Kyle. They were bloodshot. “How much longer? I got to sit in the car, see if that fits, too.”
    One of the tailors said, “We do need to get this right.”
    â€œMy brother’s the same size, how about you use him as a model?”
    The tailors looked Kyle over, then shrugged at each other. One of them said, “Be careful getting out of the suit—the pins.”
    The suit fit fine. Felt good, snug in the right places, just enough room in the seat. He could always wear Kris’s clothes, because he’d always been bigger for his age than Kris had been. Dad came by while Kyle was standing on the box and thanked him. “We needed Kris in the car.” Dad was smiling. “No more one size fits all.”
    The Family Brands money meant that the car would be tailored not only to Kris’s size but his driving style: heavier brakes for his tendency to ride them coming into the turns, more plating on the right side because he rubbed the wall a lot. Kyle wondered if the car would fit him, too, like the uniform. Why am I thinking this?
    â€œLooks good,” said one of the tailors. “You twins?”
    â€œKris is almost two years older.”
    â€œYou stand quieter.”
    When they were finished, Kyle wandered into the shop. Kris