A Boy.
Page 22-23
5. Story
Chapter 5
Page 22
At dinner
Bradley’s father asked
how the meeting with
Bradley’s teacher went.
Bradley looked down
at his mashed potatoes.
“Fine,” said his mother.
“Bradley is doing very well.”
“Good. Glad to hear it,”
said his father.
Bradley was glad to hear it too.
Later that evening
his mother came into his room.
“I met Miss Davis,
the new counselor,” she said.
“You’re going to begin
seeing her tomorrow.”
“No,” said Bradley.
“I won’t go!”
“Please, Bradley.
Don’t be that way.
She can help you,
if you’ll let her.”
“I don’t need any help.
You said I was doing very well.”
“Did you want me
to tell your father the truth?
Do you want to be sent
to military school?
Maybe he’s right.
I don’t know.
Maybe that’s what you need.”
“You said I was doing very well.
I heard you.”
“Please, Bradley,”
said his mother.
“Give Miss Davis
a chance. Please.”
“You should have taken me
to the zoo.”
It was drizzling
the next morning
as Bradley walked to school.
He wore red rubber boots
and a yellow raincoat.
Page 23
He stamped in every puddle
along the way,
making big splashes.
He suddenly stopped
when he saw Jeff
standing next to the school,
under the overhang.
Bradley’s right foot
remained in the center
of a puddle as he stared
at his one and only friend.
He took a deep breath,
then slowly walked toward Jeff.
“He has to like me,”
he tried to convince himself.
“I gave him a dollar.”
“Hi, Bradley,”
Jeff greeted him.
He didn’t answer.
“If you want,
I can help you
with your homework sometimes,”
Jeff offered.
“I know I’m new here,
but I’m pretty smart,
and we learned
the same stuff
at my old school.”
He shrugged modestly.
Bradley looked at Jeff
as if he were from outer space.
“I don’t need any help,”
he said.
“I’m the smartest kid in class.
Ask anyone.”
They headed for
Mrs. Ebbel’s room,
side by side but not
necessarily together.