Big Bad Beans Read Free

double-crossed me,” he blurted.
    Abby’s eyes nearly popped out. “You’re kidding . . . how?”
    â€œHe sold the bike out from under my nose,” Jason said.
    He felt horrible as soon as he said it.
    Worse than ever!

FIVE
    Jason wished Abby would stop staring at him. He could see she wasn’t leaving. Not until he explained.
    â€œEric sold his bike to someone else,” he repeated. “That’s all there is to it.”
    Abby sighed. “This is double dabble rotten.”
    â€œIt’s not your fault,” he said.
    Abby sat beside him on the step. “I can’t believe this.”
    â€œHe’s a double-crosser, that’s what,” Jason said.
    Abby nodded her head. “No kidding.”
    Dunkum came up the street just then. He was dribbling his basketball. “Wanna play?” he asked Jason.
    â€œNot today,” Jason replied.
    Dunkum stopped bouncing the ball. He looked first at Jason, then at Abby. “Who died?” he asked.
    Abby’s face drooped. “Nobody,” she said.
    â€œCould’ve fooled me,” Dunkum said. He twirled the basketball on his finger. “Come on, Jason, let’s shoot some hoops.”
    â€œDon’t feel like it,” Jason replied. Dunkum raised his eyebrows. “Why not?”
    Abby stood up. “I better get going,” she said.
    â€œSee ya,” Jason called.
    Dunkum and Jason headed for the far end of the street. It was the dead end of the cul-de-sac. A grassy place with a large oak tree, near Mr. Tressler’s house.
    Dunkum leaned against the old tree.He tossed his basketball to the ground. “What’s going on?” he asked.
    â€œDon’t ask,” Jason said.
    Dunkum frowned and let the subject drop. He pulled a black book from his back pocket. “Check this out,” he said.
    Jason sat on the ground, eyeing the tiny book. “What is it?”
    â€œIt’s a New Testament. I got it the first time I went to Abby’s church.” He paused for a second. “I’ve learned lots of verses from it.”
    â€œWhat’s so great about that?” Jason asked.
    Dunkum grinned. “If I say all the verses by next Sunday, I’ll win another ribbon. Then I’ll have twenty-five. Maybe I’ll even win the grand prize!”
    Jason didn’t give a hoot about church prizes. He was thinking about the bike that got away.
    â€œHere,” Dunkum said. He handed the pocket Bible to Jason. “Follow along and see if I’ve got my verses right. OK?”

    â€œWhatever,” Jason complained. “If you have to.”
    So Dunkum began.
    Halfway through the first verse, Jason stopped him. “Wrong. You’re mixed up,” he said.
    Dunkum started over. But he missed more words.
    â€œYou were real close.” Jason closed the book. “I oughta go home now. Mom’s leafy lunch is calling.”
    Dunkum nodded. “Thanks. Can you help me again?” he asked.
    â€œMaybe,” Jason said, getting up. He wiped his hands on his jeans.
    They hurried down Blossom Hill Lane. Jason pushed his hand deep into his pants pocket. Yes! Abby’s money was safe there.
    â€œWanna come to church next Sunday?” asked Dunkum. “It’s Mother’s Day. Bring your mom and get a rose.”
    Jason scratched his head. “She’d like that.”
    They walked past Eric’s house. Jason looked the other way on purpose.
    â€œSee ya later,” Dunkum said. He darted across the street. The basketball danced under one leg. “Come over Wednesday after school,” he called. “I’ll have my verses ready by then.”
    â€œI guess so,” said Jason. He didn’t see what was so special about saying Bible verses from memory. Except maybe for the grand prize. Whatever that was.
    After lunch, he went to his room and opened his junk drawer. Abby’s cash fit into his cardboard money box. He