One Day and One Amazing Morning on Orange Street Read Free Page B

or a parade will be coming by today. That would be fun!” said Ali. “Why do we have to worry about something bad that hasn’t even happened?” Especially when something bad already has, thought Ali, looking at silent Edgar on Manny’s knee.
    â€œI guess,” said Leandra. “Hey, let’s not even wait for Bunny. I have an idea I want to share, too!”
    â€œYou share yours, then I’ll share mine.” Ali felt that her own idea was so amazing it needed to go last.
    But just then, as if out of nowhere, Robert appeared in the lot, from the direction of the bougainvillea vine. He was carrying a giant shoebox (nike, blk+rd, 14w), which had once contained his father’s sneakers.
    â€œHey, Rob-o!” said Manny. “How’re you doing?”
    Robert smiled broadly. He loved when Manny called him Rob-o! He wished other people would pick up on the nickname, but so far, no one had.
    Leandra lifted up her head. “Do you mind? We’re having a club meeting here!”
    â€œSo what?” said Robert, feeling his face flushing pink, like a grapefruit (Embarrassment Level One). “It’s public property. Well, it’s not public property, but
you
guys don’t own it. And it’s a free country, isn’t it?”
    Boy, did he sound like a jerk.
It’s a free country?
, for halibut’s sake! But he could remember a time, a few short years ago, when they’d all hung out in the lot together: selling orange juice to people walking by, putting on carnivals, launching imaginary rockets, or just doing nothing. Even doing nothing used to be fun! When exactly had things changed? He himself felt like the same person inside.
    â€œRobert, how about giving us an hour or so?” Ali asked kindly. “Then the lot is all yours.”
    â€œThanks,” said Robert, “but I’d actually like to ask Manny a question.”
    â€œFire away!” said Manny.
    â€œOne-on-one, privately,” Robert said. Robert could feel his flushed face progressing to Embarrassment Level Two (tomato). And when exactly did his face start looking like some sort of produce whenever he was around these girls?
    â€œSorry, Rob-o. I’m working now,” said Manny. “How about stopping by the Garcia’s while Edgar’s napping, say one P.M . or so?”
    â€œGreat,” said Robert. Maybe his mission will have been accomplished by then. He shifted his big shoebox to his other arm, hoping one of the girls would ask him what was in it. Then he’d be able to answer, “Nothing. Yet.” Heavy emphasis on the “yet.” Just to keep them in suspense.
    But nobody asked him anything. “See you later,” said Robert, before slowly walking away.
    â€œNow, where were we?” Leandra asked, glaring after him.
    â€œYour great ideas,” said Manny. He began to feed Edgar an orange slice. Edgar chewed it slowly, the juice dribbling down his chin.
    â€œRight,” Leandra said. “I was thinking—”
    â€œRobert is lonely,” Manny interrupted. “Maybe he wants to join your club.”
    Ali and Leandra giggled.
    â€œRobert doesn’t want to join the club. He just wants to eavesdrop, then make fun of us in front of my brothers. You should hear them go on and on,” Leandra said.
    â€œBut really,” said Manny. “I know the club is for girls with long hair, but maybe you could change your focus to include him.”
    â€œThat’s what I wanted to tell you. That’s what
my
idea is about.Changing our focus!” Ali said. “But not with Robert,” she quickly added.
    Manny began to push Edgar in the swing again. “How would you feel if your best friend suddenly moved to New Zealand?” he asked.
    â€œWell, that’s life,” said Leandra, gruffly.
    â€œRight. That’s life,” said Ali, feeling a twinge of guilt like a pinprick. That’s exactly what her mother