#06 New York, New York! by Martin Ann M

Author:Martin, Ann M. [Martin, Ann M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2013-07-30T00:00:00+00:00

“Okay, class. It’s time to move on,” Mac spoke up. “It’ll be a bit crowded, but I’d like for you to move to Fifth Avenue, where you’ll have a view of …”

It was time to move? But I hadn’t finished anything. I mean, I hadn’t finished anything that pleased Mr. Clarke. Well, it was his fault for telling me to slow down. If I hadn’t slowed down, I wouldn’t have started daydreaming.

“Claud, I didn’t finish,” Mallory wailed then. “I worked so —”

“Well, I didn’t finish, either,” I snapped.

Mal looked hurt. Then she stopped talking.

On the way to Fifth Avenue, I thought we passed Elvis Presley, but I don’t think so. I mean, I know he’s dead, but an awful lot of people have spotted him recently. I considered asking Mal if she knew whether Elvis would ever have worn a checked shirt with plaid pants, but I decided not to. I didn’t feel like speaking to her for awhile.

Then, ignoring the throngs of people pushing past me, I began an intricate sketch of this long garden that led like a path to the skating rink and restaurant below. Across a small side street rose 30 Rockefeller Center, home of NBC television. I tried very hard not to think about that. I concentrated on the plants, the flagpoles, the lines and corners of the building. Soon I was so caught up in my work that I forgot about TV stars. I forgot about Mallory and Elvis and whether I had any real talent. I even forgot about Mr. Clarke until I became aware that he was looking over my shoulder.

For almost a minute he watched as I sketched (slowly).

Then he walked away without a word. At least he could have said, “Interesting.” Or even smiled. I would have been grateful for a smile.

At lunchtime, Mal said to me, “I guess you wouldn’t want to go to a bookstore, would you. I heard about a huge one nearby. It has —”

“You’re right. I don’t want to go to a bookstore.”

Mal turned away. “Okay.”

She went to the bookstore with Mr. Clarke instead.

I sat by myself and ate a pretzel, which was very salty. Apart from that, it had no flavor. I did not care.

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