Best of Friends by Mac Barnett

Author:Mac Barnett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins

Ernest and I were sitting next to each other in a booth while our moms talked. Jean-Pierre had left for the bathroom a few minutes earlier, which was fine with me.

“It’s nice to spend time with another adult for once,” Ernest’s mom was saying.

“Yes,” said my mom. “Sometimes I feel like my only company is grade-schoolers.”

They laughed. I didn’t. Ernest did, but he laughed whenever someone else laughed.

“You know,” said Ernest’s mom, “I had no idea those two were such good friends.”

“Neither did—”

“Sure we are,” I interrupted. “Ernest and I go way back. We were art buddies back in kindergarten, right?”

“Yeah,” said Ernest. Then he started chuckling. “Hey, how much money does a bronco have?”

I tried to smile. “How much?”

Before he could answer, Jean-Pierre returned with a little paper bag in his right hand. He tossed it over to Ernest, who missed the catch. The brown sachet flopped onto his lap.

“Here you go, man,” he said. “I got you some fresh tortillas from that machine over there.”

Ernest pulled out a tortilla. “They’re still warm and stuff! Thanks, Jean-Pierre!”

“Don’t get too excited,” I said. “It’s not a big deal. Those are free, you know.”

“So?” said Jean-Pierre. He gave me a threatening look.

I shrugged but didn’t say anything. I had never been in a fight, and I sure wasn’t going to start with Jean-Pierre.

Ernest, mouth full, looked at his mom. “Can I ask them?” he said.

“Of course,” she said.

I held my breath. Them? Did Ernest have two tickets to the Nesquik factory?

“Do you guys want to come over for a sleepover?”

Jean-Pierre made a face like he was in pain. “Can’t,” he said. “I have a basketball tournament this weekend.” I had never seen him sad when talking about basketball before.

“I can!” I said quickly. “Right, Mom?”

“Sure,” she said. And then added, looking at Ernest’s mother, “I’m not going to turn down a night off.” She and Ernest’s mom and Ernest all laughed.

“I can’t wait for tonight,” Ernest said. “It’ll be the two amigos!”

“The two best amigos,” I said.

Jean-Pierre looked morose.

Just then, five Chevys employees came over and formed a half circle around our table. Jennie O’Brien, Fiesta Animal, put a sombrero on Ernest’s head.

“What’s going on?” Ernest said.

“I told them it’s your birthday,” I whispered to him. “Just play along—I always do it to my friends here.”

They clapped their hands and sang.

Happy, happy birthday

From the Chevys crew!

We wish it was our birthday

So we could party, too!

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