Mixed Up by Gordon Korman

Author:Gordon Korman [Korman, Gordon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2023-07-02T00:00:00+00:00

When I meet the Metzingers, it’s hard to pretend it’s for the first time. I already know them well, courtesy of the Phenomenon.

It’s hard to figure out Theo’s dad. The nice guy who invites me into his house doesn’t really match the father in Theo’s memories. Every word he says triggers a cascade of arguments between him and Theo over the years. And while they don’t bother me, I can tell that they bothered Theo plenty when they were going on.

“Your dad’s nicer than I expected,” I tell Theo when we go out to the backyard. “Not the type to spend a hundred and fifty bucks on a rabbit trap.”

He looks startled. “Wai—what rabbit trap?”

I shrug. “If I’ve got the memory, you might have lost it.”

His reply is a nervous laugh. “It makes sense. We went to war with Jaws a few weeks ago. Jaws won.”

He gives me a tour of the vegetable garden, which I’ve already seen a hundred times in my mind. I even identify a couple of grubs that might pose a danger to the leafy stuff. Thanks to the Phenomenon, I’m a regular Farmer Brown.

Mr. Metzinger lights the barbecue and gives us a long lecture about how grilling with mesquite gives meat the most flavor. It’s my first glimpse of what Theo sees in his dad. There are two ways of doing everything in the world: his way and the wrong way. And if you ever fail to live up to his standards, you’re letting him down.

While the burgers and chicken are cooking, Theo’s kid sister, Kristi, drags me inside by the arm to show me all her sports trophies on the mantel over the fireplace. She’s a real chatterbox, and she keeps an iron grip on my wrist as she babbles on about every goal she ever scored, every homer she ever hit, and every basket she ever sank.

Mrs. Metzinger bails me out. “Dinner’s ready.”

We eat at the picnic table on the patio. “This is really good,” I compliment Theo’s dad, who did all the cooking.

I get the mesquite lecture again. Theo shoots me a meaningful look that plainly says: Don’t give him a chance to educate us one more time. Sorry, Basket Case. I just might. Kind of enjoying watching you suffer.

I’m halfway through my burger when Kristi exclaims, “Look!”

We all follow her pointing finger. Jaws is in the grass just a few feet away, approaching the picnic table cautiously but steadily.

“I can’t believe he isn’t afraid of us,” Mrs. Metzinger comments.

“Blame Theo,” her husband complains. “I tried to get rid of him. Your son wouldn’t let me.”

“That’s not it,” Kristi half whispers. “It’s because he can tell Reef’s a good person.”

No question about it: The rabbit’s eyes are locked on me.

Theo rolls his eyes. “Come on, Kristi. You don’t seriously believe that a rabbit can tell who’s naughty and who’s nice. That’s Santa Claus, not the Easter Bunny.”

“Animals like me,” I offer. “We always had pets. You know, before …” My voice trails off.

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