Tight End by Matt Christopher

Author:Matt Christopher [CHRISTOPHER, MATTHEW F]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780316096058
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2009-12-19T05:00:00+00:00

8

In spite of what his mother had told him, Jim found that trying to ignore the harassing phone calls and the drawing was impossible. He caught himself staring at the backs of several students in the classrooms throughout the morning, students who were members of the football team, wondering if one of them was guilty.

Twice a student turned and met his gaze squarely. The first time it was Steve Newton, the team’s center. The second time it was Ben Culligan, the team’s nose guard. Jim didn’t know any reason why either of them might dislike him enough to torment him. They were good players. They were regulars. But if neither Pat Simmons nor Ed Terragano was the guilty one, maybe one of these good, regular players was.

Jim found Ben waiting for him in the corridor after class. A hundred-eighty-five-pound senior, Ben had led the team in tackles last year.

“Hey, man, what’s with you?” he said to Jim, his brown eyes snapping. “You on dope or something?”

Jim frowned. “Are you crazy? What are you talking about?”

“Why did you keep staring at me? Your eyes looked like one of those creeps you see in a monster movie.”

“I’m sorry,” said Jim. “I didn’t mean to stare. I was just thinking, that’s all.”

“Well, think with your eyes stuck on someone else. Okay?” He glared at Jim and walked away, swaggering.

Count him innocent, Jim reflected, a smile crossing his lips.

He turned down the next corridor to head to his chemistry class when he heard the sharp click of heels approaching from behind him. Suddenly he felt a small, cool hand grab his wrist.

He turned. It was Margo.

“Hi,” he said.

“Hi. What was that all about?”

His eyebrows arched. “What was what all about? Oh. With Ben? Nothing.”

“Don’t say nothing when I know it’s something. I’m not blind, and I’m no dummy. I know something’s been bothering you. I’ve noticed it ever since your father came home.”

“Okay Mother. You’re right. But I don’t want to talk about it,” said Jim stiffly.

“Can we talk about it over lunch?”

“It doesn’t concern you, Margo,” Jim said seriously. “I don’t want you to get mixed up in this.”

He felt her fingers tighten on his wrist. “So it is something serious,” she said. “Something more than your father coming home from prison.”

He nodded. “It has something to do with that, yes,” he admitted. “But —” He lowered his voice. “Margo,” he said irritably, “this is my business. Okay? I’m going to handle it alone. My way.”

She looked at him, unflinching. “I’d like to help you if I can, Jim.”

His lips pursed. She was getting to be a pain.

He was ready to walk away from her when he suddenly thought of something.

“Wait a minute. You’re in art class. Maybe you can help me.” He was flushed with new hope all of a sudden.

Her eyes flashed. “Good!”

“I’ll tell you about it at lunch.”

A sparkle flickered in her eyes. “I can’t wait!” she murmured excitedly.

He got to chemistry class and twice faced embarrassment when the teacher, Miss Lee, called on him to cite a couple of formulas that he didn’t know.

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