Two Parties, One Tux, and a Very Short Film about The Grapes of Wrath by Steven Goldman

Author:Steven Goldman [Goldman, Steven]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Published: 2008-12-03T08:00:00+00:00

Have you noticed that Louis always has an answer?

The school has become an obstacle course. Once past the M.C. locker of despair, I find myself blocked by the large Louis of obstinance. He has witnessed something, but he’s not sure what. M.C. crying. Me with my arm around her.

“Stud boy, getting a little frisky there?”

“She was upset.”

“I would have cried too if you put your arm around me. I know, I know, you’re late for class. Do me a favor, though. Let me give you a ride home. I have a question for you.”

I almost suggest that he could write me a letter, but it’s a joke he wouldn’t get. I don’t have a ride home, so I accept. Has to be better than talking to him now.

Louis drives a car so old, so decrepit, so noisy, that it’s almost cool. I can see road beneath my feet through the rusted floorboard. The car smells of beer and farts, and the backseat is a trash dump. I hold my backpack on my lap.

When he asks why M.C. was upset, I explain in abbreviated form that she thought she might be responsible for Curtis being fired.

“Curtis wasn’t fired,” Louis says simply.

“How do you know?”

“Wrong euphemism. You’ve got to learn admin speak. The notice said he was on personal leave. Personal means he either went wacko and needed time off or someone kicked it and he’s grieving somewhere. I’m betting wacko. If he was fired, they would have said he was on administrative leave.”

Strangely, I feel better. Maybe I’m a little sorry someone died or my teacher had a nervous breakdown, but at least neither of those options are my fault.

“You know M.C. pretty well, right?” Louis asks, not looking at me but not exactly paying a lot of attention to the road either.

“I guess.”

“Ever … you know?”

“No.”

“Nothing, never?”

“No.”

“Why not? She’s not a bra-buster or anything, but she’s cute. Definitely cute. Butt like that you could squeeze yourself into. Am I right?”

“Sure, I mean, yeah. But it would be weird. She’s been Carrie’s best friend since they were about five.”

“Like kissing your sister.”

No. Not at all. But M.C. is, well, M.C. I’ve known her forever; she practically lives in my house. To her I’m somewhere between furniture and a relative. I don’t feel like explaining any of this to Louis, who doesn’t look like he’s paying attention anyway. “No. She’s just a friend.”

“So you aren’t taking her to the prom?”

So this is where this conversation is going. I am so relieved to tell him that David has already asked her.

“Can’t quite see her with your sidekick,” Louis says, sounding slightly disappointed. “Smells like he was pistol-whipped into it. Shotgun wedding?”

“Carrie.”

“That makes sense. Who was your assignment?”

“Amanda. But I didn’t ask her.”

“Now she is busting her seams. Short, but compact. Everything handy, but probably more than you can handle. Scared you shitless, right?”

“Are you planning on going to the prom?”

“Thanks for the invite, but I have someone I’m supposed to take, church youth group girl, although I would have dumped her for M.

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