Eeny Meeny Eeny Meeny Miny Moe I wonder what’s taking Greg so long Grandpa said as he helped Charles to his feet He grabbed Charles by the arm and allowed his grandson to lean on him I don’t know but it should be him helping James sucked his teeth He grabbed Charles’s left arm Both he and Grandpa helped Charles regain his balance and swing into the minivan Man you’re getting heavy James complained Believe me Charles said as he eyed James from his seat I have it worse I have to smell your stinky breath fi ve 4
days a week Don’t you believe in using toothpaste April burst into laughter That’s enough Grandpa warned He turned and called up to the window of Greg’s bedroom Hurry up Greg 5
We’re going too be late He and James carefully placed the wheelchair in the van I don’t care if we are late James said He hated that he was repeating the sixth grade because he got into serious trouble stealing last year He knew plenty of boys who had repeated a grade or not even graduated high school but he regretted that he was one of them Greg fi nally joined them in the van Grandpa Greg began I thought about it and I don’t want to skip to the sixth grade James was twelve and the thought of his younger cousin in the same grade as him gave him a stomachache He felt that his friends were laughing behind his back 6
Nonsense Grandpa said smiling You’re just nervous You worked very hard last year and you were able to advance to the sixth grade You don’t think that’s a good thing It is Greg shrugged But I’m only eleven and the other kids will be bigger and the work will be harder Don’t be such a crybaby James told Greg He placed his hands behind his head and leaned back on the headrest Besides it’s not so bad James couldn’t understand why Greg wasn’t happy Yeah because you’re repeating the sixth grade April called from the passenger seat It will probably seem like a breeze She started to laugh And Greg is in your grade It must be 7
