CHAPTER 5: A Little Talk

The four of us walked out of the library after checking out our books. On our way to one of the benches near the book drop, Kristy said to Jason, "Listen, my brother's coming by in a few minutes to take us home Do you need a ride?"

"No, thanks," Jason said. "I've got one."

Boy, I'll say he did! Parked beside the curb was a black motor scooter with a dark blue helmet resting between the handlebars, and it had the British flag painted on the side. (Yes, I know I'm only seven, but I've seen a British flag before.)

"Wow!" Kristy exclaimed as I let out an impressed whistle. "Nice wheels, dude!"

"Thanks," Jason grinned. That was the first time I noticed his teeth. They were so gleaming white that they could literally glow in the dark, and they were neatly lined up like bowling pins. I guessed he not only used a really good toothpaste, but he'd also worn braces when he was younger.

"Where did you get this?" Hannie asked. She was just as blown away as I was.

"Well, Hannie," he said (yes, he pronounced her name "Han-neh"), "I got it from my mum and stepdad last Christmas. They'd gotten it at a dealership in Stamford, and I've only got seven more payments to make on it before it's paid off."

"How are you paying for it?" I asked. I knew there was no way I'd ever be able to afford a bike like that. Well, not now at least.

"I'm starting a paper route on Monday," Jason answered, zipping up his jacket. "Also, my Uncle Joe—Mum's brother—sends her $160 a month to help pay child support for Bebe."

"Your sister?" I guessed.

He nodded and got on the bike. "Mum usually gives me ten percent of that. Well, see you later."

"'Bye, Jason," Kristy said as he put on his helmet. "See you at school on Monday."

"Nice meeting you," I added.

"He seems like a pretty nice guy, huh?" I commented as soon as Jason was out of sight.

"Yeah, I suppose," Kristy admitted. I could also tell that she thought Jason was cute.

"I wonder how he got that scar on his face?" I asked. "He must have hurt himself pretty badly to get a scar like that.

"I don't know, Karen, but I think it looks pretty cool," Hannie said.

That was when Kristy got serious. "Look, you two," she began. "I know you think he seems nice. I do, too, to tell you the truth. But sometimes, people aren't what they appear to be. Furthermore, Jason's not only new to Stoneybrook, but also this country, and he's really trying to get used to the way things are here, so I think it'd be a good idea for us to give him his own personal space for awhile, okay?"

Hannie and I nodded. Kristy put her left fist out in front of her. I put my hand on it, and Hannie put hers on mine, and we all agreed. By then, Charlie was arriving, and believe it or not, the Junk Bucket was still in one piece!

"Hi, you guys," he said as we got in the car.

"So, how was the game?" Kristy asked.

"Well," Charlie said. "I don't mean to pat myself on the back or toot my own horn, but..." And he honked the horn twice, while patting his own back. I don't know which was funnier: Charlie patting his own back, or the fact that the horn sounded like a flock of geese flying south for the winter. Sick geese, that is!