Call Me Amy Read Online Free PDF

along the floor. The sunlight bounced off his spotted gray fur. “I think the door scared him,” whispered Craig.
    â€œHe’s beautiful,” I said, moving closer. “Why—he’s crying!”
    Craig grinned. “Nah, seals just make salt tears whenever they’re out of the water.”
    We watched him for a while. Pup didn’t want the fish, but he did go for a swim in the little pool. His sleek body floated in the shallow water. He dragged the poor wounded flipper behind him. Pup swam in a few circles. There wasn’t room to do much more.
    â€œHe needs to be set free as soon as he heals but it may take a few weeks. I’ll miss him.”
    I glanced at Craig as he watched Pup slide up and over the edge of the pool. Was this really the wild, joking kid who called me Shrimp?
    Craig went back to tempting Pup with the fish, but Pup appeared content to lie on the dry cement in a patch of afternoon sun.
    â€œC’mon, Pup,” coaxed Craig. He brought the fish right over to the little seal and was dangling it in front of his nose, when all of a sudden, Pup tossed his head high and let out a loud snort of disgust. It startled Craig so much that he stumbled back and fell into the pool.
    I rushed over. I wondered whether it would be silly to offer to help Craig climb out of the tiny pool. He jumped up quick, looking like a big sloppy seal himself. His blue jeans were dripping wet, and he still clutched the little fish. I tried like anything to keep a straight face.
    â€œI guess he doesn’t want this,” said Craig, tossing the fish back into the cooler. “Hey—what are you . . . hey, are you laughing at me?”
    Craig looked me straight in the eye, and I don’t know what my problem was, maybe just nerves, but next thing I knew I burst into giggles and couldn’t stop. We both laughed until I got a pain in my side. Pup watched us with what I decided was an amused expression.
    Then the door that led from the garage to the house swung open, and I watched Craig’s face change to anger or fear—I wasn’t sure which. It took me by surprise. Craig’s mother stood in the doorway with an odd look on her face. She was a pretty woman, like someone you might see on TV, except there was something sad about her.
    â€œTime we split this scene,” said Craig, almost shoving me back out of the garage. His mother watched us through narrowed eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, and as she stepped into the garage she stumbled a bit on the stairs.
    â€œThat—animal—has—got—to—go.” She spoke sharply, and paused between each word. “You’re supposed to be helping me with the babies after school.”
    â€œRight, Ma.” Craig pulled down the garage door. He mumbled a few swears under his breath.
    I grabbed my books and raced down the driveway to catch up to him.
    As we reached the street, Craig’s front door crashed open. “It has to be gone by tomorrow,” his mother screamed after us.
    Embarrassed, I snuck a look at Craig. His face was distorted with emotion.
    â€œNow you’ve met Super Mom,” he said too loud, attempting to laugh.
    â€œShe probably just had a rough day.” I ran a few more steps to keep up. “Don’t you want to change your wet clothes?”
    â€œI don’t wanna go back there. The sun will dry ’em.” Craig jerked his hair back out of his eyes and looked at me. “She’s like that every day. And if I don’t find a place for Pup, fast, I’ll have to throw him back in the ocean tomorrow.”
    â€œMaybe my house,” I offered.
    â€œIsn’t your dad good pals with the harbormaster?”
    â€œOh, yeah.” How in the world would Craig know this? “You’re right, he is. I can’t figure it out. Howard is so stern-looking, yet half the town seems to think he’s wonderful.”
    â€œHa,” said Craig. “That’s