Snowboard Showdown Read Online Free PDF

sometimes in
     life, as well as to win.
    “You know,” he continued, “one time I set a trap for this guy on roller skates. I knew a certain street was rough to skate,
     with potholes and all. But I also knew the righthand side of it was smoother than the left. So I challenged this kid to a
     race, and I made sure I skated on the right side. Can you guess what happened?”
    Neither boy spoke.
    “He fell halfway through the race, and I won,” Esteban finished. “Then I turned around and saw he was bleeding very bad. A
     big gash in his knee.” Esteban slashed a finger across his own kneecap. “Henever skated again, at least not when I was around. I've felt bad from that day to this about it. That's how I learned why
     sportsmanship is so important.” He looked at his two sons. “You boys have got to try harder to be good brothers. This fighting
     has got to stop. You're on the same team, amigos. Understand?”
    “Yes, Papi,” the boys said simultaneously.
    “Okay, now go to bed. School tomorrow.”
    “When is Mami getting home?” Dondi asked softly.
    “Soon. She had a late meeting tonight,” Esteban said.
    “Send her up to say good night to me, okay?” Dondi said. “I want to talk to her.”
    “Okay,” Esteban said. “Come on, Freddie. Let's get you to bed too.”
    Freddie went quietly. Something had reached him in what his dad had said about the skating race. It was sort of the same,
     the way he was setting up this contest just so Dondi would lose. Now he felt terrible about it. He wanted to call the whole
     thing off. He wished Dondi had just said no.
    But Dondi had said yes, and now it was too late toback out. If he did, Freddie was the one who would look like a chicken. It would be like admitting that Dondi was better than
     him at everything. Bigger, faster, better-looking, funnier, cooler. Freddie sighed. No, there was no going back, he realized.
     The contest had to go on.

6
    T hat Saturday afternoon, Freddie sat with Steve and Eric in the food court at the mall. Freddie and Steve were chowing down
     on Megaburgers and Megasized Maniac Fries and slurping chocolate shakes. Eric was eating his usual lunch of salad and soup,
     topped off with a piece of fruit.
    “I don't get much exercise,” he reminded people whenever they remarked about his healthy eating habits. “I've got to keep
     up a good diet. I like this stuff, anyway,” he'd add with a smile and a shrug before digging into his greens.
    Rabbit food, Freddie thought as he watched Eric eat. Poor guy. Of course, it was also true that Eric never missed a day of
     school and always had more energy than anybody, in spite of his disability. Freddie screwed up his face. One of these days,
     hethought, wiping ketchup off his chin, I've gotta try that rabbit stuff.
    In between bites, Eric told them about all the preparations he'd made for the big contest, which was now exactly one week
     away. “The article is coming out on Wednesday in the local paper and on Friday in the school news. We should have an excellent
     crowd. I made sure of that by announcing that all proceeds would go to charity.”
    “Good idea!” Steve said, then realized something. “You mean you're going to charge?” he asked.
    “Why not?” Eric said with a shrug. “It's all for a good cause, and it'll bring in the crowds even better than a free ticket.
     If it's free, they think it can't be that good,” he explained.
    Freddie shook his head in admiration. “Man, you think of everything,” he said.
    “I try, I try,” Eric said humbly, accepting the compliment.
    “I've been practicing,” Steve said. “I can almost do a three-sixty complete with nose grab!”
    Freddie said, “I want to see Dondi's face when you bring it off!”
    “About Dondi,” Eric interrupted. “Is he still in?”
    “Yeah,” Freddie said. “He's all gung ho and everything.”
    “I don't get that,” Steve said. “Doesn't he realize what's going to happen?”
    “Apparently not,” Eric