The Kissing Diary Read Online Free PDF

yourself,” said his mother. “Anyway, you were in kindergarten, and it was the first day of school, and I’m parked there and watching to make sure that you get inside safely, and he clips my fender when he’s backing up!”
    â€œWhat did you do?” said Rosie.
    Her mother snorted. “I got out of the car to look, and he yells, ‘What do you think you were doin’?’ Can you imagine? He cracks into my car, and says, ‘What do you think you were doin’?’ The nerve!”
    Rosie watched her mother get annoyed all over again. Then her mother took a spoonful of ice cream and got sugar-rush happier.
    â€œThis is delicious,” she said. “So I tell him, ‘I’m waiting to make sure that my little girl gets into school, do you have a problem with that?’ He says, ‘I have a problem with you parking so close to my van that I can’t get out!’ And he gets into his van and drives off! Can you imagine? He leaves me there with a dented fender, and I go ask the crossing guard, ‘Who is that jerk?’ And she says, ‘That’s little Robbie Romano’s father, Al.’”
    Rosie rested her head on the kitchen table.
    Her mother said in a soft voice, “Remember that boys of twelve are unable to process their feelings yet. They’re way behind girls, Rosie.”
    â€œMaybe he remembered that you insulted his father,” Rosie mumbled from the table edge.
    â€œI doubt it. Calling you names might mean that he likes you. He was embarrassed and confused, so he just lashed out.”
    â€œOr he hates you,” said Jimmy, scooping ice cream into a dish.
    â€œLike I hate you,” said Rosie.
    â€œPlease. No hating in my kitchen,” said their mother. “Jimmy, try not to live up to the immaturity I’m talking about.”
    Rosie said, “He ignored me last week. He ignored me today. I hate to say it, but I think Jimmy is right.”
    â€œMark my words,” said her mother. “It might mean just the opposite.”
    Rosie couldn’t help it. She lifted up her head from the table and rolled her eyes at her mother, who hadn’t seen Robbie’s face when he’d called her Rosie Goldtwit. How could she forget the look he’d given her today, when she just couldn’t help herself and blurted out, “Are you still mad at me?” It was straight from one of those shows where the contestant has to drink a concoction of worms, slugs, and cow’s intestines. Rosie had made him sick to his stomach.
    Later, watching television, Jimmy surprised her by saying, “Mom could be right, you know. He might like you.”
    â€œReally?” said Rosie, pressing him to go further, but her brother clammed up.
    Rosie asked him, “Do you think Lauren should ask Tommy Stone to the dance? She wants to know.”
    â€œHey, if he likes her, it will turn out fine. If he doesn’t, it’s not a good idea.”
    â€œGreat,” said Rosie. “She’ll be happy to hear.”
    Jimmy laughed. “Hey, what do you want from me? Didn’t Mom tell you that girls are way more evolved than boys?”
    Mrs. Goldglitt entered the living room wearing sweats and sneakers. She hopped onto the elliptical trainer that their father had bought her before the divorce. Pressing some buttons, she asked Rosie to turn up the television.
    Rosie climbed off the couch and adjusted the sound. “How come I always have to do everything? Why can’t you ask Jimmy?”
    â€œJeez,” said her mother. “That must be my Neanderthal-woman side. The woman cooks and she cleans and she tends to the children. And the man goes out to hunt and provide for the family, you know? I’ll try to improve.”
    â€œWomen move faster,” said Jimmy, slouching happily on the couch.
    They watched television to the monotonous sound of their mother walking on metal pedals.
    At the commercial, Rosie