The Pinballs Read Online Free PDF Page A

summoned,” Carlie said. She got up slowly. She saw that Harvey had written two more titles on his list.
    Harvey did not glance up. He was really enjoying this list. It didn’t bring back any unpleasant memories, not like the list called “Promises My Mother Broke.” That list had almost made him cry. Almost but not quite. It wasn’t as easy to cry as people thought.
    Carlie walked to the door. “There was one other book I wanted to read— Appalachian Nurse —but I never could find it in the library. The good books are always checked out.”
    Harvey was still writing.
    At the door Carlie paused. “Harvey, when I do run away, will you miss me?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œI’ll give you a sample of life without me.” She went into the kitchen, then she called out the window, “Pretty bad, isn’t it, Harvey?”
    He didn’t look up.

9
    Mr. Mason was driving Thomas J into Maidsville to visit the Benson twins in the hospital.
    â€œCan I come too?” Carlie asked.
    â€œNot this time.”
    â€œBut I got a cousin in Maidsville,” she lied. “She runs a boutique and I want to see what kind of stuff she’s got.”
    â€œYou can go another time,” Mrs. Mason said. “They’re just going straight to the hospital and back.”
    â€œThen I’ll just go straight to the boutique and back,” Carlie went on.
    Harvey said, “Could I go? That’s just about seven blocks from my house.”
    â€œNo, Harvey,” Mrs. Mason said in a gentler voice.
    â€œBut I wouldn’t go home. I just want to stop at the Kentucky Fried Chicken place right across from the hospital. I could get some chicken while they’re visiting.”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI wouldn’t be any trouble.” Harvey moved forward in his wheelchair.
    Harvey was addicted to Kentucky Fried Chicken. He ate it every night that his father didn’t get home for supper. Once he had eaten it thirty-two nights in a row.
    He would pedal over on his bike, put the red-and-white-striped box in his bicycle basket and pedal home. He would eat in front of the TV watching his favorite programs. Now the thought of eating in his own living room made his mouth water for the chicken and the little cups of mashed potatoes and gravy.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWell, if you get a chance,” he rolled closer to Mr. Mason, “would you please bring me a box of chicken? Please! This is important.”
    â€œThat’s a good idea,” Mrs. Mason said. “Get a bucket of chicken. It’s too hot to cook.”
    â€œIf we have time,” Mr. Mason said.
    Carlie and Harvey and Mrs. Mason stayed at the door watching Thomas J and Mr. Mason get in the car. Then Mrs. Mason turned.
    â€œWell, how about it, Carlie?” she said. “You ready to learn to sew today?”
    Carlie groaned. “I tried it once. I made an apron in Home Ec and I got a C-minus on it because the gathers were bunched. You have to have a certain kind of hands to sew.”
    â€œNonsense. I had two girls with me last year, and I taught them to sew in one afternoon. They made all kinds of nice clothes. Their pictures are on the mantel in the dresses they made.”
    â€œWhat happened to them?”
    â€œThe sisters?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œWhy, they went home—left two days before you and the boys got here. I hardly had time to change the sheets.”
    â€œSo that really happens sometimes—that people get to go home?”
    â€œYes, it really happens.” Mrs. Mason smiled. “Now, come on. We’ll start on a real easy halter top.”
    â€œCome on, Harvey,” Carlie said. Harvey was still at the door looking down the empty street. “Don’t you want to see me in misery?” She followed Mrs. Mason down the hall. “You know, I wish I had a twin,” she said. “Then we could go around fooling people; like if