Read Online A Brand-New Me! by Henry Winkler - Free Book Online Page A

him a little squeeze. She does that when she’s trying to soften him up or calm him down.
    â€œStanley, don’t you remember your grandmother’s cousin Alfred? She told me once that Alfred taught the great magician Houdini to swim, so he could do his underwater escape trick in the Hudson River.”
    My father looked annoyed. He wasn’t at all happy with my mother uncovering a performing Zipzer. But me, I was thrilled.
    â€œWow!” I said. “I never knew that. Now I know where I got my talent as a magician. I can’t wait to tell Frankie.”
    Mr. Rock had been sitting quietly, listening to our conversation, if you want to call it a conversation. It was more of a lecture, which by the way, it often is when you’re talking to my dad. He talks. You listen. Subject closed. Anyway, Mr. Rock cleared his throat and asked if it would be all right if he expressed his opinion. My dad didn’t answer, but my mom told him we would all be very interested in his opinion.
    â€œOver the years, I have spent a great deal of time with your son,” he began, “and it’s my opinion that Hank has a gift that I believe needs to be nurtured. We all know how difficult school is for Hank. But when he is allowed to use his imagination, his intelligence comes shining through.”
    â€œWe see that all the time,” my mom said. “Hank entertains us at the dinner table and makes us all laugh. Isn’t that right, Stanley?”
    â€œYou’re missing the point, Randi. You can’t feed a family by making them laugh or telling a cute story here and there. Hank needs a formal education.”
    â€œI couldn’t agree with you more, Mr. Zipzer,” Mr. Rock said. “And let me assure you that there is a very good formal education which is part of the curriculum at Professional Performing Arts.”
    â€œLet me just try out for this school, Dad,” I said. “Please. I probably won’t get in, anyway.” I was thinking as fast as I could here. “And auditioning will be a great educational experience. You have to admit that.”
    My father just sat on the couch, scratching his chin. I was so involved in making my case that I hadn’t noticed Emily standing at the entrance to the living room, Katherine draped around her neck. I guess they had finished their Mozart moment and Katherine was calm enough to be around humans again. I can’t necessarily say the same for Emily, but there she was, anyway.
    â€œCould I say something about this?” Emily asked.
    I wanted to say no. I mean, the last thing I needed was brainchild Emily putting me down. When it comes to me, she always takes my dad’s side.
    â€œKathy and I share a strong opinion about Hank’s future,” she said.
    â€œOh great,” I said. “Now my future is in the claws of an iguana.”
    Emily shot me a look that said, “Keep your mouth shut for once, will you?”
    â€œDaddy,” she said. “We think that Hank is one of the funniest people on Earth. Annoying, but funny.”
    My ears started to twirl around on my head. Were they really hearing this? Nice words from my sister Emily? Not possible. But she wasn’t finished.
    â€œLike take me,” she went on. “I happen to be excellent at science. It’s a well-known fact in the fourth-grade science club that I am the expert on reptiles and small-boned rodents. So when I go to middle school, for sure I’m going to try to get into a gifted and talented science program. But Hank is gifted, too. Just different. And he should have the chance to shine, too, just like I do.”
    I couldn’t believe what I said next. I didn’t plan it, but the words just flew out of my mouth.
    â€œThanks, Em,” I said. “I’m lucky to have you as a sister.”
    â€œYou kids,” my mom said, her eyes getting shiny like they do just before she’s going to cry. “I love you