Read Online Al Capone Does My Homework by Gennifer Choldenko - Free Book Online

don’t need help with Natalie?” I ask as he slides his arm into his
     jacket.
    “Moose.” He rubs his chin, and makes a face like he’s surprised to feel whiskers there.
    “Okay, okay,” I sigh, then grab my glove. May as well head for the dock now. It’s
     early, but I’m ready to leave, and there’s usually a few guys playing ball on South
     field before the first bell rings.
    The air is damp and the sky is so packed with fog, you can’t even see Angel Island.
     Only a few patches of blue sky peek through overhead. When I get to the dock, Theresa
     is hopping down the 64 building stairs, banging her lunch pail against her legs.
    “You’re taking the early boat?” I ask.
    “Piper needs her messenger.” She nods toward Piper, who is just coming through the
     sally port.
    “Why are you on the early boat?” I ask when she’s in hearing range.
    “Leadership,” she answers with a smug smile.
    “Leadership, huh? You teaching them the Al Capone model for influencing people?”
    “Very funny.”
    “No really . . . maybe you could write a book.”
    “Donny!” Theresa says the name like it’s everybody’s favorite song.
    “Hey Moose.” He tips his hat at me as the foghorn booms so loud, you can feel the
     vibrations in your feet. “How are you doing this morning, buddy?”
    “Okay,” I say.
    He nods. “Early for school, isn’t it?”
    “I’m gonna play a little ball before the bell,” I say.
    “I heard you play first base.” Donny speaks just to me.
    How did he know?
    “So are you good?” he asks.
    The blood rises to my face. “I’m decent.”
    He nods like he’s a judge deciding on this, then smiles, his dimples deepening. “Thought
     you might be able to give me a few pointers.”
    Donny Caconi wants pointers from me. I know he’s trying to pump me up after my place
     burned down and everything, but still.
    “Sure,” I say.
    He and Piper and Theresa are all watching me now.
    Donny puts his hand in his pants pocket, then takes it out again. When his fingers
     open, I’m expecting something dazzling and miraculous, but all he has are bottle caps.
    He jingles them in his hand. “Think you could throw one of these puppies past that
     barrel?” He points at a red drum barrel halfway across the dock.
    “Course, but could we use a baseball?” I’m itching to show him how well I throw. Nobody
     can throw a bottle cap as well as a baseball.
    “You have one?” he asks.
    “Sure. Oh. No. All I have is my glove.”
    “Baseball in your old place?”
    I nod.
    “Too bad, buddy. For now let’s just use these.” He jingles the bottle caps again.
     “They’ll do in a pinch. Okay with you?” He waits for my nod.
    The drum isn’t that far away. I don’t see how either of us could miss. “I got two
     bucks says I can throw one of these puppies past the barrel from right here.” His
     shiny toe taps the ground.
    “Two
bucks?” I mumble. Who has that kind of money?
    “How much, then?” he asks.
    My face heats up. “Um, uhhh.”
    Piper moves in. She’s dressed in her best Leadership clothes. A white blouse and dark
     bow that matches her skirt. “I can chip in.”
    “Me too! I have money! Me!” Theresa raises her arm and swings it wildly. She hands
     Donny a dime.
    “Will you look at that.” Donny includes everyone in his dimpled smile. “You got fans.”
    I wiggle my hand in my pocket and find the nickel I’ve had there since Piper first
     told me she needed flowers.
    “Come on, Moose, don’t be a chicken.” Piper gives Donny a dollar. A dollar? That’s
     a lot, even for her.
    “I guess your girlfriend here thinks you can do it.” Donny nods toward Piper.
    Piper’s cheeks get pink as cotton candy. “I’m not his girlfriend,” she mutters.
    Donny laughs. “She’s not your girlfriend,” he whispers to me, eyeing her all the while.
    “I only have a nickel,” I say.
    “No problem, we’ll work with what you got. I’ll match your bet.” Donny raises his