Read Online And Don't Bring Jeremy by Marilyn Levinson - Free Book Online Page B

poked me and I almost fell into the whole mess. “Look,” he said, “I think you better leave them alone. Those poor plants look like they’re drowning.” He started to laugh.
    “Yeah, you’re right.” I just stood there, not knowing what I could do. I mean, there was nothing else to do—now.
    “It’s best to just forget about those plants,” Eddie advised. “They’re goners.”
    When I didn’t answer, he said, “Hey, let’s go over to the school and get into the game.”
    “Naw, you go,” I said. I really felt bad.
    “I’ll stay here with you, if you like.”
    I looked at him, surprised. “Okay. We may as well play some Atari.”
    We sat down in the den and started playing Donkey Kong and then Pac-Man. At first I couldn’t concentrate and Eddie kept winning. But soon I forgot about the plants and we were neck and neck. I was so engrossed in the game that I didn’t hear the front door.
    “Who’s there?” I called up when I heard footsteps in the kitchen.
    “It’s me,” Jeremy answered.
    “Oh,” I said and went back to the game. I heard Jeremy go upstairs to his room. A little while later I heard the kitchen door slam. Just then I remembered the plants. I looked out the glass door and saw Jeremy running toward me, his eyes popping, his lips twisted with rage.
    “What happened to my plants?” he screamed as he ran into the den. “They were fine when I left. Now they’re all stepped on and drowning.”
    I opened my mouth to speak but before I could say one word, Jeremy was standing over Eddie, his hands making fists.
    “You ruined them, didn’t you? I know you did!” he screamed.
    “Take it easy,” Eddie said, getting up from the couch where we were sitting. “It was an accident.”
    Jeremy pushed him back down. “Yeah, some accident. I know about you and your accidents.” His face was all scrunched up. I thought he was about to cry.
    “It was an accident,” I said. “We were playing ball and I stepped on your plants. I’ll pay you back so you can buy some new ones.”
    Jeremy turned on me. “It’s too late to buy new plants. And stop lying to protect this little creep. I know he did it, just as I know he put the shaving cream in Laura Lee’s locker.”
    At that Eddie jumped to his feet, ready to kill. “You take that back, Krasner,” he snarled at my brother.
    “I will not,” Jeremy said. “I saw you with the shaving cream that day and I’m going to tell Mr. Helmsley so tomorrow.”
    Eddie laughed at him. “Yeah, you and who else? He won’t believe a re-tard.”
    “Stop calling me a retard.”
    I saw Jeremy’s hands go around Eddie’s neck and I got scared. I pounded Jeremy on the back until he let go.
    “Cut it out, both of you,” I yelled. “I stepped on your precious plants, Jeremy, and I already told you I was sorry.”
    Jeremy fixed his eyes on me. He seemed to be figuring something out, then he said, “And you’ll be sorry, too.” He stomped out of the room.
    Eddie left right after that and Jeremy and I each stayed in our own rooms until Mom came home. Then each of us, separately of course, went to tell her his side of the story. I told her how sorry I was, but that Jeremy had no right to turn on us that way.
    Mom sighed deeply and brushed back a strand of hair from her forehead. I could see that she was tired from standing all day at the bank.
    “I’m sorry it happened, too,” she said. “You should have told your brother about it as soon as he came home.”
    “I know,” I agreed. “Only I forgot for the minute. Eddie and I were playing Pac-Man.”
    “Your brother’s garden is more important than a game,” she said sternly. “It’s the only thing he cares about in this world. You know that.”
    “You’re right,” I answered meekly. “I did offer to pay for new plants.”
    “Jeremy says it’s too late for planting,” Mom said. “I think what really got him mad was that you tried to drown them.”
    “We thought water was good for them.