Read Online BFF* by Judy Blume - Free Book Online

how Alison was doing at Dr. Klaff’s. Alison says Peter Klaff likes me. She says he’s always looking at me and that’s how you can tell. But I’m not sure she’s right. When Peter asked what I was bringing to the bake sale I told him I was partners with Alison and that we were baking brownies from an old family recipe. He didn’t seem impressed.
    I looked over at Rachel again. She was still at her desk, making more note cards. “Okay,” I said. “Five minutes is up.”
    Rachel checked her watch. “Ha! It’s only been one minute, twenty-four seconds.”
    â€œI can’t believe it!”
    â€œI told you five minutes feels like a long time!”

    Mom made me puree of carrot and a baked potato for dinner that night, because after my braces are tightened I can’t eat anything but soft, mushy foods. “Rachel’s trying out for the debating team,” I said, as I mashed my potato with butter. “She’s got to make a five-minute speech about seat belts.”
    â€œI’m sure she’ll do fine,” Mom said.
    â€œI’m sure, too, but Rachel’s worried. She wants to be the best.”
    â€œShe’s such a perfectionist,” Mom said.
    â€œI wouldn’t mind being perfect,” Bruce said.
    â€œYou mean you’re not?” I asked.
    â€œVery funny,” he said.
    â€œBe glad you’re not,” Mom said. “It’s a hard Way to go through life.”
    I tasted the carrot puree. Even though it looked like baby food it was delicious. Bruce watched me eat it. “I hope I never need braces,” he said.
    â€œIt’s temporary,” I told him. “Some day I’ll have a beautiful smile.”
    â€œYeah … but what about the rest of your face?”
    â€œBruce!” Mom said.
    â€œIt’s just a joke, Mom,” he told her.
    â€œHe really wishes he looked like me,” I said.
    Bruce chuckled to himself.
    We had vanilla pudding for dessert. “I’m thinking of trying out for symphonic band,” I announced, as the pudding slid around in my mouth.
    â€œSince when do you play an instrument?” Bruce asked.
    â€œI’m trying out for percussion.”
    â€œSince when do you play drums?” Bruce asked.
    â€œMs. Lopez says I can learn … as long as I have a good sense of rhythm.” I finished my pudding. “Do you think I have a good sense of rhythm?” I asked Mom.
    â€œWhen you were little I’d give you a pot and a wooden spoon and you were happy for hours. If that’s an indication I’d say yes.”
    â€œA pot and a wooden spoon,” Bruce repeated, shaking his head and chuckling again.

    The next time Dad called I asked him if he thought I had a good sense of rhythm.
    He said, “You used to have a great time with a pot and a wooden spoon.”
    â€œThat’s exactly what Mom said.”
    â€œI guess we remember the same things.”
    I told him about the seventh grade bake sale and that Alison and I are going to bake Sadie Wishnik’s brownies.
    â€œWho’s Sadie Wishnik?” Dad asked.
    â€œLeon’s mother.”
    â€œWho’s Leon?”
    â€œAlison’s stepfather. And you know who Alison is,” I told him, “she’s my new friend.”
    â€œSo Sadie Wishnik is her stepgrandmother?” Dad asked.
    â€œI guess so,” I said. “Anyway, we’re going to Sadie’s house to bake, on Sunday. She lives in New Jersey, near the ocean. And speaking of oceans … thanks for the box of shells from Hawaii. I’ve never seen such pretty ones. Did you find them yourself?”
    Dad hesitated. “The truth?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI never did get to the beach. I bought them at a gift shop.”
    I knew it! I could tell by the way they were wrapped. But I didn’t want Dad to feel bad so I said, “Maybe next time you’ll get to the