Read Online Freaky Fast Frankie Joe by Lutricia Clifton - Free Book Online Page B

microwave. Lizzie removes the bag and dumps it into a bowl, then sits down, too.
    She stares into space awhile, looking thoughtful, then turns to me. “Did I ever tell you that I came from a family of seven, Frankie Joe?”
    â€œYes ma’am. That night Mandy came by. You said you were the youngest.”
    â€œThat’s right,” she says, munching on popcorn. “There was my mom and dad and two brothers and two sisters. I was the baby.”
    The brothers dip into the popcorn bowl, looking bored. I stare at Lizzie, wondering if she’s through talking to me. She’s not.
    â€œYou know what’s so nice about
odd
-numbered families?” she asks me, her eyes twinkling.
    I get it.
Odd
ball . . . 
odd
-numbered families.
    â€œNo ma’am,” I say.
    â€œThere’s always a tiebreaker!” She gives me her big smile and then looks around the table at her “weeds.” “Whenever there was an argument among us five kids, we’d take a vote. And because there was an odd number, there was never a tie.”
    She turns to me again. “So you see, seven is the perfect number. And
you
made that happen, Frankie Joe. See what a nice addition you are to our family?”
    I don’t like being lumped with the “weeds.” From the look on his face, Matt doesn’t like it, either. Figuring Lizzie doesn’t really expect me to answer, I don’t. Sure enough, she keeps on talking.
    â€œSo new rule! Now that we have enough in the family to break a tie, I don’t want to hear any more arguments.” She marches her eyes around the table. “Understood?”
    Hearing a chorus of “yes ma’ams,” she smiles, then leaves the room.
    Great
. I attempt another escape. “Hold up, Trailer Trash.” Matt’s eyes are sparking like hot coals. “You’re not part of this family.
Understood?
So keep your nose out of our business!”
    Don’t you mean
your
business, Control Freak?
    â€œNo problem,” I say, and walk out the back door.
6:17 P.M.
    I wheel my Rover Sport off the front porch and look for Mandy. At school today, she said that she was goingout to sell cookies after supper. Wondering how she’s doing, I make a fast run around the neighborhood. I’ve learned my way around Clearview pretty fast because it isn’t that big. I’ve ridden across rock outcroppings in the Chihuahua Desert that are bigger.
    I figure Mandy’s looking for new territory. Sure enough, I find her in front of the pizza place downtown, hawking cookies to those going in for the Friday-night two-for-one special.
    â€œJust think,” she’s telling a woman as I pull up. “If you keep boxes of cookies in your freezer, you’ll have dessert ready on Friday nights. Pizza and cookies—instant supper!”
    Not bad, I think. She’s pretty good at selling things. The woman buys it, too.
    When we’re alone, I ask, “How many did she take?”
    â€œFour! Does your mom want to buy some more cookies, too?”
    â€œLizzie’s not my mom,” I snap. Mandy looks surprised, so I don’t say anything for a few seconds. Then I start thinking about Friday-night movies and arguments over treats. “But she might buy some more. Mark and Johnny are getting tired of popcorn.”
    â€œCool! I’ll mention that when I talk to her.”
    â€œMatt usually makes the call on treats, though.”
    â€œI don’t know how you stand living with Matt Huckaby,” she says, frowning. “He’s so full of himself.”
    â€œYeah. Um, it’s probably better you don’t mentionmy name if he’s there when you talk to Lizzie.” I hesitate. “And that’s not why I’m here.”
    â€œOh? Then why?”
    All at once, I feel foolish.
    â€œHurry, Frankie Joe. Another car’s pulling up—more customers.”
    â€œIt’s about tiebreakers,”