Read Online From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun by Jacqueline Woodson - Free Book Online

the side. “Me? I’d be better off with something dark and lovely.”
    Sean sucked his teeth. “You’d be better off with anything you can get, man!”
    We laughed.
    â€œSo, Melly, your mama find a boyfriend yet?” Sean nosed. “What about that guy from the other night? Just how ugly was he?”
    Maybe they knew already. Maybe the whole stupid world knew. “Very ugly. And dumb? Man, this guy was riding the rough edge of ‘vegetable.’ You have anyone else in mind for her, Sean? Your father’s married. Least that what he’s supposed to be!”
    Ralphael laughed and slapped me five. I waited for Sean’s answer, already knowing what it would be.
    â€œI’m talking about me,” he said, brushing off his T-shirt. “Me and your mother would look sweet together!”
    I tried to laugh, punching Sean’s arm. But the grin on my face felt like it was pasted there, like a bad Halloween mask that might fall right off and reveal the boy underneath.
    Sean and I danced around in fighters’ stances, jabbing at the air.
    â€œWhen it turns into a real fight, you two will be sorry!”
    All three of us turned in the direction of the voice. Across the street, Mrs. Shirley was leaning out the window on a pillow.
    â€œWe’re just playing,” Sean said. He scowled. “She’s so nosey,” he whispered without moving his lips.
    â€œYeah, you playing now. Wait till someone hits somebody like they don’t want to be hit. You boys just stop it. No need to be showing yourselves like that!”
    â€œI was just telling them that, Mrs. Shirley,” Ralph lied. “Just this minute I was saying no need to fight, guys. We’re all brothers on this planet.”
    Mrs. Shirley smiled. “Say hi to your mama, Ralphael.”
    â€œI will, Mrs. Shirley.”
    â€œI will, Mrs. Shirley,” Sean mimicked.
    We headed around the corner, out of Mrs. Shirley’s sight.
    â€œNah, man,” Ralph said. “That’s how you have to be with her. Next thing you know, she’ll be all up in my mama’s face talking about how we were fighting in the street. And Sean, you know my moms will be over to your house in a quick second. Then, that’ll be it for our summer. That’s all I need, to be on punishment for the whole summer.”
    Sean and I nodded. Ralphael had a point—Mrs. Shirley had to be the biggest see-all-know-all on the block. I wondered if she had seen Kristin coming or leaving our house. Probably. Next it would be all over the neighborhood.
    We stopped in front of Pancho’s. Sean threw the ball to me and ran inside.
    Ralphael grinned, throwing his arm over my shoulder. “Mel, you think your moms might be a little bit off the wall? I was just wondering. Who would name a kid Melanin Sun? I swear, I never ever never!”
    I jerked away from him, scared all of a sudden. What if Mama and Kristin came back downstairs and were hanging out outside the building? What if they were holding hands or something?
    â€œI gotta go,” I said quickly.
    Ralph looked puzzled.
    â€œI just got to go,” I said again, heading back toward my building. “I’ll catch you later.”
    I got back in time to see them climbing into Kristin’s car. When Mama saw me, she got out again.
    â€œDo you want to go for a drive, maybe get some dinner?”
    â€œI got things to do,” I said, shaking my head.
    â€œI miss you,” Mama said, touching my cheek.
    I shrugged. After a little bit of time had passed in silence, Mama sighed, touched my cheek again, then climbed back into the car.

Chapter Thirteen
    I was sitting at my desk going through my frog stamps when the phone rang a few hours later.
    â€œCan I speak to Melanin Sun?” a girl’s voice said.
    â€œThis is Mel.”
    â€œWell, this is Angie.”
    â€œWhat’s up, Angie?” I said, then immediately regretted it. It sounded