Read Online Going Home by Nicholasa Mohr - Free Book Online

lunch, we were all allowed to spend some time out in the school yard. Kids were playing different games—basketball, hopscotch, jump rope—or just hanging out. We all picked a spot by the school fence where it was warm and sunny. We were busy talking when I heard someone calling me and whistling.
    â€œFelita ... hey! Yoo hoo, Felita!” It was Joey, Eddie, the twins Dan and Duane, and Paquito. They walked over to us.
    â€œBuenos dias, Señorita Felita ...” Joey bowed real low. “Would you all like me, José Ramos, to teech you Spaneesh privately, my deeer?” I knew he was putting on a Spanish accent, trying to imitate Vinny. “And you can teech me Eeenglish!” That fool was shouting so loud that some other kids came over and began to laugh. I couldn’t believe that Joey could be so evil.
    â€œGet out of here, you idiot!” I went right over to him, ready to smack him right in his ugly grinning face.
    â€œJust cut it out, you guys!” Gigi was yelling at them. I walked up to Joey, but he just backed away like a coward.
    â€œHey, man, what’s the matter with you, Felita?” That Joey just wouldn’t stop. “Ain’t you happy to be Señor Beenie’s señorita?” Then all Joey’s dumbo friends started making kissing sounds at me while they kept on following him like a. bunch of fools, laughing at every silly thing he said.
    â€œLook, stupid Joey Ramos, I ain’t nobody’s señorita, so why don’t you quit sitting on your brains! Moron!” Finally they all turned around and took off.
    â€œGross,” said Consuela. “Don’t you pay them no mind, Felita.”
    â€œThey are just too dumb.” Gigi put her arm around me.
    â€œWell,” Lydia said, “you gotta admit that you and Vinny spend a lot of time together.”
    â€œYeah, and it looks to everyone like he’s your boyfriend.” Naturally Vivian had to put in her two cents.
    â€œNo, Vivian, not to everyone. Only to the imbeciles. Vinny happens to be my good friend, and besides, it ain’t nobody’s business, you know.”
    â€œExcuse me.” Vivian turned and began to walk off.
    â€œYou are excused all right!” I made sure she heard me. Of course Lydia took off after her.
    â€œI think we should change the subject,” said Elba.
    â€œSince I don’t care what anybody thinks, I think you are right.” Before I could say another word, the school bell rang and we all went back to class.
    After school Vinny, Consuela, and Joanie and me were walking home when we saw Joey and the other boys across the street. They began calling out to us.
    â€œHey, Felita and Vinny! Love is such a wonderful thing!” Then they begin to make all kinds of smacking and kissing noises, waving their arms and jumping around like a bunch of monkeys. I became so embarrassed that I could feel myself burning up with anger. In fact I was so self-conscious, I couldn’t say one word.
    â€œJust don’t pay attention, Felita,” said Vinny. “Soon they will get tired and stop. They only want to make us angry because they are jealous.” We just kept going, ignoring them, until finally they headed in another direction. We walked along not saying much until we reached the big intersection where Consuela and Joanie leave us.
    â€œFelita, I’ll see you next week during Easter vacation,” Consuela said. “You’re coming out to play, right?”
    â€œSure, especially now that the weather’s so great. Hope you can come over to my house.”
    â€œI’ll ask my mother, but you know who’s gotta come with me.” She pointed to Joanie. “I can’t get rid of her.”
    â€œThat’s cause she loves her little sister so much,” said Joanie, sticking out her tongue and crossing her eyes. That Joanie could be real cute sometimes.
    Vinny and I went on walking down the block. We