Read Online Iggie's House by Judy Blume - Free Book Online Page A

a table in the corner. She had missed the usual Saturday lunch crowd and was glad of that. She hated to wait in line and get shoved around.
    Winnie carefully decorated her french fries with just the right amount of ketchup and bit into the hot dog. It tasted marvelous. She patted her red pocketbook several times and then opened the clasp to make sure her petition was still here. It was.
    â€œWell, look who’s here,” a familiar voice boomed. Winnie looked up just as Big Red pulled over a chair and sat down. “I’ll join you,” he announced, banging his coke down on her table.
    â€œAre you asking me or telling me?” Winnie grinned.
    â€œUm … don’t mind if I do!” Big Red said, paying no attention to her. He helped himself to some of Winnie’s french fries. After tasting one he reached for the ketchup. He smothered the rest of the potatoes in it and continued nibbling.
    â€œThose WERE my french fries, you know,” Winnie said. “And they WERE fixed the way I like them!”
    â€œOh, sorry Winnie. Didn’t mean to spoil your lunch,” Big Red said, munching.
    Winnie sulked and concentrated on her hot dog.
    When Big Red had finished stuffing himself with Winnie’s potatoes he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Why’d you feed me that goofy story about those colored kids? Why’d you tell me they were from Africa when you knew all the time they were just ordinary?” he asked Winnie. “And from Detroit!” he added disgustedly.
    â€œBecause I know how you are. That’s why,” Winnie said quietly, not looking up.
    â€œWhat do you mean, how I am?” Big Red wanted to know.
    This time Winnie looked directly into Big Red’s blue eyes. “How you are about new kids. You never let new kids play right away. You make them suffer until you think they deserve the great privilege of playing ball with you.”
    â€œSo you lied on purpose!” Big Red accused.
    â€œIt was just a joke, Big Red. Forget it!” Winnie said, sipping her soda.
    â€œI hear you’re real friendly with them,” Big Red mumbled.
    â€œSo?”
    Big Red shrugged and said, “So nothing! I just wondered. They seemed okay to me. I mean, what do I care what color they are, right?”
    Winnie slammed her hand down on the table. “Right! What’d your folks say?” she asked.
    â€œNothing much. My mother said next thing youknow some nice girl from town will probably marry one.”
    â€œOh … that’s just great!” Winnie said, sarcastically.
    â€œYeah!” Big Red agreed. “But me, I’m not like that.”
    I’ll bet, Winnie thought to herself, as Big Red got up and left the table. Winnie finished up her coke, threw the paper plates into the garbage can and walked out into the sunshine.
    She parked herself on a chair at the side of the pool and pulled off her sweat shirt. She hung her nose clips around her neck, shaded her eyes from the sun and looked around. The swimming instructor, Mr. Berger, was on the far side of the rectangular pool. Winnie smiled and waved, but he didn’t notice her. Mr. Berger taught physical education at the high school. Two years ago Aunt Myrna had given Winnie a present of a whole series of swimming lessons from him. He didn’t approve of her nose clips, but she liked them because she never got water up her nose that way. Mr. Berger was walking in Winnie’s direction. She stood up and held her pocketbook tightly.
    â€œHi Mr. Berger,” she called out, waving.
    â€œWell, Winnie! Glad to see you’re doing all right without Iggie. Still got those old nose clips?Time to get rid of them.” He smiled good naturedly at her.
    â€œDo you have a minute, Mr. Berger?” Winnie asked timidly.
    Mr. Berger checked his watch. “Sure I do Winnie. My next lesson’s not for another ten minutes.” He sat down on a chair