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

beside her.
    â€œWe’ve got some new neighbors Mr. Berger. In Iggie’s house. They’re uh … they’re uh … Negro,” Winnie said quietly.
    Mr. Berger kept smiling at her. “Oh …”
    â€œYes … we’re very good friends,” Winnie said excitedly. Then she paused and added, “At least we were until this morning. Mr. Berger, I’ve got this petition and uh … I’d like you to sign it for me. Would you?”
    Mr. Berger looked at Winnie for what seemed to be a very long time. Then he said, “Well, I can’t answer that until I see it. Where is your petition?”
    Winnie whipped it out and presented it to him. “Here it is and here’s a pencil,” she said, fumbling in the bottom of her pocketbook for the one she had sharpened so carefully.
    Mr. Berger read her paper thoughtfully. “This is more of a questionnaire than a petition, Winnie. But I’ll fill it out for you.” He reached for her pencil and Winnie held her breath, wondering if he wouldcheck Like … Don’t Like … Don’t Care … or Don’t Know.
    Mr. Berger handed the questionnaire back to her. She was almost afraid to look. “Go ahead and read it Winnie,” he said.
    Winnie turned away from the sun and studied the paper. Mr. Berger had signed his name in the proper space: Frank G. Berger. To the question “Feelings about Colored People” Mr. Berger had written across one whole line … What color? Green or purple?
    â€œMr. Berger!” Winnie sighed, embarrassed. “You know what I mean!”
    â€œYes, I think I do Winnie. But I can’t answer a question like that by checking a box. I have many feelings. And my feelings are different for each person.”
    â€œThat’s just it Mr. Berger!” Winnie raised her voice. Then she leaned over closer to him and explained softly, “You see, Mrs. Landon is being mean to the Garbers without knowing them, because of their color. And my folks, well, I’m disappointed in them too. And I’m all mixed up, Mr. Berger. And I just wish Iggie was here. And I wish somebody would help me understand!” Tears came to Winnie’s eyes and she looked away.
    â€œWinnie, Winnie,” Mr. Berger said gently, puttingan arm around her. “Sometimes life is like that. I’ll tell you one thing though. I’m proud of you.” And then with a grin he added, “Even if you do wear nose clips!”
    â€œYou think I’m right then?” Winnie asked, returning the smile.
    Mr. Berger nodded. “I think anybody who cares about people is right Winnie.”
    They were interrupted by a shrill voice screaming, “Don’t put your face near the water. Don’t go in so deep. Come back here Clarice! You’ll drown. No splashing! You’ll ruin my hair.
Please
children!”
    Winnie groaned, as she turned toward the voice. Mrs. Landon and Clarice. Yick! Winnie heard that they recently joined the pool. “I can’t stand her,” Winnie confessed to Mr. Berger. “And that itsy-bitsy precious-wecious little princess of hers!”
    â€œI can understand how you feel about Mrs. Landon, Winnie. But try not to take it out on Clarice. It isn’t easy to go through life with a mother like that. Why don’t you talk to Clarice? Give her another point of view. The way Iggie did for you.”
    â€œI can’t Mr. Berger. I just can’t!” Winnie insisted.
    â€œWell, think about it Winnie. I’ve got to give a lesson now. Keep your chin up!” Winnie nodded and watched Mr. Berger walk away.
    She folded her questionnaire and racked it into her pocketbook. Mr. Berger was right … you can’t expect people to answer a question like that with a simple check mark. There had to be another way.
    Winnie sat down on the edge of a lounge chair. She watched Mr. Berger