Read Online Maxed Out by Daphne Greer - Free Book Online Page A

throw it to him. He lifts his hand at the right moment and catches it, even though he’s not looking at me. Duncan avoids eye contact at any cost. He places his hat on his head and takes two more bites of cereal. Then he pushes his bowl away and says, “I’m done.”
    Outside, the cold air stings my nose. I pull the collar of my coat up as far as it will go.
    Our next-door neighbor, Mr. Cooper, is bent down picking up his newspaper. He’s usually the only person we see on our street in the morning. He never has his winter coat on, and he wears pants that are way too big for him. Sometimes I wonder if he used to be really big and then lost a bunch of weight but forgot to buy proper clothes afterward. He’s nice to Duncan and me. “Hi, Max. Hi, Duncan. It’s a little nippy today, eh?”
    â€œI’m Spider-Man,” Duncan says.
    I smile at Mr. Cooper. He is used to Duncan.
    â€œSorry, Spider-Man,” Mr. Cooper says. “One of these days I’ll get it right.”
    â€œYou’re going to confuse him,” I say to Duncan once we’re out of earshot. “Yesterday you were Batman, and the day before you were Darth Vader!”
    â€œI saw the crack in his bum,” Duncan says.
    â€œWell, at least you didn’t say that to him.” I glance back, but Mr. Cooper is already inside his house.
    At the end of the road, we slip into the woods and walk along the path. The snow is deep, but someone has made a trail we can follow. The sun pokes through the tall trees. When we reach the pond, I walk over to the edge and step onto the ice. I get swallowed up in a memory.
    There was a full moon, and Dad and I had sneaked out to skate on the pond. We played some hockey, and then I challenged him to a race. I stare at the ice, remembering Dad. In my mind I hear the scrape of the skates as we darted across the pond and the sound of his belly laugh when we reached the other side. Our race ended in a tie. I know he could have beat me, but that was Dad.
    The school bell rings in the distance, pulling me back into the present. Duncan and I turn away from the pond and everything that used to matter.
    When we get to Duncan’s classroom, I open the door as Lilly slips out. She has the attendance book in her hands. “Oh, you made it just in time.” She turns around. “Miss d’Entremont, Duncan is here.”
    â€œI’m Spider-Man,” he reminds her.
    â€œOh, sorry, Spider-Man. Hi, Max.” Lilly smiles at me with a mouthful of hot pink braces.
    â€œHey—can’t talk,” I say. “I’m late again.”
    Lilly’s smile fades, or maybe I’m imagining things. I hurry to class. I can’t get another late slip. That would mean a call home.
    I run the rest of the way, duck into my classroom and slump down in my chair. Ian is laughing with some kids in the back of the class. No one seems to have a care in the world.

Chapter Two
    I can hear them. It’s like I’m right there.
    I probably know who just scored. The sound of laughter echoes through the woods. When Duncan and I round the bend in the path, Ian is sliding belly-up on the ice. He skids smack into the goalie, puck and all.
    â€œAnd he scores!” Ian yells.
    â€œNice one!” I shout in his direction.
    â€œOweee, nice one,” Duncan mimics in a low voice.
    Ian stands up and brushes the snow off his pants. “Hey! Can you play today?” he hollers.
    â€œNo,” I yell back. “Mom’s got a long shift.” This is my standard answer now. Even when she isn’t at work, I still have to say that.
    It kills me. I want to skate with Ian and the guys like I used to.
    Ian skates over to the side of the pond. “That’s a drag!”
    â€œTell me about it,” I say.
    Duncan starts walking in circles with his fist in his mouth. I roll my eyes at Ian and then say to Duncan, “We’re going in a second! Do you really have to