Read Online My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer by Jennifer Gennari - Free Book Online Page B

your mother asked you to drop it off.”
    â€œBut what if it’s someone who knows me? And my mother really has turned in her entry form.”
    I looked at the office door. If someone was going to lie, I figured it should be me.
    â€œI’ll do it,” I said.
    â€œI’ll come.”
    I was surprised—and glad. “Thanks.”
    The woman behind the counter was stapling entry forms.
    â€œHi,” I said, too quietly. I tried again louder. “My aunt was hoping it isn’t too late to enter the berry pie competition.” I pushed the form across the counter.
    â€œShe’s just in time.” The woman put on her glasses and read over my entry form. My breath came ragged, as if I had been running. I clenched my fingers, waiting.
    Finally, she took out a pen and wrote a number on it. “Tell her she’s Number forty-seven and to deliver her pie on Monday by ten a.m.”
    I nodded, relief steadying me. “Does that mean there are forty-seven pies entered in the contest?”
    â€œThat’s right,” she said. “So tell her good luck!”
    As soon as the door shut behind us, Tina and I grinned.
    â€œThe competition will be much harder now, you know,” Tina said.
    â€œNumber forty-seven can handle it!” I did a cartwheel right there in the dirt. I was registered!
    Tina clapped and laughed. When I came up right side up again, I was face-to-face with Mr. Costa, stopping his farm truck beside us.
    â€œWell, look who’s here.”
    â€œIt’s Tina and that test-tube kid!” Sam jeered from the flatbed.
    â€œNo name-calling, son,” Mr. Costa said. He looked down at me from the driver’s seat. My face was red from Sam’s words.
    Mr. Costa rested his arm on the window. “You’re turning out fine, it seems, but I should tell you I don’t approve of homosexuals like your mom raising kids and wanting to get married,” he said. “And you’re getting old enough to start thinking about boys. If you ever get mixed up, you can come on over to our place. You’re always welcome.”
    I couldn’t speak.
    â€œDad!” Tina said.
    â€œJune’s normal—she’s got a boyfriend,” Sam teased. “Weren’t you and Luke holding hands the other day?”
    Tina squealed, “You never told me.”
    â€œHe’s not my boyfriend.” My voice came out hot and fast.
    â€œThat’s OK, sugar, you’re a little young,” Mr. Costa said. “Tina, Mom needs you back at the farm to watch Tim. He’s underfoot. We’ve got some hay to deliver.” And he drove off.
    The dust from the truck filled my eyes, but the bumper sticker on the back of the truck was unmistakable: TAKE BACK VERMONT .
    â€œCan you believe my dad is talking to us about boys!” Tina laughed. “Tell me about Luke! What happened?”
    â€œNothing.” I strode over to our bikes and grabbed my helmet, struggling with the strap.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” she asked. “Why are you leaving?”
    I picked up my bike. I was shaking all over. “It’s just like at the game at school,” I said. “You’re on his side, aren’t you?”
    â€œWhat are you talking about? You aren’t mad about what he said about your mom, are you? Just don’t pay any attention. He was concerned, anyway.”
    I stared at her. “I can’t believe you’re saying that.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œHe’s wrong, you know,” I shouted. “My mom is a great parent, and she deserves to marry Eva if she wants. They can get married just like anybody else!”
    I didn’t wait for Tina to answer. I jumped on my bike and pedaled for home.

Chapter Twelve
    I WOKE UP to the sound of a woodpecker tapping on the pine tree. I sat up and turned my binoculars to him. He was alone, as alone as I felt. I couldn’t go through with the pie contest. Not if I had