Read Online Neil Armstrong Is My Uncle by Nan Marino - Free Book Online

ball pops up from the middle of the crowd, landing splat onto a place where no one’s standing.
    Conchetta Marchetta runs from right field, steps over a pile of boys, picks up the ball and throws it to third, where Muscle Man is heading.
    It’s gonna be close.
    Greg McGinty reaches for the ball. Muscle Man reaches for the base.
    â€œSafe,” shouts John Marcos.
    The only chance we have of tagging him out is if he tries for the home run. “Come on, stupid. Run for home.” I wish it so hard that I must have said the words out loud, because Billy Rattle gives me an odd look. Muscle Man stays on third.
    Greg throws the ball to me, and it lands, rock solid, at my stomach.
    Billy Rattle scratches the top of his head. “What do we do now?” He waves John Marcos over. Greg McGinty, without being invited, joins the group.
    â€œHe’s on third. How’s he going to kick?” asks Billy Rattle.
    â€œHe should have thought of that before he challenged everyone. I think he should forfeit his man on third. Those are the rules.” I bounce the ball a few times to sound official.
    â€œI’m not exactly sure there are rules for a game like this one.” Greg McGinty looks me square in the eye instead of down at the ground like he’s supposed to when we’re having a talk on the field.
    â€œHow about we put in a runner?” says John Marcos.
    â€œWhat? We’ve never done that before,” I say.
    â€œYou’ve never played one against thirteen,” says Greg.
    â€œHey, Benny!” shouts John.
    Before I can take a breath, Benny’s standing next to all of us, towering over everyone, even Greg, who’s two years older.
    â€œWe need you to take third,” explains John.
    In a leap and a bound, Benny’s on third base, waiting to run.
    I look back at my team. Huh. My team. My players. The group that’s supposed to stand behind me.
    No one says nothing.
    â€œAnyone know the rules about a runner?” I shout to the outfield. “Is this really fair?” I wave my arms at the base.
    There’s not a peep from anyone.
    Big Danny sways back and forth. “I don’t feel so hot.”
    â€œThat’s because there’s a runner on third,” I shout back.
    â€œMaybe you shouldn’t have eaten all that candy,” says MaryBeth from way out in right field.
    â€œNo, something is…” Big Danny turns a funny shade of green. And then he hurls his ice cream and candy bars all over second base.
    â€œOh, that’s disgusting!” cries MaryBeth, and the game is called for the day.

Chapter Fifteen
Like Gold
    T HE NEXT DAY, I decide to call for Muscle Man, just in case he has any ideas of not showing up.
    â€œWhere are you going?” asks MaryBeth, her blonde hair tied up with ribbons that match her shorts. I look down and notice her shoes match too. Jeez.
    â€œI figured I’d call for him, in case he gets lost,” I say.
    â€œI’m coming with you.”
    I walk up to Mrs. Kutchner’s with MaryBeth three steps behind me.
    As soon as I knock, Mrs. Kutchner answers the door, smiling.
    â€œWhere’s Muscle M—” I hesitate. It seems I’ve forgotten his real name.
    â€œHi, Mrs. Kutchner.” MaryBeth smiles.
    â€œHello, MaryBeth,” says Mrs. Kutchner.
    â€œI was wondering if Douglas would be able to play with us. We’re playing kickball and we want to finish our game,” says Miss-Matchy-Matchy-with-her-hair-ribbons-and-sandals.
    â€œDouglas,” Mrs. Kutchner calls up the stairs, “your friends are here for you.”
    I want to correct Mrs. Kutchner and explain to her that I am not his friend. Something about the way she looks at me makes me stop.
    Muscle Man’s wormy voice floats down from upstairs. “Tell them I’ll be out in a minute, Grandma.”
    Mrs. Kutchner, MaryBeth, and I stare at each other. Each one of us has a make-believe smile on our