Read Online There's a Bat in Bunk Five by Paula Danziger - Free Book Online

puts her hand on Barbara’s shoulder.
    â€œI’d like it to be perfect. How are we going to work all of this out? Where are we going to get the money to afford all these different foods? Vegetarian? Ethnic? No sugar? Some sugar?”
    We sit quietly for a minute.
    She speaks again. “Is Ginger getting any better? Do you think she’s responsible for all those problems?”
    â€œMost of them.” Corrine nods.
    â€œMaybe I made a mistake, letting her come back.” Barbara puts her head into her hands.
    â€œYou wouldn’t do anything that’s not right,” I say. “Somebody may be able to reach her.”
    â€œMarcy, stop making excuses for me. It’s getting a little hard for me to be the perfect example that you want me to be. I’m really getting tired of it.”
    â€œBut . . .”
    â€œJust get off my back,” Barbara says, standing up. “I’m going for a walk.”
    She leaves.
    I feel stunned.
    I really hurt.
    The tears start.
    I’m glad the kids aren’t around.
    Corrine says, “Marcy, she didn’t mean to hurt you. People sometimes say things without meaning them.”
    â€œBut she’s really mad at me.”
    â€œShe’s upset and just took it out on you. Marcy, you really do expect her to be perfect. You don’t think that the people you care a lot about can make mistakes or be human. That’s a heavy load to lay on someone.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” I sniffle.
    â€œYou don’t have to be perfect either. I know I’m not.”
    â€œSure, you are.” I smile at her.
    â€œI snore. That’s not perfect.” She’s grinning at me.
    â€œHow do you know you snore?” I ask. “You seem to sleep right through it.”
    She grins more. “I’ve had some comments and complaints.”
    I grin back. “Well, your snores are perfect, just the right decibels and very even. When I grow up, I want to snore just like you.”
    â€œSurprise, my dear, you do snore.”
    â€œReally? Nobody ever told me that before.” I’m surprised.
    â€œThat’s because you usually don’t sleep with anyone.”
    I get up. “I guess I’m just not as worldly as you are. Have you gotten
many
complaints about your snoring?”
    â€œNosy,” Corrine says, getting up. “I’m not going to answer that on the grounds that it might incriminate me. Look, don’t you have the afternoon and evening off today?”
    I nod, drying my tears.
    â€œAnd a date with a very nice young man named Ted?”
    Again I nod.
    â€œSo go get ready. And cheer up. It’ll work out. I’ll come in to talk to you after I check on the kids.”
    I go back into the cabin and think about what’s been said. Maybe I do expect too much of everyone. My mother tells me that a lot.
    I start to pick out what I’m going to wear.
    There’s a knock on the door.
    â€œCome in.”
    It’s Barbara. “Marcy, I’m really sorry.”
    I stand there, holding a shirt.
    â€œIt’s been a little rough lately. I’m sorry I blew my top.”
    â€œIt’s all right.” I’m just relieved she’s not mad at me.
    â€œI want you to know the reason I got so angry is that I think sometimes we’re a lot alike. I want too much perfection from myself and others too. There are lots of good ways we’re alike and some not so wonderful ways. So I guess getting angry at you is a little like getting angry at myself.” Barbara plays with her hair, twirling some of it around her hand.
    â€œI can think of worse things than to be like you,” I say. “But I do understand what you’re saying.”
    â€œGood,” Barbara says. “I’m glad we can talk about it.”
    â€œInstead of yelling,” I say, thinking about how my father reacts.
    â€œI’ll see you later. Have a nice day off,” Barbara