“I don’t know either,” said Mrs. Carlisle.
Gary laughed along with several other kids in the class.
“I don’t think it’s funny,” said Mrs. Carlisle. “I think it’s sad. I will call on you again, on Friday, and by then I expect you to have a book report ready. And Gary,” she added, “not a jokebook this time.”
Gary sighed. She didn’t have to say that. The first time she assigned a book report, at the beginning of the year, she didn’t say it couldn’t
be a jokebook, so how was he supposed to know? Now he knew. She didn’t have to mention it every single time.
“What does she think I am—stupid?”
And besides, he thought, how am I supposed to know where I was three weeks ago when she assigned the book report? Maybe I was in the bathroom. It’s not like she’s been talking about it every second for three weeks. It’s just like a murder mystery. Where were you at exactly 8:23 on the night of July 13? How’s anybody supposed to remember? Only the murderer knows. The innocent people don’t remember things like that.
He talked to Miss Langley before class started.
“Yes, Gary?”
“May I see the list?”
“What list?”
“For the talent show.”
“I wish you cared as much about math as you do about the talent show.”
“I just want to see if anybody else has signed up yet.”
“You’re not the only one,” Miss Langley assured him. She showed Gary the list.
Gary W. Boone Tell jokes
Susan Smith Acrobatics
Joe Reed Rap
Matt Hughes Tell jokes
Brenda Thompson Sing
Julie Rose Poetry
Alex Roth Piano
Leslie Ann Cummings Sing
Connie Lee Sing and play guitar
Fred Furst Bird imitations
Marsha N. Posey Roller-skate
“I don’t want to be first,” said Gary.
“Pardon?”
“Just because I was the first to sign up, I don’t want to have to be the first one up on stage.”
“That’s not up to me,” said Miss Langley.