Raiders Night Read Online Free Page B

pussy. World’s fraidiest rottweiler.”
    â€œShe’s not even half rottweiler,” said Mom.
    â€œWell, that explains it,” said Dad.
    Matt measured the distance across the kitchen table as if Dad were a tackler who needed to be avoided or leveled. He must know he can’t take me anymore, thought Matt. That’s why we don’t box anymore. Maybe it’s time for some hard proof.
    Chill. In a few hours you’ll be on a bus out of here.
    â€œWhen we come back,” said Matt. “A barbecue when we come back.”
    â€œCan I go?” asked Junie. “I’ll help. Do burgers.” He mimed slapping meat patties on a grill.
    â€œWouldn’t that be nice,” said Mom.
    â€œCan you drop Matt off at the bus?” Dad was changing the subject. Might have won that one. “I’ve got a bar mitzvah all the way up in Bergen Lakes.”
    â€œI’m covered,” said Matt. All I need, Mom drops me off.
    â€œNo problem,” said Mom.
    â€œI’ll drive myself,” said Matt.
    â€œNot likely,” said Dad in his John Wayne voice. “Leave the Jeep in the school parking lot for a week?”
    â€œFive days. No one’ll bother it.”
    â€œWhat if I need a backup car?” The mask was dropping again. “You know, Matt, you may be a big cheese on the team, but you’re still part of this family, living in my house, eating my food, driving a car leased to Rydek Catering. You’re on my payroll.”
    Matt said nothing. He felt himself shrinking, hating the helpless feeling. For a moment, the only sounds in the kitchen were Romo’s whimpers. Then Mom said, “We’ll work it out.”
    â€œI’m sure you will.” Dad marched out. Over his shoulder, he said, “A good camp is the foundation of a good season. Remember that.”
    Remember this, thought Matt, imagining raising a middle finger to Dad’s back.

FIVE
    â€œYour father really cares about you, Matt.” Then Mom added, “He cares about both his boys.”
    It sounded tacked on to Matt. He checked Junie in the Jeep’s rearview mirror. He was fussing with Romo’s collar and didn’t seem to have heard. But you can never be sure what he picks up on, Matt thought. Retarded doesn’t mean dumb.
    Mom was cranking up. “It’s just the way your father communicates. He’s very direct. Sometimes that can be off-putting to people who don’t understand him. He can even sound angry.”
    â€œNot angry,” said Junie. “Just trying to scare you. To get his way.”
    Mom whirled around. “Who told you that?”
    â€œIs that wrong?” Junie’s voice trembled.
    â€œI told him,” said Matt quickly. “At the game, when he was ragging on the ump.”
    â€œYou were right, Junie honey,” said Mom. She lowered her voice. “You have to be careful what you say, Matt.” Then she patted his knee. “Give your father a chance. He only wants the best for you.”
    He had heard this so many times that tuning it out was as easy as tapping the mute. He was feeling too good to let it get at him now. In a couple of hours he would be far away. He felt relaxed in the heat of the afternoon. He had cleared his head with a long run in the cool, sweet foothills a few miles from the house and then a giggly hour on the living room rug with Junie and Romo, watching cartoons and wrestling. Junie needed more physical activity. Once school starts and Junie’s back at his part-time cafeteria job, Matt thought, he can hang out at football practice, run a little, lift a few light weights. Coach Mac would be cool with that.
    â€œAmanda?”
    That brought him back in a hurry. “What?”
    â€œWhen does she get back?”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œYou sound so defensive. Everything all right between you two?”
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    â€œMother’s