Jim & Me Read Online Free Page B

said it would be 15 minutes,” Bobby argued. “What’s the big deal?”
    Man, I hate Bobby Fuller. Something about him always brings out the worst in me. Everything he says just makes me mad. It’s the same for him about me, I suppose.
    I led Bobby into the living room. My mom was still puttering around the kitchen and I could see her peeking at us through the doorway.
    â€œA little privacy, please?” I said.
    Instead of doing what I asked, Mom came and plopped right in the middle of the couch, patting the cushions on either side of her. Bobby and I sat down.
    â€œI just want you boys to know that I expect you to be on your very best behavior,” she said. “That means no fighting, no swearing, no drinking, and nothing illegal. You’ve got to try to get along with each other. Do you understand?”
    â€œYes, Mom,” I said.
    â€œYes, Mrs. Stoshack,” Bobby said.
    â€œAnd be careful !”
    â€œWe will,” we promised.
    She was probably remembering the time I took her back to 1863 and we landed in a graveyard, with bullets and shells exploding all around us. She wasn’t too happy about that.
    Mom went back to the kitchen and returnedholding two brown paper lunch bags. One was marked BOBBY and the other was marked JOEY .
    â€œIn case you need a snack,” she said before hurrying upstairs.
    It was quiet in the house. Uncle Wilbur had already gone to sleep. Bobby and I sat on the couch. I put my mom’s silly lunch bags aside. No way was I taking them with us.
    â€œWhat do I have to do?” Bobby asked.
    â€œNothing,” I said. “I do the work. You got the card?”
    â€œYeah,” he said, pulling it out of his pocket. I had him put it on the coffee table instead of in my hand. As soon as I touch a card, it sets the wheels in motion for me to go back in time. I wanted to be sure I was ready.
    â€œOkay,” I said, “hold my hand.”
    â€œWhat?!” Bobby exclaimed. “Are you kidding? Forget it, Stoshack! I’m not holding hands with you.”
    â€œWhat’s your problem?” I said, not really wanting to know the answer.
    â€œI’m not holding hands with a guy ,” he said.
    â€œLook, I don’t particularly want to hold hands with you either,” I said. “But I can only take somebody with me if we’re holding hands. It’s sort of like completing an electrical circuit.”
    â€œIt’s stupid , is what it is,” Bobby said.
    â€œFine,” I told him. “Don’t hold hands. I guess we’re not going to meet Jim Thorpe after all.”
    â€œOkay, okay,” said Bobby.
    He took my hand like he was picking up somebody’s used tissue.
    â€œOh, wait a minute!” I said, pulling it away.
    Suddenly I realized I had forgotten something crucially important—a pack of new baseball cards. Just as an old baseball card would take me to the past, I would need a new baseball card to get me back to the present day. If I went back in time without some new cards, I would have no way to get home. I’d be stuck in the past forever.
    I bounded upstairs two steps at a time and fished around in my desk until I found a new pack of cards. Then I went back down to the living room. Bobby rolled his eyes.
    â€œOur return ticket,” I said, showing him the cards before sticking them in my back pocket.
    â€œYou ready now?” Bobby asked. “Let’s blow this pop stand.”
    Bobby took my hand again and I picked the Thorpe card up off the table. It suddenly occurred to me that I hadn’t even checked the year of the card. I usually try to research where I’m going before I get there. No time for that now. Oh, well, it would only be 15 minutes anyway.
    â€œWhat’s supposed to happen?” Bobby asked.
    â€œBe patient.”
    â€œNothing’s happening,” Bobby said after a few seconds.
    â€œClose your eyes,” I instructed him.