Lone Bean Read Online Free Page A

he sat down next to me, “it’s time to start taking piano lessons.”
    â€œBut I don’t want to play the piano,” I protested.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause Rose plays the piano.”
    And Rose plays the piano really well. She can play Mozart and Beethoven and even some songs you hear on the radio. Gardenia plays the flute, and when she plays, she sounds like a songbird.
    â€œYou’ll be great.”
    â€œBut Rose said my fingers are too short and nubby.”
    â€œShe was just teasing you. Your fingers are perfect,” said Dad as he tapped my hand with his. “And your sister plays so well because she takes lessons and practices. Like I always say—”
    â€œI know. I know,” I said. I’d heard Dad say it a million times. “Practice makes perfect. But I still don’t want to play the piano.”
    â€œBean, it’s time to start taking music lessons, so it’s either the piano or another instrument, but you have to choose one ASAP.”
    â€œFine,” I said. I crossed my arms.
    â€œWhat’s going on with you, Bean?” Dad put his arm around my shoulder. “You don’t seem like your happy self.”
    And I didn’t feel like my happy self, either. I let out a loud sigh and dropped my head to the cool table.
    â€œWhat’s up? You can talk to me.”
    â€œCarla has a new best friend. I don’t think Ms. Sullivan likes me, and now I have to play an instrument.” Tears started filling up my eyes. “Third grade is terrible.”
    Dad snuggled me in close to him. “It’s just the first day of school. And you know what? Music always makes me feel better when I am feeling blue.”
    I hoped he was right, but for now my mind was spinning with Carla and Ms. Sullivan and musical instruments. It all made me feel dizzy and sick, so I went outside to get some fresh air.
    Rose and her friend Gina were playing hopscotch on the driveway. They’d drawn the squares with pretty pink and purple chalk.
    â€œCan I play?” I called out.
    â€œWe’ve already started, Bean. Sorry,” Rose said as she threw the stone to the number 6 and hopped, jumped, hopped, jumped all the way to it.
    Gardenia burst out of the door and shoved right past me. I glared at her as she joined Rose and Gina—who immediately let her play with them. I decided I didn’t even want to play with my stupid-head sisters anyway.

Chapter 4
One Is Silver and the Other’s Gold
    Y ou’ve got mail, the computer said.
    I clicked on the mailbox and yes! There was an email from Tanya.
    Â 
    To: [email protected]
    From: [email protected]
    Subject: Re: Hows it goin?
    Hey Bean,
    Miss u 2. Sorry u had a bad day. Mine was great. My teacher is so nice. GTG cause my friend Donna is over.
    TTYL!
    T
    Â 
    Tanya had a friend to play with and I was all alone.
    I heard Mom come in the back door.
    â€œHey, honey,” said Dad.
    â€œI’m exhausted.” Mom sighed.
    â€œGo relax. I’ll get started on dinner.”
    â€œOh, it’s okay,” she said. “I know you have lessons tonight. I’m on dinner.”
    â€œThanks. I’ll put the water on to boil for the spaghetti while you change.”
    Mom came into the living room and took off her jacket. She was wearing blue scrubs, which kinda look like pajamas. She wears them every day to work at the hospital. They look so comfy, and she is so lucky that she never has to worry about what to wear or if it’s gonna match.
    â€œHey, there, Bean. What are you doing?” asked Mom.
    â€œJust checking my email.”
    â€œHow was the first day?” she said, spinning my chair around.
    I couldn’t even get a word out before my eyes filled up and I started to cry. I fell into Mom’s arms, and she held me tight.
    â€œThird grade is terrible. I hate it and I’m never going back.”
    â€œHow come? What happened?” Mom led me to the