Chapter 4

I quickly checked the prices stamped on the cover of my books and added them up. I was pretty good at math. I had a check for $40.00. I could easily afford it. I tapped the kid on the shoulder. “Here, give it to me. I’ll add your book in with mine. I have a check to cover it.”

The kid turned around and looked at me. “What?”

“You can pay me later, okay?” I told him we were in the same homeroom. He didn’t seem to remember me.

His glasses slipped down over the bridge of his nose and he pushed them back up with his finger. “Sure. Thank you,” then, “I’m Smith.”

“Noland,” I said.

The kids in the line behind us started yelling and telling us to get a move on. So we did.

At home, I told Mother about Smith, and how I’d offered to pay for his book.

“That was sweet of you, honey.”

“He’ll pay me back.”

“I’m sure,” she said, then went back to preparing dinner.