10. Ma

Chapter 10 Ma "Nice of you to show up, Marvin," said Miss Hillway as Marvin entered the classroom. He was twenty minutes late. "Sorry," he said. "Just waltz on in," said Miss Hillway. "We'll wait." He quickly took his seat. Miss Hillway handed out a worksheet. Marvin started to write his name at the top. He wrote: Ma. That was as far as he got. He tried not to think about Waldo—the way he always wanted to be petted, his white whiskers, his whining that sounded like singing.

He took a deep breath. And what about Mrs. North? What was she going to do when she came home? Tomorrow night! Marvin imagined her opening her front door. She'd be surprised because Waldo wasn't there to greet her. In his mind, Marvin saw her going through the house

with her suitcase still in her hand. She was calling, "Waldo? Waldo? Wa-wa-wa-Waldo?" And then he saw her picking up the telephone. He imagined himself alone in his room as the phone downstairs was ringing. Miss Hillway came around and collected the worksheets. "Ma?" she said, looking at Marvin's paper. "Um, may I have more time?" he asked. "I want Mrs. North to see this," said Miss Hillway, snapping up his paper. At recess, Marvin walked off by himself. Judy Jasper and Casey Happleton came running up to him. "Hey, Marvin!" said Judy, out of breath. "What are you eating under there?" "What?" he said. "What are you eating under there?" asked Casey. He didn't know what they were talking about. "Under where?" he asked. The two girls roared with laughter. "You're eating your

underwear!" exclaimed Judy. "You said you were eating your underwear," Casey explained. "Leave me alone," said Marvin, walking away. "It's just a joke!" said Casey "What a crab!" "Oh, there's Justin," said Judy. "Hey Justin! What are you eating under there?" "Under where?" asked Justin. After school, it felt strange not to have to go to Mrs. North's house. Marvin felt empty. "Are you okay?" Patsy Gatsby asked him. He shrugged. "Oh, he thinks he's better than everyone," said Stuart, coming up behind them. Nick was with Stuart. "Shut up!" said Marvin. "I don't have to!" said Nick. Marvin glared at Nick. "Waldo's dead," he said. "Are you happy now?" Nick's mouth dropped open. "What happened?" asked Patsy. Marvin told them how Waldo wouldn't eat. jmkfho. And about

the liver. And then what he found this morning. "Promise you won't tell anyone, okay?" he asked. They promised. "Oh, man," said Nick. "You are the unluckiest kid in the whole world."