7. A Conversation

Chapter 7 A Conversation? Casey could talk. Marvin was sure of it. If she couldn't talk, one of her parents would have called and asked what happened. He knew she'd have to say something in school. It would be impossible for her to go through a whole day in school without saying one word. "Good morning, Casey," he said as he sat down next to her. She smiled at him, but said nothing. He watched her during the Pledge of Allegiance. Her mouth formed the words, but she didn't speak. Finally, during math, Mrs. North asked her a question. Casey pointed to her mouth. Then she held her hands

out, as if to say she was helpless. "She can't talk," said Judy Jasper. "Do you have laryngitis?" asked Mrs. North. Casey shrugged. Marvin knew Casey didn't have laryngitis. When you have laryngitis, you can still speak in a sort of raspy whisper. Casey had faker-itis! Mrs. North had Casey come to the front of the room and write the problem, and answer, on the board. "Very good, Casey," Mrs. North said when Casey finished. "I hope you feel better soon. Although I must say, I had been wondering why it was so nice and quiet in here this morning." Several kids laughed. Casey smiled at Mrs. North. Then she turned and stared angrily at Marvin. Marvin stared right back at her. He knew she would have to talk sooner or later. He doubted she could make it to recess. Casey made it to recess. Marvin stared at her from the wall-ball line. She was standing on the blacktop with Judy and Melanie. Suddenly, Judy and Melanie laughed.

Marvin grabbed Stuart's arm. "She said something," he announced. "Who?" asked Stuart. "Why else would they laugh?" asked Marvin. "If she didn't say anything?" "Who?" asked Nick. She probably said something about me, Marvin thought. Judy and Melanie are laughing at me. He felt his ears get hot. A ball hit Marvin's shoulder. He quickly spun around. "You're up, Marvin," said Travis. He'd been waiting all recess for his turn. But now he just walked away and said, "I have to talk to Casey." "But she can't talk," Stuart called after him. Casey had her back to Marvin, but turned around as he approached. She stared at him, hands on hips. Melanie and Judy backed off. Marvin marched right up to her. "What did you say about me?" he demanded. Casey's eyes widened. Marvin could tell what she was thinking. He could read her face. Her face said, How can I say something about

you? I can't talk. Remember? "Don't give me that," said Marvin. "I saw Judy and Melanie laugh." Casey's face said, So? They're allowed to laugh. It's a free country. "You're going to get into trouble when Mrs. North finds out you don't have laryngitis," said Marvin. Casey held out her hands. It's not my fault I can't talk. "First of all," said Marvin, "I don't believe in your stupid magic crystal. It's not even a crystal. It's just a rock. How do you know it got struck by lightning? And besides, you're the one who has it. If it really is magical, all you have to do is wish that you can talk again." Casey raised her eyebrows. Her eyebrows seemed to say, How can I make a wish if I can't talk? "Oh, yeah," said Marvin. He hadn't thought of that. "All right. Give me the rock, and I'll wish that you can talk again." Casey looked at him. Marvin wasn't quite sure what her face said. It either said, You just said you don't believe in the rock. It won't work if you don't believe.

Or else it said, No way! I can't trust you, Marvin. Not after your last wish. "Well, then, give the rock to Judy and let her wish for you," said Marvin. Casey puffed out her cheek with her tongue. This seemed to say, Judy doesn't know about the magic crystal. She doesn't know that's why I can't talk. And since I can't talk, I can't tell her. "Well, write it all down on paper for her," said Marvin. Yeah, right! answered Casey's angry face. You know I hate to write. It's bad enough I have to write for school. If I tried to write all that to Judy, it would take ten sheets of paper. And I'd probably sprain my hand. "Now you're exaggerating," Marvin said. Are you insane? asked Casey's scrunchedup nose. "You're just being stubborn," Marvin replied. Casey's face turned red. I'm stubborn? You're the one who's stubborn! You're a stupid, stinky booboo-head baboon! "Fine, be that way!" said Marvin. "I don't care if you never talk again!" He turned his back on her and angrily walked away.

The bell rang before he made it back to the wall-ball area. Now he was really mad. He'd wasted his entire recess, and it was all Casey's fault! He used to kind of like her. Sort of. But not anymore! Not after she called him a stupid, stinky booboo-head baboon!