It was a warm, sunny day, and lots of red and yellow leaves were still hanging onto the trees that lined the sidewalks on both sides of the street. But all that beauty was ruined by the sight of Annie Bananas running up to the bus stop at full trot.
“Matt! Norman!” Annie said, all hyper-like. “I was hoping to see you guys today!”
Annie threw some air kisses at me—I ducked—and gave a real kiss to Norman, on his cheek. Oops. I forgot to warn the robot about the importance of avoiding Annie kisses. It isn’t just due to cooties. I think Annie could be venomous. A snake with lips!
“Bonjour, Annie,” Norman said. “Comment ça va?”
Annie snickered and looked at me. “What did he say?”
I rolled my eyes. “He wants to know how you are doing.”
“I’m great,” she said. “I’m just glad someone cares enough to ask.” She threw me a Why can’t you be more like Norman? look. I just smiled.
Annie then asked Norman why he didn’t start school last week, and why she hadn’t seen him outside.
Norman blinked several times. “I’m afraid that I required multiple repairs and upgrades before I was ready to interact with the larger society.”
Annie looked confused.
“That’s how kids talk in France,” I said, in a rush. “He meant that he had to go to the doctor and get some shots.” For some reason I never felt bad about lying to Annie Bananas. In fact, I enjoyed it.
Annie slid closer to Norman so their arms were touching. She was flirting with a robot and didn’t even know it!
“Are you excited about starting school?” she asked Norman. “I hope we have all the same classes!”
I know it sounds crazy, but I was convinced that some color left Norman’s face. “Oui, excited,” he said. “I just hope that the vent monster does not disassemble me on my first day, and that I am not thrown into the tar pits by boys in the upper grades. That would be tragique.”
Annie narrowed her eyes and glared at me. “What exactly did you tell Norman about school?”
“Hey, I’m just trying to protect my little brother,” I said, fighting a laugh.
On the bus, Norman and I snagged a seat in the middle. Unfortunately, Annie found a seat right behind us and was pestering Norman with questions.
“So what was it like living in France?” she asked. “Did you have a family or were you an orphan? What do kids in France like to do for fun? Did you have lots of friends? Would you say that you were very popular at your school, medium popular, or unpopular?”
Norman turned slightly toward Annie Bananas. “Life in France was quite invigorating. Thank you for your inquiry, Miss Annie.”
That’s right. During preparations for school, Dad told Norman to not say anything specific about his previous life in France, should kids or teachers ask about it. But Annie was clearly dissatisfied. She frowned and said, “That’s not really an answer, Norman.” Seconds later she tacked on, “Why do I think you’re hiding a big secret?”
Uh-oh. I thought that I better come up with something fast or Annie would keep asking questions, and who knows what Norman might accidentally reveal.
So I quietly told Annie that Norman had had a difficult life in France, and whenever he talked about it he got really upset. She seemed to buy it, sitting back in her seat and looking concerned. Count it as another successful lie to Annie, but for some reason I didn’t feel too good about it. I hoped that I wasn’t losing my touch.
As the ride continued I noticed that several kids from my school were looking at Norman, whispering about the new kid. So far, no one had accused him of being a robot.
Norman was noticing the attention too. He stood and said, “Bonjour, children. My name is Norman Rambeau, and I am Matthew’s adopted brother, from France. I am pleased to announce that today I will begin my middle-grade studies.”
The kids look confused. That was not how twelve-year-olds were supposed to talk. Not even the ones from France.
The driver, a big guy with furry eyebrows, checked the mirror and said, “Hey, kid. No standing when the bus is moving.”
Norman glanced at me. I pointed to the driver and dragged a finger across my throat. “Sit down or he might throw you into traffic,” I whispered.
My brother slunk down as far as he could go in his seat without being on the floor. Norman might not be able to feel pain, but he did seem to know what it was like to tremble with fear. Could be fun!
Annie smacked me on the head. “Be nice to Norman,” she said.
Ow. For a girl, Annie has a decent smack to her. I almost respect her for that.