I try to focus on my painting,
but it’s hard. Greg keeps
looking over and
whispering, Wow,
loud enough for me
to hear it.
I steal a few glances
at his painting,
but it’s not good.
Not even a little bit.
I paint different colors
than the ones on the vase
Mr. Langley put on his desk.
Blues and blacks and reds
that don’t look as dark as
I’d like them to, since
we’re using watercolors.
When Mr. Langley walks by,
he stops and stares. Interesting
color choice, Paulie, he says
before he moves away.
until the bell rings,
until most of the kids
leave the room, until it’s just
me and Greg and Mr. Langley.