CHAPTER 2
Amir knew that hand, and that grip, very well. It was Officer Roberts, the police officer who worked in Amir’s neighborhood during the week.
“I don’t know how many times I need to tell you. You cannot climb the side of this building,” came the officer’s voice from below. “When are you going to get some sense? One of these times, you are going to get yourself hurt. Or worse!”
If only I had climbed a little higher, Amir thought. Then he wouldn’t have been able to reach me this time.
But he couldn’t do anything about that now. Officer Roberts was not going to let go of his leg unless Amir said he was climbing down.
“Okay, Officer Roberts,” Amir said. “I’m coming down.”
Officer Roberts let go of Amir’s ankle. He stood close by so he could help if Amir started to fall. But coming down from the side of the building was always easier than going up.
Amir got within a few feet of the ground and jumped the rest of the way down. He brushed the dust off his pants. Finally, he looked up at the police officer.
“So tell me, young man, why do you keep trying to climb this building?” Officer Roberts asked.
Amir glanced at the wall beside them. It was a red brick building, just two stories tall. Some of the bricks on the side of the building stuck out. That’s what made it a good building to climb.
“I don’t know why I like climbing the building,” Amir said. “It’s just something to do. There’s nothing else to do around here.”
He and the officer looked around. There were tall apartment buildings everywhere.
The building Amir tried to climb had stores on the first level. Most of the stores were empty. There were apartments above the stores. One of the apartments had broken windows.
Officer Roberts nodded. “I understand,” he said. “But I can’t let you climb that building. It’s too dangerous.”
Amir nodded. “I know,” he said. “I’m sorry.”
Amir was bored a lot of the time. He spent most of his days trying to find things to do. He had to make his own fun.
To Amir, there was nothing more thrilling than climbing that wall.
Officer Roberts noticed the sad look on Amir’s face.
“You know what?” the officer said. “You should try to find a place to do some real rock climbing. I think it would be fun for you. Plus, you’re good at it.”
“How can you tell?” Amir asked.
“Well, in all the years I’ve been working here, I’ve never seen anyone try to climb the side of that building,” Officer Roberts said. “It’s just too hard. Those bricks don’t stick out very far, and they aren’t very close together. You must be really good to be able to get up higher than my head.”
A small grin crossed Amir’s face. “Thanks,” he said. “I wish there was someplace close I could do it.”
Officer Roberts smiled. “I might be able to help you out with that,” he said.