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Marvin knew his mother didn’t quite believe everything Joe said. He wasn’t sure he did, either.
“Is there someone at your house who can bring your things over?” his mother asked. “You don’t have pajamas, a toothbrush, or a change of clothes for tomorrow.”
“I just wear the same clothes every day,” Joe said. “I sleep in them, too.”
“Oh, I see.”
“It’s true,” Marvin said, sticking up for his friend. “He’s worn the same clothes every day for a week.”
“And I always take my toothbrush with me wherever I go,” Joe said. He reached into the front pocket of his baggy pants and pulled out a toothbrush.
Marvin’s father asked Marvin to help him take the futon up to Marvin’s room.
The futon was in the family room. When Nick or Stuart spent the night, they slept on that.
“You don’t have to,” said Joe. “I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“The futon is very comfortable,” Marvin’s father assured him. “Just like a bed.”
“If you want, you can sleep in my bed, and I’ll sleep on the futon,” said Marvin.
“I don’t like beds,” said Joe. “At home I sleep on a hard, flat board.”
“Oh, I see,” said Marvin’s mother.
“What should I do?” asked Marvin’s father.
“Let him sleep on the floor,” said Marvin’s mother.
“Can I sleep on the floor, too?” asked Linzy.
A few hours later, Marvin went to bed and Joe went to floor.
“Good night, Joe,” said Marvin.
“Good night, Marvin,” said Joe. “Thanks for inviting me over. This has been the best day of my whole life.”
Marvin was glad. It had been a fun day for him, too. He felt as if he and Joe had been friends for a long time, not just for one day.
“We travel around so much,” said Joe. “It’s hard for me to make friends.”
“I guess the kids at school have been kind of mean to you.”
“Oh, they’re okay,” said Joe. “I’ve been treated a lot worse. I just wish I knew what I did wrong. I tried so hard this time. Before I came here, I read books and watched movies about what the kids were like here.”
Marvin was surprised there were books and movies about that.
“But still, everyone knows I’m different,” said Joe. “What did I do wrong?”
“You’re not different,” Marvin said. “I mean, everyone’s different. Life would be boring if everyone was the same.”
“But what do I do that is so different?” Joe asked. “I want to fit in. I want the other kids to like me. What do I have to do?”
Marvin didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to hurt Joe’s feelings.
“I don’t want to be a door key,” said Joe.
“You’re not a door key,” said Marvin. “You’re a good friend. If the other kids can’t see that, then that’s their problem.”
