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“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.”
