Buddy Is a Stupid Name for a Girl

Chapter 1 She had always liked the landlord, Mr. Beaman. Until today. Buddy watched his mouth as he talked, and she hated him."If your dad don't show up," he said, "you know, in a reasonable period of time, I can call Washington Social Services for you. They know what to do about kids who don't have anywhere to go."Buddy didn't have to look at her brother to see that he shared her feelings about that. Being put in a foster home, or a shelter? There wasn't even a shelter, as far as she knew, except in the big cities like Tacoma or Seattle, away. And she was sure Dad wouldn't want them to resort to anything like that.Mr. Beaman must have read their rejection in their faces. He switched tactics. "You kids got relatives. Idaho, ain't it? Or Montana, someplace like that. Go to them. That's the thing to do."Beside her, Bart stood stiff and frozen in shock. The same shock Buddy was feeling, only her brother didn't speak."We can't go to Montana," Buddy exclaimed. "They don't even write to us, didn't write much even before Mama died."Mr. Beaman licked his lips and looked miserable. "Still, they're family. You're just kids. They'll look after you. See, the thing is...you're two months behind on the rent now. And...well, you know I lost my job, too, when the mill closed. Same as your dad. I need the rent money. And...I got a family wants to rent the house. They got cash, first month and a deposit. I...told 'em they could move in Friday, first of the month."Bart looked as if he were frozen. His lips barely moved. "I don't think...it's not legal to just throw us out with no notice.""Well, you know and I know you haven't paid me any rent for almost three months. That's notice enough to be legal, I reckon. I need the money myself. I have to take this while I got the chance.""But you told my dad -- ""He said he'd get money to me before this. I can't wait any longer," Mr. Beaman said with determination, even though he was looking somewhat guilty. "You're gonna have to move, anyway, right, if the only job he could find is out of town? So you're gonna have to get out of the house before I lose these renters."Buddy couldn't believe what she was hearing. "But we can't go to Haysville," she told him, glancing at her brother in the hope he'd back her up. "We have to wait until Dad comes back!"The man licked his lips again. "I'm sorry," he said. "I already told 'em. Monday, I said."She felt as if she were drowning, suffocating. Bart made a strangling sound, and finally spoke in a voice that wasn't like his at all. "We couldn't take all our stuff with us. Not in a car.""No, no, I realize that. You can store it in the garage. I told the new people you wouldn't be able to clear that out yet. You don't own any of the furniture, so just pack the rest of it. Get some boxes at the Stop and Shop. They always have boxes."And then he was gone, letting the door slam behind him, down the front steps to his car. Buddy glared after him through the sting of tears. "What're we going to do?" she demanded.Bart rubbed a hand across his mouth. "Get out, I guess.""But Dad won't know where to find us when he comes back!""We only got relatives in one town. He'd call them if he couldn't find us here. But we don't have to go yet. We...we could manage in the car for a day or two, couldn't we? Park near the bus station. It's open all night. We could use the bathroom there, just for a couple of days. Watch for Dad, if he comes in on the bus.""Sleep in the car? Like we're homeless?" Her voice squeaked.Bart looked her straight in the face. "Buddy, wearehomeless. Until Dad comes back."She cried then. How could anybody live in acar?No bathroom, no kitchen, no room to stretch out to sleep? How would they cook? How would they stay clean? How could they go to school?Bart was watching her with hurting eyes. "It wouldn't be for long," he said. "At least Dad left the car. We woRoberts, Willo Davis is the author of 'Buddy Is a Stupid Name for a Girl' with ISBN 9780689816703 and ISBN 0689816707.