Chapter 23

           ImadeitverysnappyonthephonebecauseIwasafraidmyparentswouldbargeinonmerightinthemiddleofit.Theydidn’t,though.Mr.Antoliniwasverynice.HesaidIcouldcomerightoverifIwantedto.IthinkIprobablywokeheandhiswifeup,becauseittookthemahelluvalongtimetoanswerthephone.Thefirstthingheaskedmewasifanythingwaswrong,andIsaidno.IsaidI’dflunkedoutofPencey,though.IthoughtImightaswelltellhim.Hesaid"GoodGod,"whenIsaidthat.Hehadagoodsenseofhumorandall.HetoldmetocomerightoverifIfeltlikeit.

           HewasaboutthebestteacherIeverhad,Mr.Antolini.Hewasaprettyyoungguy,notmucholderthanmybrotherD.B.,andyoucouldkidaroundwithhimwithoutlosingyourrespectforhim.HewastheonethatfinallypickedupthatboythatjumpedoutthewindowItoldyouabout,JamesCastle.OldMr.Antolinifelthispulseandall,andthenhetookoffhiscoatandputitoverJamesCastleandcarriedhimallthewayovertotheinfirmary.Hedidn’tevengiveadamnifhiscoatgotallbloody.

           WhenIgotbacktoD.B.’sroom,oldPhoebe’dturnedtheradioon.Thisdancemusicwascomingout.She’dturneditonlow,though,sothemaidwouldn’thearit.Youshould’veseenher.Shewassittingsmackinthemiddleofthebed,outsidethecovers,withherlegsfoldedlikeoneofthoseYogiguys.Shewaslisteningtothemusic.Shekillsme.

           "C’mon,"Isaid."Youfeellikedancing?"Itaughtherhowtodanceandallwhenshewasatinylittlekid.She’saverygooddancer.ImeanIjusttaughtherafewthings.Shelearneditmostlybyherself.Youcan’tteachsomebodyhowtoreallydance.