Free Jack Strong Takes a Stand by Tommy Greenwald

familiar.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œ The Jack Strong?”
    â€œDo I know you?”
    The voice chuckled. “I sure hope so. If not, I’m not doing my job right.”
    Wait a second. Could it be? It sounded exactly like—no way—
    â€œThis is Brody Newhouse.”
    It was.

    Brody Newhouse was a pretty big deal. He was the host of Kidz in the Newz , a local TV show that was on every Wednesday night, where he interviewed kids from the area who had done something interesting that got people talking. A lot of people watched it.
    â€œUm, really?” I managed to stammer. “Brody Newhouse?”
    He chuckled. “That’s right, kid. The one and only. Hey, listen, part of our job is to keep an eye on all the local school newspapers. When we saw your article, we thought you’d be great for our show.”
    I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Me, Jack Strong, on TV?
    â€œI don’t get it, Mr. Newhouse. Don’t you usually have kids on who, like, pull a dog from a burning house or save a drowning lady or something?”
    â€œCall me Brody. And, yes, that’s true. Many of our guests have done something brave. But what you’re doing is equally courageous. You’re standing up for kids everywhere. By sitting down!” Then he laughed that Brody Newhouse laugh that I’ve heard in my living room about sixty-two thousand times.
    â€œWow. Um … I don’t know what to say, Mr. Newhouse.”
    â€œIt’s Brody!”
    By now the other kids had realized this was a different kind of phone call than the others, and they all gathered around to try and listen in.
    â€œBrody Newhouse,” I silently mouthed to them. “I swear.”
    â€œNO WAY!” yelled Kevin Kessler, who had officially forgotten about his wounded toe.
    Brody laughed again. “Sounds like you’re having a bit of a party there. Celebrating a little bit?”
    â€œKind of, I guess.”
    â€œSo here’s what I’d like to do,” he said, suddenly turning serious. “I’m going to want to come up there and see exactly what’s going on. How long have you been on that couch?”
    â€œFive days,” I said, suddenly realizing how puny that sounded.
    But Brody didn’t think so. “Five days on the couch? Holy moly, how have you not gone crazy?”
    â€œSometimes it gets a little boring, but basically it’s been good.”
    â€œWhat do you do all day?”
    â€œOh, you know, read, watch TV, do some exercises, hang out with my grandmother, stuff like that.”
    â€œWhat about the bathroom?”
    â€œThat’s the one time I’m allowed to get up. And for food, sometimes.”
    â€œAnd your parents still haven’t let you drop any of these activities?”
    â€œMy dad is pretty stubborn, I guess.”
    â€œAnd so are you,” said Brody Newhouse. Then he whistled. “Son takes on father! Takes a stand by taking a seat! Overscheduled kids unite! This is golden!”
    Cathy Billows elbowed me in the ribs. “What’s he saying? Is it really him?”
    â€œSshhh!” I snapped. Wow, I was shushing Cathy Billows. The world was officially upside down.
    â€œMy friends can’t believe it’s really you,” I told Brody. “This is so cool.”
    â€œWell, tell them it’s really me,” he said. “And if it’s okay by you, I’d like to come by Monday around five.”
    â€œMy schedule is wide open,” I said, which made him howl with laughter.
    â€œI love this kid! I love him!” He put his hand over the phone, but I could still hear him say, “Shaina, I need to be at this Strong kid’s house Monday at five. If all goes well and he’s the real deal, we’ll put him on Wednesday’s show.” He returned to me. “Okay pal, see you Monday. No friends hanging around, I’m afraid. Just you and me. Don’t want a