Free One True Friend by James Cross Giblin

here anymore. Maybe she was lying to me about him, because she doesn't want to tell on her sisters.
    Lavinia and the twins were right for the first time in their lives, and maybe I should apologize to them. But I still don't like their attitude.
    Gerald is bugging me as I write. He is pulling my arm and whining, "Dawiss, libree." I'll have to read him a story. That's the only thing that will settle him down when he gets like this. Have to go now.
    Write soon!
    Your soul friend,
    Doris
    P.S. Are you still sending out letters?
    "Amir!" Ronald screeched from the bottom of the stairs just as Amir finished reading Doris's letter. "It's family devotional time," he yelled, almost like a taunt, as if he knew his brother didn't want to sit through family devotions.
    Amir walked slowly down the stairs. Alvin sank back into his recliner that over the years had taken the shape of his broad frame. Grace sat on the sofa, and Ronald was sprawled on the floor in front of the blank television screen.
    Alvin smiled as if something special was about to happen."Son, I just heard from my cousin that he found out where your uncle worked. The owner of the place said he moved to Virginia with his family. So Max is going to make some calls down there."
    Grace sucked her teeth. "Alvin, I thought you said we'd wait until we knew for sure. We don't even know where in Virginia."
    "I'm just keeping Amir updated. He's got to be hopeful."
    Amir nodded. "Yes, sir, I'm hopeful."
    Alvin frowned at him. "You don't sound hopeful. What happened to Mister Alvin? Son, is there something bothering you? If so, now is the time to speak on it."
    "Nothing's bothering me.... I ... Nothing. I'm fine."
    "Well, aren't you excited that we found out
where your aunt and her husband are?" Alvins voice rose slightly in frustration.
    "I'm happy that you're close to finding them," Amir mumbled.
    Grace cleared her throat. "Sit here, Amir." She made space for him next to her on the couch. "Alvin, maybe this is not the time."
    "But this is our family devotions. We're here to help one another. Amir, talk to us."
    "I'm okay, Mister Alvin," he said, trying to sound regular and normal.
    Alvin shook his head slightly. "Amir, I might not be a well-educated person, but I'm a feeling person, and I can tell that something is worrying you." He leaned forward and stared directly at Amir. "It seemed like you were beginning to settle in; now all of a sudden we're back to square one. What is troubling you, son?"
    Amir lowered his eyes and didn't answer. He could not begin to tell Mr. Smith what had happened to him.
    Ronald jumped up from the floor. "Amir is in trouble?"
    "No, Ronald," Grace said. "Troubling means something is worrying you."
    Ronald started dribbling his imaginary basketball around the living room. Then he held the ball to his chest and made faces as if someone was trying to grab it.
    "Ronald!" the Smiths yelled at the same time.
    Alvin reached for him. "Boy, is you crazy?"
    "I'm just trying to make Amir happy. Make him laugh."
    "I'm not unhappy, Ronald." Amir was touched by his brother's efforts to cheer him up, and he tried to smile for Ronald's sake.
    "Well, let me tell you what's bothering me," Alvin said. "It bothers me when we don't trust each other. When things worry us, we can't be afraid to say what they are. We're a family here."
    Grace said, "Nothing's bothering me except I want to see Ronald play less basketball and read more this coming school year." She stared at Ronald, who'd been making faces at himself in the television screen. "You hear me, Ronald? What's bothering you?"
    "I want to look at television."
    "Guess that means that nothing's bothering him," Alvin said.
    Grace looked exasperated. "Well, then, let's go to the positive things we are happy about and thankful for. Ronald, we'll start with you."
    Amir wanted to stand up, shout, "I don't want to do this," and storm out of the room. But that was not his way, so he sat quietly and tried to concentrate on