Bingo Brown's Guide to Romance by Betsy Byars Page A

lids. His heart was pounding.
    He made quick work of the change machine and soon the machines were rumbling happily. Bingo went outside for some badly needed fresh air.
    While he was standing there, fanning himself with a box of Rinso, he found himself thinking about life—about how in the old days when a boy asked his mom for a new challenge, she sent him to the Crusades or out West to look for gold or on a whaling ship bound for northern climes or—
    â€œHey, Worm Brain.” A voice broke harshly into his thoughts.
    Bingo saw with displeasure that Billy Wentworth was standing in front of him. He sighed. “What do you want, Wentworth?”
    Wentworth was chewing gum and he paused to blow a small purple bubble about the size of a Ping-Pong ball. That done, he said, “I just saw that girl.”
    â€œWhat girl?”
    â€œThe girl that used to be in our room. The one you used to like.”
    Bingo’s heart began to thud against the Rinso box, which he had wrapped in both arms. Actually there had been many girls in Bingo’s life—the future President of the United States, the would-be orchestra conductor, Cici, Boots—but his only true love had been Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde, known to everyone else as Melissa.
    Obviously Wentworth couldn’t know that, because Melissa was miles away in Bixby, Oklahoma. Still, the thought of her was enough to make Bingo’s imprisoned heart attempt to burst right out of his chest, through the box of Rinso, and fly nonstop to Bixby.
    This—Bingo knew—was why chests were made so strong. Ribs were designed for one thing. They were prison bars to keep hearts from doing anything foolish. Bingo had been grateful for ribs many times in his life, and particularly now.
    Bingo said in a controlled voice, “What girl would that be, Wentworth?”
    â€œMelissa.”
    Bingo dropped the Rinso box with a thud.
    â€œM-Melissa.”
    â€œYeah, M-Melissa.”
    â€œBut Melissa’s in Oklahoma.”
    Wentworth paused long enough to create another purple bubble. “No, she’s not. She’s in Winn Dixie.”
    â€œW-Winn Dixie?”
    â€œYes, W-Winn Dixie.”
    â€œBut she couldn’t be. She’s in Bixby, Oklahoma.”
    â€œNot anymore.”
    â€œI don’t believe you.”
    â€œSo … check it out.”
    Bingo turned at once toward the grocery store and then stopped. Wentworth would enjoy seeing him rush into the store like a heartsick fool.
    â€œWhere, exactly, was she in the store?”
    â€œShe and this other girl had gotten a cart with a bad wheel, and they were trying to get it through Produce.”
    â€œWhat makes you think the girl was Melissa?”
    â€œI got eyes.”
    Still Bingo hesitated.
    â€œLook,” Wentworth said, “you don’t believe me, check it out.”
    â€œThat’s what I intend to do.”
    â€œBe my guest.” Wentworth pulled down his camouflage T-shirt in a forceful manner.
    Bingo’s heart was pounding so hard it was as if tom-tom drums were being beaten inside the grocery store, deafening him.
    â€œHey, Worm Brain.”
    Bingo heard that. He turned.
    â€œYou forgot your R-Rinso!”
    Bingo returned to the Rinso box and the small pile of blue flakes that had leaked out. It was amazing, the amount of dignity required to pick up a box of Rinso with Wentworth sneering. Bingo felt he did as well as anyone could.
    He even managed to say thanks without stuttering.
    Then he headed manfully for whatever awaited him amid the groceries.

Through the Sliding Doors
    B INGO APPROACHED THE SLIDING doors of Winn Dixie with caution, but they flew open anyway. Bingo stepped back quickly. Two shoppers passed him with curious looks, but Bingo remained against the side of the building.
    When the doors had once again shut, Bingo moved forward. Without touching the floor mats, he peered inside.
    Bingo had recently been fitted for glasses. He had