Top Wing by Matt Christopher Page B

Bellamy,”
     said his father. “Of course,” he went on, “that’s not what’s important — except that it shows you’re not giving upjust because the team is in a slump. It’s times like that when everyone has to pitch in — you, Steve, Benton, and all the
     guys.”
    Dana and his mother exchanged questioning looks. Was this the time to tell him about the stories going around? He was bound
     to find out sooner or later. If he were coming home tomorrow …
    “Want me to tell him, Mom?” Dana asked.
    Mr. Bellamy looked from one to the other. “Tell me what?” he asked. “What’s the big secret?”
    “Go ahead,” said Mrs. Bellamy.
    “First of all,” Dana said, “the Crawfords are mad because you and Mom didn’t go over to their house earlier the night of the
     fire. They think if you had, you might have smelled smoke or something, and the house wouldn’t have burned down.”
    “But they never asked us to stop in and check on the kids,” Mr. Bellamy said. “We didn’t know they were going to a wedding.”
    “I’ve heard they thought we did know,” said Mrs. Bellamy.
    “Benton said he told me to tell you, but he didn’t,” Dana insisted. “I swear. And Steve is a witness.”
    “No need to swear,” said Mr. Bellamy. “We should be able to clear that up.”
    “Except that Grace Crawford won’t take my calls,” said Mrs. Bellamy. “She’s hiding behind the answering machine.”
    “And there’s more,” Dana added.
    “More?”
    “The Crawfords think it was your fault the fire got started in the first place,” Dana said. “Benton said they’re convinced
     that you did a crummy job when you rewired the house. And now that rumor is going around town.”
    “What!” Mr. Bellamy looked shocked. “The
Crawfords
started this rumor?”
    “Well, they haven’t taken out an ad in the newspaper,” said Mrs. Bellamy. “But almost all the neighbors are talking about
     it.”
    “And Letitia doesn’t even speak to me in school,” said Christy. She thrust out her lower lip in a pout.
    “That’s nothing compared to how Benton’s been acting toward me,” said Dana. “Especially during Anchors’ games.”
    Mr. Bellamy’s face was flushed with anger. “I justcan’t believe it,” he said. “We’ve been friends with the Crawfords for so long, ever since they moved next door.” He shook
     his head back and forth.
    “Don’t get excited, dear,” said Mrs. Bellamy.
    “But they should know I wouldn’t do anything but my best for them,” Mr. Bellamy continued. “And I’m not exactly new to electrical
     work.”
    “That’s what I tried to tell Benton, but he won’t even give me the time of day,” said Dana.
    “Letitia stuck out her tongue at me,” said Christy.
    “It’s just unreal,” said Mr. Bellamy. “I saved Ben-ton’s life that night — and hers, too.”
    “That’s what makes it all so awful,” said Mrs. Bellamy.
    As he sat there watching the sadness in his father’s face, Dana knew he had to do something. There had to be some way to prove
     that it wasn’t his father’s fault.
    “If only I could get to Benton,” Dana said. “Remind him of all the fun we used to have together — on the soccer field, watching
     videos, playing cards in his secret hiding place. …”
    “Secret hiding place?” echoed Mrs. Bellamy.
    “Well, it wasn’t any big deal,” Dana explained.“Benton used to call it that. It was just a little corner of the attic, behind some trunks and boxes.”
    “So, why’d he call it secret?” Christy asked.
    “ ’Cause he had this big overstuffed chair and stuff up there he could use when he wanted to be alone. He likes to read up
     there, and once I saw this metal box with a DO NOT TOUCH sign on it. I guess that’s where he kept his lucky key rings and stuff like that.”
    “Oh yes, I remember seeing that when I was looking over the attic,” Mr. Bellamy said. “There’s an old fan up there and-a few
     outlets. That’s the only part