Small Steps

A car pulls alongside Armpit as he is walking to school carrying Coo for his speech presentation. Three men and two women are in the car, all about 4 years older than Armpit. The driver, an unpleasant guy called Donnell offers Armpit a ride. Armpit politely refuses, but Donnell says, “You know, when a brother offers you a ride […] the right thing to do is accept” (61). After more heckling about school, Coo, and Ginny (who they refer to as “That little white retard” [62]), and after offering Armpit a job, which he politely turns down, they finally leave him alone.

Armpit stands in front of his class and presents a moving speech, nominating Coo for “ruler of the world” (63) because Coo gives Ginny “comfort, courage and confidence” (63). After explaining what cerebral palsy is and the challenges Ginny faces, Armpit ends his speech: “Well, even though Ginny is only ten years old and has cerebral palsy and weighs less than sixty pounds, she’s the strongest and bravest person I know. So if Coo could do that for Ginny, imagine what Coo could do for the world. So vote for Coo. Thanks” (64). Tatiana, a girl in Armpit’s class, approaches him afterward and says she liked his speech.