So I stand there with my plans, laughing out loud by this time as Raymond jumps down from the fence and runs over. I’m jumping up and down so glad to see him—my brother Raymond. But of course everyone thinks I’m jumping up and down because the men on the loudspeaker are announcing, “In first place—Miss Hazel Elizabeth Deborah Parker.” (Dig that.) “In second place—Miss Gretchen P. Lewis.” And I look over at Gretchen wondering what the “P” stands for. And I smile. Cause she’s good, no doubt about it. Maybe she’d like to help me coach Raymond. And she nods to congratulate me and then she smiles. And I smile. We stand there with this big smile of respect between us. It’s about as real a smile as girls can do for each other. We don’t practice real smiling every day, you know, cause maybe we too busy being flowers or fairies instead of something honest and worthy of respect … you know … like being people.

About the Author

Toni Cade Bambara (1939–1995) lived the first ten years of her life in the New York City neighborhood of Harlem, near Amsterdam Avenue, the setting of “Raymond’s Run.” Bambara was influenced by the Harlem community, especially the street corner poets. She gave credit to the popular jazz musicians of that time for helping to give her writing a special rhythm and beat.

Key Vocabulary

  • congratulate v., to let someone know you are happy for them

  • honest adj., truthful, real

In Other Words

  • with my plans and think about coaching Raymond

  • (Dig that.) (Isn’t that great?)

Before You Move On

  • 1. Confirm Prediction Squeaky and Gretchen congratulate each other. How do they feel about each other now? Was your prediction correct?

  • 2. Conclusions Why would Squeaky retire from running?

  • 3. Main Ideas and Details Raymond wants to be like Squeaky. List three details to support this.