In "Raymond's Run," what is Squeaky's reputation like?

Squeaky does not have many friends, and she has a reputation for being a tough loner.

Squeaky’s reputation partly comes from the fact that she has to take care of her older brother, Raymond, who has special needs.  Squeaky does not let anyone mess with her brother.  Anyone who wants to start something with Raymond has to go through her first.

But now, if anybody has anything to say to Raymond, anything to say about his big head, they have to come by me. And I don’t play the dozens or believe in standing around with somebody in my face doing a lot of talking. I much rather just knock you down and take my chances …

Squeaky’s release is running.  She loves to run, and prides herself on being the fastest in the neighborhood.  She has a reputation as a very good runner, and she is proud of that reputation.  She believes that no matter what she will be the first place runner in the May Day Race.  No one else has a chance.

And tomorrow I’m subject to run the quarter-meter relay all by myself and come in first, second, and third. The big kids call me Mercury cause I’m the swiftest thing in the neighborhood. Everybody knows that …

Squeaky does not really get along with the other kids because she is such an individualist.  She does not approve of kids who pretend to be modest about their accomplishments when they really are working hard.  She also doesn’t approve of girls she considers fake.  She believes that girls don’t mean it when they smile.

Gretchen smiles, but it’s not a smile, and I’m thinking that girls never really smile at each other because they don’t know how and don’t want to know how and there’s probably no one to teach us how, cause grown-up girls don’t know either.

The other girls give Squeaky a wide berth because she likes to be tough, but she really is lonely.  She is thrilled when Gretchen comes in second place and proves she really can run.  The two girls smile at each other for real.  Squeaky has finally found a potential friend.