In Edward Bloor's novel Tangerine, it is the character Tino who says "I really like that thing you do, Funny Guy, when you pretend to kick a football and then you go flyin' up in the air and then you land right on your ass."
This quote is found on page 205 of the novel, in part three. Tino, Theresa and Henry D. have come over to complete a group science project with Paul, who is attending Tangerine Middle School after a sinkhole swallowed up much of his former school. Erik, Paul's older brother, and his friend Arthur, come home while the group is working. Paul braces for the worst, because Paul seems to be the only one in the novel who sees Erik's true colors.
Erik and Arthur begin to taunt Paul's friends. He says: "Look at this. I think it's great that these farm-labor kids get to spend a day away from the fields."
This is insulting to Tino, and Paul tries to tell him to ignore it. Tino is not about to ignore it, however, and makes the reply referred to in your question. Following Tino's words, Erik lashes out and punches Tino hard enough to knock him down. He lay on the grass for several minutes. Paul says about Erik's blinding rage: "Then, like a genie sucking back into a bottle, he regained control."
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