Cemetery Street

"Salmonella you moron," I laughed.

"Whatever. Anyway, you get this great dish but you would have been better off with a happy meal from Mickey D's."

"Shut up Asshole," Count replied. "That is the dumbest thing I ever heard."

"Don't you think she can have the clap? No Lucas, not Marilyn Monroe, she was as pure as the driven snow." Steve mocked Count with his high pitched whistle. "You think girls don't shit? You should live with my sisters!"

Count shoved Steve against the lockers. A loud crunch exploded over the noisy hallway. "That's enough out of you," Count admonished. "You think he'll tell us?" he asked me in a calm tone.

"Beats me," I answered.

"Maybe he's modest and wants to keep that gem to himself."

"My Grandfather Modest? HAH."

"Can you think of a better reason why he wouldn't tell us?"

"Cause he didn't," I said.

"He didn't what?" Count wrinkled his brow. "I'm totally confused."

"He didn't bang her, dumb ass. Jesus you're gullible." I took off, weaving my way through the crowded hallway.

"You suck Morrison," Count yelled after me. "Paybacks are a bitch, asshole!" Frustrated, Count shoved Steve Lucas into the lockers again before heading to homeroom.

***

"James, Wake up," Grandfather's voice invaded my dreams "James, Wake up!" He said shaking me. "Come on James, Get up!"

He never called me James. I opened my eyes. Flashing red lights filled my darkened room. "The house on fire?" I asked bolting up. I heard my mother cry underneath the din of unfamiliar voices. The crackle of a police radio and the rattle of a diesel engine shook the windows. In the strobe-like effect of the emergency lights I saw fear painted on my grandfather's face. Wrinkles etched his forehead, his eyes wide and alert. I tried to ask what was happening but words failed me.

"They have to take your mother to the hospital."

"The baby? She's having the baby?" My heart raced. I was exhilarated. I was going to have a baby brother. "I'm going to be a big brother," I mumbled throwing on my clothes.

"Slow down James," Grandfather told me. "Listen to me," he placed his hands on my shoulders. "Your father is going with your mother in the ambulance. I don't know the way to the hospital. Do you know how to get there?"