I waited by the door patiently, as my dad would be home any minute now. I wanted to tell him that I had finished Charlotte’s Web. Every time I finished a novel, my dad would buy me a crystal to add to my collection. I loved crystals and had a book full of them. So far, I had fourteen. My daddy finally pulled up in his big, shiny Lincoln, which he called his baby.

“Misty, would you go upstairs and get Mommy’s medication?” I heard my mom ask but ignored her. Her hand landing on my behind knocked me out of my trance.

“Mommy! I’m waiting for Daddy,” I whined.

“Misty Annabelle Blue, your dad will still be here when you get back. Now get!” She snapped her fingers. I raced to get the medication which she took every day in the afternoon. She told me she had to take medication because she had a big heart, so I just went with it. By the time I made it back down the stairs, I noticed that my mother and father were in some sort of heated whispering match.

“Brock, we didn’t discuss this. How well do you know them?” I heard.

“Mina, I’ve taught these boys for two years. They are good kids, they’re just in bad situations.”

“Okay, and you couldn’t have taken them out somewhere? You had to bring them to our home where your daughter and I lay our heads?”

“Come on Mina, you’re making too much out of this. Don’t forget that you and I came from places similar to where they have.”

I guessed that stumped Mommy because after that, a small smile appeared on her face

“Well, bring them in. I know you weren’t going to keep them in the car all this time.” My father kissed my mom, then disappeared outside, and I wondered what was going on.

My father came back a few seconds later with two boys following behind him. They looked like they were my age, but that was the only commonality we shared. These boys looked rough; way different from the people who attended my Christian private school. The tall one who was so black that he was purple stared mischievously while his shoes folded at the top. The janks started talking to me way before he did. The boy next to him was short but didn’t look as mean. I spotted two holes in his pants along with his t-shirt that was two sizes too big. The three of us just stood there staring.

“Misty, are you going to just stand there? Say hi to our guests. This is Larod and Jahfar. Guys, this is my baby, Misty. I hid behind my father’s legs because these boys were scary, especially the one named Larod. The look in his eyes wasn’t a good one.

“Misty? What type of name is that?” Larod said before laughing, and Jahfar joined him.

“It’s my name! That’s what it is, with your big head. What have you been cutting your hair with? A weed whacker?” I asked, stepping aside so that he could see me.

“And what are you laughing at, JAHFAR? You may as well cut those pants into shorts because they are just about to reach your knees already.

“Whatever lil’ girl, and my name is Game!”

“Alright! Y’all have plenty of time to argue. How about lunch?” my dad intervened.

We followed him into the kitchen and in the nick of time, Chandler and Tia were walking through the back door.

“Hey peeps!” Chandler announced as she walked in and made herself comfortable at the table.

“You better peep your butt and wash your hands,” my mom said to both Tia and Chandler.

They did as they were told and then sat back down. Chandler kept sneaking looks at Larod while Tia paid neither one of them any attention. She and Jeremy had made it official a week ago, so all she could think about was him. My mom sat a platter of grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup and fruit in front of us.

“You all dig in and have as much as you want boys. I will be in the family room. Be good,” my mom said to all of us but maintained eye contact with me before she moseyed off.

We sat at the table for a good five minutes before I finally spoke up.

“So why do they call you Game, JAHFARRRR,” I said, stretching out his name and making Tia and Chandler laugh.

“Because I like to play games. Why do you think, dumb?”

“Boy, you’re dumb! Don’t call my friend dumb,” Tia chimed in.

“Girl, mind your business,” Rod said to her.

“You mind yours, with your greedy self. Do you eat at home? You done had three sandwiches already!” Chandler retorted.

“Come on y’all! Let’s go,” I said. “We can leave these fat boys in here.” We burst out in a fit of laughter as we each skipped out of the kitchen.

“What do y’all want to do today? I’m tired of playing jump rope all the time,” Chandler said, throwing the jump rope down to the ground.

“Let’s go to the park or something,” Tia suggested.

“Okay cool,” I said as I put my rope and chalk on the porch. Just as we were walking, the back door opened.

“We’re going too,” Larod said with a smile before wrapping his arm around Tia.

“Ewww, if you don’t get off of me,” Tia said, and then we skipped away leaving the boys behind. The park was packed and I immediately spotted Jeremy and his boys, Stephen and Chris. Tia was so busy swinging that she didn’t even notice him.

“Bet you can’t push me high,” I said to Game, and he took that as a challenge. Silly boy. I knew he could push me high. I said that to trick him. He pushed for a few minutes before he stopped.

“Aite girl. My arms are tired now.”

“Well thanks,” I replied, and what do you know, he actually smiled. This was a major difference from the mean mug that he had been wearing all day.

“Who are these boys?” I heard Jeremy say from behind me. He and his friends had walked over and now he was talking to Tia.

“I saw you walk in with them. You and I go together, so why are you chilling with other boys?”

“Jeremy, we all can hang out together. Dang!” she said.

“I don’t know these dirty boys. Why would I want to hang with them?”

That got Game’s attention.

“What did you just say boy?” Game spoke up.

“Did I stutter?” Jeremy replied.

“Man, I’m not even stunting you,” Game said, and then attempted to walk away.

“Come over here with us,” Jeremy said to Tia while grabbing her arm.

“No Jeremy,” she said, trying to pull away from him. The next thing I saw was Jeremy falling to the ground after Game punched his lights out.

“What is your problem boy? I don’t even have a daddy and I have sense enough to know to never grab on a girl. Carry yo’ punk ass home, and I better not see you in this park again!” Game said, making Jeremy and his friends scatter like roaches.

“Dang JAHFARRRRR! I thought you didn’t like us,” I said, amazed by the way he had just stood up for Tia.

“I don’t, but Mr. Blue is my dog and you’re his daughter, so that counts for something.” He then walked away and joined Larod, who was now macking on some girl. I watched him walk away and I couldn’t help but think that I was actually starting to like him.