Red Line

   The hot August sun slid behind the tall houses of Lorraine Ave. Both Tommies had returned from their dinners. I sat with them at the concrete box waiting for a few more players to show up. Then we could have our game of Red Line.
   "You ain't never going to get away from me tonight, Smartie." The Haskell's fair skin had the bright, red glow of staying in the swimming pool all through the long summer afternoon.
   "Haskell," I said, "you'll be failing algebra again before you catch me." I draped my arm across his loose fitting shirt.
   "Ow! You bas..."
   "Hello, boys."
   The Haskell's well-known power of cussing was halted by the friendly greeting.
   "Oh, hello, Mrs. Kaiser." We all said, just about in unison.
   Then the Haskell continued in a different tone, "Chester, I wish you wouldn't touch my shoulders. My skin is on fire."
   I ignored the Haskell. "Mrs. Kaiser, when are Luke and Betsy coming out?"

 

   She smiled and answered nicely, not like I was a nuisance.
   "Chet, they've got a few chores to do around the house. Probably fifteen minutes more." She waved her hand as she continued down the street to the bar they owned. "Boys, don't do anything I wouldn't do."
   Usually I hate it when adults say things like that, but somehow she sounded like she wanted you to have fun.
   "Scooter, you got your running legs on?" I shook him. He was sitting quietly with his back against the garage door.
   "Yeah, sure. I just got something on my mind. And it ain't algebra. My Dad says that I've got it made -- being fourteen without a care in the world. You know, that's not how I feel."
   "Jeez, what's bothering you so much?" I asked.
   "His twanger's been twung," the Haskell said.
   Scooter shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Mandy threw my ring at me today."
   Hummm. And Mandy had specifically told me to wait the game for her tonight. Usually she would sit on the steps of Scooter's house talking to his mother.