Dance For The Devil by S. Kodejs Read Free Book Online

bleeding all over the place. It’s totally gross. Nails stuck in his wrists like a fucking creepshow. They try to scare you into submission.”
    “Yeah,” Jason nodded. “No matter what you do, it isn’t enough. If you give five dollars to the church, they make you feel like you should’ve given ten. If you’ve eaten a decent breakfast, you’re guilty of gluttony. If you admire someone’s new car, they call it coveting and say you’re jealous. If you’re friendly to your next door neighbor, then you’re lusting after her. Well, get real! Sometimes we do pig out, that’s the law of nature. Is a lion sinful because he ate too much zebra for lunch? And, so what if we like someone’s car? What if it’s a Porsche? Who wouldn’t admire a Porsche and feel a bit envious? Like, someone really is going to say, ‘No, I don’t want that brand new shiny Porsche, I’d much prefer to drive my shit-heap’ .”
    The kids all chuckled and Alex broke in: “And if your neighbor has a great pair of hooters and looks like Megan Fox –” Amy booed and Elise whacked him on the head. Jason smiled.
    “My point is,” Jason continued, “emotions are a natural part of human nature and it’s not healthy to suppress them. People are screwed up because everyone’s always telling them how bad they are. Not only the church, but parents, relatives, teachers, television, advertising... every facet of our lives is trying to convince us that we are not good enough.”
    “I know what you mean,” Amy said. “Magazines are filled with perfect, skinny girls with great teeth and no zits–” Alex put his hands to his face self-consciously and Amy looked at him sympathetically. “Sorry, but what I mean is, no one looks like those models in real life. You’re normal, Alex, not them. Teenagers are supposed to get zits. But, even though I know that, I still feel inadequate.”
    Jason nodde d. “Exactly. So, this group I belong to is different. They tell you that you’re great just the way you are. I always feel more centered when I leave. More... alive.”
    All four were silent while they thought about this. “Sounds cool,” Alex said. “Can we come, sometime?”
    Jason hesitated. “I’m not sure. They’re pretty selective. I think they’re worried about letting too many people join. It might get... well, too mainstream.”
    Everyone was quiet. “I’ll ask,” Jason said, finally. “Okay? I’ll vouch for you. Meetings are usually on Saturday nights, so I’ll ask then. Okay?”
    They all nodded. The rain spattered heavily on the window of Jason’s bedroom. “What do you guys want to do? Listen to tunes? Watch a DVD. I know, how about a game of Dungeons and Dragons?”
    “I don’t know how to play,” Amy said.
    Jason put his arm around her, affecting a Humphrey Bogart drawl. “Don’t worry, shweet-heart, I’ll teach you how to play.” He kissed her full on the lips, in front of Alex and Elise, winking suggestively. “I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”
    **
    September 22
    Dear Mom:
    It’s raining really hard today. I bet it’s sunny in California. It rains a lot in Victoria, but Dad says at least it’s better than snow. He said we can drive to the mountains in a few months and go boarding and see the snow. My new friend Darren said that sometimes it snows in Victoria but not very often. I bet you’ll miss the snow because I know how much you love it.
    My school is okay. Dad or Carmen (our housekeeper) drives me, but mostly I walk. I like my teacher. His name is Mr. Dimple which I think is pretty funny. He likes to laugh and tells funny stories about the Great Depression. Sometimes sad stories too.
    Amy and I try not to fight because it drives Dad crazy, but sometimes we forget. I don’t think Amy is happy. She misses you. She says s he’s tired of living in a houseful of penises. I’ve been trying to remember to put the toilet seat down but sometimes I forget.
    Are you a big movie star yet? I hope