Swing State by Michael T. Fournier Read Free Book Online Page B

time. Kept him from getting bored. Sox sucked. Everyone hurt.

8.
    T ODAY AT THE LIBRARY I FOUND some blank resumes online. I filled one in. There’s not much on there. I mean, I go to school. I tried soccer for a while. That’s it. I can’t tell them about M-80s or anything like that.
    * * *
    It would’ve taken me all day to walk to the part of town where the restaurants are. I forgot about that until it was time to go. So I borrowed a bike from the rack outside after ninth period. Just a few steps from my locker to the door, then a few more to the rack. That old security guard is only there when everyone comes in and after tenth period. Nice and easy.
    I brought the nicest clothes I had in a paper bag and changed in the bathroom. I hope no one saw me in that dorky outfit.
    There are no sidewalks, so I felt the cars whiz by.
    At each place I said hello, I’m looking for employment. They all said would you like to fill out an application? And I said I brought a resume. Ten copies. I didn’t think I was going to use them all, but I did. A few of those places looked at me like I knew what I was doing. It’s cool.
    * * *
    This morning when I was having cereal with Ross, Don said where the hell did that bike come from? I was like what bike? Don said you know damn well what bike. I thought it’d be worse if I lied so I was like well, I borrowed it from a kid I know, which is kinda true. I mean, I didn’t know who I borrowed it from, but I was gonna return it. But Don said you stole it, you little shit.
    I started laughing because of what he said, little shit.
    He goes you think it’s funny? You think it’s funny to steal and then laugh in my face about it? I’ll show you funny. And then he slapped me. First time since he got back.
    Ross kept eating.
    It mostly stung.
    Don said your mother might not give a shit about the way you act, but I’m not gonna live under the safe roof as a disrespecting thief.
    I could feel his handprint across my face.
    I said I borrowed it.
    He goes so now you’re a liar, too. Want another one?
    I said I’m going to return it right now.
    You get your act together, he said. Cut the shit. There are more important things to think about than yourself, you know. You think about this family.
    I wanted to say this isn’t your family, but I didn’t want to get hit again.
    No one said anything when I put the bike back on the rack.
    It was gone after school.
    * * *
    Those fucking nerds were sitting at their table today at lunch. I went over and was like hey, you know, my mom needs moremedicine, she’s not feeling very well. One of them said we gave you money already. I said she’s very sick, and she appreciates donations.
    Nobody moved, so I was like I heard she has some space in her room. Like, an extra hospital bed. In case anyone needs it.
    They all kept looking at me, so I was like in case anyone here needs it.
    They put money on the table.
    Easy.
    * * *
    I went to the quarry after school. Steve and all those guys were up there. I thought they might be.
    Mary was there. And Earl, jumping.
    Steve said Dixon.
    I said what’s up?
    Earl had a towel. I pointed at it. He nodded.
    Steve said big game this weekend.
    I went that’s what I hear.
    He asked if I was gonna go. I told him I was thinking about it.
    He said why don’t you come with us?
    I looked at Mary. She nodded.
    I said I’d go with them.
    He asked if I knew Whispering Pines. I said yeah. He said we’ll meet over there and get fucked up and then go to the game. You in?
    When I asked when to meet, he said dusk. Best time.
    I asked if that would leave us enough time to walk over. Earl laughed and said how old are you, anyway?
    I said what do you mean? Steve said you don’t have your license yet?
    I shook my head.
    Mary was still smiling.
    Steve said we’ll have plenty of time to get over there. Don’t worry.
    I said cool. I’ll be here at