Islan-Dise

Dropped out

Tre
~~~~~

"Secret Santa will be fun." I wrote down everyone's names on little pieces of paper.

"I can't really get anyone nothin...I don't have shit right nie." Islan sits on the couch waiting for Boon so they could hang the Christmas lights up.

I sit down by him and rub his thigh. "I can just put both our names on there together."

"Saving me again?" He relaxes on his back on the couch.

"I know I said I'd work on that."

"I know you wanna help and all that good shit and
I love yo sweet ass...I really do."

"Awww." I kiss his lips and he smiles.

"But I wanna get on track with my life and try doing something with myself. Like how you goin to school and you work at dental practice. Burger King the only job I ever had and I dropped out of 12th grade."

"I didn't know that. Why drop out of 12th? You were right there at the finish line."

"Feel like you can draw that conclusion yo self."

"Taking care of your siblings?"

"Yeah and just got tired of not being able to afford nice clothes. The school counselor would bring me old clothes his son use to wear. He was the only adult who really gave a fuck. My mom best friend too. She would look out." Boon comes from out his room.

"Mr. Lowe?" He stands in front of us.

"Yeah." Islan answers.

"Fuck with Mr. Lowe old ass. Nigga had to be pushin a hunnit."

"He was old as fuck." Islan face looks like he's envisioning his face.

"Are you going to participate in secret Santa?" I ask Boon.

"I don't participate in shit involving me given credit to some made up, bald headed, fat ass, white man."

"But I really wanna do this and y'all are making it difficult."

"I'll do the lil dumb shit if you gonna be doing all that." Boon said.

"Me too, damn." Islan stood up.

"Thanks." I shake up the names in the jar. We need a few more participants."

"Well, I invited Rain and his boyfriend for the Christmas party. Flip will be home by then too and you know Pea coming."

"Boon, are you bringing anyone?"

"Na and why you tell Rain he can come? Ion like him."

"Rain good people. What he do to you?" Islan puts on his coat, beanie and gloves.

"He was on me."

Islan laughs. "He tried it?"

"Shit like that funny to you."

"What?"

"See how you smilin? Showin them big keys on a piano ass teeth."