The Cold Ones

Chapter Four - The High School God

My dad was up way long before us, and I saw that the cruiser was gone.

I went downstairs, and found Jasmine at work. I forgot that she was back and gave her hug.

‘Marney? Are you good?’ she asked looking at me strangely.

‘I feel fine. Just really glad to see you.’ I said smiling and sitting down on a light green barstool at the large island in the middle of the kitchen.

‘I glad to see you too, Marney Warney,’ Jasmine said and fluffed my hair.

She did that when I was six too. Oh the memories.

I smelt crisp bacon in the air and there was a fresh plate of eggs, and bacon in front of me. The eggs were set on the plate as eyes, and the bacon strip a smile.

‘Breakfast looks, happy,’ I said smiling, and then digging right in.

My brothers thundered down the stairs, as was custom.

‘Ooh, bacon and eggs for breakfast. The best way to start my Tuesday.’ Ben said, rubbing his tummy.

‘Where’d you get eggs, Jasmine? I thought we were all out.’ Brad said, looking skeptical while taking his usual seat.

‘I go to shop early this morning.’ Jasmine said, and continued to cook sizzling strips of bacon.

‘Going out early in the morning isn’t very good, Jasmine,’ Ben said. He was concerned about her safety, and I was too. For the sake of me, and of course, her family back in the old country.

‘I sorry. I just wanted to surprise you,’ she said switching the oven plate off, and sitting down.

‘Well you surprised us. Thanks, Jasmine, it was great.’ I said getting my bag.

‘Dad left, so are you taking us to school, or are we walking?’ I asked Jasmine.

‘I take you to school, of course. You daddy say I must.’ She said smiling.

She hopped off her seat wiping her hands off on her apron.

‘When they done, we leave.’ She said, pointing at Ben and Brad.

Of course approximately two minutes later there plates were clean.

‘Why do you two have to eat like animals?’ I asked, disgusted.

‘We’re boys. It’s what we do,’ Brad said, and then he and Ben burst out laughing.

Jasmine had her own car. It was a really old, red Beetle. She took great care of it, washing it regularly and making sure it had enough gas. And, of course, keeping it extremely clean inside and out.

I decided to take the front seat, taking advantage of not having to drive in the police cruiser for once.

Jasmine turned the radio onto some station all about herbal remedies. She listened, engrossed. I felt bored, and turned around to see what my brothers were up too. As usual, Brad had his earphones in and Ben was reading a book about physics. Sure, they were twins, but they were absolutely nothing alike in their personality.

Ben was very smart for his age, and sometimes helped me with my homework. Brad was the sporty one, who got all the girls. Yet, his a loser at home.

The routine was the same as every other morning when Dad usually dropped us off. We got dropped off at school and were given lunch money.

 ‘Here, money for food.’ She said dropping 20 dollars in my hand.

‘Thanks, Jasmine,’ I said, smiling.

‘I pick you up later. I wait by that tree,’ she said pointing at the huge oak trees that grew outside of the school.