Ricky

September, 1969

Ricky dumped all of his books out as soon as he got home. Linda was in the kitchen cooking Mexican food, and Cindy was at a friend's house. It was the first day of school, but there already was a shitload of homework. It looked as though that was what happened when you were in Grade 11.

And most of it was due tomorrow.

Why wasn't it still summer? If it was, he could go to Keith's and just play music and work on the guitar. Or Keith could come over. Either way, it beat this.

Where would he start?

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"What's Grade 10 like?" Ricky asked, as he heard the rustling of papers on the other end. As a rule Linda and Dad said he wasn't allowed to bring friends over on school nights. Cindy was, though Ricky figured it wouldn't be long before that rule would apply to her as well.

"It's around this age they get a lot of homework and start not doing school work. Lots end up bad." Ricky overheard Dad say that when he was supposed to be sleeping. That was when he was in Grade 7, and that was when they first put the rule in place. Cindy was in Grade 7, so it would be really unfair if that rule didn't apply to her.

"Too much homework. Even more than last year." Ricky could still hear the papers on the other end. "I haven't even started yet."

"Good luck with that. You need any help? I'm already done."

"Nah. I'm good."

"Okay then. Bye."

"Bye."

Ricky could hear the click of the phone as Keith hung up. He hung the phone up and walked into the living room, where Cindy was arguing with Dad.

"Why can't I bring friends over?"

"You get more homework, and you're twelve, so you lose focus at this point." Dad knelt toward Cindy. "I don't want that to happen."

"But-"

"You obey the rules, young lady."

Cindy shut her mouth and nodded. "Yes, Dad."

"Good girl. Now no bad grades."

Cindy nodded again.

Dad rubbed his hands together. "Let's have dinner."