Down These Mean Streets, A Man Must Go

Chapter Two

As we pulled into my driveway, I noticed a familiar black 1996 Chevrolet truck parked in the street.

"Hey Elliot, is that..." Amory started.

"Yes, it is. Eden better hope the neighbors don't rat on her for inviting Alden over. Mom will throw a fit." I said, jumping out of the car before Amory even has a chance to park.

I unlock the door and peak my head in. I don't see anyone downstairs, so I head upstairs, prepared to go all big brother on Alden Abernathy.

I like Alden, I really do. He is probably Eden's best boyfriend yet, but he knows that I don't want them here alone, especially behind closed doors.

I walk over to Eden's poster-decorated door and open it. Inside was not what I expected: Eden and Alden taking a nap. Under closer inspection, I realized that they were spooning and that Alden was the little spoon. Alden, quarterback of the football team, track star supreme, and all around tough guy, was a little spoon. I tried to keep it in, I really did, but I couldn't. I lost it.

Hysterically laughing, I fell on the floor. I woke up both Alden and Eden, who were very confused. Amory came pounding up the stairs, asking what had happened. He soon joined me on the floor, too.

"What the hell are you doing, El?" Eden's tired voice questioned me.

I spent a few minutes recovering and finally answered her question, "We just came home to use the phone, then we're heading to Beaumaster Pond for awhile."

"Why are you going there?"

"Because Eddie, school starts in two days and you know mom isn't gonna let us go out late anymore. I just want to have one last, good summer night, ya know?"

"Yeah, I get it... Hey, can I come with? Please?" she asked me.

"No way Eddie, you're staying here." Oh, great, big brother mindset is coming in hot.

"Please El, I'll bring my own friends and I won't bother you," she offered.

"No, it's not that, I just don't want you out there late at night."

"Okay, fine, I'll stay with you. Please let me come with," she pleaded.

I contemplated it for a few minutes and finally said okay.

"Thank you! Thank you! Alden are you coming, too?"

"Yeah, sure, fine."

Alden did not seem too excited to be spending his night at a dirty lake with a bunch of kids he did not know, and I'll admit I wasn't too ecstatic about him coming either, but maybe he wouldn't be too bad of a guy to hang with.

We all headed down stairs. I called up Esme and Mattie and invited them; they both said they'd be there at 6:30, which gave Amory and I exactly 1 and a half hours to get our clothes and some food ready and Ol' Reliable running. Easy.