Don't Be Disrespecting Me

The Dance ( p.1 )

E's mother didn't ask any questions . She was glad to have the heat , new clothes for the little ones , and some extra change in her pocket . She was glad to ask the neighbors to come over and see how good E looked in a suit . " People go to these kinds of dances on a bus ? " She asked when he headed out the door .

" You sure ? "

E didn't care if he had to walk . He was going to the dance . Going with Ona . Dressed up in new fancy clothes for the first time since sixth-grade graduation .
When he stepped on the bus , he smiled . He could see people starring . Whispering . Noticing the boy in the sharp suit , carrying his coat on his arm . " People gonna see what I got on , " he told his mother when she said he'd better wear that coat . " Even if I freeze , they gonna get a good look at me .
When he got to school , people clapped . They whispered . They came up to him and touched his clothes and eyed his rings and asked if his mother hit the lottery . It Felt Good , being popular . Having girls wink and smile and press close to you , just because , E thought .
" No , I don't wanna dance , " he said to Maria .
" I'm looking for Ona . You see her ? "
Maria waved her litle finger for him to come closer . " She can't come , " She said , blowing in his ear . " They got robbed . " She told him that Ona's bedroom got trashed the worst . " Cuss words were smeared on her walls in black Magic Marker . Her clothes were cut up and her and her stuffed animals were shoved in the toilet . "
E looked up just when Noodles walked in the room in a powder-blue sweater , black pants , matching black gator shoes , and a gold pinky ring with a blackchip diamond in the middle . E ran over to him . " What you think you doing , man ? "
Noodles smiles . " I told you . Don't be disrespecting me , " he said , rubbing the ring and walking away . Then , turning back around against the wall ,  Noodles talked . His words jumped high over the loud music , then snuck down low when the sax ,the drums , and the singing smoothed out , and then dissappeared till the next CD took over . " It was nice being there all by myself . Kicking it with her dad's gin and brew and her mother's fancy wineglasses ." E shook his head . Noodles kept talking . " I smashed the grandfather clock first . Pow ! " he said closing one eye and firing and invisible gun .