The air was muggy and still compared to the cool, stale earthy air of the shed. The sun had just dropped below the skyline, but the rays lighted the belly of the sky. The kid just looked at Julius. He looked like a high schooler. His frame hadn’t filled out quite yet and he had the faintest showing of stubble.
“Kid, where did the thief run off?” Julius said.
No response. Just more of that spaced out look. God how Julius hated that. Take some interest in the things going on, not just yourself. The world is an interesting place if you look up for once.
Then again what did Julius know. The kid may never have seen a mugging. Lucky for him he thought.
He remembered his first mugging. Walking home from middle school. The weather had just turned to spring. The high schoolers were spread out along the path, enjoying the bright sun and sweet air. The group of kids didn’t seem harmless. He just kept walking straight.
“Look, I know you’re probably scared. Just point in the direction.” Julius said
Julius hadn’t lost anything valuable. Just a pencil or two. He just sat down when he got home. His grandparents were at his house that day. He didn’t really say much. Just sat there. He remembered trying to play it off, like he was older than a middle schooler. That it wasn’t a big deal. But he couldn’t keep up the act. His eyes dropped and suddenly his face was hot. He couldn’t look at his grandfather. He didn’t want to be seen like this in front of him, this large, compassionate, yet stoic man. His grandmother’s age softened hand patted his knee.
The kid pointed in the direction of H street.
“Thanks,” he said.
He ran off toward H street. Thievery wasn’t something he would tolerate. That mischievous smile of that high schooler on one spring afternoon stuck in his head. He could still feel that somewhat playful, yet powerful slap on the side of his head. He really couldn’t stand high schoolers.
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