We countered his

mall-karate

well enough though. Pops trying to talk us down after one scuffle, the kid giving me that compliment. I never took him seriously.

he was a wannabe bully. his fam didn’t go to church and he had way more toys than us

It was always interesting going over to other people’s houses. Most people seemed to have more stuff than us on that block.
 

most of their parents spoke nicer to each other too

 
Or at least didn’t escalate to the level of yelling matches that ours would with or without friends over. The frequent threat that we were going to be taken by

FAMILY SERVICES

Pops going for cigs and coming back a couple days later.

Moms staying with her family. Learning how to explain the fam to the friends

“that’s just the way they are”

So stressed about money we sell the house and move to that apt in Corona.