Page 26 - Contrast1958Winterv3n1

POST-MORTEM

Laverne Johnson

"That's pretty keen, man, but what are you going to do with it?"
"Look, dad, that's my business. As far as you're concerned you
ain't never seen this zip gun, okay?"
"Sure, Red. You know me better than that. It's no skin off my
nose what you use it for. Anyway, I have to get home before Ma
starts screaming for me. See you later."
Red, watching Joe scurry down the street, turned to go up the
steps and tripped over a small box someone had left on the pavement.
Issuing a sharp curse, he smashed the box against the wall and stomp-
ed into the house.
"Hi, Mom, Pop back yet?"
"No. I think he's gonna work overtime tonight."
"That right? You mean maybe he's gonna be able to feed us all
this week?" Red asked sarcastically.
"You know your father works hard at the factory."
"Too damn hard. You have to be a nut to work in that kind of
a place all week for a lousey sixty bucks."
"Red! I won't stand for that kind of talk."
"Well it's true, ain't it? Pop'llnever get anywhere. He don't
even try."
"Don't say things like that. He's done his best."
"His best? Look at this stinking dump. Why you have to kick
the junk out of your way to get in the place. And look at our neigh-
bors. As nice a group of prostitutes, drunks, and junkies as you could
find anywhere. Nice families like Joe's. When he gets home what'll
he find? His Mom guzzling down her usual quarts of beer and wait-
ing for somebody to take it out on. You call this living? I say we're
dead and just too damn dumb to lie down."

"Oh, Red," cried Mrs. Tabor.
"I'm sorry, Ma, but that's the way I feel. You feel the same way;
but you won't admit it. You can't admit it because there ain't any-
thing else. There has to be a way for us to get out of this place. There
must be. And I swear, Mom, I'm going to find it."
"Be careful, Red. You're too bitter for an eighteen-year-old Kid.
Sure, you've had it hard. But take it easy and things will work out.
We love you, Red, and we don't want anything to happen to you."

24