I wait…
… and I wait.
What if he’s stuck?
I survey the tube again. He seemed to fit fine when he was going in…
“Terrell?” I call out.
No reply.
I tiptoe, trying to see into the tube, but it curves up, blocking my vision. I sigh, moving to climb the steps slowly. My body still hasn’t fully recovered from when those boys beat me up, plus I’m pretty sure this was made for children, and I don’t want Ma to be charged money she doesn’t have for my senselessness if I break it. When I get to the top, I lean into the tube and I see Terrell in there, seated with his head ducked like he was waiting for me.
“Took you long enough,” he says.
So, hewaswaiting for me.
“I’m not coming in there,” I tell him, trying to sound serious despite the smile I’m holding back.
“Okay, I’ll just sit in here until you do.”
“That’s cool with me.”
He stares at me, and me at him. I sit down, resting my back against the pole by the steps.
“It’s pretty cold out,” he says.
“Really? I can’t feel it.”
“Sure about that?”
“Very sure.”
“Okay, if you’revery sure.”
He moves toward the entrance of the tube, climbing out and sitting on the slightly lifted entryway.
“I think I can convince you to come inside,” he tells me, running his hand over his miniature dreads.
I raise my eyebrows at his confidence.
“How?”
He smiles at me, eyes crinkling in the corners and dimples defined as he reaches into his jeans pocket, then takes his hand out with his fist closed.
“Come closer and I’ll show you what’s in my hand. Trust me, you’ll come in when you see it.”
I’m not sure what could convince me to do that, but I move forward, staring at the gaps between his fingers, hoping to see a glimpse of whatever is hidden there.
“I’m closer, open it.”
He looks ready to laugh.
I watch his hand again as it opens, revealing… nothing.
I stare at his empty palm and then back up at him.
“You’re so full of shit,” I say, which only makes his grin wider.
