10% Chance of Thunderstorms:

As I stared at Jim, I began plotting. I must be easy to read with your grandfather. Because, he gave me a puzzled look and asked, “What are you thinking, baby?” I smirked at him.

“I want to be Jive!” I announced. “Teach me how!” Jim smiled and shook his head.

“Sorry,” he said. “It can’t be taught!”

“Sure it can,” I insisted. Jim shook his head again.

“This can’t,” he said. “You either have it or you don’t. You don’t.” I leaned in close to your grandfather’s face. I could tell my grin was freaking him out. I saw it on his face.

“How would you know unless you look into it?” I asked. “So what do you say?” There was a moment of silence. Ha, I had your grandfather there. But then, he smirked at me and gave off a little snicker. He looked me dead-on in the eye.

“Alright,” he said. “I’ll teach you to be Jive if you agree to be seen in public with me.” I nodded at him.

“Sure,” I said.

“Not just at school,” he pointed out. “Everywhere in town!”

“Fine!” I pressed.

“And your folks!” he finished. That hurt. But, I was determined to be in the gang. If that meant sending daddy to the hospital, so be it. I tried to not to show my hesitation. I swallowed hard and nodded.

“Sure,” I said. “Whatever you like!” Jim smirked at me. I waited for your grandfather to say I wouldn’t do it. I knew he was going to do it. But instead, he only smiled at me.

“Fine,” he said. I blinked at him.

“Really?” I asked. Jim took another puff of his cigarette.

“Yeah,” he said. I sat back in thought. Wow. That’s all it took? I looked up at him and nodded.

“Okay,” I said.

“Remember the bargain,” he said./

“Sure, sure,” I said. Your grandfather held out his hand.

“Shake to seal it,” he said. I raised an eyebrow at him.

“Really now?” I asked. “Isn’t my word enough? Do we have to do the shake?”

“Aw, getting second thoughts?” your grandfather mocked.

“No!” I said. “Here!” I held out my hand to him. Jim took it and shook it as he gave off that goofy grin. I sneered and gritted my teeth to keep from screaming at him. Jim finally let go of my hand.

“We cool?” he asked. I nodded at him as I calmed down.

“Yeah,” I said. “We cool.” Jim finished up his cigarette before throwing away the butt.

Three days later, I found your grandfather waiting for me at the end of my driveway as I was heading to school. A puzzled look came onto my face.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. He gave me a little smile.

“Walking to school with my boo,” he said. “Remember?” I blinked for a moment. I was about to say no when it hit me. Naturally, I tried to play it down. I gave off a nervous little laugh. Jim raised an eyebrow at me.

“You forgot, didn’t you?” he asked.

“No, no!” I cried. “Of course I remembered.” I tried to laugh to off again. Your grandfather smiled and shook his head at me. Aw crap. I’ve screwed up and it’s only the first day. I had to fix this right now. I drew in a hard breath.

“Maybe a little,” I mumbled. “Look, can we just go?” Jim shrugged at me.

“Fine, fine,” he brushed off.

“Thank you,” I said, sternly. Then, I began my walk to school. Your grandfather followed behind. I cut a sharp glare at him.

“Rub it in my face and I’ll kill you!” I hissed. He playfully put up his hands at me.

“Right,” he said, smoothly. I whipped my head around to the front. We didn’t talk for the rest of the walk to school.

1984