20% Chance of Thunderstorms:

Jim has a funny way of sticking it to me. 1984 was the year I learned that pretty quickly. It all started with a party.

I was getting my books for my next class when your grandfather leaned up against the lockers on March first. I didn’t look up at first.

“Yes Jim?” I asked. I could feel him giving me that trademark goofy grin of his.

“My sister’s birthday is coming up,” he said.

“So?” I asked.

“I’m inviting you to the party,” he announced. I looked up at him this time.

“What?” I asked.

“Yeah,” he said. “Come out to the party with me.”

“Why?”

“I want you to.”

“Why?”

“Cause.” He gently took me by the hands. “I want you to meet my family.”

My face looked really surprised. “What? Why?”

“Well, we are dating now, right?”

“Well, yeah…”

“So, meet my folks!”

I blinked at him once. “But…”

Jim looked at me intently. “But what?” I went quiet. Funny how I can’t think of an excuse for situations like this. I pressed my lips together. Your grandfather smiled at me.

“Good,” he said. “I’ll pick you up at three o’clock.” Jim patted me on the shoulder and headed to class. I stared at him, blinking. What just happened?, I thought.

Saturday came around too quick for me. I had just expected to sleep in and not do much that day. But, your grandfather saw to that otherwise.

I awoke the morning to rocks hitting my window. I tried to ignore it at first, but the rocks kept coming. I lifted my head and squinted my eyes.

“Huh?” I asked myself. I sat up in bed and glanced out the window. And guess who was there? Your grandfather was standing outside, throwing rocks at my window. I groaned softly to myself as I slid it open. Jim stopped throwing rocks when he saw me.

“Oh good!” he yelled. “You’re up!” I sneered at him.

“What do you want?” I asked in a whine.

“It’s my sister’s birthday, remember?” he shouted. I made a strange face at him.

“Don’t shout in the street!” I yelled at him. “And what the devil are you…?!?” Suddenly, it hit me. My face just dropped. I looked at my alarm clock. My face became even more puzzled. I turned back to the window.

“But it’s only ten!” I shouted.

“I know!” he shouted back at me. “I forgot to get Trish a gift.” I frowned at him.

“Really now?” I asked. Jim nodded.

“Afraid so,” he said. I sighed as I already saw where this was going. Jerk, U thought. I frowned.

“And you need my help in finding a gift for her?” I asked.

“Yeah!” Jim shouted back. I sighed as I blew up my bangs.

“Fine, I’ll be down,” I mumbled. Jim smiled and gave me a thumbs-up.

“Thanks, Star!” he called.

“Whatever,” I mumbled. Then, I climbed out of bed.

Once I was dressed and ready, I met your grandfather in my front yard. He gave me that annoying goofy grin. Boy, did I want to slap him by then. He kissed me on the lips.

“How are you?” he asked. I shout him a cold glare. Your grandfather quickly held up his hands.

“Okay, okay,” he said. “I get it!”

“Really now?” I asked. He put his arm around my shoulders.

“There, there,” he said. “I’ll make it worth your while today.”

“Uh-huh,” I said.

“I really promise!” Jim insisted. I threw up my hands.

“Fine,” I said. “Let’s just get this over with!” Your grandfather chuckled at me. I cut him another glare.

“Okay, okay,” he said. “Let’s go.” We headed off to go shopping.

As we walked to the mall, many questions about your grandfather’s family. So, I turned to him and began my investigation.

“Jimmy,” I said. Your grandfather glanced at me.

“Uh-hm?” he asked.

“How old is your sister today?”

“Thirteen.”

“What’s she like?”

“Whoa! Trish has quite a mouth on her. Spunky and all.”

“What do you mean she has a mouth on her? Is she talkative?”

Jim laughed at me. “No, no. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and isn’t scared to do so when she pleases.”

“Ah. Any other siblings?”

“I had a brother.”

“What’s he like?”

Jim gave me a little shrug. “A good guy. Handsome, funny, ladies’ man, nice, and cool. I loved him from a young age. He could’ve been my best friend.”

“What happened?”

“He died in Vietnam during the war.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.”

“It’s okay.”

I paused for moment. “What about your parents?”

“Just like your normal kind of parents. They drive me nuts, but they care.”

“I see.”

Your grandfather turned to me. “Why the sudden interest in my family?”

I gave him a little shrug. “Hey, If we’re dating now, I have to know about the family of my boyfriend.”

“This is true.” Then, Jim paused. “So I’m your boyfriend now, huh?”

I held up my hand at him. “Hey now, don’t get all excited on mew no. I’m still adjusting to this, you know?”

“Fine, fine.”

“Thank you.” I gave him a little smile. “Now, what all does Trish like?”

Your grandfather smiled at me. “Well, she loves music.”

“Okay, to the music store it is.”

1984