The overheard conversation gave me an idea. I waited a half hour and then went downstairs and into the kitchen.

"Look, Momz," I said. "I was out of line. If you say you and Seth won't be sleeping together, then I guess you won't be sharing a bed. But, there's still the temptation. You told me not to put myself in situations where I knew I'd be tempted. So how about you and Seth come to Mexico. Maybe we can get Mawmaw and Pawpaw to go to the beach. We could rent a condo with enough rooms for all of us. With us around, you wouldn't be tempted to sneak into each others' beds. You guys could do your own thing and have lots of couple time. Mawmaw and Pawpaw could do stuff with me or sit under an umbrella while I hang out on the beach. It's a win win for everybody." I didn't wait for an answer. "Just something to think about," I said as I headed out to F2.

I suffered through Turkey Day and made nice with my sorta future cousins from the Collinsworth clan. The boy was 12. He wanted to be my bud. I played Mario with him, but he wasn't too swift. One of the girls was 14 and hot but spent all the time on the phone texting some boy. The other two girls were 10 and 11. They looked at me and giggled a lot. Anyway, I made it through the day.

On Friday, Momz went to work and Seth hung out with his family, taking them to all of the famous New Orleans spots. I was invited but I bowed out and spent the day gaming with Jake and Marlow. No, brews this time, though. I put my foot down. That's how the rest of the weekend played out. I didn't even go to church. Momz was at work. Seth went to another church so I didn't have to worry about him. Not yet, anyway. Once they got married, I figured they'd be going together. That made me think about having Seth in the house and what that'd mean for me hanging with Jake and Marlow. The whole deal gave me a headache.

Anyway, Momz and Seth bought into my suggestion. That's how we all ended up in a condo in Nuevo Vallarta for Christmas. We Skyped Mawmaw and Pawpaw on Thursday after Seth's family left. They were thrilled. They said they had some friends who weren't going to use their condo on the beach during the holidays. They had already talked to them about maybe using it if I came. "We knew you weren't wild about spending a couple of weeks with just us old folks," Mawmaw said. "We thought maybe the beach would make up for it."

I grinned. "You're alright, Mawmaw," I said. "A beach is always a plus."

On Monday I was running late and didn't get to hang with Jake and Marlow before school. I barely made it in time to keep from getting a tardy. I was sitting in English, doodling in my notebook and looking out the window. We were supposed to be writing in our journals. I saw Jake and Marlow run across the parking lot to Jake's old beater. Jake gave the finger to someone as he gunned out into the street. I leaned forward, trying to see who he was giving the bird.

"What's so interesting out there?" the teacher asked, stopping by my desk. She glanced out the window and then down at my notebook. "It looks like you had an interesting holiday. Let's see, a turkey, a hottie with sexy legs, a woman with a broomstick. Maybe you can give words to those pictures," she said.

"Sorry," I mumbled. I started to write.

When lunch arrived, I huddled under our tree. It was a cold, drizzling day. Not a day to be outside, but I needed to find out what had happened. I texted Jake and Marlow both but got no answer. I tried calling, but their phones went straight to voice mail. Finally I headed back inside. The Veep was waiting for me inside the door.

"You don't need to show up after school to tutor anymore," he said.

"Why, what happened?"

"Your friends," he sort of sneered the word, "won't be needing your help. They decided school is not for them."

"I thought you said they had until test time in January."

"That was before they chose to take an unauthorized day off. They weren't here last Tuesday. I sent the truant officer to the addresses we had on file. Their families said they haven't been living at home for months. Evidently they're living in that jalopy Jake drives or crashing with friends."

"But they've been studying. You said they could take the test."

"I said they could stay in school and take the test, but that they couldn't mess up again or they'd be sent to the alternative school. They screwed up. They chose to drop rather than try to earn a GED. C'est la vie."

"It's on you if they end up in jail or something because they can't get a decent job," I said.

"You're wrong, Wayne," he said. "It's on them. They made their choice. Now they have to live with it. But, if you can convince them to try the alternative school, I can still get them in. The studying they've been doing with you will work just as well towards a GED."

He turned and went back into the office. "Old troll," I mumbled. "He doesn't give a damn."

Just after the final bell rang, Jake sent a text. "w2m ? McD's 30?(Want to meet? McDonalds in 30 minutes.)

"ibt," I hit send. (I'll be there.)

At home I changed quickly. "I'm meeting some guys at McDs," I hollered at Momz.

"Ok," I heard from the attic. I wondered what she was doing up there, but didn't have time to check. It couldn't be important. I'd cleaned up there, after all.

Jake and Marlow were sitting in a booth with a plate of fries. I got some fries and drink and joined them.

"I talked to Veep," I said. "I can't believe he tossed you guys."

"No biggie," Marlow said. "Like we told you, we was just hanging onto this gig until it played out."

"So, whatcha gonna do now?"

They shrugged.

"Whatever comes up," Jake said.

"Look, that nasty troll at the school said you're living in your car or somethin'. Is he pullin' my leg?"

"We're alright," Marlow said. "My Momz got a new sugar daddy. She and her boy toy didn't want me around. I crashed with Jake for awhile. His Mom said it was jobsville or hit the road. We chose the road."

"Is that why you have a computer and stuff in your trunk?" I asked.

Jake looked at Marlow, sort of wide-eyed.

"You got it, man," Marlowe said. "I figured you saw our stuff when you put the trash in the trunk after our drunk the other night."

"I didn't go through your stuff," I hurried to assure them. "I just saw the computer monitor sticking out of the box. Why didn't you say something? Maybe I can help."

"Yeah, like Wicked is going to let us crash in your crib," Jake said.

"Not in my crib, no. But our church has some places where runaways can go, and a homeless shelter, too."

"No way," Marlow said. "Those places are for losers. And they make you go to church and stuff."

"Anyway, we ain't homeless," Jake said. "We got my beater. We just ain't, like, got no permanent address."

"Well, maybe I can help in the job department. Uncle Clarence knows some guy who's in the construction business."

"Construction?" Marlow said. "Look man, I ain't sweating buckets putting on roofing or digging up plumbing or whatever. We get by doing odd jobs. We always have cig and brew money."

"We grab a burger every now and then. If we get desperate, we can go get a free meal at the shelter," Jake added.

"I can at least wash your duds for you every now and again," I said. "If you get desperate for food, type nen (need eats now) in a text. I'll leave something in a bag in the garbage can in the ally."

"Sure man, that'll help. We get to hang at your crib when your Momz not home, so you were helping anyway," Jake said.

"About that," I said. "Momz is making me go to Mexico over the holidays. I fly out on the 17th and get back on the 30th. My grandparents are getting lonely."

"So Wicked is getting rid of you so she can do the dirty with the shrink," Marlow said.

I kinda saw red, though I'd pretty much thought the same thing about Aspen. "No!" I exploded. "We're all going: Momz, Seth and me," I tried to lighten my tone. I was kinda surprised I could still get riled about someone badmouthing Momz. Go figure. "At least Mawmaw and Pawpaw rented a condo on the beach this time. I don't have to sit around Old Geezerville and do nothing.

"So nobody will be at your place for two weeks?" Jake sounded hopeful.

"Yeah," I said. "But Momz has already alerted NHW. Sue Sue Maya will have her eyes peeled. And Uncle Clarence is supposed to stop by and check things out periodically. I can't leave F2 unlocked, guys. Sorry."

"No sweat," Jake said. "The sign in your yard about being protected by an alarm system, that's for real?"

"Yeah, it's for real. And Seth is looking into putting in a camera system, too. He says it's because of the B&Es in the area, but I think he just wants Momz to be able to check up on me. Kinda like that advertisement where the lady tells her phone to check the rooms in the house, and she sees her Mom sitting at the kitchen table drumming her fingers."

"Like a spy cam?" Marlow said. "For reals?"

"Yeah, but not before Christmas, I don't think."

"Anyway, we gotta stay away from your digs while your gone," Jake stated.

"Yeah," I shrugged. "but it's supposed to be a warm Christmas."

"Big whoop," Marlow said. "Why don't you give us the alarm code. We could live high on the hog for two weeks."

"Can't, man," I said. "NHW would be all over your ass in no time. You'd end up in the big house. Believe me, Momz would press charges."

"Wicked in character," Jaked said. He turned to Marlow. "And who do you think would clean up after your ass? After two weeks, the house would be so trashed, we'd lose CW's crib, too."

After that Jake and Marlow showed every day Momz was off, and we gamed our lives away. I didn't see them a lot the rest of the time. They thought it best to lay low and off of Wicked's radar. I had to agree. It made life easier if Momz didn't see them hanging around. I hadn't told her about them dropping out. After school when Momz was home, I met them at a burger joint or a coffee house instead of in detention. I had tried to get the guys to at least try the alternative school, but it was a no go. Instead of studying we chewed the fat for an hour.

On the first Monday in December, I got a text from Jake. My phone vibrated in my pocket just before last class, so I went in the bathroom and read the text. "can't show today sutm (See you tomorrow)." I shrugged and sent, "k"

After school, I walked home with BJ. Since Thanksgiving, we'd been talking some and walking together, if I was going home instead of meeting Jake and Marlow somewhere. BJ never came in though. He knew Jake and Marlow would be there. He'd just wave and keep walking. I told my homies that I walked with him to keep my Momz from getting suspicious, but that was not the whole story. I kinda liked having someone to talk to about something other than WOW. I realized I actually had missed walking home with him. When we got to my house, I said, "Jake and Marlow aren't coming today. You want to come in and play for a while? I bet you can't beat me at Mario." He called home. His Momz was down with it. We were so into Mario that he texted home and said we were going to grab some leftovers at my place. His Momz agreed, but told him to have a vegetable or at least put lettuce on his sandwich. It was almost like old times. He stayed until 9:30.

The next day when I got home, Jake was waiting by F2 with a grin on his face. "Where's Marlow?" I asked.

"He had some business to attend to," Jake said. "He'll show." Just as he finished his sentence, I saw Marlow come around the corner. I unlocked the door and Jake and I went inside. Jake looked like he was jonesin', he was so excited.

As soon as Marlow came in Jake said, "Look, man, we got you an early Christmas present." He took an I-pad out of his jacket. "Surprise."

I stared at Jake, "Is that hot, man?" I asked.

Jake frowned. "No way. This is Christmas. You think we'd swipe someone's stash?"

Marlow added, "My Momz gave it to me. Guilt's eatin' her, I guess."

I looked at Marlow for the first time. His face was swollen and his left eye was black.

"What happened to you?" I asked.

"Boy toy has a mean fist," he said. "I was just hittin' up Momz for some holiday cash." He pointed at the I-pad. "He thought I was an ingrate for not kissing Momz ring over a stupid tablet. Like I don't have stuff. I needed cash."

Jake interrupted. "We know you got stuff, too, but this tablet won't be registered to you. We put it under Paul for your Popz. If you can keep it hidden, Wicked won't know you have it, and we can game even when we're not here. You can hook this baby up to your TV, and we'll be on our tablets."

My mind was racing. Marlow looked like he needed a doctor. Jake was acting like he was on meth. But it was almost Christmas, and they were living in a car. I hadn't bought them presents, but I had an idea.

"I've got the perfect hiding place," I said. Before I could change my mind, I took the blankets out of the cabinet. I took the long tool and pressed the release button. The back of the cabinet fell forward.

Jake and Marlow were standing there with their chins around their balls. I reached in and took out a bottle of whiskey. "Merry Christmas," I said as I closed in the rest of the stash.

"You've been holding out on us," Marlow accused.

"Not really. That stuff is all old. It was my Dad's stash. I just found it myself," I fibbed.

"So why the cloak and dagger?" Jake asked. "Open it back up and give us a gander."

"Can't," I said. I looked at my phone. "Uncle Clarence is coming to pick me up. I can't hang with you today. He'll be here in 20."

"Well just lock us in," Marlow said. "We can get acquainted with your Dad's hoard." He rubbed his hands together. "Think of the cash we can secure."

"Sue Sue Maya, remember? If I leave and you don't, she'll call Momz. She thinks she's the hero of some lame mystery show, Murder She Wrote, I think Momz said. Anyway, she's already reported you once. Momz told her it was okay as long as I'm with you. "

"Bummer," Jake said.

"I'll just put this in there," I said, picking up the I-pad and opening the cabinet again. I mostly did it to convince the guys that I was down with them knowing about my stash. I already sort of regretted it. I hadn't thought about Marlow wanting to sell it. That was a little more out there than I was ready to go.

The guys got down on their haunches and looked over the contents while I found a place for the tablet.

"If you put it in there," Jake said. "It's going to be a hassle every time you want to play. Why don't you just put it in the blankets."

"Good idea," I said. I closed the false back and put everything back in, concealing the tablet in the blankets.

After I closed the doors, Jake held up the bottle of Jack Daniels. "Man, this is old," he said. "Got time for a toast?"

"No, way. You gotta bounce now," I said quickly. "Unk can't see the whiskey. He's pretty cool, but he and Momz are tight. He knew that she was sending back Popz mail. Just book, now."

The guys got in the beater and backed out of the driveway. They were heading down the road as Unk pulled in.

"Who was that?" he asked suspiciously.

"My new homies," I said, "the ones I tutor that Momz doesn't like."

"That's quite a beater they've got."

"Yeah, but it runs. Jake is good with motors. He keeps in running. His smarts show under the hood of a car, not on an End of Course test." 

"Has he tried to find a job as a grease monkey?"

"School, remember?" I raised my eyebrows. "I think he does the odd job now and then so he can buy smokes."

"No wonder Patsy doesn't approve. She was on my case for years to stop smoking. I told her to work on reforming her own husband and leave me alone. It took a health scare to get me to stop."

We got in the car. Clarence drove to a church.

"What're we doing here?" 

"Not singing and praying." He opened his car door. "Come on. I've got a surprise. This will only take a minute."

He led me to a door on the side of the church. A sign said, "Angel Tree." What's an Angel Tree?"

"You'll see."

We walked through a door. There was a huge blue spruce. From the branches hung hundreds of paper angels. Every angel had a name on it. There were a few presents under the tree, and Christmas music was playing. A lady came out of a door behind us.

"Welcome to Angel Tree," she said. "You must be one of the kids who can't make it to the prison this weekend."

"What's she talking about?" I whispered to Uncle Clarence.

He ignored me, talking to her instead. "That's right," he said. "This is CW."

"And the father's name?" she asked. 

"Paul," he started. "Oh you want the name he's incarcerated under, not what we call him. Chauncy Braisford," he finished.

She was looking at a clipboard. She checked off something. "Gotcha," she said. She knelt down by the tree. "Now let's see what we've got here?"

She held up a brightly wrapped package. "Here you go," she said. "This one is pretty unique. I think Dad wanted to include something he made," she added. She held up a package wrapped in bright Christmas paper. A belt with ribbon twined around it was around the package. Hanging from the buckle were the initials CW burned into a wooden square.

I took the package. I was, like, in a trance. Finally I found my voice. "This is from Popz?" I directed the question to Uncle Clarence.

"Yeah," he said. "I wanted to surprise you."

"Looks like it worked," the lady winked at Clarence. "The cat seems to have got his tongue."

I turned to the lady. "Thanks, um," I looked for a nametag. There wasn't one. "Ms. Angel," I finished.

She laughed. "Wait until I tell my husband. He'll never believe someone mistook me for an angel."

"I'm Leona," she said. "I'm the church secretary. I get the pleasure of handing out gifts to the kids who can't attend the celebration at the prison."

"So some kids go to the prison?" I asked.

"If their caregivers let them," she said. "We have parties where the kids get to spend time with their Mom or Dad and unwrap the gift there. If the parent, grandparent, guardian, whoever's in charge, says no, we get the kids to come here and pick up their present. We used to take them to the homes, but so many of the kids are mobile. Some of them are even homeless." She sighed. "But you are obviously a well mannered, well groomed, young gentleman. Enjoy." She handed me a bag of goodies to go with the present.

"Thanks, Ms. Leona," I said.

"Come visit us sometime," she said. "There's a flyer about the church in there." She pointed to the bag. "We even have support groups for the families of men who are in prison. We divide the adults by gender. The kids have groups by age. I'm assuming you'd be in the high school group." 

"Uh, I don't think so," I said. "We've made it this far with just us. We're good."

"Well, if you change your mind, you just give us a call," she said.