Random Acts of Senseless Violence (27 page)

As Iz levelled with me about Jude I started thinking about Katherine and my bad suspicions. I don't always think so Anne but me and Boob are lucked big no doubt at least that way. Daddy may not be father of the year but he's Daddy and nada else. Families wrong each other so bad even when they don't try it seems like. My home family's crazed but I love them and I love Iz too. I like Jude a lot but she's just not as lovable as Iz. ‘Don't ever tell her I tell you Lola' Iz said. ‘Don't fret' I said. ‘You my best friends both of you and you especially Iz I love you' I said. ‘Everbody need lovin' Iz said and we agreed. That hap-pied our hearts but we boohooed all the same because however we thought of Weez whether hate or love it's unmattered now that she in the twilight zone with the DCons.

Night night Anne.

MAY
19

TV called this Black Tuesday Anne. It was on even before we schooled. They said this morning the money will be replaced with new money this week. It'll bankrupt drug pushers and ex out Mideast counterfeits like the one Daddy got stuck with at the store. The President said by making
the new money worth more that'll take care of inflation. Mama and Daddy were pale when he said that and I asked what fretted. They say that means everyone will have less real money than they do now and we don't have much as it is. They were torn Anne but they said we get by somehow. It was all the teachers were talking about too they told us we were paid up through this term but adjustments would have to be made next fall. This afternoon we went to Civics class and Ms Boardman had the TV on and we news-watched some more. Nothing like schooling and doing nada but tube daylong. We watched the stock market collapse this afternoon and Ms Boardman excused herself to make a phone call. Boob was watching not booking today too she said when I met her after. Once we homed I asked Mama if we owned stocks. She laughed and said ‘Not for years and years my angels we didn't keep them long even when we had them and a good thing it is too now.' The President said tonight that it'd be a little rough at first but in the long run everything would be the way it should be. The TV heads didn't know what else will happen and that's the first time I've seen them say they didn't know.

MAY
20

Everybody's mindlost Anne there's no fudging. The President was killed again right after he was on TV. A mob calmed him in Washington. He was trying to shoot out in his helicopter when air force planes grounded it. They yoked and stomped him flat. None of them have been caught but the FBI is arresting whole neighborhoods in Washington and the Home Army's surrounding it so the guilty won't fly. First I thought hooray no school but the office called to tell everyone class as usual today. Mama said it was cause people liked this President least of all but I spec now everybody's just used to them getting exed. The new President was a senator from New York before he was Vice
President Pro Tern. Mama gives him a week. He says he's disappointed in public reaction and it's time for America to readjust. Daddy was home today on his one day off and was tubing still when we homed. Daddy says the government's ready to dissolve the people. He stonefaced when he said that even though it was supposed to be joking.

There been sirens wailing nightlong and explosions north and a new noise like a low whoop that goes then stops then goes again. Also the Warning building's been going Warning Warning Warning for hours now. There's overmuch craziness Anne I think everybody's spinning. Mama was standing at the kitchen sink newswatching tonight when she started to spew. She looked healthy right before so we didn't do anything but watch till she finished. Then me and Boob cleaned her while Daddy held her. ‘What's wrong?' we asked. ‘My angels I'm so embarrassed I didn't mean to scare you but I couldn't help it it just came' she said. She broke then holding her head in her hands and hairpulling like to bald herself. Daddy took her back to their bedroom and shut the door. We thought they'd be out quick but no. We heard Mama flood tears and Daddy whispering saying things we couldn't hear. Boob knocked wanting in and Daddy stepped out asked if she'd sleep with me tonight for once. Boob howled and stormed but finally said okay. She took her pillow and slept on the floor in the living room saying ‘I'm safe down here.' ‘Safe from me?' I asked. ‘Safe from everything close the windows Booz they'll kill us.' I shaded them all and then once she settled I kitchened myself wide eye and sleepless ever since.

Warning Warning finally stilled but it's loud outside. I tried calling Iz to sure myself that she's safe but nobody answers. Her mother probably wouldn't let me talk to her even if they were there. I tired sure now and have to wake come morningside. God please watch over Iz.

* * *

MAY
21

Iz is safe! but she worded me that the Army's creepcrawling through Harlem and the Heights and Inwood housecalling. Housecalling means they don't knock they just come through. Sometimes they come with Swatters from mid-town precinct and sometimes just blueboys which is what Iz calls cops. When greenasses visited Iz and her mother they emptied the drawers and closets and unzipped the covers off the couch. Half the dishes they broke throwing them on the floor. ‘They do anything bad to you direct?' I asked. ‘Not to me or mama no they be gun collecting this trip. That and digging up druggies and crackers' Iz said. We spec they're aiming to certify nothing happens to the new President but nobody gunned him on Monday night, they calmed him silent which works best I think. I asked if the greenasses were going into abandoned buildings too and Iz said ‘No they just burn those.' ‘Jude's house too?' ‘Not yet. She'll house here if and when' Iz said. Once Iz awared me of what was doing I realized why my eyes stung. The smoke comes through our windows so faint it's hardly seeable but now I know it's there I can't forget it. It's noisy outside even though the subway's not running tonight for the first time.

At school Miss Wisegarver said there'd still be finals next week and we do our best though it may not be easy. On TV they said they think the old President was buried today but they didn't tell where.

MAY
22

Friday. Jude and Iz will bed here tomorrow night which will mean all night party. I wish it was just me and Iz but we'll be girls together anyway. Then one week of finals and school's out and it's summer.

I wish we were vacationing this year but we're not of course. New York is still New York but it's worse than ever. It's roughened so it's getting like Brooklyn except there
aren't any planes and tanks in Manhattan yet. Our rooms are always smoky now. They've burned half of Harlem I think. Outside it's been dark daylong the past two the smoke heavies so. Cars and buses keep their lights on at noon. Boob and Mama cough constant and spit black sometimes. We keep the windows shut when we can but it's so hot we have to open them come night. The heat made Daddy's computer crash. Even if he was writing we're not moneyed enough to fix it so he's luckless present.

Mama got new money at the bank today all dollar bills. Now they're pink and blue and orange and have Martha Graham on the front and an eagle on the back. When you hold them up to the light you can see the watermark which is a smiley face. ‘Our cash be like this now?' I asked her when me and Boob were eyeing them. ‘Yes sweeties what little bit there is' Mama said. She said she doesn't know what we'll do if the prices don't adjust to fit the money. One new dollar is worth ten of the old ones but that's supposed to change again next week.

Stock market ran out weeklong and drained today nearly.

MAY
24

Sunday today and we've all been resting except for Daddy. Anne now that study time nears if I'm chanced I'll write you again before next Friday but I can't guarantee.

Iz and Jude came over last night at seven thirty when it was already darkening. Before they showed Mama said to me ‘My angels we have so little food in the house I feel terrible for not being able to properly entertain your little friends.' ‘Don't fret we'll adjust' I told her but Iz and Jude bettered that for us Anne. They'd banked and brought us two big bags of groceries including bologna and cheese and bread and milk and toilet tissue and much more. ‘You be hostin us we got to supply' Jude said unpacking the groceries. Mama happied instant and hugged them both saying
‘Oh angels you're so sweet it's so unnecessary you're sure you have enough at home?' Iz and Jude nodded and said don't fret. They're such good friends Anne and now Mama loves them as much as I do.

We pigged but didn't do much else but tube. We asked Boob if she wanted to hang with us but she said no and went into Mama's room. Iz and Jude scare her I think. It's unknowing if they scare her because they're black or because she thinks they're queer too. It didn't stop her from eating the food they brought though. Boob is changing Anne and I don't know into what. Every day this week she said ‘Let's go live with Chrissie' and she meant it. Mama shudders hearing her.

There wasn't anything on the networks to watch except specials on EcoCrisis Day Five. ‘Nada new on this news let's surf' Jude said running channels. There weren't any videos we hadn't seen before and the cartoons were bad and guys on the Christian stations were hopped raving about God's sword and the end at hand. We clicked off even before Mama and Boob bedded and then finished two bags potato chips and a bottle of Pepsi. ‘You seen Esther?' I asked. ‘Ever night cept Tuesday' Iz said. ‘She thinking she gonna drop soon.' ‘Drop what?' ‘The baby.' ‘It's time?' ‘Close enough it'll drop when it ready to drop. We eyeing close to make sure she do good' Jude said. ‘Her auntie be overlooking too just waiting being terrible the whole time though' Iz said. ‘How?' ‘Always be saying Esther being punished for being bad but not being punished enough' Iz said.

We unfolded the sofa and pajama partied without pajamas. Jude lay stomached looking at everything. ‘This ever-thing you own?' she asked. ‘Most we stored or got rid of' I said. ‘How many rooms in your old place?' ‘The living room and study three bedrooms two baths kitchen pantry and foyer' I said. ‘I been in bigger' Jude said. ‘Where?' I asked. ‘Around.' ‘Much bigger?' ‘Six bedroom terrace with dining room too. Jacuzzi and bidet in the bathroom' Jude said. ‘What's a bidet?' Iz asked. ‘You squat down on it and
it hose you.' ‘Get out' Iz said. ‘It's true I've seen them but I never used one' I said. ‘Don't they take baths?' Iz asked. ‘Yeah but it's like for after you be bumpin nasty' Jude said. ‘Whose apartment was it?' I asked. ‘Friend' she said rolling over onto her back looking ceilingways.

‘You want to play make believe?' I asked. ‘Make believe what?' Iz asked. ‘It's a fun game. I say imagine something and then you do. Like I say make believe you could have any apartment just the way you wanted it. What would your apartment be like?' I said. ‘And we say?' Jude asked. ‘That's it.' ‘Hell I be happy with an apartment' Jude said. ‘But if I do the architectin I want a penthouse two floors and a terrace. Big kitchen full a food. King size bed in my room and a bathtub big enough to swim in.' ‘And a bidet to squirt you all night long' Iz said laughing. Jude tried to grab her ankles but Iz jumped rolling cross the bed.

‘Iz make believe you could work doing anything you wanted. What would you do?' I asked. ‘Be an artist' she said. ‘Painting sculpting. Live in the country and do art.' ‘What about you?' Jude asked. ‘I'd be a writer' I said. ‘Do movies and TV.' ‘Like you daddy?' Jude asked. ‘Exactly. And you?' I asked. ‘I get some mogul to fund me and then when his back turn I take the wheel. Run the world way I wanted to run it.' We all laughed again.

‘Make believe you could fly anywhere. Where you go?' Iz asked. ‘I'd go to Europe' I said. ‘Germany I think and then France after.' ‘I go to England' Iz said. ‘Get there say look here Queen it's me. What about you Jude?' ‘New York do me fine. Got everthing needed if you know how to look' she said.

‘Make believe one day you can do anything you want. What would you do?' I asked. ‘I go wild shoppin' said Jude. ‘Go to Bergdorf try on dresses then put em back sayin uh-uh you quality slipslidin. Then I taxi somewhere for a six course lunch with cloth napkins and waiters kissin my ass. After that go shop some more then go to a show then come home.' ‘What then?' Iz asked. ‘You know what I be doin
then difference bein I be the one doin the pickin' Jude said giggling. ‘You too nasty Jude you are' Iz said and they smacked each other. ‘I be lowkey' Iz said. ‘In the morning I get up and do some art and then read some. Have a big lunch and then go hang in the park.' ‘Sound like you do the same then you do now. Little nerdy girl' Jude said laughing some more. ‘I'd sleep till noon cause there's nothing better' I said. ‘That all?' Jude asked. ‘No I'd get up at night and go out. Anything's doable come nightside and I do anything and everything' I said. ‘I bet. You crazy girl. Crazy Lola that your name now' Iz said. ‘I'm not crazy' I said. ‘You are sometime darlin you mindlost complete' Jude said. ‘Am not' I said and smacked her foot. She smacked me back hard on the shoulder and I jumped her. We tumbled laughing and wrestling on the bed. Jude is so strong I couldn't pin her and finally she fixed my head between her legs and squeezed till I squeaked. We wilded so Iz whispered saying ‘You wake Mrs Hart you keep on now come on settle.' Jude undamped me and we sat up again hot and breathless.

‘Make believe you have you own boy' Jude said leaning against the back of the sofa. ‘What you make him do for you?' Iz got up and closed the curtains though she left the windows open for breeze. ‘Boys are ickola I'd never want one' I said. ‘You say' Jude said. ‘I mean' I said. ‘Boys nothing but big babies and I never want a baby either like I say.' ‘Way you play boys is get em to baby you' Jude said. ‘And how you play yours then?' Iz asked. ‘You seen me you oughta know' Jude said. Iz shook her head and sat down. ‘My boyfriend be big and strong' she said. ‘Be smart and able to talk. Not be grossin me out daylong like they tend.' ‘And what else?' Jude asked. ‘Begone with you Jude' Iz said.