“Quiet!” Elmer Mott stirs from sleep to the sound of brawling vacuum cleaners and horse-playing Scouts. He socks a pillow. Kicks the mattress. “Shut the f**k up!” he hollers. They respond with shrill laughter.
The door creaks open. Reggie.
Elmer barks, “Get out, cous. I’m asleep.”
“I’ll be quick. Promise. Cross my heart, hope to die.”
“What then?”
Reggie quickly utters, “The fourth of July parade is on … well, the fourth of July. Only a few days away. I haven’t really worn any clothes in a while, but should I wear a bathrobe … even though the whole day is about freedom? Plus, I promised Nell I’d take her to the parade, and Laurie will probably come too. What about Clancy?”
Elmer squints. “Are you high?”
“No … oh, well, a little, I guess.”
“Get out, please,” he says, tossing over.
