Categotry Archives: Suzie’s House
Suzie’s House 128: Two Tickets to Paradise
“Would you quit doing that?” Ben was ready to start pounding on Gene. For the last half an hour Gene had been sitting on the bed, staring into space looking all put out, and spinning the wheels of his skateboard. Ben was sitting at his desk with his back to the bed, but he could still hear the ball bearings clicking, and remembered Gene’s expression between glances. “Do you like Lisa?”
Suzie’s House 127: Tickets
“So, you going to do it?” Ben watched Gene dump all his old notebooks into a garbage can the school left in the hall for everyone cleaning out their lockers. He couldn’t help think it was a waste to throw away so many blank pages. He could use those pages for his writing. “Do what?” he asked Gene.
Suzie’s House 126: Unbiased Opinion
“Mom, can I talk to you?” Ben grabbed her sleeve when she started to go out of the kitchen with the social worker, Gene, and Lisa. “Oh, um…” She glanced from him to the others. “Sure, Honey. Gene, would you mind seeing Kathy out?” “Sure thing, Mrs. Hammacker,” Gene said, and kept going. Lisa stopped to look at him, and he thought she might hang around, but she went with Gene instead. Maybe she went because she thought he wanted […]
Suzie’s House 125: Ben’s Final Break
“It’s for you?” Ben slapped the back of the chair Lisa was sitting in. He didn’t get it. What was wrong with Gene? A few days ago he was ready to crawl through a window to beat up his father because of what he said. Today the social worker was all set to do it for him, and he wouldn’t let her. “What do you mean it’s for you?”
Suzie’s House 124 : Unpunished
Gene refused to look up. Instead, he crumbled the cookie on the plate Mrs. Hammacker had put in front of him. He didn’t dare look at Ben, because then Ben would expect him to back him up. He didn’t dare look at Mrs. Hammacker, because she might ask questions. For sure Kathy the Social Worker would ask questions. Probably ask even if he didn’t look. And Lisa. Gene had no idea what to make of Lisa. He hunched over the […]
Suzie’s House 123: No Good Deed
Oh great. He should have taken Lisa through the front door instead of acting all sneaky with the back. Of course Mom and Gene would be in the kitchen. Ben should of thought of that. But that woman he and Lisa eavesdropped on at school, what was she still doing here?
Suzie’s House 122: Affirmations
Kathy paused in front of the kitchen table in Suzie Hammaker’s house. She’d delivered Gene into her care and provided the paper work. She had no further excuse, yet there she stood, unable to resist. “Are you aware of the story your son wrote?”
Suzie’s House 121: Home Visit
When Suzie answered her front door, she knew right away the woman standing next to Gene must be the social worker on his case, the one who had called about him. Gene darted into the house like a stray dog coming home, but the woman remained standing on the porch. “Mrs. Hammacker, do you mind if I come in? There are a few things I would like to discuss with you and Gene.” The woman, Kathy, didn’t look nearly as […]
Upon Waking Up With Cracked Ribs
Click on picture to go to hub. White sheets. White curtains. White walls. Hospitals are full of bland. Gene fingers the button to call the nurse. Where are his clothes? Should he take them? Then what, home to Dad? Not likely. Decisions overwhelm him. Can’t decide anything with a fuzzy head. Gene rolls over. Sleeps. Lets the Social Services lady have her way. I can’t get at the file where Suzie’s House is right now, but I can still write […]
Suzie’s House 121: Overheard
“Do you think we should cut class to find out?” Lisa walked so close to Ben he could feel her shoulder next to his even when she wasn’t bumping into him because people in the hall shoved her. He wondered if she realized she was too close. Then her words sank in. “You? Cut class?” He couldn’t believe it.
Suzie’s House 120: Comes Around
“Principal Greear, Miss Vargovich is here to see you.” The school secretary called through the open door. “Send her in!” Principal Greear got out from behind his desk to greet his guest. “Kathy,” He welcomed her with hands outstretched. “How are you?” “Dale! So good to see you again. It’s been what? Two, three years?” She shook his hand, smiling warmly. If he hadn’t been a married man, a few years back he would have dated her. Instead, they maintained […]
Suzie’s House 119: What Goes Around
Kathy dropped her keys as she approached her ’53, powder blue, Chevrolet Bel Air. They clanged as they hit the pavement, then clattered as she tripped over them, driving a sharp point or two between her foot and the inside of her Birkenstocks before they shot off under the front, driver’s side tire. “Ouch!” She bent over, grabbing her foot and hopping. She lost her balance, and bumped into one of the carport’s white-washed support pillars. The whole structure boomed […]
Suzie’s House 118: A Pillow Made of Concrete
For those of you who were wishing we could follow Gene instead of doing the arrest, you’re in luck. We resume his narrative from where we left off a few weeks ago. It could be dangerous? As if going home weren’t dangerous. Simply breathing had become a problem for Gene. After hearing what went down at the trial, Gene’s dad had cracked him a good one in the ribs. Now every breath hurt. But he wasn’t going to let on […]
Suzie’s House 117: The Real Reason
Drew and Vin ended up turning Joseph O’Connor over to the local police. Shooting Vin wasn’t considered national is scope. While they discussed it with the men in uniform, Miranda stood by the couch where Mike and Mike sat, still cuffed, trapped in their own apartment.
Suzie’s House 116: Miranda Has Her Say
“Drew! Arrest this guy!” Miranda jabbed her finger at Mike. To think the jerk was harboring a known criminal and had the nerve to look down on her for having a few late fees at the video store where he worked! “On what grounds?” Mike puffed up as he said it, clearly thinking he was in the right. He might have been because Drew’s expression said pretty much the same thing. Didn’t matter. This was Miranda’s chance at a little […]
