Sun: Short Stories & Drama

Da Beer Can Hat

One time I went ask Bobo what he do during da daytime when I go school. He tell he go by da supermarket and wheel da cart around. Used to be he wheel 'em around outside in da parking lot.

I ask him what he saving up fo' and he tell, "One Motobecane, jes' liek motorcycle dat. Tired pump my bike." Bobo's bike stay all junky, old style gooseneck and one-speed and one old newspaper bag hanging on da handlebars. Was shetty.

Me, I saving up for one skateboard, Cobra kine with heavy duty trucks, and one college edja-kay-shen. As what my fahdah tell me.

So me and Bobo, we stay together pretty good. Plenny guys tell, why I stay wit' Bobo. Dey tell he talk crooked, his mouth funny kine and sometimes drool li'l bit. I tell, "Watch out bra--he know kung fu and make like da wrestlah, da Missing Link, 'Whoaaa...yeah!'" But I went show him how fo' wipe his mout' before he sell newspaper to da custamah. I went buy him hanka-chief too. I wanted da kine wit' initials on top, "B.B." for Bobo. But I couldn't find, so I went buy one with "W" I tink, at sidewalk sale. Make 'em feel good, boy--I feel good too, though. He learn good, wipe his mouth first before he go to da customer. He no talk too good. Everytime guys tell, "Hah? What you talking, stupid." He only can try his best but no come out clear, "Heef-teen sants, paypah." But me, I used to it already.