[ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ]	“Yeah,” he said, “but not for him. For my mom.” I knew that’s what he’d say, and I knew he was right. We approached downtown, the residential apartment buildings turning into storefronts and restaurants. “What do you want to do?” he asked, “Do you want to talk about it or do you wanna go home to your ma?” “Neither,” I replied. I pulled a joint out of my pants pocket and held it in front of his face, like teasing a child with a piece of chocolate. , “Let’s go to the grassy knoll and watch the sunset.” When I got home from school, buzzed and relaxed, my mom was still in her bathrobe, staring at the blank and white television. She didn’t even turn her head when I came in. “Didn’t go to work?” I asked, tossing my book bag on the couch. She didn’t even acknowledge me as I unzipped it, taking out the book Mrs. Malarkey gave me. “You been drinking?” She turned giving me a fuming look, seeming to say, “Don’t push it.” “What, are you giving me the silent treatment?” I went over and sat down next to her, laying my head on her shoulder like I used to do when I was younger. “When’s his funeral?” I considered asking when dad’s funeral was, but it didn’t feel right. “Wednesday.” “I’ll be there mom.” She finally turned to me, her smeared mascara darkening her smiling eyes. “Thank you. I really need you there.” “I know mom,” I said, patting her thigh, “I know.”