The house was quiet when Mom left, except for the crows cawing outside. I put on my jacket and went out to find JP and Tyson. Crows cawed louder; they were in the trees and on the power lines. Through the woods I walked and smoked. The trees were bare, and the sky above was a piercing blue. The smoke made my eyes water, and it was like I was drowning.

My stomach growled. I hopped over a fallen tree and continued down the path until I heard cars passing on the road. I finished my cigarette and walked onto the street toward Tyson’s, but he wasn’t home, was at the Social with JP probably. I cut through more paths until I came out on the other side of the Island, where the football field pressed against the river.

No one was drumming and not too many people were left at the Social. People clumped together in small groups that speckled a third of the field. JP and Tyson were sitting on the side of the field tossing rocks into the river. Tyson was wearing a black jacket. I walked over and sat next to them.

“You missed some good burgers,” JP said.

“They’re all gone?” I wanted one.

He nodded. “A lot of people showed up.”

“I’m surprised they’re not drumming,”

“Only one drum group came. There’s a powwow up north. You got a ciggie?” JP said.

“Just butts. They’re good length though.”

He wiped his hands together to get the dirt off and stood. “Better than nothing.”

“You want to go now?” I said.

“Everyone’s leaving.”

I didn’t want to move, didn’t want everyone to leave, didn’t want the food to be gone. But it was over. We left, and in the woods away from everyone we huddled together and I gave them each a half-smoked cigarette.

“Damn,” JP said. “Butted Winstons are strong.”

I nodded and lit mine. JP didn’t mention the bar window, so I knew Tyson hadn’t told him.

“Let’s go down to the river and watch the sun set,” JP said.

“That’s way on the other side of the Island,” Tyson said. “And it’s getting cold.”

“Shut up,” JP said. “If you’re cold why’d you wear a windbreaker? Going jogging?”

I laughed.

“Yeah,” I said, “Why aren’t you wearing your good jacket?”

Tyson shook his head and smiled. Then we were laughing. Really laughing!

“What?” JP said.

I caught my breath. “Let’s walk and we’ll tell you.”

. . .

The river drained into the setting sun.

“I would’ve smashed that guy’s head,” JP said. “At least you broke the window. That counts for something.”

I lit another butt. “I feel so much lighter now that we told someone.”

Tyson nodded. “Yeah, my dad asked this morning if I saw anything.”

“Wait, what?” I asked. “Before I came over?”

“Yeah.”