Have a Coke and Smile The summer I turned fourteen my family lived in wood-framed house with big concrete front porch. It was idyllic. house even its faults situated on what might be called lane instead of road while it old had lot charm--high ceilings leaded glass windows spring-loaded screen door that landed solid slap if you didn’t slow down--which little brother never did. He six summer the bane existence. My mother older when she me still him. baby every sense word. could let slam hundred times without rebuke but go once there hell-fire damnation. If he wanted something--anything at all--my stopped whatever doing to accommodate him expected do same which did most time avoid more hell-fire. met friends church down road from our joined youth group participated car washes picnics delivering treats nursing home. There girl who would attend high school with--I freshman junior. She two years driver’s license. One day few others planned movie next larger town they invited along. How get permission this? said no immediately. older busy traffic area too young blah blah. devastated--not just couldn’t go have tell mommy no. But as luck it an unlikely ally emerged middle storm--my brother. hear trying appease his tantrum growing full-on fit. came into room said--okay bbq sandwich store go. Did really say it? I knew she’d day willing anything settle loved Coke store sold sandwiches cooler filled ice bottles Coke. jumped it. When tried give money told her pay baby-sitting stash. think now realize how tired must been. forties been handful for twenty-year old mom. ran out door barely remembered catch before slammed ended plans. Barefoot cleared steps one leap raced where grabbed bottle bottom paid man handed brown paper bag. gripped bag back across boiling hot asphalt skirted grassy bank started up stairs. tripped second step fell headlong onto others. gripping so hard--it after all freedom--and concrete shattered shards dust. first thought return another stood saw blood mingled syrupy running arm t-shirt shorts opened hand. gash right hand index finger splayed sickeningly backward not going anywhere except emergency room. shiver nurse cleaning doctor added twelve stitches took close