The force of the concussion threw us all on the floor. Stacy squealed as she flew through the air and landed against the bulk head. Jennifer dropped b...eside me without making a sound. I should have been paying attention to the lack of noise but the shooting started up and there was no time to think. It was all I could do to just act.Grabbing Jennifer and hoisting her over my shoulder lake a foreman would carry her. I grabbed Stacy’s hand and headed for the door. As we approached it swung open. “For a month. You can have me for a month if you keep your mouth shut for the rest of your life.”“Deal.”Let me tell you what happened last night.It was around midnight. Approaching the front door, I heard indistinct voices. It was strange because my dad was on a business trip and my stepmom was the only person who should be at home.It was my stepmom’s idea that I spend the weekend with my uncle and aunt. I reluctantly agreed. But the problem was that I forgot my PlayStation at home, so I had to. I left soon after, to walk over to Carolyn's. I felt better about my mother than I had before we'd had our little talk.When I got to Carolyn's house, she came outside even before I had climbed up the stairs of her porch."Jimmy and I are going for a walk mom. I'll be home before eleven." She took my hand and we walked back down the stairs, side by side. "I'm glad you didn't pay attention to what I said this morning, Jimmy. I was confusing myself because I thought that what you were doing was. If you had told me you wanted to go out and get loaded, I would have found you a safe place to go. You didn’t need to lie to me, Tiffany. I know you drink – or you drank. I knew you were nervous about finding a job and I knew all of you had a lot on your mind. I trusted you when you said you just wanted to dance a little and relax. If you had told me that you wanted a safe place to have a few drinks, I would have found somewhere for you to do it. I didn’t care about that. I care about you! I.