Sweetie's Diamonds by Raymond Benson Page B

expected.   “I can beat the shit out of you, Boston, anytime, anywhere,” he shouted.
    â€œMister Shamrock?”   The voice of Vice-Principal McDonald boomed from down the hall.   “Watch your language, young man!”
    David and Billy continued to move to the exit.   The pushed open the door and went outside just as the most-feared adult at school pulled Matt Shamrock’s right ear lobe.   David and Billy heard the word “detention” mentioned before they were out of earshot.  
    â€œI guess you’ll make it home in one piece after all,” Billy said.
    â€œYeah.   Thanks for sticking up for me.”
    â€œNo problem.   I don’t think it did any good, though.”
    As they walked across the school parking lot toward the sidewalk, David felt his heart pounding.   He often got palpitations if something caused his adrenaline to pump.   Sometimes it happened if he was excited, nervous, or anticipating something such as a doctor’s visit, a test at school, or a conversation with one of the pretty girls.   He had to be careful, his doctor had told him.   Whenever he had palpitations, David was to stop what he was doing and breathe deeply.   He was to relax and mentally push the anxiety away.   Sometimes he could do it pretty well.   Other times it was more difficult, depending on the situation.
    David stopped walking and sat on the curb.
    â€œYou all right?” Billy asked.
    â€œYeah, I just gotta sit a minute,” he said.   He closed his eyes and breathed.  
    â€œYou sure?”
    â€œShhhh.”
    â€œI can go get someone if you want.”
    â€œQuiet, Billy!   I’m trying to meditate.   It’s okay, really.”
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œYou go on.   Come over to the apartment later.   I gave you the address.”
    â€œI’ll stay if you want.”
    â€œNo, really.   Go on.   I think I want to be alone,” David said.  
    â€œWell, all right.   I’ll be over in an hour.”  
    â€œOkay.”
    Billy walked on.   David figured that one advantage to living in the new apartment was that he was closer to Billy’s house.   They had planned to walk to and from school together, at least until they got into high school.  
    David continued his breathing exercises and eventually calmed down.   The scary thumping in his chest eased up and finally he was able to stand and continue the trek home.  
    He hoped this wouldn’t become a daily occurrence.

7
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    D avid opened the door and found Billy standing on the stone stoop where Diane had placed the “Welcome” mat.   The apartment was on the ground floor of the complex and in many ways was more like a duplex than an apartment.   Each dwelling had its own separate façade that indicated the apartments were individual homes—they were just connected to each other in one large building.  
    â€œWhat’s up?” Billy asked.
    â€œNothing.   Come in.”
    Billy walked inside and David shut the door.   “You feeling better?”
    â€œYeah.”
    Billy nodded his head in artificial appreciation as he dropped his backpack on the floor and moved through the main room.   The apartment was still full of boxes and other signs of a recent move.   “So this is the new place,” he said.   “Nice.”
    â€œIt’s all right.   We sure don’t have a lot of room.”
    â€œWhat did you do with all the stuff that wouldn’t fit?”
    â€œI guess mom sold it.   Remember we had that aquarium?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œShe got rid of that.”
    Billy went to the glass door that faced the back yard.   “Big yard,” he said.
    â€œIt’s not all ours,” David explained.   “It belongs to everybody.   We have that little deck and the grill, but that’s about it.”
    â€œWhere’s