《DROPKICK》


 Part 1

    Trey parked on the front lawn. Threw bike on the grass, smoked under the deck with a toke puff and pass, we¡¯d drink in the house with brew after brew, day after day noon until noon.


    One day he came round and showed us a bag, of seeds he had swiped off his deadbeat dad, we looked in awe as he said he would grow,


    Enough weed for us all and all of our Bros,


    He spent a whole summer growing seeds in the greens,


    He ploughed up the soil and made a ravine,


    He showed but a few,


    A handful at most,


    But word spread through town,


    He couldn¡¯t help but to boast,


    One day we went by and ploughed the green from the earth,


    The labour was little but our mind fluttered worth,.


    Kingpins of dub,


    80s Greentbumbs of North,


    Lotta green to be smoked,


    Lotta bundles of worth,


    One day Trey came back to water his crop,


    But he found the remains of all his hard work,


    Not a nug to be found,


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    He picked up a branch,.


    Strapped it to his back and left for my house,


    We hid it in bags under sinks and in bins,


    Under house and In Drawers where no one would look,


    He ripped up on my lawn til it was rugged with dirt,


    We came out to look he shot air with his gun,


    We rushed back inside and locked door and then to hid,


    He shot out the glass,


    Opened door and walked past,


    Ordered us against wall,


    We would line and stay still,


    He patted us down and found nothing still,


    My Dad came through door tackled Trey to the ground,


    They wrestled and spat and my Dad striked him down,


    But Trey squeezed his trigger and loudness ensued,


    Trey lost all bearing and insanity ensued,


    He ran out the door and hopped up on his bike,


    with screwdriver start but it didn¡¯t start right,


    He tried again and left in a rush but he rushed onto road and was hit by a bus,


    As the screwdriver broke and pierced through his chest,


    It stuck him in heart and he bled through his chest,


    We came out to look with his body a mess,


    With each limb twisted and all over distressed,


    In a pool full of red he gasped his last breathe,


    We watch him submerge in a hellish breathe,


    That day I went off and smoked a bag full of Sesh,


    With my friends and the fiends the dead and depressed,


    Night by night we seshed and we yarned,


    Night by night my soul went never unharmed,


    Til this day when I pray and I play games on Steam,


    The darkness in thought when I think about Trey,


    From sesh til death,


    To Death then Sesh,


    From my fathers last breathe,


    On the breathe I am left.

 How to lose a Flatmate

    Tracy sat upon a lime green bean bag that was shoved into one corner of a rickety outdoor deck. Fortunately for Tracy, as well as the many other lower class degenerates, the deck was sheltered under clear light roofing sheets, as well as a plastic guard that shielded them from the beach houses harsh southerly winds.


    Two mid 20s high viz rocking losers fought each other over a game of arcade machine Tekken 3. The machine''s artwork, the click-clacking of buttons, the sound effects, and the commentator declaring one of two said losers the winner; really brought a nostalgic smile to Tracy¡¯s face.


    From within the plush carpeted home, the owner, Russel, slid across the sliding door and passed Tracy a beer. ¡°Heard you¡¯re interested in renting a room?¡±


    Tracy twisted the top of and cheers¡¯ bottles. ¡°Yeah man, I¡¯d be pretty keen. Getting over living with the old lady.¡± replied Tracy, taking his first sip.


    ¡°Yeah that¡¯s understandable man. Nothing beats grown up freedom. This is a pure man cave, hope you don¡¯t mind that.¡± Replied Russel, as he sipped and swished a sip of beer around before swallowing.


    ¡°Nah not at all man. This seems like my kinda buzz to be honest. Cruisey.¡± Assured Tracy.


    Russel opened up a small wooden chest and pulled out a crack pipe. ¡°Well as long as you can pay rent in advance, and in time, shouldn¡¯t be a problem at all.¡± said Russel as he began to drive his crack pipe.


    Tracy¡¯s eyes widened, and his jaw began to move in an erratic cycle. Russel noticed this and placed the pipe back down after his puff, and sank back into his plush chair. He slid sunglasses over his eyes, and looked over to the two losers, ¡°Which one of you chumps won?¡± he asked, scratching at his stubble.


    ¡°That was me boss. I¡¯ve been fuckin killing it lately.¡± replied the loser with bucked teeth, as he walked over to the pallet table and picked up the pipe. At this point Tracy had begun to shuffle about in his seat. He didn¡¯t know whether to look away and show discomfort, or look directly at them and potentially insight anger. He chose to chat with Russel as if nothing was happening.


    ¡°So do you own the place?¡± Tracy asked.


    ¡°Yeah man. We¡¯ll,¡­I mean yeah, pretty much own the whole lot, basically yeah.¡± replied Russel.


    Tracy paused, then cleared his throat, ¡°Are you paying off a mortgage?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Something like that, yeah. It¡¯s no biggie man. Just gotta make sure I get my money off you on time every week. So long as there¡¯s no problems aye. Last tenant had to pay for a whole new ranch slider. That whole ranch slider is new. Cost a bloody fortune.¡± rattled off Russel.


    ¡°Really? Did he break it?¡± asked Tracy.


    Russel hit the pipe again as he nodded profusely, ¡°Fuckin aye man his whole body went through it. Didn¡¯t jay his rent on time either. I was fuckin spewing.¡±


    ¡°Shit man, that¡¯s,¡­¡± Tracy began. But before he could finish a middle aged, bearded, barefoot, unshowering, heathen walked through the open doorway. He held a plastic bag full of tree leaves. Tracy wasn¡¯t sure what kind they were, nor their serving purpose.


    ¡°Shitchea man. The dentist called.¡± said the other loser, the tall, fat one with a black eye.


    ¡°What¡¯s this shit about a dentist?¡± Snarled the bushman dropping the bag of leaves onto the table.


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    ¡°Don¡¯t listen to him. He¡¯s just being a smart ass.¡± replied the first loser, Mr. Buckteeth.


    ¡°Motherfucker looks like the local punching bag anyway.¡± noted the bush man. ¡°How are ya old mate Russel?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yeah can¡¯t complain, no one listens.¡± replied Russel. ¡°Are those bags for me?¡± He asked the Bushman.


    ¡°Yeah mate, you said something about your bad teeth. Was going possum hunting yesterday, came across a whole plant of the stuff. Figured I better come bring em to you.¡± the bush man explained.


    Russel fished a hand through the bag and pulled a couple leaves from its branch, he crumpled it up and smelt it, ¡°What¡¯s the point of this stuff?¡± He asked the bush man.


    ¡°It¡¯s called Kawa Kawa. You crumple it up, and stick it between the tooth and gum. Natural toothache sedative.¡± The bushman promised.


    Russel did as he was taught, chewed the crumpled leaf around in his mouth and thumbed it between his tooth and gun. He felt his toothache slowly begin to soothe. ¡°That¡¯s why the fuck I keep you around for Pete. You¡¯re always showing me the good stuff. Fuckin premo.¡±


    Pete the Bushman scratched his beard and looked to one side, caught in the headlights of Tracy¡¯s disturbed gaze. Pete waved a hand in front of the young man¡¯s face. ¡°What¡¯s this kid doing here, ehh Russel?¡± he asked, still glaring at Tracy.


    ¡°He¡¯s the new flatly, what was that Tracy? You got cash coming in tonight?¡± asked Russel, itching at his face.


    Tracy necked back his beer and checked his phone, ¡°I don¡¯t think I get paid until the 28th?¡± he stated.


    ¡°28th? That¡¯s two weeks away isn¡¯t it?¡± the bush man asked Russel.


    ¡°Pretty sure so, yeah. That¡¯s the day I get my license back. In fact, how about we do this Tracy; you drive me for my trip down to Christchurch, I pay for the inter islander. In the mean time until you get paid you just drive me around, but WHEN YOU GRT YOUR FUCKIN MONEY BRO DOOOOON¡¯T SPEND IT.¡± he offered, asked and warned.


    Tracy felt dizzy at the sudden proposal, ¡°I got Work tomorrow, and I¡¯m on E light.¡± he tried explaining.


    ¡°What do you do?¡± asked Russel.


    ¡°Got plenty of gas at mine.¡± Pete the bushman chimed in.


    ¡°I work at Maccas.¡± replied Tracy.


    ¡°What kinda fuckwit works at maccas?¡± The buck toothed bandit taunted.


    ¡°I¡¯m 18, man, not many options for people at my age that haven¡¯t graduated yet.¡± replied Tracy.


    ¡°Oh, what¡¯s that? So you think you¡¯re better than us?¡± Spat the black eyed pea.


    ¡°Not at all I-¡°


    ¡°He can¡¯t think he¡¯s better than me. I had the whole of Waikato University running under my thumb. Any coke you got on campus back in ¡®03 ran through me. That¡¯s why I¡¯m a fisherman now, I had to head back up north to wash away my sins.¡± ranted the Bucktoothed Preacher.


    ¡°How long has that taken you, Mark?¡± asked Pete the Bushman.


    ¡°7 years, still not clean.¡± replied Bucktoothed Mark.


    At this point, Tracy felt the wave of eyes peering deep into his soul. He found they had taken his safety hostage, and as his eyes danced to monitor all of the fry heads, he could help but spot the handle of an old rusty machete sticking out from between the deck couch cushions.


    ¡°What are you thinking right now Tracy? Just tell us bro, we don¡¯t care. Like legit bro just tell us bro, we really do not care at all. Legit bro, straight up.¡± rattled Russel.


    ¡°No, nothing, I mean, I¡¯m fine guys really, I just, I just got here, I saw an ad for a room, I figured that I¡¯d come round and have a look but that was really all it was.¡± Tracy slowly climbed to his feet, and danced towards the door in an awkward shuffle. ¡°I¡¯ll let you know what happens when I get my money and I¡¯ve looked around more. Thanks for the beer.¡± he finished as he passed by Pete the bush man and began through the living room.


    ¡°One part of that equation. Don''t exactly check out Tracy.¡± recalled Russel.


    Tracy stopped in his tracks and turned around, ¡°What part?¡± he asked.


    ¡°You said ¡®Thanks for the beer¡¯ as if I had given it to you for nothing. Your payment for that beer is to drive me down to Church.¡± Russel answered.


    Tracy frowned, his hand began to tap his left thigh, ¡°I don¡¯t eee how that¡¯s a fair transaction at all. And besides I¡¯m broke.¡± He finished.


    ¡°I got gas.¡± replied Pete the Bushman.


    ¡°Yeah Pete¡¯s got gas.¡± replied the black eyed hooligan.


    ¡°Shut up, Lars.¡± spat Russel.


    ¡°Sorry bro.¡± agreed Black eyed Lars.


    ¡°Pete¡¯s got gas, Tracy. You and I are going to go for a ride down to Church. Pick up a shipment, and bring it back. No big deal. Now when you leave you can take us with you. Or you can not walk out of here at all. You understand?¡± threatened Russel.


    Tracy paused, waiting for the punchline. Russel nodded. ¡°Alright boys, let¡¯s get crackin.¡± Russel cheered, swiping up his chest and slipping on his slides.


    Russel took the lead, followed by his minions. Tracy strayed behind and made quick action back through the open ranch slider, jumped from the deck and climbed a fence to escape through a neighborhood walkway.


    Gap That Ghee

 Walking Through the Drive-Thru at 3am

    Used to have a treehouse,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to have a house,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to be on the streets,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to be homeless,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to smoke crystal,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to shoot heroin,


    Now I shoot guns,


    Used to be alone,


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    Now I have a gun,


    Used to want to end it all,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to have family,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to be a lawyer,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to have money,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to have a Mistress,


    Now I have no fun,


    Used to have a mind,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to take meds on time,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to have a wife,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to love my life,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to be that Guy,


    Now I have a gun,


    Used to have something,


    Now I have nothing at all,


    Used to be someone to call,


    Now I¡¯m nothing but a curled up ball,


    Used to have something to give,


    Now I¡¯m a guy with a homemade shiv,


    Used to be able to talk with power,


    Now I¡¯ve got an uzi as I climb tower,


    Used to be a regular chap,


    Now I piss myself when I nap,


    Used to sit and think,


    Now I sit and drink,


    Used to sign autographs,


    Now I have a sign for quarters,


    Used to have life behind my eyes,


    Now my eyes are hollow and I¡¯m dead inside,


    As a youth I sold fries,


    As a man I smoke fries,


    Used to break my back for a worthless cheque,


    Now I check shoulders before I break neck,


    Used to have a gun in a safe,


    Now I have a gun in my face,


    Used to have a wallet in pocket,


    Now I have no pocket in pants,


    Used to lecture in uni halls,


    Now I drink soup in a shelter hall,


    Used to get begged by people too,


    Now I¡¯m begging for change off you.

 Driving to the Sesh Spot at the Crack of Dawn.

    I drift on Gravel but  by mistake,


    I spit out window wake¡¯N¡¯Bake,


    I open boot to find my ounce,


    I¡¯ve lost my loot and then I frown,


    My date is pissed she loves the green,


    I tell her the haps she¡¯s like ¡°what you mean?¡±


    I¡¯m like ¡°I have no fuckin clue.¡±


    She says ¡°take me home I¡¯m done with you.¡±


    I thump my wheel, ¡°Bitch, I¡¯ve got this glue.¡±


    She says, ¡°I don¡¯t want to sniff glue with you, that¡¯s just not me, I don¡¯t sniff glue.¡±


    I say, ¡°Come on, it¡¯s not that bad.¡± I¡¯ve got this heroin inside this bag.¡±


    She says ¡°that¡¯s just sad you sniff glue to brag and store heroin inside a bag. Brad you suck I hate you heaps.¡±


    I smash my window, ¡°cmon we¡¯ll be gone til next week.¡±


    She leaves my jeep and walks along,


    I hop on aux and play her song,


    I check the bong what do I see?


    A prepacked cone for her and me,


    I yell out window, ¡°I¡¯ve got a cone!¡±


    She turns back round, ¡°what are you on?¡±


    I say ¡°not glue or heroin no, I¡¯ve got a cone it¡¯s ready to go.¡±


    She taps my door, ¡°Don¡¯t you lie to me bro.¡±


    I pass her the bong, ¡°Shut up girl, now have a cone.¡±


    She smokes it quick and hands it back,


    ¡°Can you drop me off, I need to get back.¡±


    I look at her I glare and stare,


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    ¡°That¡¯s not nice I thought we¡¯d share.¡±


    She looks confused ¡°Share what the cone?¡±


    I nod and say, ¡°fuckin aye what planet you on?¡±


    She rolls her eyes, ¡°for two, that cone is not enough. Now go sniff glue if that¡¯s who you are, but if you do I won¡¯t be in this car.¡±


    I frown with angst ¡°don¡¯t you think that¡¯s a bit far? Just hop in the car, towns not too far.¡±


    She shakes her head, ¡°That¡¯s not the tahi, I don¡¯t want to crash I need to get to mahi.¡±


    ¡°Well hop on in, I¡¯m good to drive.¡±


    ¡°I doubt you are you now let me drive¡±


    ¡°You won¡¯t drive this, it will not be.¡± I say with ease as I turn my keys,


    ¡°Just let me drive, you¡¯re cooked and fried.¡±


    ¡°No I¡¯m not, look at you¡¯re eyes.¡±


    ¡°No I won¡¯t look at my eyes, now let me drive, if you don¡¯t I won¡¯t sit inside.¡±


    ¡°Typical it is, that this is it.¡±


    ¡°That what is it?¡±


    ¡°Nah forget it, get in.¡±


    ¡°No tell me know what is it?¡±


    ¡°Nothing forget, just take a seat.¡±


    ¡°Get fucked you runt, you addict prick!¡± She spat at me and left with grit.


    I drive beside, said ¡°Please get in.¡±


    She said ¡°Now way you devil kin.¡±


    I said ¡°since when did you believe?¡±


    She said ¡°believe what? That you¡¯re a heathen?¡±


    I said ¡°yeah oath, you never said.¡±


    She said ¡°just leave I¡¯m over all this.¡±


    I felt the thought and gave in soon,


    I drove all morning until next noon,


    All by myself at a beach up north,


    I sniffed my glue a dizzying thought,


    I thought of her where was she now?


    But I didn¡¯t care, and sniffed more glue,


    It¡¯s kinda sad, Is she okay?


    We¡¯ll if she ain¡¯t she better pray,


    I sniffed more glue, a heap and some more,


    A gloved fist forced open my door,


    ¡°You been sniffing glue?¡± The boy in blue boomed,


    ¡°Nah not me.¡± I denied in glee,


    ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me, you deranged little prick.¡±


    I double over and began to be sick,


    ¡°No please no, just leave me be¡±


    ¡°Not today son. You need to rest.¡±


    He grabbed from his vest a tazer and tazed,


    I fell from the door to the floor in a heap,


    As my mind drifted off I did not weep,


    As my mind lifted off I did not see,


    That heaven was a bottle filled with glue,


    It¡¯s surface dry and dyed light blue.

 Glass Shattered Hall Pass

    Jack met Mr. Hatfield next to the Butcher in the town centre.


    "You can''t tell my wife about this." Pleaded Mr. Hatfield.


    Jack smirked, "What''s there to tell? you drunk drove me and my buddies to a house, we got you some speed and you took us all for a maccas run before running a red light?"


    "Keep your voice down Leonard." Shuddered Hatfield.


    Jack laughed, "If you''re gonna call me my last name? Mr. Leonard to you."


    Hatfield grew red in the face, his knuckles squashed white. "I''m not calling you that."


    "I believe you lost that privilege the moment we saw you railing lines off of Misty''s tits." Laughed Jack, casting his gaze sidewards.


    "You little runt!" Cussed Hatfield.


    "That''s fine. I''ll let you have that. I think we had this conversation before, When I used to sit in your office." Jack laughed. "I never realised how much of a sad pathetic imbecile you were until we had you driving cross country for a bit of speed." Jack bounced on his heels.


    A guy who recognized both walked by. The guy stopped in his tracks.


    "Hey, how''s it going Hatfield? I can call you that now right? We''re both men now." The guy greeted.


    "Men? This kids a boy!" Laughed Jack.


    The guy slid side eye at the dropkick and schoolyard hassle from his schooling years. And focussed his attention on his former school Dean.


    "Gotta say, you really helped get me through a lot back in the day. I just want to say how thankful I am about that. I''m actually about to graduate from Uni right now. Passing with flying colours, and it''s all due to your leadership. God bless."


    The guy carried on about his business. A fit of laughter overcame Jack. "Christ buddy, that''s gold right there. Gold."


    A vein on the side of Hatfields temple throbbed with rage. "You shut up right now!"


    "What? What''s the matter?" Jeered Jack.


    "What do you want Jack?" Gritted Hatfield.


    Jack clicked his tongue. "Just one thing. You have one chance. Say ''I''m right you''re wrong'' one chance, oh and quick."


    "You''re right, I''m wrong." Said Hatfield.


    "Shieeeet, that''s not right at all. You failed. Kinda like how you failed me in that schooling system remember?"


    "I said what you wanted, you scoundrel!"


    "Not at all what I said mate. I said to say ¡®You¡¯re right, I¡¯m wrong¡¯ you said the opposite." Jack hacked and spat on the ground. "The school will be hearing about this." He added as he turned to walk away.


    Hatfield stepped forward to follow him. "They won''t believe anything you say Leonard. you''ll always be that dropkick. That''s how they''ll remember you. That''s how they remember you." Spat Hatfield.


    Jack stopped in his tracks, swallowed his pride and turned to face his arch nemesis. "Is that so?" said Jack.


    Hatfield violently gritted his teeth, "Absolutely."


    A deafening silence fell between them.


    "Alright, I''ll tell your wife instead. I know you two are already on the rocks.¡±


    ¡°We are NOT on the rocks, for your information things are going swimmingly.¡±


    Leonard smiled, ¡°Not after this!¡± he showed a pixel ridden portrait on his 2008 Sony Cellular Device that could allegedly be Mr. Hatfield scoring coke to snort off a well known K. Road hookers body.


    ¡°You wouldn¡¯t!?¡± Pleaded Mr. Hatfield.


    ¡°Oh I would, remember that time you told the whole class I listened to Avril Lavigne in my spare time. THAT is UNTRUE. But THIS is TRUE.¡±


    "COOL your HEAD, Leonard," said Hatfield. "What do you want?"


    "50 grand." Replied Leonard, with a grin.


    "I don''t make that kinda bread, what do you think I am?!"


    "I think you''re a scumbag, but that''s beyond the point. Truly I think you''re my old highschool dean and things can stay that way. If you just do what I say."


    "Give me your phone."


    "Why?"


    "Just give it to me, I need to look."


    "I''m not that stupid." Leonard laughed.


    "How am I supposed to know that''s even me?"


    "You saw it."


    "Yeah, but it''s worse than a YouTube video, couldn''t be me, there''s no way."


    "You know it is, idiot."


    "No. I don''t."


    Leonard laughed as he saw the look on Hatfields face.


    "Alright, one quick look."


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    Hatfield stepped closer and shield the screen from the afternoon sun rays.


    "That''s¡­that''s¡­" and swiped the phone from Leonard, "That''s why you failed social studies, and this¡­" he deleted the pic "Is why you failed digital tech." And hurled the phone back to Leonard.


    "Gee, you really got me Mr. Hatfield." Scratching the back of his head. "That''s fine though, I''ve got 20 saved on my computer. Videos and all. Ready to be emailed to the weekly parental newsletter."


    "Bullshit." Hatfield shouted.


    "That''s just factual knowledge. Do you wanna come over? I''ll show you."


    "Nope. Don''t believe you one bit. You''re a dimwit Leonard, always have been, always will be."


    "True that, alright."


    Leonard turned and made his way back home. Hatfield stood firm as an anchor. Then eventually followed after him.


    "You don''t?" Hatfield asked.


    "I do." Replied Leonard.


    "No, but you don''t actually?" Asked Hatfield.


    "Ok, I don''t." Replied Leonard.


    "I knew it!" Exclaimed Hatfield.


    "Nah, I do." Laughed Leonard crossing the road, Hatfield followed after him.


    "Shoot me straight, you don''t?"


    Leonard laughed and carried on, "What are you, a pedo? Get the fuck away from me!" Leonard antagonised, as he carried on.


    "You''re a grown ass man Leonard, shut it!" Growled Leonard.


    Leonard obeyed, but carried on. He waved out to a friend of his driving past.


    "Hatty!" Yelled the driver.


    Hatfield shielded his face. "This is ridiculous," said Hatfield.


    Leonard remained  silent and carried on.


    "Calm down Leonard!" exclaimed Hatfield.


    Leonard stopped, "I am calm. Are you calm?" and carried on his merry way.


    "I''ll give you 5 grand Leonard." Muttered Hatfield.


    "Yuh." replied Leonard, stopping in his tracks.


    Caught in the headlights, Hatfield followed up, "Well, I don''t actually have¨C"


    "¨Coh." Leonard carried on.


    Feeling his time ticking away. Every moment is costly. Hatfield sunk his hand into Leonard''s pocket, grabbed the phone, and flung it up and over a neighbouring building roof. It landed and smashed into a couple pieces on the arcades pavement.


    "Fuck me!" said Leonard. He turned to Hatfield and shoved him violently. "What was that for?!"


    Hatfield pointed to Leonard and called out to anyone, "He just assaulted me! He''s crazy! Lock him up!"


    Leonard shot his head around, not a person in sight. "Nah mate, just us here. Church must be in or something¡­"


    Hatfield smirked and shook his head, "Regardless, there''s cameras all through  this town nowadays. You just got snapped assaulting me on five different angles!" Laughed Hatfield.


    "Yeah? Well I still have those photos. Oh, I''ve also got a video. Doesn''t change the fact." replied Leonard as he continued walking.


    "I''ll get you locked up you scoundrel!" Hatfield cursed.


    "Nah, I don''t think you will." replied Leonard walking down by the waterfront.


    "You are the same dimwitted low life that I saw in my office all those years ago. People your age usually grow up and do something with themselves. You just stay where you are and do the same old dropkick activities, shameful!"


    Leonard stopped in his tracks, "Guess what?"


    Hatfield paused, "What?"


    "Nothing." Leonard laughed and continued walking.


    Hatfield followed after him, his forehead becoming sweaty. ¡°What I mean by that is you need to start thinking about how you affect others.¡±


    ¡°What? like how you affected me and my friends? Or how you affect your wife when you head out on the town with the very students you got thrown out and snort coke off strangers chests?¡± replied Leonard.


    ¡°No, not at all. Keep your voice down. I can pride myself in saying that I treat people how they should be treated, I mean, the way that best ensures their own growth. So that they become moral upstraight members of society!¡± Hatfield pleaded.


    Leonard broke into hysterics, ¡°MoRAl UpSTRaiGht Memba¡± he mocked as he joined his friends at a waterfront seating area.


    ¡°Shit, Hatfield¡­you owe me a bag of weed.¡± laughed Claus, friend of Leonards.


    ¡°I don¡¯t recall ever owing you drugs.¡± replied Hatfield, still focussing on Leonard.


    ¡°You took it off me before you chucked me out. I can¡¯t even go to university now. Reeeeeally is a pity old Hatty. Very sad¡­¡± mocked Claus.


    ¡°You heard right?¡± Leonard asked his friends.


    ¡°Yup.¡± replied Jasper and Claus, smiling eagerly at Hatfield.


    ¡°For your information Claus. You CAN go to university if you so choose. By my count you all have got to be in your 20s at least. It¡¯s all on you. But you won¡¯t, that was never on the books for any of you.¡± teased Hatfield.


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t forget who has the power here, Hatty!¡± laughed Jasper showing the incriminating portraits off his phone.


    Hatfield dove at the phone, Jasper chucked it to Claus who tucked it in his pocket.


    ¡°Give it here!¡± Hatfield sneered at Claus.


    ¡°Piss off!¡± droned Leonard.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re just trying to enjoy our time by the river. Feed ducks and stuff.¡± chimed in Jasper.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see any bread?!¡± yelled Hatfield.


    Claus shrunk a little, ¡°Fair point¡­all I see is you having the time of your life last saturday.¡± he laughed as he played the video off of Japers phone.


    Hatfield snatched it and threw it into the river.


    ¡°Heeeeeeey!¡± wailed Jasper.


    ¡°Yeah, what the hell Hatty?¡± added Leonard.


    ¡°You really ruin the mood. Like always.¡± Claus frowned.


    ¡°How about you three get a life. If you need me to lead by example, I¡¯ll be the first to do it. Put it there.¡± Hatfield outstretched his hand, offering it to all three of them. Then withdrew the offer without any contact.


    ¡°Alright suit yourselves, I¡¯ll be on my way.¡± Hatfield finished, as he began his way to his home.


    "You know what would be great right about now?" called out Leonard.


    Hatfield stopped, and turned around to face his captives.


    "If you would admit that I didn''t steal your watch." continued Leonard.


    "What watch?" asked Hatfield.


    "Huh! You admit it. There was no watch!" Exclaimed Leonard, his two friends slapped hands in embrace.


    "You mean my limited edition Thailand summer of ''69 Edition Rolex?" Hatfield questioned.


    "I have no idea." replied Leonard.


    "I''d say so Leonard." chimed in Jasper, patting him on the back.


    "That was ten years ago, I forgot that even existed. How did you hold onto that for so long?" asked Hatfield.


    "It cuts deep." scorned Claus.


    Hatfield frowned, "You didn''t even get accused of it Claus, stay out of this."


    "Sorry sir." replied Claus.


    "If it wasn''t you, then who was it?" asked Hatfield.


    "It was Craig." answered Leonard.


    "Craig? Hm. Alright then, sorry about that Leonard." Hatfield smiled.


    Leonard paused, "Is that it?" he started.


    "That''s all you wanted wasn''t it?" replied Hatfield.


    "Where''s the heart? I don''t feel a single word of that. Say it again!" cursed Leonard.


    "I''m sorry Leonard, I never thought it was you. I just didn''t know who it could be, and you were always the disruptive kid in the classes. I guess I made a mistake. And for that, I am sorry." finished Hatfield.


    Claus shook his head, Jasper gawked at the river for which his phone had fallen victim. Leonard Stared with hatred at his former authority.


    "I''m not feeling it mate," said Claus.


    "Shut up, Claus! it''s not for you!" lectured Hatfield.


    "Don''t talk to Claus that way, say it again." ordered Leonard.


    Hatfield frowned, "The same or a different rendition?"


    "I. Don''t. Care. Again." said Leonard.


    "Leonard, you always were a gifted kid. I had high faith in you. Unfortunately under my poor judgement we had you prematurely expelled for a theft you didn''t commit. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me." Hatfield sung.


    Leonard smiled. Claus smiled. Jasper smiled then laughed.


    "That was beautiful. Again." Claus said. Leonard shoved him, and scratched his chin.


    "Alright Hatfield, I accept your apology. Just one more thing."


    "What is it?" asked Hatfield gleaming with joy.


    "Promise me you won''t get mad." warned Leonard.


    Hatfield raised his hands in emphasis, "Slate is clean Leonard, what is it?"


    Leonard rolled up his sleeve, "I did take you watch."


    Hatfield frowned and went to step forward, "You?!"


    "Hey, hey, you can''t get mad, you promised." laughed Leonard. "That really was beautiful though I appreciate it."


    "Do you have any idea how much that watch is worth? I could have you thrown in prison and in debt for the remainder of your pathetic life!" Hatfield spat.


    "Oh really?" Leonard jeered.


    "Really. It''s probably worth more than the land you squat on you chump."


    "True." said Leonard. Before slipping it off his wrist and hurling it into the river.


    "Welp, now there''s no case. I''ve got two witnesses, you''ve got dick. I won, once again. Oh, and your reps at my mercy, so?"


    Hatfield frowned, froze in time. But eventually composed himself. "That''s fine. What''s done is done. All watches tell the time. I''ll get another."


    "Yeah, that''s fine Hatfield take care. Stay safe."


    Hatfield turned with a hunch and clenched his fists. "That kids the devil."