US vs The McKinleys
Grandfather ordered the bridge burned
when he heard the McKinleys’ relatives were coming in for reinforcement.
Already for days we’d heard them down Archer Avenue yelling about how Dinky
ought bring beer since he a cripple and all. But we knew Dinky was only along
for the ride, the older generation having years ago witnessed Dark Dan and
Tiger as four-year-olds rip apart a county fair’s big win stuffed lion for the
fun of it. They’d only gotten worse from there.
My mama was quick to comply with
the orders, went two and three towns over to purchase gasoline, though Aunt
Mary dragged her feet. She was the family arsonist, could make anything look
like an accident, but Dark Dan was a crush from long ago and she couldn’t bear
the thought of never seeing him again.
“Of course you can see him,”
Grandfather growled. “Take the hang glider over the ravine. Travel hundred
miles outta your way to take in the scenery at Cavern Rock, then cross the
bridge there. Options, you got ‘em. I don’t. Get out there and burn down the
William T. Gringus Memorial.”
I stayed home with my eyes glued on
the TV. Channel 10 might be the first on the scene like always, and I would be
the first to lay eyes on Kenty Cunningham as she baby-whispered into the
shocked camera, “The West Side Softball Feud has officially gone too far.”
Magdalen Zinky
