Tribute

“Where’s Abe?”

“How the hell do I know? He hasn’t texted back yet.”

“He’s late. He has the chicken bones. His mom’s the only person I know who debones her own chicken.”

“Like, she raises them and then… kills them?”

“No, dipshit. She buys a whole freakin’ chicken and then debones it. They live in an apartment. Where’s she gonna raise a chicken?”

“Heh heh.”

“What’re you smirking about?”

“Freakin’ chicken.”

“Oh, God.”

“What’s that?”

“What?”

“Shit, dude, I thought I heard a… a scream or something?”

“Why’d you hear it and I didn’t?”

“Not a close scream. Like, far away.”

“Really far? Like, outside of the cemetery?”

“I don’t know, Mike. It’s a big cemetery.”

“It’s also Halloween. Who knows how many people are out there tormenting little tykes that roam unattended.”

“It sounded like a woman, man.”

“You’re crazy. I didn’t hear anything.”

“You wouldn’t, not with that puffy coat on, rustling the poly-whata-thane right next to your ear.”

“It’s polyurethane and at least I’m not shivering my balls off.”

“Shut up, Mikey. God, when’s Abe gettin’ here so we can do this shit and go home.”

“Maybe he’s not coming.”

“He would’ve said. This is all because of him, if you think about it.”

“I know that. You don’t think I think about that? If Abe hadn’t made us come here three years ago to fool around with this goddamn grave, then we wouldn’t have to come back and do this shit. This tribute or whatever you want to call it.”

“That witch has been bringing me nightmares again.”

“I know. Me, too…”

“I thought that coat kept you warm. Why’re you shivering now?”

“Shut up, Jimmy.”

“What time—”

“11:43”

“Oh, God! He’s cutting this too close. He won’t get here by midnight. And if he’s not here… this is the last place I want to be, Mike. She’s—”

“I know she’s here, man. Just calm down. Text him again.”

“You text him.”

“Or you dipshits could just call, you know.”

“Oh, God! Abe! You made it!”

“You’re cuttin’ it close, man.”

“You didn’t seem so nervous a second ago.”

“You been watchin’ us squirm, waitin’ for you and the chicken bones?”

“Mom stopped me on the way out. She asked a bunch of questions and… Oh, wait. My phone.”

“Jesus, is she calling you now?”

“She’s worried. It’s Halloween. Hey, Mom. Yeah, I’m here. Jimmy and Mike are here, too.”

“Hey, Mrs. T!”

“Hey.”

“See, Mom? I’ll be fine. See you soon. Love you, too.”

“Aww, Abe loves his mommy.”

“At least his mom says it, Jimmy.”

“My mom says she’s loves me.”

“Let’s just get this shit done. Drop the bones.”

“They stink to high heaven, Mikey, I’m tellin’ ya!”

“I guess that’s what the witch likes best. I’ve got the cat hairs. Jimmy has the matches.”

“Matches, right? Not a lighter like last year?”

“Yes, matches, you douche. Just wrap the hairs around the bones so we can light them up, say the thing, and get the hell out of here.”

“Alright, alright. I think we’re ready. Light ‘em.”

“Everybody have their text?”

“Oh, I think I deleted mine.”

“Come here. Just read off mine. One, two, three:

         Witch’s grave that we disturbed,

         We hope forgiveness is incurred.

         Our tribute here on Hallow’s Eve

         Shall grant, we wish, one year’s reprieve.

“Oh, shit, that stinks.”

“Shut up, Jimmy!”

“Okay. I think that’s done it. Same time next year?”

“Whatever.”

“Where’s he off to in such a hurry?”

“Beats me.”

“You want to come back to my place for some Madden?”

“Nah, I gotta get home. See you around.”

“Oh, okay. See ya… Jimmy.”



Word Count: 611