After five kids, four of them

boys, Mom was used to the sight of blood, but this time it was different:

There was more than usual and it was everywhere.

That day started like most

school days on Flamingo Street. Some kids caught the big yellow school

bus; other kids rode their bikes; us Ryckeley boys, we just walked.

We'd walk out the back

door, down around the swamp in the back yard, up past the fishing lake

with the rope swing, jump over Cripple Creek, veer way around the Haunted

Forest, cut through the secret path behind Candi's house and get

to school in about 20 minutes, long before the yellow "Loser Cruiser"

got to the front door of Mount Olive Elementary.

Older Brother Richard and Big

Brother James always walked way out in front of Twin Brother Mark and

me, far enough that they wouldn't be seen walking with us, but not

too far that they couldn't keep an eye on us. Lot of bullies lurking

around our neighborhood, you know.

Today we hurried to school,

not because we were afraid of the bullies, and not because it was mystery

meat Friday. Nope, today was Neighbor Thomas's birthday, and old

Mrs. Crabtree said we were gonna have a party.

Right after lunch Mrs. Crabtree's

fifth grade class had recess, and as usual we got beaten by the kids from

Gloucester Street in dodge ball. After recess we went