Bad News Bad News It was a beautiful early summer day in the Trinidad community of Washington DC The weather was not too hot The smell of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers fi lled the air On this beautiful day diffi cult news was broken to the McNair children Grandpa Joe called the children into the living room for a family meeting Greg sat down next to his sister April His grandmother Rose seated herself in the chair across from them She had papers in her hand 4
Their grandfather stood with his hands in his pockets waiting for the others to join them A minute later Greg’s cousins James and Charles entered the room Hey Grandpa what’s going on Charles asked as he rolled his 5
wheelchair next to the couch where Greg and April sat James looked annoyed I hope this won’t take long he muttered plopping down on the spot next to April He folded his arms and glared at their grandfather Times are getting hard around here Grandpa began Your grandmother has to get a job to help out with the bills April’s eyes widened She glanced at their grandmother who nodded in agreement That means that from now on we’ll have to count on you four to help out around the house Grandpa said calmly You’ll no longer be getting your allowance unless you do your chores Your grandmother and I have to work 6
hard for our money We feel that you all should do the same That’s not fair James exclaimed His fi st pounded the armrest You expect us to do chores Why can’t Grandma just clean after she gets home from work April looked at James like she wanted to slap him How dare you she shouted Grandpa raised a hand in warning to April but he eyed James Your grandmother and I are not as young as you are Grandpa said Since you were young you’ve eaten the food we buy you You’ve worn the clothes we buy you Now you are old enough to help out and keep the house clean Grandpa turned and smiled at Grandma She handed him the papers 7
