James’s Bad News James’s Bad News James turned over in his bed and yawned A summer breeze blew from his open window bringing in the scent of early morning fl owers He felt that it was going to be a great day in the Trinidad community of Washington DC James imagined the fun he would have playing basketball with his friends All of a sudden Grandpa Joe called from below It sounded important James sucked the air between his teeth and rolled out of bed What did Grandpa want now Minutes later 4
his brother Charles joined him in the hallway Together they made their way to the living room I hope this won’t take long James muttered dropping onto the sofa next to his cousins April and Greg He folded his arms and glared at his grandfather 5
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 You’ll no longer be getting your allowance unless you do your chores Your grandmother and I have to work 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 He could not believe what he heard You expect us to do chores Why can’t Grandma just clean after she gets home from work How dare you April shouted 6
Grandpa raised a hand in warning to April 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 He turned and smiled at Grandma Rose She handed him the list of chores keeping a copy for herself Grandpa handed them to Charles who passed them down When James read his list his eyes narrowed Wash the dishes Set the table Cook dinner Take out the trash He fl ung down the paper and folded his arms again I’m not doing it You can’t make me 7
