Way Too Much Drama. Earl Sewell

her. “She was in training. Down at Cook County Hospital,” I said.

      “Oh, you mean she was doing a residency,” said Aunt Raven.

      “Yeah, whatever that is,” I answered. Aunt Raven paused for a moment and then said, “I’m going to call your grandmother and see if she has any of your medical records.”

      “What for? I’m not sick,” I said.

      “School, dear. Anna, Paul, Maya and you need to get a physical for school, and I have to get as much of your medical history together as possible.”

      “Oh,” I said, then turned my thoughts to Maya and how she had threatened me earlier.

      “I’ve scheduled an appointment for later this week.”

      “Fine,” I said. “Is that it?”

      “That will do it,” she said, trying to sound upbeat and as if I wasn’t an additional burden on her. I don’t know why, but I felt lousy. I felt as if I didn’t belong here and that I was more trouble than I was worth.

      I walked back to the kitchen to get myself something to snack on. Shortly thereafter Paul walked into the kitchen with his skateboard that had graffiti-styled lettering that read Fly Higher. Paul quickly made himself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and sat down at the table to eat it.

      “What’s up?” he asked as he bit into his sandwich then removed a handheld game from his pocket.