20% Chance of Thunderstorms:

Jim has a funny way of sticking it to me. 1984 was the year I learned that pretty quickly. It all started with a party.

I was getting my books for my next class when your grandfather leaned up against the lockers on March first. I didn�t look up at first.

�Yes Jim?� I asked. I could feel him giving me that trademark goofy grin of his.

�My sister�s birthday is coming up,� he said.

�So?� I asked.

�I�m inviting you to the party,� he announced. I looked up at him this time.

�What?� I asked.

�Yeah,� he said. �Come out to the party with me.�

�Why?�

�I want you to.�

�Why?�

�Cause.� He gently took me by the hands. �I want you to meet my family.�

My face looked really surprised. �What? Why?�

�Well, we are dating now, right?�

�Well, yeah��

�So, meet my folks!�

I blinked at him once. �But��

Jim looked at me intently. �But what?� I went quiet. Funny how I can�t think of an excuse for situations like this. I pressed my lips together. Your grandfather smiled at me.

�Good,� he said. �I�ll pick you up at three o�clock.� Jim patted me on the shoulder and headed to class. I stared at him, blinking. What just happened?, I thought.

Saturday came around too quick for me. I had just expected to sleep in and not do much that day. But, your grandfather saw to that otherwise.

I awoke the morning to rocks hitting my window. I tried to ignore it at first, but the rocks kept coming. I lifted my head and squinted my eyes.

�Huh?� I asked myself. I sat up in bed and glanced out the window. And guess who was there? Your grandfather was standing outside, throwing rocks at my window. I groaned softly to myself as I slid it open. Jim stopped throwing rocks when he saw me.

�Oh good!� he yelled. �You�re up!� I sneered at him.

�What do you want?� I asked in a whine.

�It�s my sister�s birthday, remember?� he shouted. I made a strange face at him.

�Don�t shout in the street!� I yelled at him. �And what the devil are you�?!?� Suddenly, it hit me. My face just dropped. I looked at my alarm clock. My face became even more puzzled. I turned back to the window.

�But it�s only ten!� I shouted.

�I know!� he shouted back at me. �I forgot to get Trish a gift.� I frowned at him.

�Really now?� I asked. Jim nodded.

�Afraid so,� he said. I sighed as I already saw where this was going. Jerk, U thought. I frowned.

�And you need my help in finding a gift for her?� I asked.

�Yeah!� Jim shouted back. I sighed as I blew up my bangs.

�Fine, I�ll be down,� I mumbled. Jim smiled and gave me a thumbs-up.

�Thanks, Star!� he called.

�Whatever,� I mumbled. Then, I climbed out of bed.

Once I was dressed and ready, I met your grandfather in my front yard. He gave me that annoying goofy grin. Boy, did I want to slap him by then. He kissed me on the lips.

�How are you?� he asked. I shout him a cold glare. Your grandfather quickly held up his hands.

�Okay, okay,� he said. �I get it!�

�Really now?� I asked. He put his arm around my shoulders.

�There, there,� he said. �I�ll make it worth your while today.�

�Uh-huh,� I said.

�I really promise!� Jim insisted. I threw up my hands.

�Fine,� I said. �Let�s just get this over with!� Your grandfather chuckled at me. I cut him another glare.

�Okay, okay,� he said. �Let�s go.� We headed off to go shopping.

As we walked to the mall, many questions about your grandfather�s family. So, I turned to him and began my investigation.

�Jimmy,� I said. Your grandfather glanced at me.

�Uh-hm?� he asked.

�How old is your sister today?�

�Thirteen.�

�What�s she like?�

�Whoa! Trish has quite a mouth on her. Spunky and all.�

�What do you mean she has a mouth on her? Is she talkative?�

Jim laughed at me. �No, no. She�s not afraid to speak her mind and isn�t scared to do so when she pleases.�

�Ah. Any other siblings?�

�I had a brother.�

�What�s he like?�

Jim gave me a little shrug. �A good guy. Handsome, funny, ladies� man, nice, and cool. I loved him from a young age. He could�ve been my best friend.�

�What happened?�

�He died in Vietnam during the war.�

�Oh, I�m sorry to hear that.�

�It�s okay.�

I paused for moment. �What about your parents?�

�Just like your normal kind of parents. They drive me nuts, but they care.�

�I see.�

Your grandfather turned to me. �Why the sudden interest in my family?�

I gave him a little shrug. �Hey, If we�re dating now, I have to know about the family of my boyfriend.�

�This is true.� Then, Jim paused. �So I�m your boyfriend now, huh?�

I held up my hand at him. �Hey now, don�t get all excited on mew no. I�m still adjusting to this, you know?�

�Fine, fine.�

�Thank you.� I gave him a little smile. �Now, what all does Trish like?�

Your grandfather smiled at me. �Well, she loves music.�

�Okay, to the music store it is.�

1984