Shay Villere 
The Line 

‘Bye Suzy! Bye Tommy! Seeya in da manana!’ chirped Christian as he stepped past the gate of the back field of his grammar school, Mariemont Elementary. He started walking down the black gravel street, the smell of new tar hitting old road flaring in his nostrils. Looking ahead, he could see that there was a construction crew working on the old suburb’s streets. He managed a shy wave as he walked by them while clutching the house key that was tied around his neck with a red shoelace. Christian had battled with his mother for hours the night before to convince her that he was old enough to make it home the few blocks by himself. In fact, she was right now preparing one of his favorite snacks, pineapple upside cake, which was usually reserved for birthdays and Christmas.