The loud rap on the bedroom door could only be one person. Jayne immediately leapt out of bed, scattering his octi-centi dicks and candy wrappers everywhere as he threw the large, upper quilt to the floor and raced to his door. His legs had gotten awkwardly longer which caused him to be unsure of his steps as he hurried across the room. Tripping over his own feet, the twelve-year-old boy barley caught the handle of the door as he went down. It gave way, and, to his horror, the door swung open leaving his father with an all too clear view of the fact that he’d just fallen flat on his face.

Humiliated, Jayne started to pull himself to his feet, looking up. “Pa!” he greeted, trying to keep his embarrassment out of his voice. He mostly succeeded. “When’d you get back?” Until, of course, his voice cracked on the word get. Gorram G sound.

“Just today.” The gruff voice responded as his father extended a hand to help him up. Jayne didn’t take it, choosing instead to push himself up. “Your mother showed me your report card.”

“Wo cao, Zhu tou, Gou shi…” Jayne rattled off the Chinese swear words with ease he would never have using such strong language in English.

“Jayne!” His father snapped, but there was no hiding the laugh behind his voice. “Do you even know what those words mean?”

“I know they’re cuss words.” Jayne replied simply. “And if you saw my report card then I got cause to cuss.”

“You do.” His father admitted, taking a seat on the bed halfway across the room. Jayne took a chair somewhat closer to the door in hopes of a quick getaway if things went south. Which he knew they would soon as letters started getting said. “’course, I don’t see what a slur for sex, a pig’s head and dog droppings have to do with your predicament, kid.” Jayne looked down. His father was the sort of man that, no matter where he went or what he was doing, demanded respect. He cussed like any man, but shot words and phrases you’d used back at you and made ‘em sound all manner of stupid. Once he