Bad Juju Read Online Free PDF Page B

their mini-empire of slot machines. 
    His brother and sister, both in their late twenties, never amounted to much .  They ended up working at the family business as mom’s and dad’s slaves.  Well-paid slaves who would be taking over the casinos once his parents got too old, but nonetheless slaves .  Rio would rather die than end up beholden to his parents or anyone .  He dreamed of getting away from his family, from Wisconsin, from every small town filled with small mind s .  He and a girl like Brittany, maybe even Brittany herself, could make their mark in Chicago, perhaps even New York.  With his looks, brains, talent, and charismatic personality , destiny was calling his name .  Only a sophomore and Rio was already the school’s brightest star.
    As the first week of suspension droned on, Rio began to enjoy his punishment.  Both parents put in long hours at their casinos, leaving him alone in the house.  He slept late , watched TV, played video games, and pumped out his classwork that was dropped off by alternating friends on a daily basis.  Brittany Bonaducci came by on Friday.
    “Hi Rio .  My turn to deliver ,” she said, holding up her backpack.
    Standing on his front porch with the blustery wind whipping through her caramel hair made her look like a goddess.  He invited her inside, excited she was visiting him .
    “What a gorgeous ho m e your parents have.  I love the view.  Do you boat?” she asked as she strutted through the foyer toward the enormous two-story picture window with doors leading out to a wrap-around deck .  She took off her coat , revealing skin-tight jeans and a shrunken cardigan.  Rio admired her voluptuous body.
    “Our boats and jet skis are in storage now.  In April we have them docked.  Would you like to go water skiing with me this spring?”  She smiled and nodded.  Rio handed her a can of Coke .  “So, what’s my homework?”
    Brittany turned red and coyly answered, “I just wanted an excuse to…”
    “Really?” Rio asked, aroused.  He made sure his sweatshirt was pulled all the way down.  Normally, he would have pounced, taking her comment as a request to hook up.  Since eighth grade, he had hone d his womanizing skills to a level Casanova would have envied.  He had a fan club of horny girls that offered themselves to him at a moment’s notice.  Brittany was different than his groupies.  She was in his league.  He wanted to take it slow with plans of getting her to be his girlfriend.
    “I’m flattered you came by.  How’s that fuck who caused all of this shit?”
    “He goes to the Zoo every day, but Mrs. Fontana has a real soft spot for him.  Beware of that once you’re back.  He eats lunch with her.”
    “But that’s not allowed in ISS.  They’re supposed to eat inside the room,” he argued.
    “I know, but he’s special, remember?  Rules don’t apply to him.  By the way, the fucker’s face is back to normal.  And he’s become some kind of patron saint amongst the geeks and loners.  He’s always staring at me.  Eeeww !  Wanna get high?  I brought a couple of joints,” she suggested.
    Rio had no upcoming drug tests to pass.  Why not , h e reasoned.  They st e pped onto the gigantic deck and toked up.
    “So that shit has a following?  You know he lives on the same street as me?  We’re almost neighbors,” Rio said in between coughs.
    “You gonna be good?  No surprise visits?  He’s not worth it, Rio .  You have a bright future.  Forget about him; he’s a nobody.  Let me change the subject.  Let’s see, the reason we don’t have any homework is because of the Haitian earthquake.  We watched coverage in every class, even in gym.  Oh, I’m sorry.  You do have homework.  Mrs. Kinski wants a five page paper, double-spaced, on the earthquake.  You have to include a way to help out.  For student council we’re doing a food drive next Friday.  After school we’re shipping the food to the Red Cross .