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“An older brother and sister I think I was a surprise, though my parents would never admit it”

“I have a baby cousin It’s a tough job being an older brother type”

I rolltheir ot the raw end of the deal”

“Well, my cousin, Ronnie, was always hell on wheels Still is, but now I’ next door to your family”

I laugh out loud

“I’m serious”

We round the corner, and I spot my black SUV “That’s le sputters and dies, plunging the street into shadows as the sun gives up its control and night e me back to my car The scuff off shoes on concrete make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up

“Did you hear that?” I whisper I glance at Ollie who steps in front of me

“Yeah, I did” He turns to face the alley a few feet away froe from the alleyway dressed from head-to-toe in all black with hoods that partially obscure their faces With side view I pray to God they don’t realize that I grip the handle of my case The street is deserted, and my car offers no shelter, despite its proximity They’d catch us before we could clamber inside and drive off

I grip the pepper spray on roup

“Hey, man We don’t want any trouble,” Ollie says

“Give us your wallets, and on’t have any,” the large, bulky figure in the rowls

“All right,up his hands He reaches into his back pocket and slowly pulls out a wallet

“And hers, too”

I fu out my black wallet Ollie takes it froertips