White Trash

The look of horror on my kids face . Tex flew into a rage , denouncing me with expletives. Leroy looked hurt , it was like I took all his balls off him . I burst out laughing with smug satisfaction for it confirmed what I already knew . This is a sterile little neighbourhood when it comes to neighbourly love . Civility , political correctness, quiet , heads down keep to yourself and mind your own business. This is North Hermosa / Manhattan Beach . Oh , and I forgot to add the most important a trait … money . There are exceptions ; a couple of families we’ve met but Marcus being the main one . In fact he’s the opposite ;loud , belligerent , intrusive and just a pain in the arse . We are into the 8th week of an 11 week summer break for the kids . It’s a crazy long Holliday that so sums up this area . It’s assumed you are going to have kids in weekly camps , summer schools or that one parent will be home . With bored kids , relentless heat , no surf and ‘old mate ‘ constantly badgering us the fuse is smouldering dangerously low . Add a large dose of Fortnite addiction that parslyizes this household and it’s only a matter of time …….., BANG!! 85 kilos finally erupted. Trying to get the kids off their devices is a daily wrestle . With a doctors appointment in 20 minutes and numerous prods , demands and pleading for the kids to get ready , I told them by the time I get into the car I will start tooting the horn until they came . Still they wouldn’t budge . Fuck you little pricks , I know a way : embarrassment. And so I started , small toots at 1st but still nothing . I look at my watch , 215 pm . I yell out , half hearted but still no kid at the door . At 1st I didn’t intend to act on my threat but now I don’t care . It’s time to rattle some cages and bring some life into our dull little street . I press down on the car horn for 20 seconds straight . People are coming to their front doors , heads are peeking through blinds and people are looking over fences . Tex eventually comes to the front door shaking his head and asking what I’m doing . ” I’m trying to take you to the doctor , Dip Shit !!” Leroy hasn’t surfaced . I start tooting again . It’s 218 now and the 10 to 15 minute drive has become tight , as per usual . I order Tex to go go in and get him . With house and car doors slamming , screaming from me and Tex and wheels squealing we leave home at 220 . I here my phone beeping as I drive and I’ve got a fair idea it’s Marcus . When the dust settles he lectures me on the accepted behaviour of this area . I tell him I don’t give a fuck anymore . He laughs and tells me that I was lucky the police weren’t called as he fully expected it to happen . He also tells me that a couple of neighbours came over and they talked about us . We were labelled as ‘White Trash ‘ . I smiled and nodded . On reflection it made me feel good , it’s probably the truth and I’d rather be that than some stuck up , entitled person stuck in the beige bubble of the South Bay . When I told the the boys and Emma , well …… let’s just say they were not happy . The White Trash label was met with bewilderment. Me , I couldn’t stop laughing .