sidewayz glory by Todd Strasser, Sammy Yuen Jr., CRAIG PHILLIPS

his voice. “How am I supposed to relax?”
    â€œShut it!” Kennin hissed. “Enjoy the view.”
    â€œThe things I frickin’ let you talk me into,” Tito muttered.
    â€œDon’t thank me, thank Cousin Raoul.”
    â€œIf I knew I was gonna wind up risking my life for that idiot,” Tito said, “I would have let the cops get him.”
    Suspended on the outside wall, Kennin couldn’t hear what was happening with the cops. It was impossible to even know if they’d gotten up to the roof level yet. He heard a loud roar approaching and looked up as a jet passed overhead, the dark underside appearing a lot closer than it would have at street level.
    â€œHow long we gonna have to stay here?” Tito whispered after the jet passed.
    â€œTill they leave,” Kennin whispered back.
    â€œHow’re we gonna know when that is?” Tito asked.
    Just then a deep male voice came from the other side of the wall: “Let’s try up here.”
    Tito’s eyes went wide. He and Kennin could hear footsteps on the roof level.
    â€œLook on top of the elevator,” someone said.
    â€œAnd under those cars, too.”
    On the other side of the wall, Tito and Kennin stared at each other for a while. Then Kennin tilted his head back till it touched the wall, and closed his eyes. A slight breeze fluttered his hair, and he felt a shiver. The night air was cold and they weren’t wearing jackets. There was nothing to do but “hang around” and wait.
    They heard footsteps and grunts as cops got down on their knees and looked under cars. Now and then the beam of a flashlight would swing over the ledge above them. Then Kennin heard a loud scrape just a few feet away on the other side of the wall, and a voice said, “I’m going to look over here.”

15
    cell phone antenna, Kennin stared at Tito. The kid’s eyes were bugging out of his head, and his mouth hung open, his lower lip quivering. Kennin quickly shook his head. A flashlight beam swung right over them.
    Kennin heard heavy breathing. Tito’s mouth was agape and he was staring straight down. The kid was freaking. Kennin let go of the antenna with one hand and reached over, placing it on Tito’s shoulder to steady him. Tito quickly swiveled his head toward Kennin. His face was pale and speckled with sweat.
    Kennin mouthed the words, “Don’t look down.” Tito took a deep breath and nodded.
    A minute later a voice above them said, “No sign of anyone.”
    â€œHe must’ve gone into the casino,” said someone else. “Maybe took the elevator down.”
    â€œIf he’s in the casino, at least we know the perp must be eighteen.”
    â€œOr he looks eighteen.”
    Footsteps began to move away. Perhaps twenty seconds passed, and then Tito started to stretch up as if to look over the edge. Once again Kennin grabbed him by the shoulder and shook his head. It was too soon. A favorite trick of the cops was to pretend to leave and then see who popped up.
    So they stayed where they were. Kennin heard chattering teeth. They were Tito’s. At least once a minute the guy would whisper, “Now?” and Kennin would shake his head. The longer they waited the better. Finally, when even Kennin couldn’t stand waiting anymore, they climbed back over the ledge.
    The roof level was empty. The cops were gone. Tito and Kennin walked across the lot and then down the ramps back to the first floor. Tito dragged his feet and looked drained.
    â€œI can’t take this,” he moaned through chattering teeth. “You gotta have nerves of steel for this stuff. I’ve got nerves of bubblegum.”
    â€œTell Cousin Raoul not to steal any more cars,” Kennin suggested.
    â€œRight,” Tito scoffed. “I might as well tell my dog to stop licking his nuts. Ain’t gonna happen,
amigo.
”
    They got back down to the valet office. Tito looked up at