by JH Terry
III: An Interrupted Jargon of Breakfast
Tom went down the wooden stairs of his family’s two level red brick house at 15 Herald Lane toward the kitchen to eat his breakfast. He was wearing his school uniform, which consisted of navy blue trousers, black shoes, black socks, a white short-sleeved shirt, a navy blue tie, and navy blue blazer. On the blazer pocket there was the school’s crest of a silver dragon with two horns on its head and one horn on its nose breathing out a silvery flame on an azure blue background. Below the crest was the motto, “Honor Before All Else.” He was carrying his navy blue backpack, with a few school items, upon his shoulders.
When he came into the kitchen, Tom saw that his father and mother were dressed and finished eating their breakfast. Obviously, they had been talking about Tom’s matter due to their serious and stifled tones.
Seeing Tom, their composures changed. Andrew said, “Why you look quite the part and it seems you are ready for your first day as a Junior.”
“Yes,” said June, “he does look stunning, but he just needs one more thing to look perfect.”
“Hmm…” said Andrew, “what’s that?”
“Some of his favorite Belgian waffles, with my special ingredients.” Out of its seclusion on a plate under a spread out paper towel, June presented to Tom her prized waffles at Tom’s seat at the table.
Despite his worry over what happened before, Tom smiled.
“Thanks, Mom,” said Tom to June’s happiness to make him happy.
“Anything for you,” said June, “just remember to finish them off, they took long enough to make.”
As Tom sat down at the table, Andrew said, “I already called my doctor friend, even though it was early in the morning. Believe me, he yelled his head nearly off complaining he was indisposed at that moment of time. Just a moment before he was probably going to tell me to get off the phone I told him the purpose of the call.”
“Well, what did he say?” asked Tom.
A little disdained, Andrew said, “Well, I’ll be June! I'm already forty-three and losing my memory. That is a Reed record. I must say I am quite proud of myself, my father was fifty-five when that started to happen to him.”
“Do you know, Mom?” asked Tom.
Before June could say anything, Andrew interjected, “Now, there is no need to rush things. In a moment I will remember it all. Patience, Tom, patience. It is something that is learned, not inherited, and it is best when learned young, for later on you will not have the ability to do so. Believe me the best of men have come to where they are at because of patience.” Andrew then looked to the table, trying to remember what the doctor had told him.
Just then, Peter Wilson, who was wearing the same uniform as Tom and a black book bag, opened the back door. Peter had black hair, dark brown eyes, and slightly pale skin. He was five foot six inches in height, medium-sized in weight and sixteen years old.
“Morning, Peter,” said Tom.
“Morning, Tom,” said Peter, “and good morning to you, Mr. and Mrs. Reed.”
“Good morning, Peter,” said Mrs. Reed in a pleasant tone.
However, Andrew was still staring at the table, muttering to himself. “Mr. Reed,” said Peter.
“What?” snapped Andrew. Seeing that it was Peter, Andrew said in an apologetic tone, “Oh, it’s you Peter, I am sorry I was trying to remember something I had forgotten.” Andrew continued, “There are too many things I want to remember that I can’t, and vice versa. I remember dating your mother, Peter.” Peter then had a sickening look upon his face, as if he would vomit. “Believe me, she was a pretty eye to look upon in those days. Yet I really don’t want to remember that. After me she married your father, I think it was because he was the only chap who looked at her. Well, more like through her to another war zone. I guess being in Vietnam really affected him.”
“Vietnam?” asked Peter slightly puzzled.
“Yes, war between the Americans and Vietnamese in the sixties. It was very costly and resulted in the defeat of the Americans, even though they say they had a truce under the Treaty of Paris in 1973. At least their “domino theory,” saying that if one country fell to communism that other countries would as well thus threatening democracy, did not come true. Anyway, your father told me that he had a great time as a sergeant over there.”
“Actually,” said Peter with a slight smile of embarrassment, “father was only a newspaper writer in Vietnam. He is only called sergeant because he demanded so much from the stories he wrote…. However, he was very good at what he did. He almost got a prize for his work, but lost to some other fellow, only getting second place, but he was very good at what he did.”
“Oh,” said Andrew with a look of disdain. “Anyway, what did you want Peter?”
“Just wanted to say good morning to you, sir.”
“Why yes, good morning Peter. Yes, yes!” exclaimed Andrew to the amazement of everyone else. “I remember! He told me to shut up and learn new manners, whatever that means. Perhaps I’ll find something by this afternoon. I do not think the good doctor shall be receiving any of my calls today.”
“It is fine, Dad,” said Tom.
“What is the matter?” asked Peter.
“Oh, it is nothing,” said Tom. “Would you like to have some breakfast?”
“Sure would, Mom made scrambled eggs this morning and the house reeks of it. You know how much I hate to eat and smell scrambled eggs. That is why I came here so early. Perhaps by the time I come back home, the smell will have disappeared. Well, what do you have?”
June, delighted, said, “I made Tom’s favorite.”
Guessing, Peter exclaimed, “Hamburgers!”
“For breakfast?” asked June astonished.
“Hey, you never know. Dad does it all of the time,” said Peter.
“Oh,” replied June.
“It’s understandable,” said Andrew as he read his newspaper.
“No,” said June, “Belgian waffles.”
“I was at least close, you must admit that.”
“As close as finding a pin in the Tower of Babel,” said Andrew.
“Here goes some waffles. Enjoy Peter,” said June with a smile.
“This is a great start to the first day of school,” said Peter.
“Yes, Sudbury High for Boys, I am already thrilled,” said Tom sarcastically.
“You should be chilled,” said Peter.
“Perhaps mom and dad will be once they are billed,” said Tom with a smile. June looked over at Tom and Peter as if they were acting strangely.
“But, Tom, by having you go to Sudbury, that discomfort they have willed,” said Peter.
“If you do not stop it,” said Andrew, “I am going to have to get you two killed!”
Tom, Peter, and Andrew laughed, as June smiled at their childish ways. As Peter entered another morsel into his mouth, the back door opened again. This time it was Kate, Peter’s sister. Kate had black hair and grey eyes. She was five foot in height, in grade nine and attended the Upperhill School for Aspiring Young Ladies. She was wearing her uniform, which consisted of an orange and white plaid dress, white socks, black shoes, and an orange ace band. Finely stitched upon her dress there was the same crest for Tom’s school with the motto: “Honor, Beauty, Allure, Elegance.” Even though Kate had gone to Upperhill for a year already, this was the first time Tom had noticed her school’s crest and motto, causing him to be puzzled by the similarity between the schools.
Kate was very committed to her school in her athletic and social pursuits, but less fortunate in her academics. However, at the Upperhill School, social pursuits accounted far more importantly than academics.
Seeing Peter with his mouth full of Belgian Waffles drenched in syrup, Kate seemed extremely disgusted.
“What are you doing?” snapped Kate at Peter. This caused Andrew to drop his newspaper and look astonished at Kate’s commanding tone. This was the first time he had viewed her rude manners to
Peter. June similarly looked astounded at Kate. Tom sat at the table seeing the looks upon Andrew’s and June’s face. Seeing that they were astounded by Kate’s outburst, Tom tried to conceal the smile that his face wanted to show so much.
Astonished, Peter murmured with his mouth full, “Huh?”
“I said what are you doing?” reiterated Kate.
With his mouth cleared, Peter said, “What does it look like I am doing? I’m eating.”
“I know that,” said Kate, “but what did mother tell you.” At this Peter began to query his memory to no avail. “She told you that you must eat at least a morsel of egg this morning, or she’ll ram it down your throat.”
“I never heard her say that to me.”
“Well, she did a moment ago, and I am telling her about this charade right now.”
Peter seemed bewildered. Was Kate telling the truth, or was it another of her torments?
“Why did she say that?” asked Tom.
“I bugged her enough that you not having enough protein in you diet was detrimental to you health, causing her to thoroughly agreed with me. She told me to tell you personally, so I have, with pleasure.”
“It’s not right,” said Peter.
“Why not?” asked Kate, indulging upon Peter’s tormented condition.
“Because he already ate some eggs here,” said Tom looking to Peter.
Peter at first looked at Tom bewildered, but soon regained his composure by one look for Tom’s eyes. However, Kate had seen their responses.
“You’re lying, Thomas Reed! I saw that look upon your face. You’re lying and I’m telling mother. We’ll see how close the two of you will be once I tell her for you might as well as kiss your freaky friendship good-bye,” said Kate furiously. Just as she was about to leave through the back door, Tom began to speak.
“When you tell her that, remind her that my mother does use eggs in her waffles or perhaps you didn’t know that.” Astonished, Kate looked back at Tom. Angered by the realization of her error and thoroughly embarrassed, Kate stomped out of the back door, back to her house. Peter smiled at Tom.
“Tom,” said Andrew jovially, “how did you ever think of that? It was ingenious.”
“I didn’t, I just made it up,” said Tom honestly.
“Well, it must be your genius precedes you,” said Andrew. “Besides, she is a nasty wretch, I never knew she could be so nasty, and yet she seems so kind and good whenever her parents are around.”
“Believe me,” said Peter, “you do not know the full effect of her sharp tongue.”
“I just feel sorry for you Peter, I never imagined that Kate was actually like that. I had a feeling of course, but feelings are always able to be masked by what the mind sees and hears,” said June. Looking to the time, June said, “Hurry up for school boys or you’ll be late.”
As Peter and Tom finished their breakfast, Andrew said to June, “Today is to be a big day. It is the Varistor Case.”
“You mean the one where old man Varistor killed that woman in the forest, mistaking her for a fat goose?” asked Peter.
“Yes,” said Andrew, “and I am the one defending Varistor.”
“It seems like a closed case,” said June with a slight sigh, “or is it?”
“What do you mean, June?” asked Andrew.
“I mean do not let winning overtake you this time, Andrew,” said June.
Tom looked to Andrew with a perplexed face. Seeing Tom’s face, Andrew looked down at his diary and continued to write little notes in it. Tom knew that there was some secret that his father and mother kept, but what it was he had no recollection of.
“Do not worry June,” said Andrew, “those days are over.”
June washed the dishes and picked up her briefcase. “Tom, place the dishes in the sink when you and Peter are finished with your breakfast. Also, I packed your lunch for today - do not forget it. I put in a piece of the Black Forest Cake I baked yesterday in the box as well.”
“I will not, thanks Mom,” said Tom.
“Oh, Mrs. Reed,” said Peter.
“Yes Peter?” asked June.
“Today is the first day of school. You do not need to pack a lunch, it is for free today.”
“Really?” asked June.
“Yes,” said Peter. “It is what they said in the letter that they sent to all of us.”
“Letter?” asked June. “We did not get a letter about that.”
“Actually,” said Andrew. “We did, I forgot to tell you about it dear. We got it on Monday. I think I left it in my car. I was so busy with that case that it slipped my mind along with other things.”
“It is all right,” said Tom. “I’ll take it along anyway in case I am hungry after the school’s food, or if it is not that good.”
“Smart thinking,” said June. “I am going to work now. I might be late tonight. Andrew dear you know the routine.”
With a little smile, Andrew said, “I know. Do not worry, I’ll try not to burn the house down this time.”
June laughed, “I know, I have Tom to thank for that. I’ll see you this evening.” June kissed Andrew on the cheek and said to Tom, “Good-bye Tom and enjoy your day. Try not to be out too long this afternoon with Peter.”
“Yes, mom.”
June left the house and went into her car, driving to her work.
Peter and Tom continued with their breakfast, and were about to leave when Andrew asked, “How about a ride to school?”
Seeing that it was already twenty minutes until school commenced, both boys said at the same time, “Yes.”
Andrew hurried with his breakfast as the boys placed their dishes into the sink and then they all went into the car. As Andrew was pulling out of the driveway he noticed an angered Mrs. Wilson come out of her home. She was wearing a sky blue bathrobe, slippers with bunny heads, socks, and hair rollers in her hair. She was waving her fist into the air, seeming to be greatly angered due to the contrast between the redness of her face and the sky blue attire she was wearing.
“Oh shoot,” said Peter, “Mom looks mad.” Peter lowered his body within the car so that Mrs. Wilson could not see him. Rolling down his window, Andrew said as he continued to pull out of the driveway, “Morning, Mrs. Wilson.”
“Andrew Reed, stop that car while I give that son of yours a piece of my mind.”
“Sorry, Mrs. Wilson, do not want the boys to miss their education now do we?”
“Andrew Reed you better stop that car right now or you will feel the lash of my tongue this afternoon.”
“Mrs. Wilson,” said Andrew tapping his ears, “I cannot hear you, even though your lips seem to be moving. I will go to the doctor today and perhaps later I can help you with whatever you need.”
“Like father like son!” exclaimed Mrs. Wilson. “Peter, are you in there?” Peter’s face was extremely red with embarrassment. “Peter, I am going to talk to you later about your behavior young man. At ten years old even I had to walk to school, let alone sixteen.”
“Mrs. Wilson, it is fifteen minutes to eight, I do not think that walking is going to get your boy to school on time,” said Andrew.
“I thought you had a hearing problem.”
“Miraculous!” exclaimed Andrew. “I am healed. Now, we must go, for as time flies so does money.”
“Just you wait until this afternoon Andrew. That boy of yours will one day feel my wrath and then he will tone down his mischievous nature.”
“At least it is not today, Mrs. Wilson, good-bye. And may I remark you have wonderful pajamas attire. I must try it on some day.”
“Andrew Reed!”
Andrew, laughing, drove Tom and Peter toward their school as Mrs. Wilson returned to her residence, mumbling over what she would do to Tom, Peter and Andrew in the afternoon.