“I don’t want to hear it!”
“Listen, Dad…will ya listen? It’s not like that, I tell ya. It’s not like that at all!”
“You can’t fool me! I’m not blind!”
The hurt look his father wore was too much to bear. Danny burst into a torrent of tears.
“Has the very devil himself crawled into you? Answer me!”
“No, Dad, I swear…” Danny bawled. “I don’t know what’s happening!”
Mrs. Ormont stroked Danny’s neck.
“Damn it, Aggie, leave the boy alone!”
“One minute everything is fine, and then…”
“We’re gonna get to the bottom of this!” his father bellowed. “TO-NIGHT!!!”
“Dad, I swear it’s like… She just does these things to me!”
“She?” Mum asked, concerned. “Who she be, dear?”
“Patti!!!” Danny hid his face in his hands. “Oh, God! Help me!”
His father was astounded. “How in heaven’s name is this possible?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing when I’m around her!”
“I admit, I felt the same way when I was dating your mother…”
“No, Dad, it’s not the same thing! She’s very different!”
“Different? Don’t be silly. She’s just a girl.”
All the while, Mum sat there weighing the evidence.
“No, I swear…” Danny gasped between crying spells. “She’s driving me crazy!”
“Denny?” Mum dared to ask. “Be she the one? Yea know, dear…yer Patti?”
“YES!!!” Danny blurted as if confessing to the crime of the century. “Without a doubt.”
“Then, yea stay far away from that one.” Mum’s words sliced her son’s heart in two.
“No, Mum, I cannot stay away.”
“Denny, Denny… There’ll be so many others.”
“Noooooooo!!!” Danny howled. He sprang to his feet, knocking his chair backwards.
“Lad, try to understand. ’Tis what be best...”
“Now hear this! Nothing, but nothing, will keep me away from Patti!”
“We forbid you to have anything to do with that girl!”
“You cannot stop me!” Danny righted his seat. “Got it?”
“Enough!” His father slammed the table. “Your parents have spoken!” Danny planted both elbows on the table, buried his face in his hands, and wept uncontrollably. “Monday morning, Patti is off limits, is that clear?”
“I’m afraid that will be impossible,” Danny glowered at his father.
Mr. Ormont’s nostrils flared. “And, why is that?”
“Because she is my science partner, and—”
“You will ask the teacher to find you a new partner.”
“And, she sits next to me in Reading…”
“Then, you will ask the teacher to move your seat.”
Danny crossed his arms across his chest. “I will do no such thing!”
“If you disobey me, then I will do it for you!”
“Have yea lost yer senses, lad? Can’t yea see ‘tis for the best?”
“Don’t ruin this for me,” Danny begged. He dried his eyes, pushed back his chair, and rose to his feet. “Can I please be excused?”
“This discussion is not over!”
Danny raced to the stairs in a fit of tears. “It is now!”
“Just where do you think you’re going, mister?” His father’s voice grew hoarse.
“I am going to call Patti!” Danny jeered. “Even prisoners are entitled to one phone call!”
CHAPTER XIX
Tag, You’re It!
“Sunday is your father’s birthday.”
“So?”
“So, don’t make any plans.”
“We’ll see…”
“He’d like to see you, Patti.”
“When is it?”
“Sunday. At noon.”
“We’ll see…”
“Can’t you spare him some time?”
“Since when do you care?”
“I don’t,” Mother admitted. “In fact, I’m not even going to be there.”
“Ha! But, I should?”
“Well, he is your father, and he does send you gifts.”
“Big deal!”
“Listen, if you play nice now, you can play him for a fool later.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means if you play your cards right, you can get anything you want out of him.”
“We’ll see...”
“Patti, we need the money.”
“What are you saying?”
“Nice things don’t come cheap.”
“So what?”
“Everything costs more these days, Patti.”
“We’ll manage.”
“If he sees you, he’ll send more money, understand?”
“Does he really think he can buy my affections?”
“You don’t get it, do you? We need the money!”
“Why? So you can blow it all on your booze?”
Smack! Mother’s hand flew across Patti’s face. The girl glowered, rubbing her cheek. “Don’t think I don’t know you’ve been dipping, too.”
“That’s a big fat lie!”
“Then, why does my vodka taste more and more like water?”
“Maybe your taste buds need to sober up!”
Smack! Patti winced. The same cheek took another blow. “Don’t lie to me, Patti,” Mother shook her daughter’s shoulders.
“You’ve taught me a little too well, Mother!”
“Save your lies for your boyfriends!”
“Yes, Mother.”
“After all, I am the only one you can trust.”
“Yes, Mother…”
“Do me this one little favor, and we’ll get along swimmingly.”
Patti gazed up at her mother in admiration. “Like the bestest of friends?”
“Like sisters,” Mother assured. “Why, Sis, I’ll even consider raising your allowance.”
“Really?” Patti cheered. “Then, I’ll consider being at Dad’s party.”
* * *
“Lynn?” Patti knocked on the bedroom door. “Lynn, Can I come in?”
“What, snitch?” her sister snapped, cracking open the door. “Make it quick.”
“Whatcha doing tonight?”
“Me and the gang’s gonna take an excursion.”
“Can I come? We need to talk…”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
“I’ll tell Mom…”
“All right, I guess so…”
“What’s the matter? You don’t sound so sure.”
“I’d like you to come, but Stinger ain’t too cool about your boyfriend, Skippy.”
“Boyfriend?” Patti laughed. “Who? …Reb?”
“Reb, Shrub, Grub…whatever.”
“He ain’t my boyfriend.”
“Ok, so you want to play that game, huh?”
“He ain’t my boyfriend!”
“Oooooh…touchy, touchy!”
“Shut your trap! Quit nosin’ into my business!”
“That’s my Patti!” Lynn laughed. “Just playing the field, huh?”
“Well, can he come or not?”
“Reb was feeling too froggy last time. …Bugging Stinger and all.”
“Damn, Lynn…”
“Just keep that boy of yours on a short leash.”
“Hey, I can handle Reb!”
“Make sure ya do.”
“Since when do you let a guy tell you the score?”
“Since I stopped doggin’ Stinger, ok? I don’t need Reb blowin’ nothing.”
“No worries there.”
“Peachy!” her sister cheered. “I’ll talk to Stinger.”
“Peachy!” Patti mimicked. “And, I’ll work over Reb.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. If Reb plays it cool with Stinger tonight, there’s a party on Sunday.”
“Sunday? Sundays ain’t for p
artyin’. Sundays is for restin’…”
“When did that ever stop you? Party at noon, rest at night. Ya in or not?”
“If I can swing it. …I’ll let ya know.”
* * *
“This is crazy,” the nervous child mumbled. He sat alone in the dark on the corner of his parents’ bed, staring at the telephone. “It’s so much easier to talk to her in class,” Danny whispered. Why do I feel so scared? “This is my moment of glory, and still…”
An incessant clock ticked away, announcing each passing second. Tick-tick-tick-tick-tick…
“What do I say to her?” His anxiety mounted. Tick-tick-tick-tick-tick… “How do I talk to a girl?” Tick-tick-tick-tick-tick… “What’s wrong with me?”
The shy one remembered Debbie and how carefree life once was. He never feared talking to a girl. On the other hand, he had never called a girl on the telephone. This certainly was a personal milestone and a monumental step in his relationship with Patti. His heart raced; his palms drenched with sweat. “But, this isn’t just any girl. It’s Patti, and she’s waiting for my call.”
Danny rested a hand on the phone. Just place the call…no big deal. He closed his eyes, drew a deep breath. Just one stupid phone call... He lifted the receiver just high enough to hear the inviting hum of the dial tone and dropped the phone as if the coiled wire were a venomous snake.
He peered out the window. In the distance, the wind harassed the bare treetops. Popcorn clouds checkered the western sky. The sun’s golden grasp slipped off the rooftops. In the waning light, something glistened in the corner of the boy’s eye. Danny traced a sunbeam to a glinting picture frame on the nightstand beside him. He lifted the picture and drew it near. It was a portrait of his parents. The happy couple looked so natural together in each other’s arms. He gazed into the eyes of that gallant young man, wondering if his father once shared these same fears. His thoughts began to wander down the annals of time.
“How do couples meet, anyhow? Where does it all begin?” He restored the picture to its rightful place. The boy turned his gaze back toward the window. The winds had whipped the popcorn clouds into puffs of cotton. Perhaps for the first time, Danny witnessed how such fragile forms were soon lost forever. “I wonder how the winds are shaping my relationship with Patti…” Taking a lesson from the clouds, he realized he could not afford to wait.
“Do I tell her how much I like her before or after I accuse her of cheating?” The glum child reflected upon his maddening day at school – and the dinner table. What’s the worst that could happen? He couldn’t chicken now. Grinning ear-to-ear, his heart swelled with delight. His mind was set; he was going to call Patti!
“I should write down my thoughts,” the boy thought, spying a notepad. “So, I won’t stumble on my words.” He took the notepad and jotted down some ideas. In a short while, he was fully prepared, and gripped the receiver with confidence.
“Nothing can stop me!” At that very instant, the phone rang. Danny jumped sky-high. “Hello?”
“Did you call her yet?”
“No, I…”
“Is it a date?”
“Well, you see…”
“How much trouble are you in?” Andy jabbered. “Are you grounded?”
“They said…”
“Are you suspended?”
“Cool it, will ya?” Danny bossed. “Take a deep breath.”
“C’mon, man. Spill the juice!”
“I haven’t had the chance to call her yet, okay?”
“No way!”
“And, my parents want me to stay away from her.”
“Get out!”
“They want me to change science partners and everything...”
“That’s terrible.”
“Yeah, well, it ain’t gonna happen. Not if I can help it.”
“So, what’s your punishment?”
“I think they’re still deciding.”
“Geez, that’s the worst kind of punishment!”
“Why?”
“Because you never know what’s coming and when.”
“Thanks for the comforting thought.”
“Will you be in school on Monday?”
“As far as I know.”
“Boy, things are certainly getting weird.”
“How so?”
“Whatever started with Mark has spread to you. It’s like she’s got fleas!”
“Don’t say that!”
“Sorry.”
“Look, Andy…I gotta go.”
“Good luck, pal! See ya Monday?”
“…Assuming I live through this weekend,” Danny sighed, hanging up the phone.
* * *
The phone rang once at Patti’s home where Mother lounged on the sofa. Engrossed in an evening soap opera, she ignored the unwelcomed intrusion.
“Aren’t you going to answer it?”
The phone rang twice.
“Never rush, Patti,” Mother explained. “Always wait for the third ring.”
The phone rang once more.
“Hello?” a peeved voice grunted.
“Hello, uh, Mrs. Connor? …Is, uh, Patti there?”
Mrs. Connor winked at Patti. “No, she’s not here at the moment.”
“Oh... Do you know when she’ll be back?”
“I have no idea. You’ll just have to keep trying.” And with that, the woman slammed the receiver.
“Patti, darling…your science teacher called.”
“I’m not buyin’ it, Mother! Not this time…”
“This time?”
“Did Lynn say he called?”
“Why would he call Lynn?”
“Well, I didn’t do it!”
“Do what?”
“Whatever he called about…”
“Relax, he called to congratulate you!” Mother beamed. “You got the highest test score!”
“Oh, boy!”
“I knew we could do it,” Mother hugged her daughter. “I am so proud!”
“Actually, my science partner is superterrific.”
“Really, Patti…” Mother rolled her eyes. “How trite.”
Just then, the phone rang. Patti reached for the receiver, and Mother slapped Patti’s hand. The phone rang a second time, unacknowledged. Patti shook her hand, erasing the penalizing sting. The phone rang a third time.
“Hello?”
“Uh… Sorry to bother you again.”
“Oh, it’s no bother,” Mrs. Connor sneered.
Patti tugged on her mother’s sleeve. “Who is it?”
Mother clamped a hand over the mouthpiece. “Why, I think it’s your class pet, missy.”
“Sh! Mother, please…he’ll hear you.”
“Should I tell him you’re out?”
“Give me that!” Patti demanded, grabbing the receiver.
“Hello?”
“Oh, hi, Patti. Can ya talk?”
“Yup…”
“My folks are plenty mad at me.”
“Oh? How come?”
“Mr. Foster thinks I cheated on that science test.”
“No way! …Did you?”
“Patti, are you joking?” Danny cried. “You know full well I didn’t.”
“So why would Mr. Foster think you did?”
“Because I was trapped into confessing.”
“Were you feeling guilty?”
“No, Patti…” Danny raised his voice. “I was covering for you!”
“Covering for me?”
“Yeah, you heard me.”
“What did I do? You were just dumb enough to get caught!” Danny ignored her insensitive remarks and continued to grill her.
“What did you think you were doing during the test?”
“Can I help it if I get nervous?”
“You didn’t have to squeeze my knee!”
“And, you didn’t have to enjoy it!”
“Do you know how much trouble I’m in because of you?”
“Well…better you than me,”<
br />
“I’ve protected you this time, Patti…”
“You protected me?”
“I took the blame for your cheating.”
“Me? …Cheating? How dare you say that!”
“Well, you did!”
“Ha! I did no such thing. After all, I am a lady.”
“Spare me, Patti… What’s up with you, anyway?”
“You’re just mad you got caught trying to look at my paper!”
“Patti, I even managed to get the moon question wrong.”
“What can I say? You’re just very bad at cheating.”
“But, I knew that! I taught you that one, remember?”
“Fess up, Mouse…you blew it.”
“Aw, just forget it.” There was an uneasy silence. Danny realized he could not win this argument. “So…what was up with your little notes?”
“What about the notes?”
“You didn’t have to send ‘em!”
“Well, you didn’t have to enjoy flirting with me!”
“You could have been more careful, that’s all…”
“Hey, don’t tell me what to do!”
“Look, I really don’t want to fight with you, ok?”
“Say, why’d you call me, anyhow?”
“It wasn’t my idea!” Danny huffed. “Besides, you could have called me, ya know.”
“Well, I am a lady,” Patti touted. “And, Mother says the boy always does the calling.”
“Does that mean you like me?”
“Maybe, maybe not.”
Again, silence.
“Patti…I need to know something.”
“What is it?”
Danny took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and bit the bullet. “I heard this rumor,” Danny quavered. “D-d-do you really like Mark Parks best?”
“Mark?” Patti chuckled. “He’s such a lizard!”
Wait a second… Those were my exact words!
“So (gulp) who do you like best?”
“I like you, Danny!” Patti winked. “I was just telling Mother you are sooo smart…”
“Well, uh, Patti… Can we study together?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
“…Are you studying with Mark?”
“No!”
“Then, are you studying with someone else?”
“Maybe…”
“Patti, will you pleeeeease come study with me?”
“Why is it so important to you?”
“Because, I…I… I’m worried about you.”
“Mouse, listen up! No one ever worries about me! Got it?”
“Fine! I won’t!”
“I can take care of myself, understand?”
“Ok, ok! So, while I’m not worrying,” Danny demanded, “you just think about this, lady.”
“What is it?”
“Who ya gonna cheat off of once all your boyfriends are expelled?”
More silence. Patti was dumbfounded. She hung on the line, stewing. He’s right… She bit her lip. The cheating game won’t last forever.
“Well? Answer me! You owe me that much.”
“Boyfriend???” Patti growled. “I never said you were my boyfriend!”
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