by Frank Perdue
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Ted could feel something sticky touching his body under the sheets. It woke him up. “God,” he mumbled, “Is that what a wet dream is?”
The next morning he got up and stripped the sheets from his bed. He quietly took them out to the garage and put them in the washing machine. He didn’t dare turn it on, for fear of waking his parents. He hoped his Mother didn’t notice the spots.
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Owen Warner tried hard to regain his son’s trust. He knew it was a fragile thing, and he had almost destroyed it completely that one terrible night. He and Elaine had made their peace. The reconciliation came shortly after her accident. It would have killed her to have Ted find out about her indiscretion. Owen not only covered up for her, he never used it as a lever. It was forgotten as far as he was concerned. He knew that he had lost her love as a result of his philandering. But he appreciated that she made an effort to at least bring some romance back into their marriage. They shared the same bed. They even had consensual sex once in awhile. She was not a good actress. He knew that she only pretended to reach a climax. He was grateful just for the closeness, which had been missing for a long time.
Owen had only used his nitroglycerin twice in the last seven years. Both times he was at work. He felt a pain in his arm, and tightness in his chest. So he took the medication as a precaution. His anxiety had receded rapidly and he was able to continue with his business.
Elaine settled into a routine. She was a married woman. She did all the things a husband expected of a wife, and she was not unhappy. After all she had Ted. He was her life. She feared for him once in awhile, but for the most part her life was serene. That was the word for it. She was in a loveless marriage. At least her husband had regained her trust. It was just too late for love. She supposed that when he had become adulterous, she was forced to see his faults. She faced things about her husband that romance had previously obscured. His racism was tolerated before, but not now. His extreme baseless pride was no longer attractive. His temper made her fearful. Yet, when he took charge after the accident, she respected him for it. When she was scared out of her wits that their son would hurt himself with that surfboard he had built in school, Owen arranged to have it stolen from their garage. She hated lying to Ted. But when it was necessary for his own good she rationalized that it was not wrong. So she would continue to do the things that would keep her family together.
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Ted’s senior prom turned out to be a disaster of epic proportion. He did manage to arrange a date with a pretty girl from Oceanside high whom he had met at one of the joint meetings. Her name was Carol Moregas.
He ordered a white dinner jacket to go with his black tuxedo pants. He thought that would be more debonair. He had cleared with his parents that he would have the family car for his big night. He was to pick up his tux the day of the prom. The big day finally came. His dad still had the car at work, so Ted asked Frenchy Duprez to pick up his clothes. His friend swung by his house with the tux about three o’clock. He had to be in Oceanside to pick Carol up at six. His dad promised to be home no later than five. The timing was close, but he should make it. The Prom was at a big hotel on Mission Bay.
Suddenly things began going wrong. When he tried on the dinner jacket it was tight in the shoulders, and the sleeves were a good four inches short. He called the tuxedo rental shop. They apologized, but there was nothing that could be done at this late hour. All their tuxes had been picked up. Ted was crushed. He had no choice. He had to wear the thing. It was a strict formal affair.
When his dad arrived home at four forty-five he was able to cushion the blow slightly. He gave Ted a black overcoat he hadn’t worn in years. It was in pretty good shape. They had to pound it with a broom to get the dust out of it. Otherwise it was still like new. Of course, his mother had to have a picture before they would let him go. His father stood with him as Elaine pressed the shutter button on their old box camera. Ted remembered thinking that was one picture he wouldn’t be anxious to have developed.
He made it up the coast to Oceanside in plenty of time to pick up Carol. He avoided questions about his attire at her house by wearing the big overcoat. Luckily her mother didn’t think about taking pictures.
The prom was forgettable. Ted spent most of the night explaining what happened with his dinner jacket. He took it off as soon as he could. The dancing was outside around the pool. But the nighttime air was not very cold. He was not the only one who shed his jacket. Carol looked beautiful in her pale green formal.
The Senior Class officers had rented a downtown nightclub for the after-prom. No alcoholic beverages would be served. Otherwise everything was the same as for grownups. Everyone knew there would be plenty of booze to go around. A five piece band provided the mood music.
Everyone brought a change of clothes to the nightclub. The restrooms were extremely busy early as kids changed, and late as the alcohol ran through their bodies.
Ted counted on Carol getting drunk. He hoped that would loosen her up enough for him to have his way with her. She did get tipsy, but so did he. When the after-prom was over, and management hustled everyone out of the building, Ted and his date headed up the coast to Laguna Beach. He had purposely not double-dated because he wanted to be alone with Carol. There was another consideration. No one had asked him.
His mind turned to sex. He planned on either going to the beach and doing it, or using the car which had a large back seat. Either way, he was determined to lose his virginity.
It took quite a while to get to their destination. There were many small towns on the Pacific Coast highway. Each had one or two traffic lights. The sixty-five mile trip stretched into an hour and a half drive. When they finally started down the long hill into Laguna Beach, it was four o’clock in the morning. The alcohol in their systems was beginning to wear off. The euphoria was going with it.
Ted found a secluded spot near the water, and turned off the engine. He looked at Carol. She had fallen asleep. He thought about waking her, but decided against it. He was too tired. He curled up next to his date with his head on her shoulder and fell sound asleep.
Both young people woke at about the same time. Sunshine was streaming in the rear window. They were bathed in light. They looked at each other and said, almost simultaneously, “Oh, my head.” Then Ted moved back behind the wheel and started the car. The trip home would be a long one
CHAPTER NINE
It has been said - I’m sure you’ve heard it - that school years are the very best years of a person’s life. Obviously no one feels that way at the time. Because if it were true, and you just graduated, and you knew it to be true, then all the rest of your years would not measure up. And you would know it. Under that scenario, the only people in the world who would have a chance at happiness would be psychiatrists. At least they would be rich.
Ted Warner wasn’t happy when he graduated from high school. The war was raging in Korea, and he wanted to enlist in the Navy. But he was only seventeen. That was considered underage. To join up he would need his parent’s blessing. That permission was not forthcoming. His mother, as usual, was afraid that he would be hurt. That was reasonable, considering that the Communist Chinese had poured across the border from their homeland to help their comrades, the North Koreans. What had seemed like a little war had seriously escalated. By June of nineteen fifty-one, an Allied victory was not a foregone conclusion.
Owen Warner knew of his son’s plans. He had no intention of relinquishing control. Not then. Not yet. One Saturday afternoon just before graduation, he called Ted into the living room. When Ted came from his bedroom, he said. “What’s up? Why did you want to see me?”
His father was seated in his usual place, a pastel-colored rocking chair,which was strategically situated about five feet from their new television set. “Turn the television off, Son.” It was too early for the wrestling matches. Bob Hope, Milton Berle, and wrestling were the only shows that held his interest.
&n
bsp; Ted complied, and walked over to their davenport and sat down. “Where’s Mom?” he asked.
“She’s doing the lunch dishes. She’ll join us in a few minutes.” Owen never helped with the dishes. “I wanted to have a few minutes with you alone. I’ve got an idea that involves you.”
“What kind of an idea?”
“First things first, Ted.” His father turned slightly and looked him right in the eyes. “I want to give you your graduation present.”
“You don’t need to give me anything.” Ted wondered why his mother was not there. Whatever the gift was, wasn’t it from both of them?
His father shifted onto his left haunch and reached into his right pocket. When his hand emerged he had a key in it. He pushed himself up from the rocker, took two steps
toward Ted and reached out with his right hand. “Here. Take it.”
“What’s this for?” Ted had an idea what it was. He was becoming excited. He took the key from his father.
“It’s parked out in front of the house. Go take a look.”
Ted jumped up. A huge smile appeared on his face as he crossed the room. When he opened the front door it was right there. He couldn’t miss it.
“It’s only a 1936,” Owen Warner commented. “Things are a little tight right now.”
‘It’s beautiful, Dad!” He was still taking in the reality of it. He reached out his hand to his father. The older man took it. “Can I drive it?”
Owen suddenly felt good. It was great to see his son so happy. Their relationship had been rocky for a long time. Maybe this would bridge the gap. The other thing could wait for awhile. “Of course you can. It’s yours.”
His father stood on their small porch and watched as Ted literally ran around to the driver’s side door. The car was rather ugly by the standards of 1951. It was brown, not a very popular choice in the newer cars. It had four doors, so Ted would be able to drive his friends around comfortably. It was not a style he would have picked for himself. The box cabin had disappeared even before the start of the war. Cars all had a more smooth, rounded appearance coming off the post-war assembly lines. But if his son was happy, then his choice was good.
Elaine joined her husband on the porch. “How did it go?” She asked. Owen told her what he thought.
“And the other? What about that?” There was concern in her eyes. Owen heaved a huge sigh, his barrel-chest expanding greatly. “We haven’t talked about that yet.”
“But don’t you have to let Mister Alberts know today?”
“No. Tomorrow will be soon enough. I’ll see what Ted thinks when he comes back from his joy ride.”
Elaine took his hand to cushion the words she would speak next. She was still wary of her husband’s temper. “Would the car qualify as blackmail?”
He pulled away from her, his eyes flashing. He stared at her, and saw the touch of fear there. It was not what he wanted. He took her hand this time. “I don’t really have a choice. Now that I have this damned hernia, I can’t lift anything. I would have to hire someone to help. Why not Ted? Especially if it will take his mind off joining up.”
“Your right, of course.” Elaine said, and smiled “Good luck.” With that she turned and retraced her steps to the kitchen.
Ted went to Frenchy Duprez’s house to show off his new car. When his friend came out, he oohed and aahed right on cue. They took a short ride together, and talked of getting into the war.
It was nearly dark when Ted returned home. His dad appeared on the porch exactly where he was before.
“Well, what do you think?”
“It’s great, Dad. Thank you very much.”
“Your mother has dinner almost ready, but first I need your opinion about something.” The older man had decided to ease into it.
“Sure. Shoot.” Ted felt that they were involved in a man to man conversation, and he could be flippant.
His father went along with it. “Why don’t we sit out here.” It was not a question. Owen sat on the porch steps. His son followed suit. It was a warm evening, and not uncomfortable.
“I have a minor problem that I need your help with, Son.”
“What can I do?” Ted had no idea what was coming.
“I know you planned to join the Navy after graduation.”
“Yes.” His mood became apprehensive. What did his father want of him?
“How do you like the meat business?
“It’s okay. Why do you ask?” Ted shifted uncomfortably on the concrete His father noticed, and asked “Would you rather go inside to finish this conversation?”
“No. It’s the direction this talk is going that’s upsetting me. You might as well just spit it out.”
Now Owen was disturbed. What if his son refused? “Okay, here goes. I bought a new shop.” He decided to act as if it was a done deal.
Ted relaxed slightly. So what if he sold the Point Loma meat market. He could take his employees with him to the new location. He wouldn’t necessarily need another helper.
. “It’s at Big Bear Resort.” There, the bombshell was out.
“What?” He asked, surprised. “Where’s that?: The boy was confused.
”Big Bear Lake is in the mountains northeast of San Bernardino. It’s a beautiful setting. It’s a place where people go to fish in the Summer, and ski in the Winter. There is a nice little town along the lake.”
“It sounds good. But what’s that got to do with me?” Ted interrupted.
“I want you to help me run it. It will just be you, me, and Mom.”
“But why do you need me?” Ted was beginning to feel lost.
“For two reasons. Because I’m afraid there won’t be enough money in it to hire someone. And even if your mother and I could do it by ourselves, I have a rupture in my groin,” he pointed to a spot in the crease where his left leg intersected his torso “and I can’t lift anything.” Before his son could speak, Owen pressed on. Why don’t you try it out for the Summer. Then if you still want to join the Navy you can.” Silently he thought, of course the War could be over by then, and maybe you will change your mind about leaving at all.
Ted sat there staring down at his tennis shoes. He had no choice really. Of course he would go with them.
CHAPTER TEN
Back in the Summer after his high school graduation Ted Warner began to think that he would never get away from his father. Actually, those three months at Big Bear Lake hadn’t been too bad. His father had been true to his word. He did let his son pretty much run the business. Ted opened the store in the morning, and closed it at night, ten hours later. Owen and Elaine would come in about ten in the morning. The older man would make suggestions, and help wait on the customers before leaving for their cabin at about five. Elaine did the bookwork and generally remained in the background, unless she was needed to help at the counter during a rush. Ted closed up at six, except on Saturday, when he stayed open until ten. He was given one day off in the middle of the week. Generally it was on Tuesday, because that was the slowest day.
One day a blonde girl came into the shop to buy some meat. She appeared to be about twenty. She flirted across the counter with the dark, curly-haired boy who looked to be about her age. Ted was flattered. It transpired that she was only in town for the weekend. She lived and worked in Corona, a small city near San Bernardino. Ted was able to make a date for his next day off. Trouble was, he would have to commute fifty miles down the mountain and back in his old car, which was becoming less than reliable. Fortunately the car survived, and the date went well.
They saw each other a few more times. They had fun, but whatever chemistry existed early on, faded. They parted on an amicable basis, and both went on with their lives. Ted was still a virgin.
Late in the Summer it became evident to Ted that his father was becoming too dependent on him. If he stayed on with his family, he felt that he would never be able to break free and have any kind of life of his own. He told his parents that he was soon leaving to return to San Diego. H
e knew that he could find a job in the meat business somewhere. The lake up in the mountains was nice, but he missed the white, sandy beach of the ocean. His patriotism was replaced by realism in his new maturity, and he had shelved his idea to be a Navy man. His father first tried to reason with him, and failing that, argued vehemently.
Owen Warner’s parting words actually ensured Ted’s departure: “You’ll never find a job by yourself!”
Surprisingly, his car made the hundred and seventy mile trip. The first thing he did when he arrived was find a furnished apartment. The cheapest centrally located place he could rent was in East Park.
The very next day he found a job. It wasn’t much of a commute either. The manager gave him the paperwork to fill out for the union. At first he would only be needed on weekends. Ted was sure that, soon, he would be hired on full-time. Of course he called his parents to share his good news and give them his address.
On a Sunday evening after Ted’s second weekend of work, Owen and Elaine Warner were waiting outside his apartment when he returned home. After letting them in, and offering them something cold to drink, which they declined, he opened a beer for himself and said “What’s going on? Why are you here?”
His father cleared his throat, and shifted nervously on the old stuffed sofa where he had parked himself. He seemed unsure of himself. “I sold the market.”
“Why in hell would you do that?” Ted was afraid he already knew the answer.
Now it was his mother’s turn to be squeamish. “Please don’t raise your voice, Son.” She didn’t want a scene. Nevertheless she was going to get one. There was no avoiding it.
“I’m not raising my voice!” It came out about an octave higher.
‘I couldn’t run the shop without you.” Owen’s voice was shaky. Ted couldn’t remember ever hearing his father speak with so little self-confidence. All the bluster was gone.