The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  Henry’s mane was gone. He still wore a longer style, but the sides of his hair barely covered his ears and the back didn’t touch anywhere near his shoulders. “You hate it.” He ran his fingers through it.

  “No. No.” Ellen stepped to him. “You look . . . you look really handsome.”

  Henry smiled. “You think?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Ellen stepped to him and brushed her fingers through his hair. “What made you cut it all off?”

  “Nick.”

  “Nick?”

  “He kept gripping those sweaty baby fingers on the edges and it hurt. So I decided to shorten and Bentley cut it for me.”

  “It works for you.” Ellen backed up and moved to the counter.

  “So, El, what are you doing?”

  “Getting things ready. I’m going to New Bowman for two days.”

  “What are you running from?”

  Ellen chuckled. “Why would you say that?”

  “Your entrance into the meeting. You were pale. Did something happen?”

  “Nothing I want to talk about.”

  “With me?”

  “With anyone.”

  “I can respect that.” Henry walked over to her. “Just know . . . I’m here if you need to talk. O.K.?”

  Ellen quickly looked up at him. “Henry? Do you know something?”

  Henry went silent.

  “Henry?”

  He let out a breath. “El, it’s something I shouldn’t know.”

  “What?”

  “Bev . . . Bev . . .”

  “Oh God.” Ellen covered her face. “She told you.”

  “I should have . . . I should have said something to you when she did.”

  “How long have you known.”

  Henry shrugged. “I don’t know. I blew her off, sort of, about the pregnancy. Then yesterday she does that Bev thing, slips by me and, in her passing says, ‘Ellen knows’. Your whole mood had changed, El.”

  “I don’t believe her.”

  “Good.” Henry nodded. “But it has to still bother you.”

  “It does. Henry, if you knew anything, you would tell me right? I’m asking you to tell me.”

  “You mean about Dean and Bev?”

  “Yes.”

  “Only what she’s told me. She told me about them having an affair. I’ll be honest with you El, I believed her about the affair.”

  Ellen’s mouth dropped open. “Why?”

  “Because after she had told me, situations popped into my mind and it bothered me.”

  “Like?”

  “Nothing.” Henry shook his head.

  “Henry.”

  “It’s no big deal. It plays into her hands, see. So don’t worry about it.”

  “I’ll tell you what . . .” Ellen let out a breath. “How about I don’t worry about those situations? But if I need to know, you tell me.”

  “Deal.”

  “Jesus Christ Almighty.” Joe’s crass voice blasted in. “What the hell did you do to yourself, Henry?” He walked up with a smile. “Goddamn that looks good. You don’t look like a woman anymore.”

  Henry rolled his eyes. “Gee, thanks, Joe. I never looked like a woman.”

  Joe reached up and messed up Henry’s hair. “I like it. It’s about time.”

  “Thanks,” Henry said.

  “Anyhow, I need to speak to my daughter. May I?”

  Henry looked at Ellen. “I’ll let you two alone. Remember . . .”

  “I will.” Ellen nodded. “Thanks.” She smiled with a slight sad smile when Henry lightly kissed her on the cheek. She waited until he left and then she looked back at Joe. “What’s up?”

  “My question exactly to you.”

  “You know the answer.” Ellen allowed herself to look down. There was no hiding it from Joe.

  “Did something happen? Is that why you sought out Frank?”

  “God.” Ellen flung her head back. “Was I that obvious?”

  “Yes.”

  “Things . . . things are piling up Joe.”

  Joe closed his mouth tightly and stepped closer to her. “I know you don’t mean work.”

  “I don’t mean work.”

  “Things meaning . . .”

  “Yes.”

  “I see.” He nodded.

  “They just keep coming in. My whole life has been turned upside down in a matter of twenty-four hours.”

  “And these are things you’d really rather tell Hal.”

  Ellen laughed. “Hal is not weird.”

  “No, not at all. But a different environment and different settings always helps.”

  “Yeah, and now we have the ability to do that.”

  “Something else. I have an idea.” Joe closed on eye and titled his head. “Besides getting away, I think it may be just what you need. There’s nothing like it to take your mind off of things. Hell, it may be what we all need.”

  “Joe.” Ellen gave a quirky smile. “What are you talking about?”

  “I want you to think back about the first time of many. Think about it. That’s what you need. I guarantee things won’t be any different, no matter how many years have passed. Remember . . .”

  Ellen folded her arms and listened to Joe speak. With a smile upon her face, one she needed, she indeed remembered . . .

  “Lock up.” Joe stepped from his blue car in front of Frank and Ellen’s college apartment. “And Hal, don’t . . .” Joe hunched and cringed at the loud ‘bang’. “. . . . slam the car door.” He spun and glared at Hal.

  “Sorry.” Hal snickered. “It slipped.”

  “It slipped my ass.” Joe laid his hand on Robbie’s back.

  Robbie, eleven at the time, looked at the building, “I like coming here.”

  “It sucks,” Hal commented.

  “How would you know?” Jimmy snapped. “This is the first time dad brought you and me.”

  “Yeah.” Joe nodded and reached for the door. “And there’s a reason for it.”

  “Dad?” Hal called out. “Do you realize Frank and his roommate live in the slums?”

  “It’s not the slums.” Joe held the front door open for his boys. “It’s a low income residential area.”

  “Should we even leave our car?” Hal asked. “As a theft conscious . . .”

  “Hal!” Joe snapped.

  “Dad?” Jimmy led the way down the hall. “Which apartment?”

  “Certainly not down there. Up.” Joe pointed. “Robbie, go first.”

  Robbie darted up the steps. Jimmy and Joe followed. About five steps up, Joe stopped. “Hal.”

  “Dad, did you see all the . . .”

  “Hal!” Joe yelled. “Christ, get out of people’s mail boxes.”

  With a ‘slam’ of the gold metal box, Hal hurried to catch up.

  “Now don’t touch anything else.” Joe warned as they reached the first landing.

  “Dad,” Jimmy spoke up “Hal’s not listening.”

  “Hal!” Joe yelled out as he saw his son reach for the knocker on a door. “Don’t touch. Christ.”

  “Sorry.” Hal sneaked by Joe and up the stairs. “Robbie, wait up.” He hurried.

  “Can’t take you anywhere!” Jimmy screamed up from behind his father.

  “Jimmy.” Joe turned around, warning, “I’m gonna have a stroke before we even get to the top.”

  “I bet they’re having sex,” Hal said nearing the top. “They don’t know we’re coming. Bet me him and this girl are . . .”

  “Hal.” Joe rubbed his face and turned to Jimmy. “I’m not living through that boy’s phase of puberty.”

  “Tell me about it.” Jimmy said. “I’d like to get into the bathroom.”

  Joe again stopped on the steps. “Did I need to hear that? No.”

  Robbie stood before Frank and Ellen’s door, waiting for Joe to make it up the steps. “Dad, can I knock?”

  Before Joe could nod, Hal pointed to the wreath. “Look, pink,” he snickered. “Knock.” He shoved into Robbie. “
Dad said.”

  “He did not,” Robbie argued.

  “Robert, knock.” Joe reached the top.

  Robbie knocked.

  Hal turned around and looked at Joe. “Bet me we interrupt them. It’s like a movie where they don’t expect the parents to come. Frank will answer the door in a robe.”

  Jimmy, so perturbed, shook his head. “Frank doesn’t wear robes.”

  “Hey. Ellen,” Robbie said innocently.

  Hal spun to meet her. “But she does.”

  Ellen pulled her robe closed tighter, looking slightly up to the fourteen year old Hal who stepped forward with a wide grin.

  Joe shoved Hal out of the way. “Ellen, Frank here?”

  “Um . . . yeah.” Ellen opened the door wider. “Come in.”

  Mouthing the word ‘sex’ to Joe, Hal sneaked in the apartment first. “There he is!” He shrieked out, pointing to Frank who was sleeping on the couch. “Uh! Get him!” Screaming in a run, Hal dove for the couch.

  Jimmy mimicked the bellowing cry and dove right behind Hal onto Frank.

  Frank screamed, “Get off!”

  “Beat him up!” Hal pulled at his big brother.

  “Miss us, Frank?” Jimmy helped tug him to the floor.

  Hal jumped on Frank when he flopped hard to the floor. “Yeah, miss us, Frank?

  “Oh, no. Get off!” Frank grunted when the weight of Jimmy joined in the surprise wrestling match.

  Joe shut the door as he stepped in. “Ellen, those two on Frank are Hal and Jimmy. Boys!”

  Robbie, seeing the empty spot on the couch, stepped on Jimmy’s back in his route to have a seat. He looked at the television. “Check this out. They have HBO.”

  “Huh?” Jimmy peered up, stopping the fight with Frank. “No way.” He stood up. “How come you have HBO, Frank?”

  “Whoa,” Hal said amazed. “How can you afford HBO?” He stopped the wrestling match with Frank.

  Frank, still half asleep, stumbled to his feet. “Dad pays.”

  Robbie, Hal, and Jimmy all turned their heads to Joe.

  “Dad,” Hal complained. “How come you pay for Frank to have HBO and we can’t have it?”

  “I don’t pay for Frank to have HBO.”

  “Yes, you do,” Frank said.

  “Frank,” Joe warned.

  “Dad, you gave us the . . .”

  “Frank!” Joe yelled. “I don’t pay! And why is this girl running around half dressed?”

  Ellen quickly ran from the room and toward her bedroom.

  “Dad?” Frank complained. “Why do you have to scare her every time you come up here?”

  “Can I help it she’s afraid of everything? Christ. Hal, where are you going?”

  Hal stopped in his sneaky walk across the living room. “I have to use the bathroom. It was a long drive.”

  “Go,” Joe pointed. “And put the seat up so you don’t piss on it. A female lives here.”

  “O.K.” Hal raced down the hall. “Found it!” he shouted out.

  Joe shook his head when he heard the door close. “Surprised Frank?”

  “Yeah.” Frank scratched his head. “Did you call and I forgot?”

  “No. I thought we’d just take a ride up. Spur of the moment thing. You know.”

  Jimmy peered over his shoulder to Frank. “Bambi left him.”

  “Who?” Frank asked.

  Joe waved his hand. “Don’t bother, Jimmy. Frank never remembers.”

  Kicking his feet and engrossed in the television, Robbie spoke up, “Tell him where we’re going.”

  Joe held his hand in a hushing manner to Robbie. “Well, Monday’s a holiday so I thought . . .” He shifted his eyes when Ellen, seemingly so timid, walked down the hall. She wore a big bulky sweatshirt and a baggy pair of jeans. “She dresses.”

  Ellen moved nervously to the kitchen. “I was getting ready to get in the shower.”

  “Well, you don’t answer door like that,” Joe had scolding to his voice. “You never know who’s there. What if it was some psycho?”

  Ellen pointed. “Frank was here.”

  Jimmy laughed from the couch. “Yeah, Frank will protect her.”

  “Does this mean she’s still dirty?” Robbie asked. “Tell her she has to take shower, Dad, like you tell me. That’s not fair. How come she doesn’t have to take one?”

  Joe felt the pain growing in his eyes. “Robbie . . .”

  “Can I have something to eat?” Robbie asked. “Dad wouldn’t stop.”

  “Yeah,” Jimmy added. “Do you have anything to drink?”

  “Boys.” Joe rubbed his eyes. “We’re getting dinner. What in Christ’s name is taking Hal so long?”

  “Told you,” Jimmy said.

  “God.” Joe closed his eyes. “Hal!”

  “What?” Hal was right behind him. “Hey!” he sang out. “Look what I found.” He held up a box of Tampex. “Frank’s wearing tampons now.”

  “What are tampons?” Robbie asked, turning up the television louder and louder.

  “Hal,” Frank reached around Joe and snatched the box. “Stop it.” He handed them to Ellen.

  Ellen looked horrified and nervous. “I’ll just get . . . get something to drink.”

  “Stop,” Joe called out.

  “I’m sorry.” Ellen turned around.

  “Quit that,” Joe told her. “There’s something I have to say.”

  “Can I put these away?” Ellen looked at Joe with her pleading eyes. “Please.”

  “Here.” Joe took the tampons, turned, and handed them back to Hal. “Put them back where you found them.”

  “O.K.” Hal stepped back. “Wonder what else I’ll find.” He ran to the bathroom.

  Frank charged after him. “Hal.”

  Joe bodily stopped Frank. “Don’t worry about . . .” Hal’s loud shriek and laugh made Joe turn his head to the hall then back to Frank. “I don’t want to know. Hal! Get out here! And don’t bring what you found!”

  “Dad.” Hal returned. “Guess what Frank has in . . .” Hal looked at Frank’s red face and biting lip. “The . . . ow. Ow!” Hal’s head tilted drastically to the side and his body spun when Joe yanked his ear.

  Holding Hal tightly, Joe pulled him by his ear toward the couch. “Settle down! Now sit on the couch for five minutes.”

  “Ow.” Hal rubbed his just released ear. “I can’t believe you’re punishing me to the couch. I’m fourteen.”

  “You’re acting two. Sit.” Joe pointed. “Now . . .” Joe took a calming breath. “There is a reason why I’m here. I thought, I’m off and there’s no school on Monday . . .” Joe closed his eyes tightly when the television blared. “Turn it down or no one goes!” Joe shouted, waited for the silence, and started again. “Thank you. Now, I thought it would be nice to just take a break and spend some family time. With mid-terms over, you probably need a change of pace, a mini vacation. We can take a ride to Erie. There’s tons of snow. We’ll try to lose Hal again.”

  “Erie?” Frank asked. “This weekend?”

  “You got something better planned, Frank?” Joe asked.

  Frank’s eyes shifted to Ellen. “Um . . . I’d feel bad leaving.”

  “What?! Why?” Joe asked then finally noticed Frank’s drastic pointing eyes and twitching head. “Christ, Frank, don’t you think I know by now that I can’t come up and take you anywhere without her?”

  “God, Dad.” Frank hunched in embarrassment. “Can you be anymore rude?”

  “Rude. I’m inviting her to come. She’s welcome. I had every intention of inviting her, Frank. What? I would invite Lenny without Squiggy?” He looked to his snickering sons on the couch. “Boys.”

  Hal leaned to Jimmy. “Frank’s Squiggy. He has the . . . ow.” Hal flew forward when Frank hit him in the back of the head. “Dad. Frank hit me.”

  Joe was on the verge of whining. “God, why do I torture myself?” He looked at Frank and Ellen. “What are you waiting for? Go pack a bag or something. Let’s go. I want st
op at Denny’s and I want to get there before they stop serving baked potatoes.”

  Ellen nervously looked at Frank then Joe. “Mr. Slagel, thanks for inviting me, but I can’t go. I don’t have any money.”

  “Well, then I guess you’re shit out of luck. Frank, pack your bag.”

  Frank looked like a lost kid, his face showing how bad he felt as he glanced at Ellen who looked on the verge of tears. “El, I have money. Dad, I have seventeen dollars. Can she use that and I’ll owe you the . . .”

  “Frank,” Joe shut him up. “I’m joking. You’re freshman in college for crying out loud. I know you have no money. I’m paying. Go. Go. Go.” He swung his arm in the direction of the bedroom. “Pack the bag. I’ll be pissed if I don’t get my baked potato.”

  Frank and Ellen both ran past Joe.

  Looking at his watch, Joe stepped near the couch. “I better get my potato.”

  “You know, Dad.” Hal played with the remote. “It’s not fair. You pay for their vacation.”

  “I’m paying for yours.”

  “True, but we’re minors. It’s the law you have to pay for us. Look, they not only get a cable box, but you pay for HBO, and bet me you pay extra for this remote control. How come you play favorites?”

  “To irritate the rest of you.” Joe placed his hands in his pockets.

  “That’s not fair.” Hal switched the channel.

  “Hey!” Jimmy grabbed the remote. “We’re watching HBO.”

  “There’s nothing on.” Hal grabbed for the remote.

  Jimmy tugged. “It’s still HBO.”

  “Dad,” Robbie whined out. “Tell them I was watching.” His little body jolted from the struggling two teenagers on both sides of him. “Dad!”

  “Boys!” Joe screamed out. “Knock it off.”

  “Give me.” Jimmy pulled bringing Hal over Robbie.

  “No.” Hal tugged, yanking Jimmy.

  “Dad!” Robbie screamed.

  “Boys!”

  “Jerk!” Hal tugged.

  “Asshole!” Jimmy yanked.

  “Boys!”

  Crash! The tug-of-war between Hal and Jimmy ended when the remote control flew up in the air, sailed across the room, and smashed into a shelf, knocking over and breaking a small cheap vase.

  “See.” Hal pointed. “It’s your fault.”

  “My fault?” Jimmy snapped back. “It’s yours.”