“He did it! Andrew did it!” she cried. “He ran it all the way, Heather! It was amazing!” The buzzer sounded and the scoreboard changed. “We won!” Allison screamed.
“I know!” said Heather. “Isn’t it great?”
“Come on,” Allison said. “Let’s go down there.” She grabbed Heather’s hand and led her down the steps, careful not to go too fast. They joined the rest of the students down on the field. Everyone was laughing and cheering and recounting Andrew’s amazing run.
“Hi, Allison!” Karen called. “Wasn’t that super? Hey, do you and Heather want to join us at Wally’s to celebrate? It’s a burger joint in town.”
“I don’t know,” said Allison, turning to Heather. “What do you think, Heather?”
“It sounds like fun. Maybe we could get Andrew to take us.”
“Of course,” Beverly said as she stepped up. “By all means, bring Andrew. We’ll all want to congratulate him! Come on, you two, it’ll be fun!”
“Of course we’ll come,” Shirley said, stepping up beside Heather. “Right, Heather?”
“Sure,” said Heather. She was still holding Allison’s sleeve. She turned and said quietly, “Allison, do you think Grace and your dad will mind?”
“I don’t think so. After all, we’ll be with Andrew. The question is, will Andrew mind?” whispered Allison. She led Heather to Grace and James where they stood by the fence. Winston was walking shyly over to where Andrew was being mobbed by fans.
“Hey, you guys,” Andrew yelled as he broke away from the crowd and ran to join them, swooping up Winston on his way. “Wasn’t that something!”
“I’ll say!” James exclaimed. “No wonder everyone in town is talking about Port View’s star quarterback!”
Andrew looked slightly embarrassed. “I just happened to be in the right place at the right time.” He turned to Allison with bright eyes and ruddy cheeks. “So, Al, how do you like football?”
“I love it!”
He grinned. “Bully for you.”
Allison warmed at the odd-sounding British praise. She knew Andrew reserved such compliments for a very select few.
“Andrew, some girls invited us to join them at Wally’s,” said Heather. “We thought it might be fun, but of course we’d need someone to drive. . . .” She smiled sweetly in her brother’s direction.
“I wouldn’t mind chomping down on a Wally burger myself,” said Andrew. “Is that all right with you two?” He looked at James and Grace.
“It’s fine with me, Andrew,” Grace said. “Just don’t stay out too late.”
“You don’t expect me to tell the star quarterback no, do you?” James teased.
“I wanna go, too,” Winston declared.
“I think not,” said Grace. She wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “I need you to go home with me.” Winston made a twisted face, and Allison could tell he was feeling left out.
“Hi there!” Shirley called, waving frantically at their group. “Hi, Mr. O’Brian. Hi, Grace.” She waved up to the stands. “There’s Mommy and Daddy, Mr. O’Brian. They’re waving at you.”
James turned and waved at a couple standing up in the grandstand. Allison stared up at Shirley’s parents. Mrs. Jenson wore a fur coat and was tugging on Mr. Jenson’s arm as if she was ready to go.
“I told them that I would get a ride home with you guys,” said Shirley brightly. “That is if we’re all still going to Wally’s to celebrate.” She turned to Andrew. “You were brilliant tonight, Andrew. I just knew that if anyone could save the day, it would be you!”
Allison tried not to groan as she recalled Shirley’s dismal predictions. But Andrew, almost as gracious as Heather, simply smiled. “It’ll take me about twenty minutes to shower and change. Do you girls mind waiting?”
“Not at all,” Shirley gushed.
“Well, Andrew,” James said. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full tonight with three beautiful young women.” He put his hand on Allison’s shoulder. “Keep in mind, one of them is mighty important to me, and you take special care, now.”
“You can count on that, sir.”
Andrew didn’t keep them waiting for long. It was a tight squeeze with four in the jalopy, but Heather made sure that Shirley didn’t get to sit next to Andrew. Allison was trying to get Heather to slip in first, but at the last minute Heather gently pushed Allison ahead of her. Allison didn’t mind sitting so close to Andrew, but she had a hard time thinking of anything to say. They ended up singing the team fight song over and over until Allison knew all the words, and soon they were laughing and walking down the sidewalk toward a well-lit restaurant on Main Street where a neon light flashed the diner’s name.
The diner was crowded, and all the tables appeared to be taken. As they waited at the door, Andrew pointed out that Wally’s had been recently remodeled by Wally McGillicudy with all the latest in restaurant equipment. Wally had saved every penny he’d earned while serving in the Pacific as a Navy cook during the war. He had come back and revamped the family business, pumping new life into it. Now this was the favorite spot of all the students at Port View High, and Wally treated all the kids like family.
Allison admired the shiny black-and-white-checkerboard tile floor. The round barstools and comfy-looking booths were covered in deep red vinyl and trimmed in stainless steel. The plastic-covered tabletops had a swirly pattern with red and black and white, and the whole place felt bright and new and modern to her. Suddenly, it seemed very glamorous and fun to be going out with friends after the big football game—and with the star quarterback!
A colorfully lit jukebox was playing a Sammy Kaye swing number, and several couples were dancing in a space hardly big enough to turn in.
“Hey, it’s Andrew Amberwell,” cried Beverly as she dashed over to them. “Come on, Andrew, we can squeeze one more into our table!” She pulled him by the arm, and he looked helplessly back to the three girls.
“Go ahead, Andrew,” Allison said to her own amazement. “You’re probably starving. We’ll get a table as soon as there’s room.”
“Are there any tables?” Heather asked quietly.
“Not right now.”
“This is just great,” Shirley said sarcastically.
“Maybe you can join someone else,” said Allison hopefully.
Shirley looked around. “Maybe I can,” she huffed. She began wandering from table to table, looking to squeeze in and reminding Allison of a beggar.
“Hey, there are two people leaving the counter,” said Allison. “Do you mind sitting on a stool?”
“Not at all,” said Heather. “What about Shirley?”
“I think she can take care of herself,” Allison said as she led Heather to the stools.
“Hi, ladies,” said a round man with a smooth bald head and a tattoo of a naval ship on his arm. “I’m Wally. What can I get for you?”
“I’d like a chocolate shake and some French fries, please,” Allison said. She had barely glanced at the menu but didn’t want to miss out on a chance to order when the place was so busy.
“I’d like the same, please,” said Heather as she fingered the menu without even looking.
Wally studied Heather’s eyes for a long moment, as if he suspected that something was amiss. Then he nodded and smiled. “Coming right up, ladies.”
Allison decided that she liked Wally’s, and she liked Wally. She glanced over to see how Andrew was faring. He was grinning and talking, surrounded by pretty cheerleaders who seemed to hang upon his every word. It figured. Well, it was probably her own fault. She had told Andrew to join them, and she had wanted to come here tonight.
“Here you go, ladies,” said Wally with a smile. “I don’t think I’ve seen you two around, but I thought I noticed you come in with Andrew Amberwell, the local football hero.” Wally grinned.
“Yes,” explained Heather. “Andrew’s my brother. My name is Heather Amberwell, and this is Allison O’Brian. She’s sort of new in town.”
; “Hey, are you James O’Brian’s little gal?” asked Wally.
Allison smiled. “Yes, that’s my dad.”
“I went to school with him. I was so pleased to hear about him being okay and being back in town, and to think he has a daughter to boot. You two ladies will have to excuse me. I’ve got lots to do tonight, but it was real nice meeting you both. Hope you’ll make my place your place.”
“We will,” said Heather with a smile, and Allison nodded as she sipped her shake.
After a while Allison and Heather were nearly finished, but it seemed that Andrew was still the life of the party at the crowded corner table. To Allison’s dismay, Shirley had managed to squeeze in with them. Allison suspected that Karen’s earlier invitation to join them at Wally’s tonight was just a cover-up to get Andrew here. Allison should have known better, but it still hurt a little. What looked worse, though, was seeing Karen at the same table with Andrew. As much as Allison hated to admit, she admired Karen and thought she seemed like a fun person. Unfortunately, Andrew seemed to think so, too.
“So,” Heather said as if reading Allison’s mind. “Do you wish we hadn’t come?”
“No,” Allison said slowly. “Not exactly. But it didn’t turn out like I thought it would. I guess I still have a lot to learn about public school and friends, and guys and girls, and everything.”
Heather chuckled. “Well, you can’t expect to figure it all out on your first day.”
Allison laughed. “That’s right. I almost forgot. This is still my first day, isn’t it? I don’t know whether to be relieved or terrified.”
“Do you think Andrew will be ready to go soon?” Heather asked in a tired voice.
Now Allison allowed herself to turn around and look directly at the corner booth. Andrew was wedged between Beverly and Karen, and Karen was talking quietly to him with sparkling blue eyes. Allison couldn’t see Andrew’s face, but he seemed to be listening intently. “I . . . I don’t think Andrew’s quite ready to go yet,” said Allison in a faltering voice.
“Is something wrong, Allison? Are you okay?”
Allison’s stomach twisted. “Maybe it wasn’t smart to eat French fries and a milk shake this late at night.” She turned away and sighed. No, things had definitely not turned out the way she had thought they would.
As tired as she was, Allison had a hard time falling asleep. She kept envisioning Andrew and Karen sitting so cozily in the booth. Try as she might, she couldn’t stop the waves of jealousy as they washed over her like the surf pounding the beach. Even after she finally drifted into a fitful slumber, she was haunted by a crazy dream where Karen, Beverly, and Shirley, all dressed in strange-looking cheerleader outfits, had chased Andrew down the football field. Meanwhile, Allison stood in the stands watching helplessly. She awoke in frustration and promised herself never to eat French fries and milk shakes late at night again. But in the morning light, as much as she hated to admit it, Allison knew it had more to do with her feelings toward Andrew than it had to do with French fries.
After breakfast James invited Allison to take a ride. They drove silently for a while. Allison just looked out the window, enjoying the reds and golds of the fall foliage set against the clear blue sky. It felt relaxed and comforting to be with her dad. She sighed and told herself to forget her silly worries about Andrew and to simply enjoy this time with her father instead.
“You’re awful quiet this morning,” James said. “Did everything go okay last night?”
“I guess so.” Allison forced a smile to her lips.
“It’s probably not easy being the new kid on the block. I’m sure it will take you some time to adjust, to make new friends and all.” He paused, frowning slightly as he glanced at her. “You’re not sorry you came out here to live, are you, Allison?”
“No!” she exclaimed in surprise. “No, of course not, Dad. I wouldn’t change that for anything.”
James sighed in relief. “Thank goodness. I don’t know what I’d do if you decided you didn’t like it here.”
“Don’t worry, Dad. I love it here. This feels more like home to me than anything I’ve ever known. Please, don’t ever think that I’m not happy here. It’s just kind of hard trying to figure everything out with friends and school.”
“That’s perfectly understandable, Allison. And I’m sure in no time you’ll be as happy as a clam at Port View.”
Allison nodded, not quite as sure as her father but not wanting to let on otherwise. At that moment her attention was turned to her surroundings as James pulled into what looked like an airport. “Where are we, Dad?”
James laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m not shipping you off anywhere. I just want to show you something and have you meet a good friend of mine.”
He parked the car, and they got out and walked over to a small office situated by a long hangar.
“Hi there, Jamie,” called a weathered old man who reminded Allison a little of Grandpa. In fact, just seeing him made a lump grow in her throat as she remembered the feel of Grandpa’s callused hand holding hers.
“Morning, Mac,” James said, extending his hand in greeting.
“And who’s this young lady you’ve with you today?”
“This is my Allison, the one I’ve been telling you about. And, Allison, this is my friend Orvil MacPhearson.”
The old man’s blue eyes twinkled. “I figured as much, Jamie. She looks a wee bit like you, only a lot prettier. Reminds me of her grandmother.”
Allison blushed and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. MacPhearson.”
“You better call me Mac, Allison. All my friends do.” He squinted up at the sky. “Perfect day, Jamie. You ready to go up?”
“Up?” asked Allison.
“I forgot to mention that I’ve been taking flying lessons from Mac.” James cleared his throat. “I’ve . . . uh . . . been wanting to get my pilot’s license, Allison.”
“And not too far away from it, either,” added Mac.
Allison looked at her dad with complete astonishment. “Your pilot’s license? That’s swell, but when did all this start?”
Mac chuckled. “I think it started when he was about your age, Allison.”
James rubbed his chin. “I suppose so, but I’ve gotten a lot more serious about it in the last few months. It’s something I had always wanted to do but never got the opportunity to really go after it. The thing is,” he looked at Allison with a creased brow, “I haven’t been able to bring myself to tell Grace about it. And so, for now, you’ll have to help keep my secret.”
Allison shook her head. “I don’t know, Dad. I’m not very good at keeping my mouth shut.”
James frowned. “Maybe I shouldn’t have brought you out here. . . .”
Allison looked up at him with a sly grin. “I’ll promise to keep your secret, but only if you take me up with you.”
Mac hooted. “A girl after my own heart! Well, what are we waiting for?” Mac looked over his shoulder to where a man in greasy overalls was leaning against the hangar with a push broom in one hand and a cigarette in the other. “Mind the office for me while we’re up there, Larry,” called Mac. “And don’t you wear yourself out working too hard.” Mac shook his head and spoke quietly. “That Larry Burns—he worked here during the war when the pickin’s was slim, but he’s lazier than all get-out.”
Within moments Allison had climbed into the cramped backseat of the tiny Piper airplane and buckled up. James, with Mac’s supervision, inspected wheels, fuel tanks, flaps, propeller blades, and everything on the outside of the plane. Then they both climbed in, and he began to check the controls and dials. Soon they were slowly taxiing out to the single airstrip that dominated the airfield.
Allison kept quiet, watching as her father prepared to take off. He looked completely at ease behind the stick, and so far Mac hadn’t said a word, but Allison suspected he would jump right in if anything wasn’t right. James poised the plane at the end of the runway, then turned to look at Allison.
“You all buckled up and absolutely sure that you still want to go—with me at the stick?” he asked with lifted brows.
“You bet! And if we crash, we crash together.”
Mac laughed, but James just groaned. “What a thing to say, Allison Mercury.”
“Sorry, Dad, I was just joking. You know, like how you tell an actor to break a leg. Go ahead and take off. I’m fine.”
James turned back around and focused his attention on the controls in the cockpit. Soon they were speeding down the runway, and Allison watched as James confidently pulled the stick firmly back and they began to lift up, then soar quickly into the sky. Allison loved the feeling of being pulled back in her seat and flying straight up into the sky at the same time. She could feel an enormous grin spreading across her face.
Mac turned back to check on her. “Looks like you’re enjoying yourself, little lady.”
Allison nodded. “I absolutely love it! The first time I ever flew was in a little plane a lot like this. It was just last summer, right after camp. I was with Marsha, and I must admit I was a little scared at first, but then I loved it. Oh, Dad, I wish I could learn to fly, too!”
James smiled as he banked the plane to the right and began heading toward the ocean. “Maybe it’s something in our blood. With my father it was boats, with us it’s planes.”
“I like boats, too,” said Allison. “But if I had to choose, I’m sure I’d go with airplanes.”
“Good for you, lassie,” said Mac. “I’d rather be a bird than a fish any day.”
“Mac’s been flying since World War I,” James explained. “He used to live in Canada. He even trained RAF pilots for the last war. You probably know that RAF stands for Royal Air Force—the British flying arm. Grace’s husband was an RAF pilot. If I’d had more time to think before I enlisted, I’m sure I would have tried to figure out a way to get up in the air. Instead, I found myself hoofing it around in Europe.”
“Probably just as well, Jamie,” said Mac sadly. “We lost a lot of good boys in the air over there. You were safer on the ground.”
James banked another right-hand turn, and now they were flying directly over the ocean. “See those fishing boats down there, Allison?”
Allison O'Brian on Her Own, Volume 2 Page 7