Bad Juju

by Dina Rae

  “How tall are you?”

  “I’m 6’3. And I weigh 230 pounds. I’m really strong, too,” Henry proudly answered.

  “You gonna stand in the doorway? Mrs. Powis doesn’t care if you come into the room. She’ll be here any minute.”

  Henry stared blankly at him, almost trance-like, and rocked. Most kids would have found his mannerisms creepy, but Jake felt an odd connection with the boy as though they were kindred spirits, predestined to meet inside of the Zoo.

  “Henry, yoo-hoo. Come sit down.”

  Henry stepped through the door of the classroom like he was stepping through airport security armed with an AK-47.

  “Wanna do puzzles together during free-time?” asked Jake.

  “The 3D one of the Capitol looks challenging,” Henry suggested. He stood too close to Jake’s desk and rocked. “So…did you watch the news this morning? Haiti suffered a catastrophic earthquake and they are feeling the aftershocks.”

  “My neighbor is from there. Maybe Mrs. Powis will let us watch CNN,” Jake replied. “She sometimes allows us to watch TV when something big happens.”

  “Good morning, Jake and Henry. And yes, I couldn’t help but overhear, I will put on the news. They think it might be a 6 or 7,” Mrs. Powis said as she plopped her heavy, leopard print tote bag onto her metal desk.

  “That would be fantastic!” beamed Henry.

  Jake found his enthusiasm almost comical, but didn’t laugh. Oddly, he respected the boy for being himself and not trying to act cool.

  The morning bell rang, and it was time to begin the mind-numbing busy work teachers were already piling onto Mrs. Powis’ desk. This time Henry sat next to Jake.

  As the day before, Mrs. Fontana came into the classroom like an over-protective mother and escorted Henry back to her room for lunch. Jake quietly ate alone and looked forward to free-time.

  Once Henry was back from lunch and everyone claimed to be finished with the day’s assignments, Mrs. Powis put CNN on the flat-screen TV hung behind her desk.

  “Tuesday afternoon, January 12, Haiti experienced the worst earthquake recorded in 200 years. It is believed to be a 7.0 magnitude, striking ten miles away from Port-au-Prince. Residences, hospitals, schools, and several other structures have collapsed. Millions are probably displaced. Tens of thousands are feared dead,” reported the newscaster on CNN news.

  “Look! All of those houses - gone!” Henry shrieked, lacking compassion and sounding more like an excited child at a circus.

  “World relief programs have already organized to build camps for the millions without homes…” continued the reporter on television.

  “My neighbor says the country is really poor. And did you know that a lot of them practice Voodoo,” announced Jake, feeling like an expert on the subject.

  “What’s that?” asked Henry.

  The conversation sparked interest throughout the class. As the center of attention, Jake felt both fearful and wonderful.

  “Well, it’s a religion. It comes from Africa when the slaves were captured and brought overseas. They kept it going and changed it a little over the years.”

  “It’s when you make a doll of someone you hate and stick pins in it,” said Lisa, trying to steal Jake’s thunder.

  “That’s only part of it. It’s a whole religion with gods, and sacrifices, prayers. They even have their own symbols and rituals and music,” Jake snapped.

  “Do they believe in God?” asked Henry.

  “Not the Christian God you all are used to,” answered Jake.

  “I’m so impressed with your expertise. And Jake is right. All of you need to be respectful and tolerant of other religions. Not everyone is a Christian,” commented Mrs. Powis. Throughout the years Mrs. Powis had become Jake’s favorite teacher due to his constant stints inside of the Zoo.

  “Mrs. Powis, I’m an expert on World War Two. Maybe even Vietnam and Korea. I mean, I know more about those wars than everyone here. For instance, did you know that FDR…” Henry interjected. His knowledge was eclipsed by Jake’s. The other students cut him off and continued asking Voodoo questions.

  “But I thought Voodoo came from Louisiana,” challenged Matt, another regular ISS attender who Jake disliked.

  “That’s Creole. And it’s a lot different,” he answered, annoyed.

  “You’re just woofing. You don’t know shhh…” Matt said, almost swearing in front of the teacher. Jake knew the boy was trying to undermine him.

  The class went from a manageable volume level to really loud.

  “Jake, thanks for enlightening us,” Mrs. Powis yelled. “All of you are way too loud. Time to settle down. I’ll turn up the volume a little so that we can all listen. You’re welcome to grab a puzzle, stare into space, whatever, as long as you are quiet. If all goes well the rest of the afternoon, tomorrow we can watch about Haiti.”

  The TV was a powerful incentive. Everyone silently watched more footage about the earthquake disaster.

  After the last bell of the day rang, Henry followed Jake to his locker.

  “How did you know all about that Voodoo religion?” Henry asked.

  Again, Jake found himself wanting to laugh at the boy’s weird sincerity, but refrained. “My neighbor. I’m going to visit him after school to see if he got a hold of his family.”

  “Can I come with you? I want to meet him. My mom picks me up. She can drive us to your house and get me later.”

  Jake found the idea tempting. “What the hell, Henry. Could use the ride. Takes forty-five minutes on the bus and I’m only ten minutes from the school.”

  “Follow me to the back entrance.” Henry hurriedly walked through throngs of students to the other side of the school.

  Jake saw a tiny, young woman reading a book parked in front of the entrance. “That your mom?” Henry nodded. “You adopted?” Henry looked confused. “Kidding. C’mon, let’s go.”

  “Mom, this is Jake. Take us to his place. You can pick me up before dinner. We are going to hang out with his friend.”

  Chapter 6

  Rio Garcia was not happy with Principal Schafer’s decision. He silently fumed while packing up his books. Two weeks of out-of-school suspension plus a week of in-school-suspension while the asshole gets a whopping four weeks inside of the Zoo. He was the one who was being obnoxious. He was the one who threw the first punch. Only one word could describe what just happened - unfair.

  Rio was not prepared for Henry’s aggression. Social mutants like him never fought and always did what they were told. His right hook…damn that boy was full of surprises. Henry’s expression was calm while he mechanically swung hit after hit.

  Rio had never heard of Henry Novak before Mrs. Fontana’s Honor’s Geometry class. He resented the retard for even being allowed honor’s instruction. Because of some vague disorder, every staff member at Fremont High catered to Henry like some king. Unfair.

  Rio’s doctor was unconcerned with his bruises, but troubled by his broken arm and collarbone. His prognosis included a minimum of six weeks of a cast and shoulder brace, and then several weeks of physical therapy. This translated into half of a season, if not the whole season, of no baseball.

  Rio was only a sophomore, but played both varsity baseball and football because of his size and ability. He was a fine catcher, lead-off hitter, and star running back. He expected acceptance and full scholarship to a top ten college. What if he never healed properly? This is so unfair. If this sick bastard was going to ruin my life, then an eye for an eye, Rio silently stewed.

  Once in the car, Rio’s parents spoke freely. He already predicted his dad’s reaction.

  “Son, good job. You’ve just thrown away baseball season, and who knows, maybe even football. Henry Novak has Asperger’s for Christ’s sake. You failed to mention that last night. Why don’t you just beat up an old lady in a wheel chair? You’re lucky he didn’t throw your ass in an alternative school. That principal just gave you one helluva gift. Probably because you’re a star at
hlete,” Alonzo lectured. Rio’s dad rode his ass on a regular basis.

  “Al, look at your son. That Henry is no old lady in a chair. He’s bigger, at least thirty pounds more. And taller, too. The way I understand it is that Asperger’s is some kind of communication problem. That boy couldn’t pick up on Rio’s body language. A miscommunication…”

  “Sue, stop. We both know what this is about. Rio had to play big shot for that girl. What’s her name? Brittany? Play tough guy. Real tough now,” Alonzo interrupted.

  Rio’s parents quarreled the rest of the way home. His mother, Sue, faithfully took his side while his father assumed the worst. By the time they turned onto Norway Point, they stopped bickering. Silent tension followed. Rio checked his phone. Dozens of curious texts were displayed in his message box. The one that instantly stood out was sent by his best friend, Bart. It simply read, “10060 Norway-HN.”

  While his dad drove down their street, Rio noticed addresses they passed. Most were covered with snow, but the ones that weren’t read 5010, 5200, 5550 until they reached his house number, 6010. Norway Point was a long street that weaved around Lake Hayward. Henry must have been less than a mile away on the other side of the lake.

  Rio lived in one of the most extravagant homes on the lake. His mother, Sue, was a full-blooded Dakota Sioux Indian, born and bred on an Indian reservation. She turned her heritage into a gold mine. Under Alonzo’s direction, she opened a casino and then another one a couple of years later. Plans of a third casino currently monopolized their dinner conversation. The casinos were not only profitable, but exempt from taxes. Rio figured the only thing that kept his parents together was their mini-empire of slot machines.

  His brother and sister, both in their late twenties, never amounted to much. They ended up working at the family business as mom’s and dad’s slaves. Well-paid slaves who would be taking over the casinos once his parents got too old, but nonetheless slaves. Rio would rather die than end up beholden to his parents or anyone. He dreamed of getting away from his family, from Wisconsin, from every small town filled with small minds. He and a girl like Brittany, maybe even Brittany herself, could make their mark in Chicago, perhaps even New York. With his looks, brains, talent, and charismatic personality, destiny was calling his name. Only a sophomore and Rio was already the school’s brightest star.

  As the first week of suspension droned on, Rio began to enjoy his punishment. Both parents put in long hours at their casinos, leaving him alone in the house. He slept late, watched TV, played video games, and pumped out his classwork that was dropped off by alternating friends on a daily basis. Brittany Bonaducci came by on Friday.

  “Hi Rio. My turn to deliver,” she said, holding up her backpack.

  Standing on his front porch with the blustery wind whipping through her caramel hair made her look like a goddess. He invited her inside, excited she was visiting him.

  “What a gorgeous home your parents have. I love the view. Do you boat?” she asked as she strutted through the foyer toward the enormous two-story picture window with doors leading out to a wrap-around deck. She took off her coat, revealing skin-tight jeans and a shrunken cardigan. Rio admired her voluptuous body.

  “Our boats and jet skis are in storage now. In April we have them docked. Would you like to go water skiing with me this spring?” She smiled and nodded. Rio handed her a can of Coke. “So, what’s my homework?”

  Brittany turned red and coyly answered, “I just wanted an excuse to…”

  “Really?” Rio asked, aroused. He made sure his sweatshirt was pulled all the way down. Normally, he would have pounced, taking her comment as a request to hook up. Since eighth grade, he had honed his womanizing skills to a level Casanova would have envied. He had a fan club of horny girls that offered themselves to him at a moment’s notice. Brittany was different than his groupies. She was in his league. He wanted to take it slow with plans of getting her to be his girlfriend.

  “I’m flattered you came by. How’s that fuck who caused all of this shit?”

  “He goes to the Zoo every day, but Mrs. Fontana has a real soft spot for him. Beware of that once you’re back. He eats lunch with her.”

  “But that’s not allowed in ISS. They’re supposed to eat inside the room,” he argued.

  “I know, but he’s special, remember? Rules don’t apply to him. By the way, the fucker’s face is back to normal. And he’s become some kind of patron saint amongst the geeks and loners. He’s always staring at me. Eeeww! Wanna get high? I brought a couple of joints,” she suggested.

  Rio had no upcoming drug tests to pass. Why not, he reasoned. They stepped onto the gigantic deck and toked up.

  “So that shit has a following? You know he lives on the same street as me? We’re almost neighbors,” Rio said in between coughs.

  “You gonna be good? No surprise visits? He’s not worth it, Rio. You have a bright future. Forget about him; he’s a nobody. Let me change the subject. Let’s see, the reason we don’t have any homework is because of the Haitian earthquake. We watched coverage in every class, even in gym. Oh, I’m sorry. You do have homework. Mrs. Kinski wants a five page paper, double-spaced, on the earthquake. You have to include a way to help out. For student council we’re doing a food drive next Friday. After school we’re shipping the food to the Red Cross. You’re welcome to use our food drive in your paper, like you’re part of it.”

  “I will. That should be an easy paper to write. Been watching about the earthquake all week. My parents think the Haitians are devil worshipers. Hey, this is some good weed, Brit. I’m stoned,” Rio chuckled.

  “Me too. You know what I’d like to do right now?” she asked demurely.

  “No, what? You hungry?” Rio asked.

  “Starving. I think I’ll start off with eating you,” she answered while undoing the drawstring of his sweatpants. She dropped to her knees and expertly performed fellatio.

  So much for taking it slow, Rio shuddered in ecstasy.

  Chapter 7

  Jessica Novak sat in her Ford Explorer reading a new Christian romance. Since the first day of high school, she waited for her son by the south entrance of Freemont High School. Although Henry lived far enough to be bussed, she preferred to pick him up. In her mind she was sparing him from future scuffles of bullies. His disorder had turned her into an overprotective mother who always saw her son as the victim. She failed to believe his enormous size acted as a deterrent. Her husband disagreed with the way she babied him, but she knew kids were cruel.

  Jessica looked at her digital clock, 2:55 p.m. Henry should have been outside. Three minutes later, he and another boy exited the building and appeared to be walking together. Instant hope filled her heart. Henry had a friend. His childhood consisted of play dates, playmates, classmates, and club mates, but never a real friend to hang out with. Oh thank you, God! she silently prayed. His new friend was wiry with dirty blonde hair that needed to be cut. His clothes were grimy and tattered. His t-shirt’s logo was peeling off, making it impossible to read. Jessica rolled down the window.

  “Hi. Would you like a ride?” she asked Henry’s new friend.

  Henry opened the door and brusquely introduced Jake, ordering her to drive them to Jake’s house.

  “So Jake, tell me how to get there.”

  “Okay, Mrs. Novak. I live in Chippewa Park. It’s right off of …”

  “I already know. It’s next to St. Mark’s Cemetery. Chippewa’s an elderly community, right? Our church sometimes does some volunteer work for them. Do you live with your grandparents?” Jessica asked.

  “Uh, no. Any age can move in there, but you’re right. It’s got plenty more old people than young people. I live with my uncle and aunt. But my neighbors are super cool. I hang out with them all the time. Do chores that they can’t do, help ‘um out, you know. Henry wanted to meet one of them.”

  Jessica admired the boy’s sincerity. Jake was slowly gaining her approval.

  “Mom, his friend is from Haiti. We’
re going to see if he can contact his family,” Henry added.

  “Wonderful. Now how do you know each other? A class?” Jessica pried.

  “He’s my friend from the Zoo,” Henry answered.

  “The zoo?”

  “Mrs. Novak, that’s what we call ISS. Like we’re in a cage,” Jake explained.

  His words popped her balloon like a machete, no longer thrilled to have her son hanging out with a trouble-maker. “What are you in the Zoo for, Jake?”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not a bad kid. Just got caught doing something stupid. Now Henry! Wow! He stomped on one of the biggest kids in the whole school. Rio is such a jerk,” Jake said.

  Not letting the boy get away with evading her question, she asked again.

  “Oh. I…the school called it…defaced some property. That means I got caught carving a couple of lines into the school cafeteria table at lunchtime,” he stated, unembarrassed.

  “I see. What would those lines have turned out to be if you had not gotten caught?” Jessica hammered away.

  “Just a symbol. A swirl. It means peace and prosperity. The lunch lady thought it was a gang symbol, but the principal knows me. He knows that I’m not in a gang. Mrs. Novak, I’m harmless. And I’m more scared of Henry than he could ever be of me. I know all about his disorder…Asbuzes? Anjaspers?”

  “Asperger’s,” Jessica corrected.

  “Right. We’re just gonna hang out with Lucien. He’s like a million years old. Henry and him will like each other.”

  Jessica pulled into the entrance of Chippewa Park. As she drove down the long, gravel road, seeds of regret began to sprout. Henry’s new friend went from a wonderful, thoughtful boy to a problem child in less than ten minutes. She didn’t trust him, but her son had his heart set on hanging out. She took a deep breath.

  “Which trailer?” she asked.

  “Lot 426. The reddish one with the enclosed porch. Look. You can see Lucien sitting inside and smoking his pipe,” Jake said as he pointed.