by Brian Bakos
I looked him directly in the eye and spoke as bravely as I could.
“I don’t want your help today.”
Mr. Badpenny’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. He turned his normal face toward me.
“Certainly you don’t mean that, Tommy.”
I held my ground. “Certainly I mean it. Now do as I say! Get back in your coin.”
Badpenny spun one face at me, then the other – faster and faster. His whole body began twirling furiously. A small dust tornado blew up. People in the stands started coughing.
When the dust settled, only the two-faced coin remained lying on the ground. It worked! For how long, I had no idea. He’d be out again soon enough, I was sure – once he got over his surprise.
I picked up the coin and walked quickly across the field toward Melissa. She smiled at me, and I almost dropped my plan right then.
She was so lovely, why not just let things go on as they were?
No! I pushed all such mushy thoughts out of my mind. Her smile was not for me, all she saw was a trophy walking towards her. The real Tommy cringed behind it – the guy she liked to insult. I arrived at the stands.
“Hi, Melissa,” I said. “Thanks for coming today.”
“Hi Tommy! I missed you at the dance last night.”
“Yeah, couldn’t make it,” I said casually, “I wanted to rest up for the game.”
“Are you going to get another big hit today?” Melissa asked.
“I’m sure gonna try.”
I hesitated, the whole world seemed hold its breath with me. Then I tossed Melissa the coin.
“Here’s a good-luck souvenir!” I said.
She reached for it with both hands. The coin flipped through the air, almost in slow motion. I ached to grab it back, but it was too late. Melissa had the coin in her hands already.
She flinched, as if a jolt of electricity had struck her. Eye-bulging surprise flashed across her face. She opened her hands, frowning, and examined the coin. I waited tensely, wondering if she was going to toss it back.
But then a smile crept over her mouth and her eyes brightened.
“Thanks, Tommy!”
I tipped my cap. “Enjoy that, Melissa.”
When my turn at bat came, I felt calm and strong behind the plate – like I really belonged there. For the first time ever my nerves were rock steady. Glorious sunshine covered me in warmth, while a fragrant breeze cooled my skin.
The Bulldog pitcher went into his windup. The ball whizzed toward me, the power flowed, and ... WHACK!
Part Three: Melissa’s Story
16: Home with my Present
Such an odd present Tommy gave me! All through the game it burned in my pocket, like it had a little fire inside. It felt weird, but I liked it, too. The Jaguars won, and Tommy got two hits! Not big home run blasts like before, but still very exciting.
Best of all, he won the trophy again. Good thing Quentin didn’t get it. He’s so stuck up.
I feel bad about the way I’ve treated Tommy. I don’t know why I’m so mean to people sometimes, but he doesn’t seem to hold a grudge, fortunately.
How come I never noticed before how cute he is? I love the way he moves on the field – catching balls, tagging out the boys trying to reach second base, all that. He’s a natural.
I decided not to hang around after the game. That might be a little too direct, like when I asked to see Tommy at the dance. He’s pretty shy and must be approached in a more roundabout way. Besides, it’s better if he thinks I’m hard to get.
There’s a school roller skating party Monday night. I know Tommy is going because I heard him telling another boy. They didn’t notice me following in the hall. So, I’ll just sort of run into him at the Roll-O-Center. Anyway, I know that Tommy likes me. He wouldn’t have given me the good-luck charm if he didn’t.
When I got back, only Davis was home. He poked his head out of his downstairs study.
“Oh, it’s you,” he said.
“Who were you expecting, Marilyn Monroe?” I said.
Davis gave me his usual sour look. You’d hardly know were related, much less twins. Not identical twins, of course, but what are called “fraternal” twins. People say that I got the looks while he got the brains.
Actually, Davis wouldn’t be bad looking if he wasn’t so fat. All he does is study in front of his big color TV, gorging on snacks. Pretty soon he won’t be able to squeeze out of his arm chair. At least with no social life, he’s got plenty of time to make high marks at his fancy private school.
“Is Mom around?” I said.
Davis shrugged. “She’s at the hospital, or someplace. I don’t know.”
I figured Dad wouldn’t be home. He’d flown off again on some big case for his law firm. I kind of wanted to see Mom, though. Maybe I just wanted to tell her that a cute new boy was interested in me.
Well, he’s not really new. Mom probably wouldn’t remember him from grade school, though. She wasn’t around much more back then than she is now. Yeah, Mom had plenty of time for everything and everybody – except for me, of course. Right now she was president of the hospital auxiliary and who knows what else.
Davis shut himself back behind the study door. I pulled out my good-luck charm.
Where on earth did Tommy get this? Just touching it made you feel weird and happy all at the same time. Maybe not happy exactly ... powerful. It shined a lot, even in the dim indoor light.
It would make an interesting piece of jewelry. Yeah! I could drill a tiny hole through it and hang it from my gold chain. I’ll wear it to the skating party. Tommy would like that.
I headed for the basement.
17: Terror in the Workshop
I entered Dad’s workshop and flicked on the light. I’m not supposed to go in here, but who really cares? Everything was neat and clean, with nothing out of place – just like Dad.
He’s an important lawyer. Mom studied to be a lawyer, too. In fact, they met in law school. Mom dropped out, though, when they got married.
Things must have been tough with two unplanned babies around. I’m no math whiz, but I’ve calculated that Mom and Dad’s wedding date is only six months before our birthday. You figure out the rest.
I don’t recall much about the poor days. I’ve never had to scrimp on anything, and Davis has his fancy private school. They wanted to send me to an all-girls boarding school in Virginia – with horses and stuff. But what would I do out there? Every one of those stuck up girls would have families at least as rich as ours. How could I feel special?
I wrapped the lower half of the penny with a rag and clamped it in the vice. Then I fitted the smallest bit into the electric drill and plugged it in. I’d watched Dad drill a hole into some little trinket once. He seemed so happy and relaxed, the radio playing. He hadn’t even noticed me standing outside the workshop door.
I pulled my hair back and slipped on the big safety goggles. I must have looked like that “Rosie the Riveter” girl on the old poster. We’re studying World War Two in history class, and I’d seen her in my text book.
I turned on the drill, BZZZZZZZZ! and began to bore through the penny.
Then an astounding, incredible thing happened. A little whirlwind spun out of the coin, all the way to the ceiling! I jumped back, but I couldn’t escape because the tornado was blocking the door. I threw a hand against the wall to keep from falling over.
Finally the swirling stopped, and a gray mist filled the air. Then the mist took a more solid form – like a man! He had a terribly ugly face and was so tall that his hat scrunched against the ceiling! It’s a good thing I was still wearing the goggles, or my eyes might have popped right out of my head.
“Owww!” The man pointed to a dent in his forehead. “You almost drilled through my skull!”
By now I was too shocked to be scared even. I just stood clutching the drill like a stuffed toy. The man, or whatever he was, sat down on the stool cradling his head in both hands.
&nb
sp; 18: Mr. Penny Bows In
I bolted out of the workshop like a crazy person and pounded up the basement stairs, still holding the drill. The plug pulled out of the wall and bounced along the floor behind me.
As I rushed past the study, Davis poked his head out the door.
“Hey, knock it off!” he yelled.
I dashed upstairs, burst into my room, dove on my bed, and covered up with every quilt and pillow. My pounding heart slowed down just enough so that I could hear myself think a little.
What should I do – call the police? The phone was downstairs. Get Davis? What could he do?
Despite my panicky thoughts, I didn’t really feel in any danger. Now that the first shock had passed, I wasn’t even afraid. Although the man had appeared in an astonishing way, I didn’t believe that he meant to hurt me. I’d hurt him, though! And I still had the drill.
How can I say this without sounding nuts? I had the same feeling I’d first gotten from the coin – the feeling of weirdness and power. I got out of bed, plugged in the drill and held it at the ready like a Western movie six-gun. The strange man would be back, I figured.
After a few minutes, a gray mist started oozing under my door. It rose toward the ceiling and began to take the man’s shape. The ugly, bearded face took form and I could clearly see the drill dent in his forehead. The face looked at me with a stern expression like you might get from a teacher when you’ve been talking too much during class.
Then the man swiveled his head and brought a whole other face around! I was so surprised that I dropped the drill and just stood there, my mouth gaping open.
“Cut the racket!” Davis yelled from downstairs.
This second face was very handsome, with a friendly smile. He bowed elegantly, like a Southern gentleman in that old Gone with the Wind movie.
“Good afternoon, my lady,” he said in a soft, pleasant voice. “My name is Mr. Penny.”
He didn’t seem to be fully there, like he was made out of smoke or something. I could almost see right through him.
“Allow me to apologize for the ... unfortunate circumstances of our first meeting,” he said. “I was in a great deal of distress then.”
“I-I didn’t want to hurt you,” I said. “I was only trying to make a piece of jewelry to wear on my gold chain.”
His eyebrows moved up in surprise. “Really? You know, I rather like that idea. But no drills, please!”
“Sure,” I said.
He looked around my room. With the bedding all scattered and other stuff knocked about, it looked like a hurricane had passed through.
“I’d best be going,” he said. “I can see that you have experienced some upset. I sometimes affect people that way, until they get to know me better, that is.”
“But who are you?” I asked.
I didn’t want him to leave, odd as that sounds.
“Why, my name is Mr. Penny, as I told you. I’m at your service whenever you need me.”
“Oh?”
“Of course.” He moved toward the door. “I’ll be back soon, Melissa, and we can talk more.”
“Okay ... sure.”
He pointed to the drill and goggles lying on the floor. “Perhaps you’ll allow me to straighten up the workshop. Your father might be angry otherwise.”
I nodded.
He picked up the items in his smoky hands, holding the drill with two fingers an arm’s length away from himself, as if it were a dangerous snake. He opened the door.
“Farewell, my lady,” he said. “Remember, you may always rely upon my friendship.”
And he was gone. A strange, tingling thrill glittered in the air. It passed right through me, exciting me all the way down to my toes.
19: The Skating Party
The rest of the weekend and into Monday all I could think about was the mysterious Mr. Penny, although he did not appear to me again. I almost believed that nothing had happened, but when I went to the workshop later to check things out, the drill was hanging in a different spot. I had to move it, or Dad would notice.
Did Tommy know what was in the good luck charm?
I couldn’t wait to see him at the skating party. We sure had a lot to talk about!
Nichole’s mom dropped us off at the Roll-O-Center. I found a spot on a bench and laced on my skates while Nicole and Cyndy went to rent some. When Mom heard about our party, she’d rushed out and bought me the latest and greatest skates. Heaven forbid that I should have to stand in the rental line with the peasants!
The place was crowded. Tons of kids from South Junior High were out on the floor, others jammed the food concession area and the arcade. Rock music blasted from loudspeakers, and colored lights flitted around from a big silvery ball hanging from the ceiling.
Billy Preston and a few other boys from North Junior High zipped past. He’s such a show off. Their official skating party isn’t until tomorrow. They were just trying to impress the South girls, no doubt.
I stood up and looked around for Tommy. Oh, I’m such a lousy skater, if I can just avoid doing anything embarrassing.
I thought of me and Tommy skating hand in hand. He’d be a good skater, of course, and would keep me steady. Let the other boys watch us and drool! I started moving away from the bench and promptly fell on my rear.
“Ouch!”
I looked around desperately, hoping that nobody I knew had seen me. Fortunately, everyone was too busy to notice. I gripped the bench with one hand and began to hoist myself up.
“May I be of assistance?” A friendly voice asked.
I looked up to see Mr. Penny standing before me.
“Y-your back!” I said
There’s no way you can avoid being shocked when you first see this guy. He was perfectly mannered, of course, and he had his handsome faced turned my way. But ... he’s just so weird!
“Yes, my lady, I’m back.” He offered me his hand.
I hesitated a moment, but I could scarcely refuse. As if in a trance, I reached up toward him. An electric thrill ran up my arm when he took my hand. In an instant I was back on my feet.
“Shall we skate?” Mr. Penny said.
“Yes,” I heard myself say.
He guided me out onto the floor. We started moving with the crowd. I don’t know how Mr. Penny did it, but in a couple of minutes I was skating like a pro. My legs seemed to move by themselves, exactly correct, with little effort from me. We moved to the inside edge of the great circling mob, skating faster than the rest, passing them handily.
Mr. Penny towered above everyone else, but nobody could see him, except me. We stayed out of the mainstream as much as possible, but now and then somebody would skate right through Mr. Penny. The person would shudder and look around, wondering what had happened.
I was getting the hang of this new type of skating, enjoyed the feeling of superiority it gave me over the other kids.
“Let’s go faster!” I said.
The ordinary people in the crowd became a blur as I flashed by them. They were like plodding turtles being passed by a fine race horse. I could scarcely breathe from excitement.
A large red circle was painted in the center of the rink away from the general mass of skaters. A couple of kids were practicing their moves in it – skating backwards, trying to look cool.
“Let’s go there!” I said.
“Of course, my lady.”
I roared toward the red circle at incredible speed, Mr. Penny pushing me along. The two kids already there stopped their pitiful little exhibition and stood inside the circle, watching me. I came in low and streamlined, building up speed, swinging my arms in perfect rhythm. I raced around the red circle once, twice – four times! Then a screeching halt.
“Backwards now!” I said.
I did four more circuits, skating backwards. The Roll-O-Center spun past in a blur of colors – the lights stabbing from the ceiling, the clothes of the other skaters. And before me the smoky presence of Mr. Penny pushing me along. Music blare
d, thousands of wheels roared across the wooden floor.
I finished by leaping in the air and spinning like one of those ice skating dancers at the Olympic games. I landed, breathless, and looked around the rink.
Nobody seemed to have noticed me. The big mob of skaters just keep moving along, indifferent. The music stopped for a few seconds as a new song got ready to blare.
“Jeeze, what a show off!” one of the kids in the red circle said.
Somebody liked my performance, though. I heard a single person applauding from the crowd. Amanda.
“Way to go, Melissa!” she shouted, flashing me a big thumbs-up with both hands.
I waved. “Thank you!”
The music started blasting again. Amanda brought her arms back down and resumed holding hands with the boy skating beside her – Tommy!
“Ohhhhh!”
I felt my face redden. A vein in my neck throbbed like it was going to burst any second.
“Is something wrong?” Mr. Penny asked.
“That girl over there. She’s got my boyfriend!”
“Oh really? Then perhaps she needs to be taught a lesson.”
“Yes – yes!” I said.
Mr. Penny swooped toward Amanda. I saw him reach out his long arm. Suddenly Amanda fell sprawling, right on her face! She threw out her arms in a comic attempt to protect herself. Other skaters jammed up behind her, some of them fell down as well.
“Yeah!” I cried.
Tommy was still on his feet, though. Our eyes met, and his look was angry. Then he bent down to help Amanda.
Mr. Penny returned.
“Why didn’t you knock Tommy over, too?” I said.
“I’m sorry, my lady. He is my former master; therefore, I cannot offer him any ... correction.”
“Then I’ll correct him – with a baseball bat!” I said.
Billy Preston and his little band of friends zipped by.
“Let’s go over there!” I said.
I skated up beside Billy, elbowing aside the girl who was there first.
“Hi, Billy!” I said.
He looked at me, surprised. One instant he was skating with this little red-headed nobody, and now I was here.