THE RETURN OF BLACK JACK STERNO – THE END

 

 

Part IV

     The next day was ugly, with a steady drizzle falling from the sky.  Steve and Kurt met on the corner of Steve’s block and began the slow walk to Thad’s house.  If they failed in their mission, being late for school today would not matter.

     “Listen  Kurt, I have a plan.  We’re almost there, so just go along with whatever I say.”

     “Aye, aye, Black Jack.”

     They climbed the creaky wooden steps of the Felt house.  It was a big and old frame house.  It had been vacant for a few years before Thad’s family moved in.  There were old rumors that it was haunted.  Right now, ghosts were the least of their worries.  Steve knocked on the rickety screen door.

     A frazzled, tough-looking, big woman came to the door.  Now Steve knew where Thad got his good looks from.  She looked like she could handle herself in any type of situation, not a person to be trifled with.

     “Yes?  If you’re selling something, or looking for money, we’re not buying today.” she rasped.

     “Mrs. Felt?  We’re here about Thad.  He’s at school right?”  Steve said weakly.

     “That’s right.  What’s he done now?”

     “Nothing Ma’am” said Steve, relieved and getting his confidence back now.  He decided to take the plunge.  “It’s about Thad and Briney High.”

     “I won’t sign unless he tells me why he wants to go there.  I don’t trust the boy.”

     “We’re friends of his and we want him to go to Briney.  We’ll tell you the real reason if you promise not to tell Thad we were here.  He’d be real upset if he knew.”  So far he had not told her a lie, except for the part about this friendship with Thad.

     She looked at them with narrowed eyes.  “Okay boys, but you’d better make it good.”

     “Mrs. Felt, we’re captains of the Briney Dance Club.  Thad wants to be part of our group because St. Vincent’s doesn’t have a dance club.  He was afraid you wouldn’t believe him.  Rather than have him miss out, we’re asking for him.  We know that’s hard to believe, so we figured it would look better if it came from us.”

     “What did you say your names were again?”

     He mumbled something that sounded like Tim and Jack.  Steve was growing nervous again.

     She glowered at them, then gave a quick snort and a strange laugh.

     “It’s hard to believe about my Thad, but if it’s the truth, maybe it will do the boy some good.  I won’t say anything to him, it’ll be our secret.  I’ll get the form and sign it.  Will you boys drop it off for me?”

     “Yes ma’am.”  They both said at once.

     She was back at the door in a minute.  The form was signed, and she had written on the bottom “ Thaddeus to be enrolled in Dance Class!”

     “There you are.  Now let me get back to my housework.”

     They ran off the porch and sped to Briney High with the paper.  They got a receipt and a form for Thad telling him he had been accepted for the fall term.

     When they got back to St. Vincent’s, they stuffed the form into Thad’s locker.  It was never locked.  No one would dare steal from him.  Then they reported to the hall monitor for their punishment.  Cleaning blackboard erasers for three days was a penalty they accepted gladly.  First hour classes were just ending, so it was a simple matter to slip into the next class virtually unnoticed.

     The bell finally sounded for lunch hour.  This would be the test to see if they had failed or succeeded.  Thad went to his locker for his lunch and stalked off to the cafeteria.  Unable to eat, Steve and Kurt, nervously sat in an empty classroom through the lunch period.

     Classes were soon finished for the day and there was still no sign from Thad.  Steve stood in the hallway waiting for Kurt.  Virginia Longeduc walked up to him.  She looked to be in a bad temper.  “Vernor, I have worn this revolting jacket for weeks now and I’ve yet to see any more cash from you.  You promised me THREE Dollars A WEEK!.  All you’ve given me is two rolls of pennies and a pack of gum.  Either you cough up or I’m gonna do some talking.  I’ve got a few suspicions and if I’m right, you could be a future dead man.”

     Over her shoulder, Steve saw Thad coming down the corridor toward them.

     “Okay Virginia, you’re right,. and I’m real sorry about the money.  Here’s a buck right now.  It’s all I have.  You’ll have the rest of the money by next week.”

     “No way, buddy boy, I’ll take the buck, but you either fork over or make it FIVE bucks a week.  That’s be twenty you owe me.”

     “Twenty bucks????  What about the two I already gave you?”

     “Interest.  Plus I got to share with Judy too.  Twenty or I talk.”

     “Okay, twenty.  Do me one more favor.  Slap me in the face when you leave.”

     “What” Are you  nuts or something?”

     “Just slap me Virginia!”

     She shrugged and enthusiastically slapped him on the face.  She walked off just as Thad reached him.

     “Girl trouble  Vernor?”  Thad laughed sarcastically.  “Virginia and me will be going to Briney together next year.  At least she has good taste!”

     He then hit Steve as hard as he could in his upper arm.  “That’s something to remember me by, since I won’t be seeing your ugly face around next year.  Don’t bother my woman anymore, either.  Keep your nose clean, Vernor!”  He thumped off down the hall.

     His face stung and his arm felt like it was going to fall off.  There would be a nice bruise there.  Steve didn’t mind it though, as he watched Thad go out the door.  The pain was just starting to ease up as he tried to visualize Thad in a tutu.

the end

copyright @1989

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