The parking lot at Wild Acorn High School was a collection of territories. Up front, nearest to the school, were the "Senior slots." These were highly coveted because they were closest to the school and provided the fastest exit. In the back of the lot were the "Stoner spaces." These slots were out of the sight of the yard duty supervisor and allowed for a quick burn of a bowl or two before entering the campus. WAHS was typical of schools built in the mid to late 1960's in California. It was a series of pods with courtyards and open space in-between buildings. There was abundant landscaping and grass to sit on throughout the campus. Although there were approximately 1700 students grades 10-12 at the school one would hardly know that there were that many in attendance because of the spread-out spaces of the school.
Spanky and Gator rolled through the parking lot with the windows down cranking up Sammy Hagar's "Red." It was a popular song in South County, Sammy being a local of sorts and his anthem of living life to the fullest registered well with the times.
People gave a casual eye as Spanky drove his prized machine, a 1978 yellow and black Chevy Monza through the lot. It was hardly a "headturner" given all of the flashy machines in the lot. Slowly they cruised by a Porche 911, a 69' Camaro, and a cherried out GTO which just happened to be candy apple "red." The senior who drove the marvelous beast was just getting out of the car when the "Spankymobile" passed by. He gave a nod at the music and Spanky cranked out a few more decibles in his honor.
"That's why I bought a killer stereo dude. Respect." Spanky said as he pulled into a spot just at the end of the senior section. He parked close today as they were stoned and he didn't want to go far to the smoking area.
The smoking area at Wild Acorn was a gathering place for all of the misfits, stoners, cowboys and other afficianados of tobacco. It was the hang-out for most of the members of the Cobra CB club who attended WAHS.
As they walked up they could see Rosco standing among most of their group casually smoking a Marlboro Light. Next to him was "Oakie" the President of the Cobra CB Club and about the nicest guy here. He didn't, it seemed have a single enemy in the entire school and was the genius behind the "The Cobras" a group of CB lovers who also liked to party "just a bit."
Oakie was about as plain and ordinary of a country-boy as one could find on campus back then. He wore an old baseball cap, had stringy dark brown hair that was cut just above the shoulders and olive skin. He stood about five feet eight and blended in perfectly with those around him. He wore an old colored t-shirt and a weathered jean vest with brown corduroy pants. He had an unremarkable leather belt and tennis shoes which fit his persona perfectly.
"Heard you got left on the road, " Oakie said laughing as Gator and Spanky walked up to the group.
"Yeah but Spanky was there to rescue me from a day at home watching soaps," Gator laughed.
"I knew you had some bud so how could I not pick you up," Spanky giggled as he lit up a smoke.
"And Frogurt here has been a real bitch lately. Dude you need to get laid or something you're way too tense," he added blowing smoke in Steve's face.
Steve coughed at the second-hand smoke and shook his head. "Okay maybe you are right. Sorry Gator for being a dick earlier. I got up late and its been a fucked up day so far." He extended his hand to Gator who took it and said," Yeah its cool man but you missed some good bud."
Steve looked at Spanky and Gator. They looked at each other and started laughing.
"Dude you're toast," Spanky said.
"Dude you're toast and butter," Gator said.
Just then, the bell rang and the cloud of smoke above the area began to dissipate and the smokers all moved on to class.
Gator turned right when he left the smoking area and walked past the auditorium to the Social Studies pod. He liked the class a lot and usually participated more than in his other classes. But today he would try to lay low and be "invisible." It was a trick he'd learned while in his freshman year at his other school up north. He would slouch down in his desk over his notebook and start doodling. He would just blend into the class and he was hardly ever called upon.
This class was a bit challenging though because he sat next to a girl he found pretty cute. Her name was Lynn and she was pretty nice for a "goody-two-shoes" type. For some reason Gator had always been attracted to "good girls" although he didn't understand why. He didn't want to be a "goody-goody" he wanted to be a "wild-one" and had worked hard in his freshman year to get some badboy credentials. But those credentials were useless here in this "cowtown." Moving to South County had been the best and worst thing that ever happened to him.
First, it was best because he was reunited with his aunt and uncle who had raised him when he was younger. His mom and dad had split up when he was young so he went to live with them for a while. He had liked living with them because they were kind people and they spoiled him. He had adjusted well to that environment although they didn't have much experience with kids and he was able to get his way most of the time. Just when he had settled in and adjusted to his new life his mom got a new job and he was forced to move back with his mother and little brother. It was another adjustment for him but he made the most of it and was happy to be back with his brother and mom. It wasn't long though, as a latch-key kid, before he was getting into the wrong crowd. He and his little brother had been caught smoking weed the very first time he tried it. That should have been enough to discourage him but he decided he had just been "unlucky" and when his mom sent him to live with his dad and stepmother he gave it another try. Living with his dad and stepmom had been better in some ways than living with his mom. He was closer to all of his cousins and could hang out with them more often. But he got mixed up with some bad kids up north and started to adopt their bad habits. He had just wanted to "fit in" and being the "new kid" he knew it wouldn't be easy.
He had hated smoking as a child and had begged his dad to stop. But smoking was a doorway into a group of kids who he could easily be accepted by and it soon became part of his lifestyle.
Cigarettes were easy to come by in his aunt' and uncle's house as they were both smokers. They smoked Marlboro lights though and he preferred full-strength Marlboro reds. But beggars can't be choosers so whenever he was out of smokes he would just take a pack from one of the many cartons around the house. He was suddenly amused at all the thoughts that had just gone through his head as he sat next to Lynn. He moved his chair away from her as he became self-conscious about the smell of smoke on his body. They were located in a two-person student table. He smiled at her and she smiled back. She was cute, even with her braces. She had pretty green eyes and sandy brown hair. She was tall and athletic. He wondered what it would be like to hold her. "Whoa dude, slow down. You must be buzzed still," he thought to himself.
"Hi Noah," she said.
"Hi," he said looking down and starting to doodle on his notebook. He made a conscious effort not to make eye contact with her or anyone in the class. It was easy to be invisible in here. It was an "advanced college prep" class so most of the people in there were jocks, preps and "goodie-goodies." They didn't want to talk with him, with the exception of Lynn of course, and he didn't want to talk with them. He didn't have a single friend in the room and he was just fine with that. None of them knew a thing about him and his life, or what he'd been through. They were all living perfect "magazine" lives and he was living his which was far from that.
He liked history class and found it interesting, even with a buzz. It was something he was good at. He was always happy when he got a good grade on a quiz or test because he knew she saw his grade.
Today they were getting back a quiz from last week. Gator sat back from his doodling and watched as the teacher walked down each row handing out papers. Most of the students had received bad grades. Lynn was talking to some preppy girl on the other side of her and Gator was leaning back in his chair trying to "look cool" as the papers were passed out. Mr Carredio looked at Gator's paper and said, "nice job Noah" and placed the "100% A" on his desk. He nodded towards Mr. Carredio a thin intimidating figure with grey hair, a nose like a hawk, and thick black glasses. Gator put the paper underneath his folder and continued doodling.
Lynn got her paper back and it was a "B." Carredio moved down the row handing out papers. Most of the students hid their results from their neighbors. There was a collective groan audible across the room as reality set in for most of the students. Carredio began his usual lecture about how hard college is and that in order to make it there one had to get good grades in high school and more importantly develop good study-skills.
Gator liked Mr. Carredio and never gave him any of the "smart-ass remarks" he saved for other "less cool" teachers. Today Carredio put him on the spot though and ruined his "invisibility."
"There was one person in the class that got a 100%. Noah over there in the corner aced this quiz. All of you should try harder."
Lynn turned towards him and smiled. "Did you really get 100?" She asked.
"There went my invisibility," he thought.
"Yeah I guess I got lucky," he said trying to feign indifferance.
Somewhere in the back of the room was a group of jocks. One of them said something and they all started laughing. Gator closed his books and stared out into space thinking about the fact that tonight was Friday night and he and Spanky were going out with the Cobras. It was sure to be a classic good time.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Cobras Chapter 1
Steve woke up late after sleeping through his alarm. "Dammit," he thought. "If I'm late again they are going to pull my parking pass and I'll be riding the cheese-wagon again." He jumped out of bed and looked at himself in the mirror. "Not bad," he thought. "Maybe a bit skinny." Steve was a typical teenager in South County. He was tall, about six one, thin and sported a thick head of curly hair which was styled in the typical late 70's "clump." It was thick on the sides, even on the back and top with about one inch of thickness. He had a bright smile and a deep voice for a guy his age. He always exaggerated the deepness of his voice when he was on the CB radio-his favorite pastime.
Steve quickly threw on a polo shirt and the uniform of the day-blue jeans and a belt. He wore tennis shoes. They were Nike, black suede and he laced them up with pride. He looked in the mirror again and tried on an old feed store ball cap.
"Nah, that looks stupid, " he thought. He took off his blue polo and reached into his closet for something with a bit more color. He found a "Lightning Bolt" hawaiian print. It was orange with white flowers. "Yeah this is festive," he thought to himself. He decided to "bag" the hat and grabbed his most prized possession from the dresser. It was a pair of black, cat-eyed Vuarnet sunglasses. He'd bought them with his last paycheck and they weren't cheap. Fifty-bucks was almost his whole check for a week, but it was the price one had to pay to be cool. Luckily he had a good job as an assistant manager at the local fast-food joint. He grabbed his smokes. He recently switched to Marlboro Lights for "health" reasons,. He always told himself he would quit when they reached a dollar a pack. Last time he bought them at the mini-mart he'd paid 85 cents so it wouldn't be long before he'd have to make good on that promise to himself. Until then he could enjoy the fruits of his labors-a full pack of smokes and a full tank of gas in the other prize of his life, his recently purchased silver and black Mustang II.
As he walked out the front door of the house he lit a cigarette and looked up at the clear blue sky. It was March, only a few months until graduation and on days like this it was great to be a senior. He pulled deeply on the cigarette as he strolled to the car. His youth made his steps light and effortless like a leading man entering an old hollywood film. The car was immaculately kept. He had spent most of the day Sunday working on it.
He got in and fired up the engine. It was only a four-cylinder but with gas prices at almost a dollar a gallon he was happy to give up a bit of horsepower for the good mileage. He buckled up and opened his tape case to find some appropriate road tunes. He was picking up Suzy-Q down the street so he wanted to make sure he had something cool to play that she would like. He'd pick her up then head over to get those two retards, Spanky and Gator. They weren't bad guys, just a little immature and annoying sometimes. After all here he was taking this hot little number to school and all they wanted to talk about was partying. She wasn't really into all that. She was a "weekend warrior." Not a serious partier like Ronnie and Noah were. They were "stoners" and could be counted on to produce and smoke weed whenever it was available.
Steve liked to smoke a joint now and then and wash it down with a beer or two but he was more committed to maintaining his "successful" bachelor lifestyle than pissing all of his money away on weed and beer. He much preferred to invest in his lifestyle- music, clothes,accessories and his car. Besides he had the ride and the fake ID. Others could pay the way with the "partyables."
He looked over his music collection in the black cassette case. He decided on his new favorite, "REO Speedwagon" and put it in to play. As he pulled up into her driveway he could see her coming out. The morning sunlight was shining through the trees and highlighting her jet black hair. It was shoulder length and perfectly feathered. She wore tight designer jeans which she filled out nicely and had on a soft lavender cotton sweater that accentuated her ample bosom. "Yep she's a fox for sure," he thought. But she wasn't quite aware of how hot she was he guessed. Half of the guys at school would kill to drive her to school but instead she preferred to ride with him and the two stoners every day.
She smiled at him as she entered the car and said," Hi Steve, I like that shirt on you." He lifted up his shades momentarily and looked at her smiling. "This old thing, " he laughed. He took a drag off of his smoke and popped the clutch. They tore off down the road towards Gator's house.
Gator lived about a quarter-mile down the road, just past a field where Steve and his sister used to pick strawberries when they were in season. Steve had lived here in South County most of his life. It was a good mix of country and small-town but close enough to the city for jobs and excitement. Gator had been here for just this schoolyear. He had moved into the area to live with his aunt and uncle to avoid some kind of trouble with the law up north. He had lived up near San Francisco before that and had gotten into some hot water up there so his Dad sent him to live out in the country. He was a nice enough kid, just a sophomore. Sometimes he was a bit of a know-it-all, but he always carried on a good conversation and was less annoying than Spanky.
As they rounded the corner to Gator's house Steve rolled down the window and threw out his cigarette. "Sorry for the smoke, I'm trying to quit." He said apologetically.
"Don't worry my parents smoke too so I'm used to it." With that she rolled down her window and let the fresh morning air into the car. "I love the smell of the country in the morning," she said, flashing her big brown eyes at Steve, "its so fresh."
"Yeah," he coughed. "Smell that fresh air."
They both laughed as the car rolled up next to Gator who was waiting in front of the large white Spanish style house. It was an unusually nice day in South County. The sun was shining brightly over the east hills. Usually, on mornings like this a thick marine layer of fog covered the entire valley until about noon or so. Today there was no fog and the sunlight over the springtime green hills was picture perfect.
"Hold on while I get a picture of this Gator," Steve said.
"No problemo Rosco it sure is a nice day." Gator replied.
Steve got out of the car and took his camera out of his bag behind the driver's seat. Gator stood watching as Steve lined up the shot. He was very proud of his Olympus camera and the find assortment of lenses he had acquired for it.
"Hi Gator," Suzy said waving as he entered the back seat.
"Hey Suzy what's up," he greeted her.
Steve got into the car and handed the camera to Suzy.
"Did you get the shot?" Gator asked?
"Of course I did this is me, " he laughed looking towards Suzy to see if she was noticing his coolness.
"Put that in the back carefully," Steve said handing the camera bag back to Gator.
Suzy handed Steve back the camera and briefly their hands touched. Steve sat motionless for a moment as if he was trying to get a picture of the moment for posterity. She pulled back and smiled in a shy smile.
"Okay, okay easy big fella," Gator said as he gently placed the camera in the bag and put the bag in the back of the car behind the rear seat.
Steve spun the car around the driveway and headed down the long narrow private drive past the white corral fences and walnut trees.
"How long have your folks been out here Gator," Steve asked trying to appear friendly again as Suzy's look told him he had been out of line.
"About four years I think, " Gator said looking out the side window as they entered the main road.
Gator reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet. He handed Steve a five dollar bill over his shoulder. Steve looked at the bill and took it sheepishly. He had been charging Gator and Spanky five bucks a week each for a ride to and from school. It wasn't a lot of money but it was a source of resentment for both of them because they knew Suzy wasn't paying a dime for a ride everyday even though she had offered it.
Steve put the money in his pocket and raced the car down the two-lane country road. The music was cranked. Reo Speedwagon was on the stereo, "You take it on the run baby...if that's the way you want it baby...then I don't want you around."
The music was blaring from the back of the car and it was excruciating to Gator's ears. Usually he liked loud music, but Steve's new power booster made it almost unbearable. Gator shouted in Steve's ear. "Hey Steve can you turn it down?" Steve didn't hear him and kept driving. Gator tapped the back of his seat to get his attention and Steve turned his head and slammed on the brakes locking up the tires and throwing Suzy forward until her shoulder belt caught her about four inches from the dashboard.
Gator was wearing his lap belt but the force of the sudden stop made him hhit his head on the back of the seat. Steve looked in the rear view mirror and saw Gator's eyes blood red and filled with rage.
"Let me out I'm gonna kick your ass Rosco!" Gator shouted slamming the back of Steve's seat.
"If you don't like it you can walk," Steve said. He opened the door and leaned forward letting his seat come forward so Gator could get out.
When he was out of the car Gator reached in the window and grabbed Steve by the shirt. Suzy looked over at him and said, "don't fight you guys."
Gator was only fifteen but he was as tall as Steve and a little heavier. He had cultivated a reputation as a "tough city kid" but he had never shown his temper to anyone when Steve was around. He was a bit taken aback by his reaction. He had never seen Gator this way and was a bit intimidated by his sudden show of anger. In his long brown hair, old flannel shirt, blue cordouroy pants and well worn high top sneakers he looked the part of someone you didn't want to mess with. Gator was seeing red but calmed down when he saw Suzy's pretty smile. "Please don't fight Gator," she smiled. Her perfectly white and straight teeth cut through his anger like a knife through butter.
Steve laughed nervously and dropped the five dollar bill out the window. "See ya," he laughed and waved as he put the car in gear and sped off. Gator could hear the music trail off as the car disappeared over a hill a short distance away.
"Dick!" Gator shouted, flipping off the speeding car as he picked up the five dollar bill.
"Now I'm screwed," he thought. The bus had already left so he'd have to walk about a mile home and call his folks. They'd be pissed too. He started walking back towards his house and resigned himself to missing school. As he reached the corner where the skid marks began he heard the familiar sound of an engine winding out. He turned around thinking maybe Steve had just been messing with him. Then he saw the familiar shape and unmistakable color scheme. It was Ronnie, also known as "Spanky," driving towards him at high speed. The car screeched to a halt just inches in front of Gator who quickly hopped into the car and fastened his seatbelt.
"Dude what happened?" Spanky asked as he popped the clutch and tore off in the direction of school.
"Rosco was being a dick again. I was going to beat his ass but Suzy was there and I felt like an asshole if I touched him."
"Yeah Frogurt has been on the rag for a while now. I think he needs to get laid."
"Don't we all, what's up with the chicks in this town?"
"They give it up to older guys. You know, these losers who hang around and go to junior college. They have no problems getting chicks."
"Yeah they live at home and work some crap job but get a nice car and the chicks buy it."
"Enough about that. All the chicks in this town are 'Bettys' anyway."
"What's that?"Gator asked.
"You know, like Betty Boop the cartoon. They have no brains all tits and ass. They just want to find a rich guy to pay for all their shopping sprees and they're happy." Spanky said.
"Its depressing man. Why can't we find a decent place to meet chicks?" Gator said.
"I had the perfect woman once. Amy was a total babe. She lives right down the street from me and our parents used to do some business together buying and selling animals. I think we bought some sheep from them once. Back in Junior High we used to do 4 H together. It was awesome."
"Are you talking about Amy the cheerleader? Dude you used to date her?" Gator said incredulously.
"Seriously." Spanky said.
"Man she's waaay out of your league. She's a cheerleader and probably the hottest one." Gator said shaking his head in disbelief.
"Yeah I know. I'll have to get rich to get her now." Spanky said as his eyes glased over a bit thinking of his past love.
"Well it won't happen today so what's say we burn one?" Gator said with a diabolical laugh.
"You read my mind dude." Spanky said, smiling at the invitation.
Gator pulled out a small but respectable joint and looked over at Spanky.
"No tests today?" Spanky asked.
"Nope." Gator shook his head.
"Let's blow off school and head to the beach."Spanky said looking up at the sky above the hills to the west.
"Its going to be a perfect day over there in Santa Cruz," he added.
"Cool dude," Gator said as he lit the joint and inhaled.
"Smells good dude. Where'd you get it?" Spanky asked.
"I got it from one of my buds up north." Gator answered with a bit of pride in having produced a more than competent sample of weed from his old neighborhood.
Spanky inhaled and said "Good shit can we get some more?" He said as he coughed.
"Maybe. I'll have to see next time I go up to see my dad."
"Oh shit, I'm low on gas." Spanky said.
"I got five that I was going to give Rosco for gas." Gator said.
"That dick is charging us but not Suzy. But he's stupid because she'll never go for him. He's her friend and we all know that's the kiss of death." Spanky mused.
"Yeah I guess you're right." Gator said as he took another hit of the nearly finished joint.
"So we're going to school then cool?" Spanky said.
"Yeah cool but can you stop at CJ's real quick I got the munchies dude." Gator laughed.
"You always have the munchies," Spanky laughed as he pulled into the drive-thru at world famous Carl's Jr.
Steve quickly threw on a polo shirt and the uniform of the day-blue jeans and a belt. He wore tennis shoes. They were Nike, black suede and he laced them up with pride. He looked in the mirror again and tried on an old feed store ball cap.
"Nah, that looks stupid, " he thought. He took off his blue polo and reached into his closet for something with a bit more color. He found a "Lightning Bolt" hawaiian print. It was orange with white flowers. "Yeah this is festive," he thought to himself. He decided to "bag" the hat and grabbed his most prized possession from the dresser. It was a pair of black, cat-eyed Vuarnet sunglasses. He'd bought them with his last paycheck and they weren't cheap. Fifty-bucks was almost his whole check for a week, but it was the price one had to pay to be cool. Luckily he had a good job as an assistant manager at the local fast-food joint. He grabbed his smokes. He recently switched to Marlboro Lights for "health" reasons,. He always told himself he would quit when they reached a dollar a pack. Last time he bought them at the mini-mart he'd paid 85 cents so it wouldn't be long before he'd have to make good on that promise to himself. Until then he could enjoy the fruits of his labors-a full pack of smokes and a full tank of gas in the other prize of his life, his recently purchased silver and black Mustang II.
As he walked out the front door of the house he lit a cigarette and looked up at the clear blue sky. It was March, only a few months until graduation and on days like this it was great to be a senior. He pulled deeply on the cigarette as he strolled to the car. His youth made his steps light and effortless like a leading man entering an old hollywood film. The car was immaculately kept. He had spent most of the day Sunday working on it.
He got in and fired up the engine. It was only a four-cylinder but with gas prices at almost a dollar a gallon he was happy to give up a bit of horsepower for the good mileage. He buckled up and opened his tape case to find some appropriate road tunes. He was picking up Suzy-Q down the street so he wanted to make sure he had something cool to play that she would like. He'd pick her up then head over to get those two retards, Spanky and Gator. They weren't bad guys, just a little immature and annoying sometimes. After all here he was taking this hot little number to school and all they wanted to talk about was partying. She wasn't really into all that. She was a "weekend warrior." Not a serious partier like Ronnie and Noah were. They were "stoners" and could be counted on to produce and smoke weed whenever it was available.
Steve liked to smoke a joint now and then and wash it down with a beer or two but he was more committed to maintaining his "successful" bachelor lifestyle than pissing all of his money away on weed and beer. He much preferred to invest in his lifestyle- music, clothes,accessories and his car. Besides he had the ride and the fake ID. Others could pay the way with the "partyables."
He looked over his music collection in the black cassette case. He decided on his new favorite, "REO Speedwagon" and put it in to play. As he pulled up into her driveway he could see her coming out. The morning sunlight was shining through the trees and highlighting her jet black hair. It was shoulder length and perfectly feathered. She wore tight designer jeans which she filled out nicely and had on a soft lavender cotton sweater that accentuated her ample bosom. "Yep she's a fox for sure," he thought. But she wasn't quite aware of how hot she was he guessed. Half of the guys at school would kill to drive her to school but instead she preferred to ride with him and the two stoners every day.
She smiled at him as she entered the car and said," Hi Steve, I like that shirt on you." He lifted up his shades momentarily and looked at her smiling. "This old thing, " he laughed. He took a drag off of his smoke and popped the clutch. They tore off down the road towards Gator's house.
Gator lived about a quarter-mile down the road, just past a field where Steve and his sister used to pick strawberries when they were in season. Steve had lived here in South County most of his life. It was a good mix of country and small-town but close enough to the city for jobs and excitement. Gator had been here for just this schoolyear. He had moved into the area to live with his aunt and uncle to avoid some kind of trouble with the law up north. He had lived up near San Francisco before that and had gotten into some hot water up there so his Dad sent him to live out in the country. He was a nice enough kid, just a sophomore. Sometimes he was a bit of a know-it-all, but he always carried on a good conversation and was less annoying than Spanky.
As they rounded the corner to Gator's house Steve rolled down the window and threw out his cigarette. "Sorry for the smoke, I'm trying to quit." He said apologetically.
"Don't worry my parents smoke too so I'm used to it." With that she rolled down her window and let the fresh morning air into the car. "I love the smell of the country in the morning," she said, flashing her big brown eyes at Steve, "its so fresh."
"Yeah," he coughed. "Smell that fresh air."
They both laughed as the car rolled up next to Gator who was waiting in front of the large white Spanish style house. It was an unusually nice day in South County. The sun was shining brightly over the east hills. Usually, on mornings like this a thick marine layer of fog covered the entire valley until about noon or so. Today there was no fog and the sunlight over the springtime green hills was picture perfect.
"Hold on while I get a picture of this Gator," Steve said.
"No problemo Rosco it sure is a nice day." Gator replied.
Steve got out of the car and took his camera out of his bag behind the driver's seat. Gator stood watching as Steve lined up the shot. He was very proud of his Olympus camera and the find assortment of lenses he had acquired for it.
"Hi Gator," Suzy said waving as he entered the back seat.
"Hey Suzy what's up," he greeted her.
Steve got into the car and handed the camera to Suzy.
"Did you get the shot?" Gator asked?
"Of course I did this is me, " he laughed looking towards Suzy to see if she was noticing his coolness.
"Put that in the back carefully," Steve said handing the camera bag back to Gator.
Suzy handed Steve back the camera and briefly their hands touched. Steve sat motionless for a moment as if he was trying to get a picture of the moment for posterity. She pulled back and smiled in a shy smile.
"Okay, okay easy big fella," Gator said as he gently placed the camera in the bag and put the bag in the back of the car behind the rear seat.
Steve spun the car around the driveway and headed down the long narrow private drive past the white corral fences and walnut trees.
"How long have your folks been out here Gator," Steve asked trying to appear friendly again as Suzy's look told him he had been out of line.
"About four years I think, " Gator said looking out the side window as they entered the main road.
Gator reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet. He handed Steve a five dollar bill over his shoulder. Steve looked at the bill and took it sheepishly. He had been charging Gator and Spanky five bucks a week each for a ride to and from school. It wasn't a lot of money but it was a source of resentment for both of them because they knew Suzy wasn't paying a dime for a ride everyday even though she had offered it.
Steve put the money in his pocket and raced the car down the two-lane country road. The music was cranked. Reo Speedwagon was on the stereo, "You take it on the run baby...if that's the way you want it baby...then I don't want you around."
The music was blaring from the back of the car and it was excruciating to Gator's ears. Usually he liked loud music, but Steve's new power booster made it almost unbearable. Gator shouted in Steve's ear. "Hey Steve can you turn it down?" Steve didn't hear him and kept driving. Gator tapped the back of his seat to get his attention and Steve turned his head and slammed on the brakes locking up the tires and throwing Suzy forward until her shoulder belt caught her about four inches from the dashboard.
Gator was wearing his lap belt but the force of the sudden stop made him hhit his head on the back of the seat. Steve looked in the rear view mirror and saw Gator's eyes blood red and filled with rage.
"Let me out I'm gonna kick your ass Rosco!" Gator shouted slamming the back of Steve's seat.
"If you don't like it you can walk," Steve said. He opened the door and leaned forward letting his seat come forward so Gator could get out.
When he was out of the car Gator reached in the window and grabbed Steve by the shirt. Suzy looked over at him and said, "don't fight you guys."
Gator was only fifteen but he was as tall as Steve and a little heavier. He had cultivated a reputation as a "tough city kid" but he had never shown his temper to anyone when Steve was around. He was a bit taken aback by his reaction. He had never seen Gator this way and was a bit intimidated by his sudden show of anger. In his long brown hair, old flannel shirt, blue cordouroy pants and well worn high top sneakers he looked the part of someone you didn't want to mess with. Gator was seeing red but calmed down when he saw Suzy's pretty smile. "Please don't fight Gator," she smiled. Her perfectly white and straight teeth cut through his anger like a knife through butter.
Steve laughed nervously and dropped the five dollar bill out the window. "See ya," he laughed and waved as he put the car in gear and sped off. Gator could hear the music trail off as the car disappeared over a hill a short distance away.
"Dick!" Gator shouted, flipping off the speeding car as he picked up the five dollar bill.
"Now I'm screwed," he thought. The bus had already left so he'd have to walk about a mile home and call his folks. They'd be pissed too. He started walking back towards his house and resigned himself to missing school. As he reached the corner where the skid marks began he heard the familiar sound of an engine winding out. He turned around thinking maybe Steve had just been messing with him. Then he saw the familiar shape and unmistakable color scheme. It was Ronnie, also known as "Spanky," driving towards him at high speed. The car screeched to a halt just inches in front of Gator who quickly hopped into the car and fastened his seatbelt.
"Dude what happened?" Spanky asked as he popped the clutch and tore off in the direction of school.
"Rosco was being a dick again. I was going to beat his ass but Suzy was there and I felt like an asshole if I touched him."
"Yeah Frogurt has been on the rag for a while now. I think he needs to get laid."
"Don't we all, what's up with the chicks in this town?"
"They give it up to older guys. You know, these losers who hang around and go to junior college. They have no problems getting chicks."
"Yeah they live at home and work some crap job but get a nice car and the chicks buy it."
"Enough about that. All the chicks in this town are 'Bettys' anyway."
"What's that?"Gator asked.
"You know, like Betty Boop the cartoon. They have no brains all tits and ass. They just want to find a rich guy to pay for all their shopping sprees and they're happy." Spanky said.
"Its depressing man. Why can't we find a decent place to meet chicks?" Gator said.
"I had the perfect woman once. Amy was a total babe. She lives right down the street from me and our parents used to do some business together buying and selling animals. I think we bought some sheep from them once. Back in Junior High we used to do 4 H together. It was awesome."
"Are you talking about Amy the cheerleader? Dude you used to date her?" Gator said incredulously.
"Seriously." Spanky said.
"Man she's waaay out of your league. She's a cheerleader and probably the hottest one." Gator said shaking his head in disbelief.
"Yeah I know. I'll have to get rich to get her now." Spanky said as his eyes glased over a bit thinking of his past love.
"Well it won't happen today so what's say we burn one?" Gator said with a diabolical laugh.
"You read my mind dude." Spanky said, smiling at the invitation.
Gator pulled out a small but respectable joint and looked over at Spanky.
"No tests today?" Spanky asked.
"Nope." Gator shook his head.
"Let's blow off school and head to the beach."Spanky said looking up at the sky above the hills to the west.
"Its going to be a perfect day over there in Santa Cruz," he added.
"Cool dude," Gator said as he lit the joint and inhaled.
"Smells good dude. Where'd you get it?" Spanky asked.
"I got it from one of my buds up north." Gator answered with a bit of pride in having produced a more than competent sample of weed from his old neighborhood.
Spanky inhaled and said "Good shit can we get some more?" He said as he coughed.
"Maybe. I'll have to see next time I go up to see my dad."
"Oh shit, I'm low on gas." Spanky said.
"I got five that I was going to give Rosco for gas." Gator said.
"That dick is charging us but not Suzy. But he's stupid because she'll never go for him. He's her friend and we all know that's the kiss of death." Spanky mused.
"Yeah I guess you're right." Gator said as he took another hit of the nearly finished joint.
"So we're going to school then cool?" Spanky said.
"Yeah cool but can you stop at CJ's real quick I got the munchies dude." Gator laughed.
"You always have the munchies," Spanky laughed as he pulled into the drive-thru at world famous Carl's Jr.
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