Noah entered the large ranch style house through the double doors at the front porch. As he carefully and quietly shut the door behind him he could hear the sound of the television out in the living room.
"Looks like you're just in time," his aunt said in the distance. She was seated on the leather couch watching the evening news. She was a tall, attractive lady in her early 40's. Her hair was a stylish blondish brown with hightlights and her white silk outfit highlighted her body well and made her look about ten years younger. She had a suntanned face and deep blue eyes hidden behind thick fashionable glasses that could make her look kind or stern depending on the angle she took.
"Great," Noah said. "Sure smells good. Uncle Ken sure can cook a steak, " he said.
"I know you'll say anything for a good steak," Ken said through the open window. He was out on the back patio hovering over the steaks. One thing UK (Uncle Ken) could do was cook steaks. He sometimes overdid chicken or ribs if too many martinis got involved but as far as steaks went he seemed to have the perfect attention span.
"So how is Ronnie doing," his aunt asked.
"He's good," Noah said. "He just got a new stereo for his car from his brother. Its a Pioneer Super Tuner and they are installing it right now. You should be able to hear him coming down the driveway when he gets it in." He laughed.
"He's liable to get his speaker wires cut if he comes down our road with music blaring," Ken said. He wasn't likely to follow through on the threat but just wanted everyone to know "he" was in charge.
"Oh honestly Ken you'll do nothing of the kind," his aunt Diane said. "How was school," she asked intentionally changing the subject before Ken had a chance to respond.
Noah made a mental note that they seemed in pretty good spirits and that they would probably let him go to the drive-in this evening. With luck he might even get his allowance from his uncle so he'd have some spending money.
"Uh school was fine. I'm going to try out for the school newspaper next year. I have to submit a writing sample for it by next week," he said checking for signs of danger in the conversation.
"Oh that sounds great I'm sure you'll do fine," she said.
"Steaks are on," Ken said as he entered the sliding glass door to the patio.
"Oh just leave ours up there honey," she said to Ken as he walked into the kitchen.
She lifted her glass and jingled the ice in it. And when you get the time how about fixing me another teenie," Diane said in a jovial tone.
Seeing the opportunity to score points, Noah volunteered immediately. "I'll get it for you," he said.
He liked to make drinks for his folks because they were always very grateful to him. It was the easiest way to get along with them it seemed. He had learned early on in life that people who liked to drink appreciated when people served them. His younger brother and he had been fishing beers out of coolers for years for his dad. It never seemed to fail.
He had needed to learn how to make a "good martini" in this house though as his aunt and uncle were far more sophisticated drinkers than his father. The secret was not using too much ice and filling the glass with vodka in a ten ounce tumbler. Diane liked an olive on a toothpick in hers also. It added a touch of class he figured.
"Thank you dear," she said handing him the glass with just a few small chuncks of ice in the bottom. He guessed, based on her behavior, that this had been her first drink. He'd load up her second one , finish dinner quickly and hopefully Ronnie would show up soon. He didn't want to be around for drink number three. That's when the trouble usually started and in most cases it was directed towards him. With any luck he could finish dinner and get out before there were any fireworks. He dumped the remaining ice into the sink, walked over to the refrigerator and opened the freezer. he grabbed four cubes of ice out of the icemaker,"on second thought lets make it three," he thought and put one back. He got a toothpick out of the cupboard and opened up a jar of olives out of the refrigerator. Two olives on the toothpick and into the glass it went. He moved quickly to the pantry and reached up onto the top shelf of the area. Up there he found a half gallon bottle of an off-brand vodka. He filled the glass up near to the brim, quickly replaced the cap and put the bottle back. As he walked across the kitchen he could see Ken trimming the steaks. They were huge porterhouse cuts from the local market. His mouth watered at the sight of them. He handed the drink to his aunt and walked over to the counter.
"Hope you're hungry partner," Ken said, affable as ever as he grabbed a steak and placed it on a plate handing it to him.
"Wow, thanks that's huge," Noah said as he reached for a baked potato and walked over to the kitchen table.
"Whatever you don't finish Max will manage, so don't worry," Ken said laughing.
"Sorry Max," Noah laughed as he looked out and saw the reflection of the black dog's eyes through the screen door.
Ken made himself another drink then walked over and sat next to Diane. They began chatting with each other and Noah admired the steak sitting in front of him. It was indeed a work of art. Three quarters of a pound of pure south county porterhouse cooked to perfection. It was well seasoned with pepper, garlic and a touch of worstershire sauce. The grill left a charbroiled finish on top and bottom and a brown to grey color underneath the sear marks. Noah sliced into the small tenderloin side of the steak and took a bite. It was perfect. Firm, but soft, tangy and a bit spicy but most of all juicy. He chewed it slowly and deliberately as if his very life depended on it. When he finished he said, "mmm mmm boy you sure can cook a steak Uncle Ken."
"Glad you like it," Ken said. "I have to get it right or your aunt beats me, " he laughed.
Noah continued to eat his dinner which included a large baked potato, an artichoke and a glass of milk. he ate quietly but quickly hoping that he would finish before the mood turned sour. He was carefull not to appear to "wolf" down his food as he was ever aware that eating too fast could cause an arguement and sink his plans to go out. As he finished his last bite of steak he heard loud music outside coming down the driveway. He looked over to see if there was any reaction and seeing none he got up and went to the door.
"I think Ronnie is here," Noah said. It was good whenever company arrived as everyone was on their best behavior. He would make an easy escape tonight or so he thought.
"Ronnie is that you," Diane asked?
"Hi Diane how are you. I love your new roses outside they look beautiful." Noah was suddenly very appreciative of the fact that Ronnie was an expert kiss ass. He did it in such a way that it wasn't generally noticed. Noah definitely appreciated the help. He hadn't yet fully sprung the evening plans.
"We just planted them," she said. "I'm glad you like them."
"Yeah my mom has some roses too but they aren't as pretty as yours. I wonder if its the soil or something?" Spanky said laying it on a bit thick.
Noah rolled his eyes and began clearing the table.
"Hey UK did you hear my new stereo?" Spanky laughed.
"Well Noah was telling us that your brother gave it to you but I didn't hear it when you were coming in." Ken played dumb to the racket that had come down the driveway.
"Yeah he gave it to me for a hundred and fifty bucks. My brother is a cheapskate. He never gives me anything for free. But its a three hundred dollar stereo so I guess I got a good deal." He added.
"So is it okay for Noah to come to the drive in with us tonight? The whole CB club is going," he said smiling with that "please say yes" look on his face. Spanky was a natural born salesman. He slipped it in so matter of factly that they didn't even have to look up from the TV to answer.
"Ok have fun, " they both said.
"UM, Uncle Ken can you..." Gator said.
"Give you your allowance," Ken laughed.
"Yes please if you have a minute." Noah said carefully watching the response.
Ken reached into his pocket and took out a silver money clip. "No problem here you go," he said handing a twenty dollar bill to him.
"Thanks UK, I'll do the dishes before I go." Noah said.
"Just put your's in the dishwasher and have fun. We are going fishing early in the morning so be quiet when you come in," Diane added.
"Ok thanks, love you,"Noah said.
"Love you too," Diane said.
"Love you too," Spanky said.
"Oh, " Diane laughed. "Love you too Ronnie."
"I love you too," Ken added, "but not your taste in music."
"Ok UK I get the message," Spanky said sheepishly as he and Noah moved to the kitchen.
Noah quickly washed up his dishes and put them in the dishwasher.
Spanky looked at him and smile.
"You ready?"
"Yep," he answered.
"See you later," Noah said as he walked out of the kitchen towards the front door.
He heard them say "Ok" faintly as he opened the door.
As he shut the door Gator looked over at Spanky who was smiling and lighting up a cigarette.
"Dude. Perfect timing. Thanks."Gator sighed.
"I know how to handle parents I have been handling mine for years." Spanky said shaking his head.
They both jumped into the car.
"Buckle up and prepare for takeoff," Spanky said.
"Roger that Captain, "Gator laughed.
Spanky fired up the car, shifted into first and tore down the driveway. He placed a new tape in the cassette deck and turned the volume up. It was Rush 2112. The introduction was full of special effects and filled the car with spacelike laser sound and other high-tech noises.
"Dude turn it down," Gator shouted over the deafening sounds coming out of the speakers in the back of the car.
"I can't hear you what," Spanky said as he shifted to second gear chirping the tires.
"Turn it down you dick." Gator shouted.
"What?" Spanky was laughing hysterically. He reached over and turned down the volume to about half. "It kicks ass doesn't it." He said proudly, emphasizing the "ass."
"Yes it kicks aaaaasssss." Gator laughed.
"We're gonna blow Frogurt's stereo away. He'll be so pissed." Spanky said inhaling deep on his cigarette.
"I thought we were riding with him tonight," Gator said curiously.
"Yeah maybe but not until I blow his doors off musically." Spanky smirked.
"You are a bad man." Gator said.
"Yeah I know, " Spanky smiled as he turned onto the main road and they drove off into the night.
