Final Chapters: 30 to 33

Chapter 30

The day crept like a glacier. The only thing that kept Billy from resenting his parents’ encroachment on the last day of summer were thoughts of the night ahead. The movie had been some silly romantic comedy – the theater half-empty. Billy had closed his eyes and imagined being alone with Shari in Rooster’s tent. What was Rooster going to do come winter, anyway? For lunch, Billy had a pizza burger and had to endure the story of the first time he had ever had one. It was down in Atlantic City when he was a little kid and before the place had become seedy.

“That was the only real vacation we ever had,” said Carol.

“What are you talking about?” asked Frank. “We go to the shore every summer.”

“Yes, but not to a nice hotel and not for an entire week. Do you remember that hotel Billy?”

“Yeah,” he mumbled.

“I should hope so,” said Frank. “It cost enough.”

“Frank! You see, kids, that’s why we never get to go anywhere.”

Billy exerted all his will power not to glance in Justine’s direction. She was the real reason they never went anywhere. Why risk an outburst? And he knew that her therapists cost a fortune.

“It’s funny you’re eating a pizza burger,” said Carol.

Billy braced himself.

“The coffee shop in that hotel. Oh, what was the name?”

“The Holiday Inn?” asked Frank.

“Please, Frank, if it had been the Holiday Inn it wouldn’t be that hard to remember.” She concentrated for a moment and then in triumph said “The Seascape! That was it. Well, the coffee shop sold pizza burgers and Billy ordered one. But when he came he was so disappointed because he thought it would come in slices, like a regular pizza. Do you remember? ‘Mommy, Mommy’ he said, ‘it’s not in slices.’ It was so cute.”

Maybe it was, thought Billy. At least at the time. But he had heard the story a million times. The conversation went into a lull for a few minutes as they ate, but then Billy’s mom valiantly tried once again to spark a conversation.

“Do you know,” asked Carol, “that the streets on the Monopoly game board are named after the streets in Atlantic City?”

This was news to no one.

A few times Billy had been on the verge of helping his mother out, maybe with his own remembrance of “The Big Vacation” but for some reason he was never able to muster enough enthusiasm. Justine spent the day relatively subdued. How much of her behavior was due to the medication was unclear, but they were all thankful there had been no scenes.

Luckily, Billy’s father wanted to call it an early night. They grabbed some McDonald’s on the way home, and his parents were in bed watching The Mary Tyler Moore Show by 9:00 PM. Justine went into her room to commune with Carly Simon.

Billy climbed the stairs to his room and checked the clothes he had previously hid under his pillow. It was too early to change. He sat by his desk and waited for the house to grow silent. It was 9:10. He thought about reading but he knew he couldn’t concentrate, so he put on an album by Dire Straits. He was scared about the night ahead, but not enough to chicken out. If they were caught it would be death. Grounding for life. But then again, it was only a prank. It wasn’t vandalism or anything like that. And it would be so cool to see that frisbee held in mid-loft over the dome. Everybody would wonder who put it there. They’d guess he or Kyle or Rooster would have had something to do with it, but only the gang would know for sure. And if Shari was going to be there as a lookout, then he definitely couldn’t back out. Besides, if they pulled it off and he wasn’t there, he would never forgive himself.

He heard his father rattling around in the kitchen just as he was flipping over his album. It was nearly 10:00 now. He was counting on his parents being asleep before 11:00. Then, he heard his father knocking on Justine’s door. “Justine, honey, it’s 10 o’clock. Time for sleep. You’ve got a big day tomorrow. You need your rest.”

“Can I finish listening to one more song?”

“Ok, one more song, and then it’s time for bed.”

‘Good,’ thought Billy. Things were progressing according to plans. He strummed the air as if he were playing the guitar and hopped around the room. The lead singer was halfway through In the Gallery. Sultans of Swing was their big hit, and it was a cool song, but he liked In The Gallery better. It was about an artist who didn’t use phony gimmicks, was ignored, died poor, and thn was exploited by dealers that the lyrics referred to as vultures. Billy didn’t hear his father climbing the stairs.

“Well, it ain’t Sinatra,” said his dad.

Billy spun around and saw his father standing in the doorway holding a cup of tea. He was wearing cotton pajamas with blue stripes. “Can I come in?” he asked.

“I know. I know. Tomorrow’s school. I’ll turn off my music.”

“It’s not just that,” said Frank, taking a couple of steps into the room. “Your mother and I…” He stopped. “I mean, I think it would be a good idea if we spoke man to man for a bit. We haven’t done that for awhile.”

“Sure,” said Billy. What was he supposed to say? He surreptitiously glanced at the clock on his dresser. He had to figure out a way to cut this short without arousing suspicion.

“Mind if I sit on your bed?”

“No, go ahead,” said Billy. He had turned the stereo off when his father had appeared, and now stood leaning against his desk.

“Why don’t you sit down, too?” asked his dad. “And don’t look so nervous. I’m not about to ground you again.” He offered up a weak smile, and took a sip of his tea.

Billy sat down in his chair and tried to relax. He felt like he had a softball-sized ball of wax in his stomach.

“I know sometimes it’s not easy being Justine’s brother.”

Billy let out a snort.

“Well,” continued his father, “Your mother and I know that it can be tough. This whole suicide thing…” He waved his hand in the air and paused before he said ‘suicide’, and then took another sip of his drink.

Billy nodded his head. “Yeah,” he said.

“Yeah, well…”

The Carly Simon song softly wafting up from the first floor ended, and they were bathed in silence. ‘Get on with it,’ thought Billy.

“I know you’re not thrilled about Justine being in the high school with you this year. I realize she can be embarrassing sometimes, but she is your sister.”

“I know, Dad.”

“I don’t want you to think we expect you to be your sister’s keeper or anything like that, but we don’t expect you to make it worse for her, either. Looking out for her a little bit wouldn’t kill you.”

“I know, Dad,” said Billy. “I will.”

“You know, some day your mother and I won’t be around, and…”

“Dad,” interrupted Billy. His voice squeaked. He hated how high-pitched it got when he was upset.

“Billy, let me finish. You’re growing up. You can have a grown up conversation.”

Billy crossed his ankles and gripped the seat of his chair with both hands. He leaned forward, more because of his tense stomach than because of any desire to concentrate on what his father was saying.

“Justine may never get married. Some day you may be all the family she has. My heart isn’t in the best shape. I could go on for years but I could also kick off tomorrow.”

“Dad!”

“Please, Billy. I’m not trying to scare you, but let me talk.”

His father put the mug he was holding on the floor and repositioned himself on the bed. He was less than a foot away from the pillow, which Billy suddenly noticed had a black sleeve sticking out from underneath it. Billy tried not to look at it.

His father continued. “What I’m trying to say is…What I’m asking you – as an adult – is to please look out for her. I know your friends are important to you -- and at your age that’s appropriate, I guess – but friends come and go. Justine is your sister. Do you understand?”

Billy tried to mumble that he did understand, but stumbled on the words. He suddenly remembered that the last time he saw the pajamas his dad was wearing was when he was in the hospital. The image of his heart monitor flashed into his head, and he imagined each beating of his father’s heart. And then in his mind’s eye he saw Justine splayed on the floor in front of them, and his mother crying, and he just wanted to say ‘Fuck’em all’ but he couldn’t. The inside of his nose burned as tears came to his eyes.

“Hey, now,” said his father. “I didn’t mean to be melodramatic. Oh, geez.”

“No, no, I’m OK,” said Billy, fighting back the tears.

“You’re sure?” asked Frank.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Billy.

“I only meant to say, keep an eye on her. Help her out a little. She’s your sister.”

“I will, Dad,” said Billy.

“Great,” said his dad, obviously equaling Billy’s relief that their conversation had come to an end. He picked up his mug and stood up.

“In my day, we listened to Sinatra and Vic Damone,” he said. “What was that crap you were listening to?”

“Dire Straits.”

“Well, at least they know what to call themselves.”

Billy rolled his eyes and let out a sarcastic chuckle, acknowledging his father’s attempt at humor.

“Good night,” said Frank.

“Good night,” said Billy.



Chapter 31

Billy didn’t start running until he was out of view of his house. He didn’t want to attract any attention. Every sound he had made in the shed retrieving the rope had sounded like a train crash. He had stashed it behind his old Flexible Flyer, which at the time seemed like a good idea, but ended up being a noisy one. He had used extra care waiting for his parents to fall asleep, so he was late. It was already midnight and weighed down by the rope and the clumsy gait it made him run with, he probably wouldn’t get there until a quarter after.

There wasn’t much of a moon but Billy was still surprised at how light it was outside. Midnight had always seemed dark before, but up on that dome he was sure they’d be visible for blocks. He hoped he wouldn’t regret this come the morning.

He hurried on. He knew they couldn’t start without him but he didn’t want them to get worried. Besides, the sooner they were done the sooner he’d be home. As he approached the wooded area behind the football field he saw a flashlight flicker on and off three times. He ducked between the trees to find his friends, dressed in black. Rooster and Kyle even had black knit caps on. “What? No camouflage paint?” asked Billy.

“This is serious business, my man,” said Rooster. “Operation Big Disc.”

“Everybody here?” asked Billy.

“Everybody but Joel,” said Kerry.

‘Good,’ thought Billy. He wasn’t the last one. He glanced at his watch. It was 12:20.

“He’ll know where to find us. I say we move over to the high school. Shari and Kerry can be the lookouts.”

“Hell, no. I’m going up on the roof,” said Kerry.

“Can’t argue with my commando babe,” said Rooster.

“We need someone on each end of Blaine Street,” said Kyle. “That’s the plan.”

“I sewed this monstrosity. I’m putting it up,” said Kerry.

“Don’t start fighting guys,” said Shari.

“Wait! Here comes Joel,” said Darren, who had been peeking out between the trees. He flicked his flashlight and Joel ran to it, panting.

“I’m sorry, guys. I thought my parents would never go to sleep.” He leaned over, holding his side.

“OK, it doesn’t matter. We’re all here now,” said Kyle.

“Right,” said Billy.

“So what’s the plan?” asked Shari.

“OK, here it is,” said Kyle.

The other kids formed a circle around him. Dwight held the lock and cable; Shari had another flashlight. Kerry stood with one hand on the giant frisbee which was folded in half and leaning against a tree. It was much larger than Billy had imagined at about 20 feet in diameter. Even folded up, it stood as high as a basketball hoop. Each semicircle had a frame on the underside made out of dowels that were attached to small holes in the hose that formed the circumference.

Kyle began. “Shari and Joel stand on opposite corners at each end of Blaine Street with a flashlight.”

“Out in the open?” asked Joel.

“Stand behind a tree or something,” said Rooster.

“If you see any cars coming, flick your light three times.”

“What if you don’t see it?” asked Joel.

“For cryin’ out loud!” cried Rooster, taking off his cap and throwing it on the ground.

“One of us will always be watching” said Kyle.

“And the rest of us are going to carry this thing up?” asked Billy, motioning to the giant disc.

“Yeah, why don’t you and Kerry take the cable and ropes, and the four of us – Rooster, me, and the twins – will carry the disc.”

“How are you going to attach it?” asked Billy.

“There’s a place to tie a rope and the cable on the sides that don’t fold. That way when we attach them and stretch it out…”

“We get a giant floating disc!” cried Rooster.

“Shhh!” said Kyle. “And put your hat back on.”

“Sorry,” laughed Rooster in a whisper. He gave Kerry a high five.

“All right, everybody,” said Kyle. He moved to the center of the group and put his arm out with his hand palm side down. Everyone else put their hands on top of his, and they stood in a circle, their arms like the spokes of a wheel. Billy looked across at Shari and she gave him a wink. Billy smiled back, but no one spoke for a moment. The night air was cool, and there was the slightest rustling of leaves. Rooster was the only one who moved, but that was only a small bobbing of the head. His face wore a countenance of determination and delight.

“Let’s do it,” said Kyle, removing his arm and breaking the moment.

They all stepped back. Darren gave Kerry the cable, and the eight of them emerged from the woods, giant frisbee in tow.

“Split up,” said Kyle.

Joel gave a nod of affirmation and started jogging toward the east end of Blair Street. Shari flicked her flashlight and then started walking in the opposite direction, toward the library. The others moved in a mass towards the back of the school.

The doorway into the boys’ locker room had an awning big enough for about four people to stand on at once. If you used a fire hydrant that came out of the wall of the school as a boost, you could reach the awning and pull yourself up. From there it was only about four feet to the lower roof. Getting up to the lower roof was the most dangerous part of the night in terms of getting caught, Kyle had predicted. Out in the open, hauling up the giant disc he felt they would be at their most conspicuous.

As they reached the high school they heard a familiar voice from behind.

“Hey, guys! What are you doing?”

It was Freddie.

“What the hell are our lookouts doing?” hissed Rooster. He was obviously shaken.

“Looking for police cars,” said Billy. “On the other side of the school. Chill out.”

Rooster clenched his teeth and readjusted his cap. The rest of the kids knelt down by the locker room door and motioned Freddie over to them.

“What’s that?” asked Freddie, pointing to the giant folded frisbee.

“It’s a frisbee,” said Kyle. “Keep your voice down. We’re going to hang it from the dome.”

“Cool!” exclaimed Freddie.

“I said quiet!” said Kyle in a harsh whisper.

“It’s a secret, man,” said Rooster.

“But it’s not round,” said Freddie in a whisper that was barely audible.

“It unfolds,” said Rooster.

“Oh I get it!” said Freddie forgetting to whisper. “Can I help?”

Darren motioned towards the roof. Kyle put his hand up to get him to wait as he said, “No, thanks, Freddie. We’re cool.”

Freddie looked crestfallen. “I won’t tell anyone,” he said. “I promise.”

“Yeah, like when you got lost?” asked Rooster.

“We’re wasting time,” said Billy. Dwight and Darren nodded, but Freddie stood his ground and pouted. “I promise I won’t tell anyone,” he said. “I promise.”

“It’s all right,” said Billy. “You can help.”

“What are you talking about?” shrieked Rooster.

Darren punched him in the shoulder.

“What was that for?” asked Rooster.

Billy put his rope down and gently took Freddie by the elbows.

“This is really important, Freddie, OK?”

“OK,” said Freddie. He tried to focus on what Billy was about to say.

“Shari is down the street, near the library. She’s looking out for cars. Go find her and help her out. If you see anyone coming, tell her to flash her flashlight three times. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“You can remember that?” asked Billy.

“You bet,” said Freddie, all smiles. “You can count on me!”

He sped off. Billy picked up his rope. “He’ll be fine with Shari,” he said.

“Great,” sighed Kyle. “Now let’s get moving.”

“You’re great with the crazies, aren’t you?” asked Rooster.

“Freddie’s not crazy,” snapped Billy. “And neither is Justine!” He gripped the rope hard enough to feel the bristles bite into his skin.

“Slow down,” said Rooster, holding his hands up in front of him. “Poor choice of words. I was paying you a compliment.”

“Are we going to do this, or not?” asked Billy.

“Right,” said Kyle. “Let’s go.”

Exerting barely any effort, Kyle bounded up on to the awning with Darren close behind. Dwight and Rooster tried to lift the frisbee up to them, but it proved awkward.

“It’s flopping all over the place,” said Rooster.

“It’s cloth and a hose,” said Kerry defensively.

“We can reach it from here if you just slide it over. We’ll pull it up ourselves.”

The boys obliged and Darren and Kyle lifted the frisbee on to the awning. Then they scrambled up to the lower roof and pulled the frisbee up after them, as the rest of the gang followed. Inside of a couple minutes they were all on the lower roof, walking to the other side of the dome. From previous excursions they knew there was a ladder bolted to the wall that could take them to the base of the dome.

From the front of the building they could see both ends of Blaine Street. Billy could make out Shari and Freddie standing under a tree across the street from the library, about halfway between two streetlights. He wasn’t able to see Joel, who was probably hiding in a bush or something.

“This is gonna be tough,” said Rooster.

“No, it’s not. The disc isn’t heavy. It’s just awkward,” said Kyle.

Kyle led the way up the ladder, pulling the disc after him with one hand. Darren followed with the bulk of the frisbee on his back, his hands on the same rung as Kyle’s feet. Rooster supported the bottom.

“I’m almost to the top,” said Kyle.

“Wait a second,” said Darren.

“What? What’s the problem?” asked Rooster. “My arms are getting tired. I’m holding them straight up.”

“Just stop for a second. It’s stuck on something.”

“So yank it.”

“No, no. It’ll rip.”

“Should we back up?” asked Kyle.

“No,” said Darren. “I can see where it’s caught.”

“Man, my arms are burning,” said Rooster.

“We’ve been at this two minutes,” said Billy.

“Well, I’m the one with my arms straight up over my head. Ow!”

“Now what?” asked Kyle.

“I banged my knee. Shit!”

“Don’t move!” barked Darren. “You broke one of the dowels.”

“I broke it?” asked Rooster. “How did I break it?”

“Keep cool, guys,” said Kyle from above.

Billy couldn’t believe it. All of their planning and now the three of them were caught squirming under the frisbee like fish scooped up by a giant net, cursing at each other. Billy put down his rope and got on the bottom rung.

“I’ll take it,” said Billy. “You grab the rope.”

Rooster gladly relinquished his hold and jumped down. He picked up the rope, and rubbed his knee.

“Check the lookouts,” said Billy.

“I’m watching,” said Kerry.

“Now what?” asked Rooster.

They stood motionless while Darren grunted and struggled under the frisbee. Billy’s arms grew tired quickly but he didn’t say anything. He stood on the ladder with his arms over his head, holding the bottom of the frisbee, leaning his weight forward into the wall. His cheek was pressed up against Darren’s calf. Soon his upper back started aching, too.

Darren was trying to unhook the frisbee from the cage surrounding a burnt out light that was screwed into the side of the building. He kept shifting his weight and reaching out with his right hand. He kicked Billy in the nose with the back of his heel.

“Ow!”

“Sorry.”

Then, mercifully, he said, “Got it.” Kyle started climbing, and the other boys carrying the disc followed. Rooster and Kerry brought up the rear. Dwight, who had disappeared during the struggle, had found another way up and was standing at the top to help them.

“Man, that was tougher than I thought it would be,” said Rooster.

“Come on,” said Kyle. The next stage could be even more difficult. Someone had to climb up the scaffolding with the rope.

“Should we tie the rope to the frisbee first, or wait until we fasten one end of the rope up there?” asked Kerry.

“It’ll be an easier climb with the rope unattached,” said Kyle, looking up.

“Yeah, but the rope won’t reach all the way down here. How will we fasten it to the frisbee?” asked Kerry.

“Good point,” said Kyle.

Darren took the rope and tied it around the hose at the end of the frisbee. Kerry had left a hole at one end for just that purpose.

“Who wants the honors?” asked Kyle.

“Me, man, me!” said Rooster.

“OK. Dwight, why don’t you go with him? Billy, you and Kerry find a place to anchor the cable.

“Shouldn’t we attach it to the frisbee now, too? Like the rope?” asked Kerry.

“Yeah, yeah. Of course,” said Kyle.

Out of nowhere, Darren shouted “Car!” The kids all hit the deck. Billy peered over the edge of the wall. He could see Joel’s flashlight flickering on and off madly from the other side of the mailbox. ‘Jesus,’ thought Billy. ‘Stop flashing the stupid light. Can’t you see were down?’

The car rolled to a halt at the stop sign, and Freddie leapt out and started waving his arms, staring straight in their direction. Shari quickly pulled him back towards the tree. The car turned left and drove off. If the driver noticed them, he didn’t show it. “That was close,” said Kyle.

Billy began wondering why they had lookouts in the first place. The only direction they wouldn’t be able to see a car coming was from the backside of the school, down King Street down towards the library. Joel’s post was basically useless, and any car coming towards Shari would have its rear towards them except for a second or two.

“Who is out at this time of the night?” asked Rooster. “They should be home sleeping.”

The kids stood up and got back to work. Kyle brushed some dirt from his pants and Dwight and Rooster began their ascent. Dwight carried the end of the rope wrapped around his wrist. He climbed up the scaffolding like a cat burglar, with Rooster struggling to keep up. Kyle and Darren steadied the disc.

“Let’s look for a place to attach the cable,” said Kerry.

“Right,” said Billy.

A short search of the area yielded a vent that would do the trick. There were several vents. They looked like a row of squat, rectangular periscopes sticking up from the roof.

“Don’t attach it yet,” said Billy. “Let’s wait until Rooster and Dwight tie the other end.”

“Good idea," said Kyle.

Kerry squatted down next to the vent and scanned the street for cars. The little light there was hit the side of her face. Billy hadn’t noticed before how pretty she was. She swung her ponytail over to her other shoulder and revealed a full profile. Dressed in black, tense with anticipation, she radiated sexual energy. He wished it were Shari up there with him. Making love to her on the top of the school would be incredible. He caught himself eyeing Kerry’s chest and felt a pang of guilt. He looked away, hoping she didn’t notice. Billy’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the sound of wood cracking and then a thump.

“Help!” screamed Rooster.

Kerry saw what happened first. Billy caught the fear in her eyes and then spun around to see Rooster hanging on to the scaffolding. One of the wooden planks the workers stood on had broken under Rooster’s weight and he was hanging on for dear life, flailing his legs in a vain attempt to swing himself to safety. Dwight was one level up. The tips of his fingers could just reach Rooster’s hands but he wasn’t close enough to grab hold of him and help him up.

“I’m coming!” cried Kyle. He ran to the scaffolding and started to climb. Dwight lowered himself over the edge of the scaffolding and stood on one of the thin metal pipes that served as a railing. He tied the rope to another pipe and crouched down, holding on for balance.

“Grab my legs,” he said.

“I can’t let go, I’ll fall!” Rooster’s voice was full of panic.

“Help him!” cried Kerry. “Help him for Christ’s sake!”

Kyle was one level beneath Rooster and Dwight was one level above. They could touch him but they couldn’t get a good enough grip to haul him in. Billy looked on helplessly, alternately suspending his breath and then starting it up again with a single sharp gasp.
“Hang in there, buddy” said Kyle.
“I’m scared, man. I can’t hold on. Help me. Please.” Rooster started to cry. His palms started to sweat. The pain in his shoulders was searing. “I can’t hold on!” he screamed.

“Billy, hold this!” screamed Darren. He let go of the giant disc and started to scale the scaffolding. Billy caught the frisbee as it was about to fall over and steadied it. The ridiculous stupid frisbee.

“Rooster, baby, you can do it!” cried Kerry. She was on the verge of crying, too, staring up at Rooster a good thirty feet in the air, dangling over the concrete roof.

Out of the corner of his eye Billy saw the flashlight. Three times and then stop. Three times and then stop. It was Shari. She was signaling there was a car. He couldn’t believe it. On top of everything, now this. “Car!” shouted Billy.

It was the police. Rooster was about to fall to his death. His friends were in full view on the scaffolding and there he was looking down at a police car standing next to a giant, red frisbee. He was frozen. What the hell was he supposed to do? Darren’s voice rang out. “Got him,” he said.

“Like hell you’ve got me,” cried Rooster.

Darren had managed to lean over from the adjacent railing. He had one foot on the railing and one arm wrapped around another pole. With his free hand he had grabbed hold of the waist of Rooster’s jeans.

”Can you reach his ankles?” asked Darren.

“Barely,” said Kyle.

“I’m going to pull you towards me,” said Darren. “You let go and Kyle will catch your legs. I can grab you under your arms as you fall.”

“As I fucking fall?” Rooster screeched.

“What else are you going to do, man?”

He couldn’t hold on much longer anyway.

“OK, here I go.”

“On three,” said Kyle. “One, two, three.”

Rooster let out a squawk and loosened his grip. Darren released his grip on Rooster’s jeans and grabbed at his arm. He caught his sleeve, ripping it, but slowing him down just enough for Kyle to grab him around his knees. Rooster fell over backwards but Kyle hung on. Then, Dwight and Darren scurried down to the level below him and pulled him upside down to safety. It was over in a minute.

Billy and Kerry both started breathing again. They had been looking on transfixed.

“Oh, thank God,” said Kerry.

“I practically wet my fucking pants,” said Rooster. “Thanks, guys. You’re the best.”

Billy remembered the police car, but when he looked it was gone. Shari was running towards the building. “Are you guys all right? What are you doing up there?” she yelled.

“We’re OK!” shouted Billy. “I’ll tell you later. Rooster almost fell.”

“I could see that. The whole town could’ve seen that,” shouted Shari.

“Why aren’t you hiding?”

“The cops are gone. They were just on patrol. It’s unbelievable but they didn’t see you. I guess they were facing the wrong way.”

Freddie started running towards her.

“You better get Freddie and hide again,” said Billy.

“OK. You’re all right, though?”

“Yes. And Shari?”

“What?”

“I love you!”

“Yeah, right,” she said with a smirk. “And if I kiss you you’ll turn into a prince.” Then she blew him a kiss, took Freddie by the hand, and started heading back. He stared at her as she made her way across the lawn.

“Enough lovey-dovey Rogers,” said Kyle. “Let’s get back to work.”

Dwight and Darren tied the rope to the scaffolding and Kerry fixed the cable.

“It looks like a taco,” whined Rooster. “The middle is sagging.”

“Don’t worry you big baby,” said Kerry playfully. Rooster winced. Kerry stretched out the cable to a vent that was further back so there was more tension. The frisbee flattened out.

“Can you twist it a little so that more of the top is visible from the front of the school?” asked Kyle.

They fiddled with it for awhile and got the orientation they wanted. Then they ran around to the back of the school and descended they way they had come up. Joel, Shari, and Freddie were waiting for them.

“You’ve got to see it!” said Joel. He was practically bouncing up and down. The group of them ran around to the other side of the school. Together they went out onto the front lawn and looked up.

They stood in two rows, like a little choir, but in silence. Joel, Kyle and the twins were in front. The couples were in the back, with their arms around each other. The Slush Man was off to the side, his jaw practically at his knees.

After awhile Joel whispered, ”Wow.”

“Wow does not do it justice, my man. Wow is only the beginning,” said Rooster.

Kerry gave him a peck on the cheek. He maneuvered her in front of him and put his arms around her waist from behind. She leaned her head back against his chest, staring up at their handiwork.

“What’s our next stunt?” asked Joel.

“Please,” said Kyle. “Let’s revel in this one a bit. I can’t wait for tomorrow morning so I can see everyone’s faces. It’ll be awesome. It is the ultimate in Ultimate Frisbee.”

“You know,” said Shari, who had her arm around Billy and her thumb locked in one of his belt loops. “When I first heard this idea I thought it was a little juvenile. That’s what Margaret thought. But she’s wrong. It’s, oh, I don’t know. I think it’s kind of beautiful.”

Billy didn’t say a word. He didn’t want to lose this moment. He wanted to bask in their achievement and the overwhelming feeling of expansiveness it gave him. He stood there, feeling Shari’s torso expand and contract next to his with each breath. He glanced at Rooster. He was a bit of a jerk but Billy had to admit the guy had vision and flair. And staring up into the sky now, with his cap off and his red hair in loose curls around his ears – actually being quiet – he had to admit he could kind of understand what Kerry saw in him. But mostly, he looked up at the frisbee, poised in mid-flight, as if to finish its curving motion around the dome and settle gracefully on to the front lawn of the school.

The administration would take it down tomorrow. School would begin. There’d be a big fuss and then it would fade into legend. There’d be homework and maybe more groundings and of course the continuing saga of Justine and all the impending crises and catastrophes that would entail. But right now he was in mid-flight like that giant red disc, lofting over Jersey.




Chapter 33

The alarm rang and Billy bolted upright. He shut the alarm and then threw himself backwards in bed, his eyes open and staring at the ceiling. The first day of school. The first day of his senior year. His mind was awhirl with a plethora of mixed emotions. On the plus side, he couldn’t wait to see the kids faces when they were confronted with last night’s handiwork. Also, the Food Town job was over, although his father was lobbying hard with his mother than Billy should continue to work some during the school year, at least on weekends. Best of all, he’d be with his friends all day, and while he knew that pretty soon homework would become a drag, he was always excited about the new slate of courses. Other kids bemoaned the fact that they’d have to be waking up early again, but school actually began later than his Food Town job, so he didn’t care about that.

On the negative side, there were the usual things, like the aforementioned homework. And the fact that he couldn’t stay out as late and that pretty soon it would be too dark for after dinner frisbee games. Also, there was the aggravating tendency of the Fairfield High faculty and staff to treat the students like they were in kindergarten. But looming over all negatives this year was the big one. Justine. She’d be accompanying him to school today.

“I don’t want to go to school!” he heard her yell from downstairs. “Let me go back to sleep.”

“Justine, you have to go to school. You’re going to the high school this year. Aren’t you excited? You get to walk with Billy,” said her mother.

“Leave me alone,” said Justine.

Yes, this was going to be great. He rolled over and squeezed his pillow into his face and then came up gasping for air, hurling the pillow at his desk.

“Come on, Justine,” said Carol, “I ‘m going into work late today just so I can see you off. Don’t give me any trouble.”

He heard Justine say, “Fine!” and then he heard two doors slam. Her bedroom and then the bathroom he guessed. The shower came on. Yes, that must have been it.

Then Billy heard his mother’s voice at the bottom of the stairs. “Billy?”

“Yeah, mom, I’m up. I’ll take a shower when Justine gets out.”

“Are you decent?” she asked.

“Why?”

“Can I come up?”

Billy hopped over to his dresser and started pulling on a pair of sweats. “Yeah, come on up.”

He put his pillow back on his bed, and picked up a few stray pieces of dirty laundry and tossed them into the hamper. Then he scanned his desk, searching for anything that might be incriminating or embarrassing. There was nothing.

“Hey there, Senior,” said his mom. “I can’t believe this is your last year at Fairfield High, huh? Pretty soon you’ll be out of here, all grown up.”

Billy tried unsuccessfully not to smile. “I guess,” he said.

“Try not to look too happy about it,” said Carol. Before Billy could protest she smiled and added, “That’s OK. If you weren’t happy about it you wouldn’t be normal.”

“So what’s up?” he asked.

“I just wanted to talk to you before the big first day,” she said.

“Justine?” he asked.

“No, not Justine. Your father spoke with you about that. I don’t have anything to add. I’m sure you’ll do the right thing.”

Billy flinched a little at this last sentence, which was clearly a request as much as it was an opinion, but mostly he was curious. He was positive another exhortation to be good to his sister was in the offing. Clearly she had something else in mind. He looked at his mother expectantly. She was holding some folded laundry of his which she proceeded to put in his dresser as she spoke.

“Sometimes, Billy. I get a little jealous of you.”

“What?” he asked. Mothers don’t get jealous of their children.

“You’re young. You’re smart. Next year you’ll be going to college. I never went to college. Pretty soon you’ll be leaving Fairfield. You know, I’m not so fond of Fairfield either. I grew up in New York. I’m a city girl at heart.”

“Then why don’t…”

“But Fairfield is a good safe place to grow up. Good schools. The whole shootin’ match.”

She was done putting away the clothes now and was sitting on the chair at Billy’s desk, watching some birds on the window sill.

“You’ve got your whole life in front of you,” she said, and then leaned toward him conspiratorially and whispered, “and without having to deal with you know who every day.”

Billy didn’t say anything. He felt obligated to laugh a little and nod his head knowingly. Where was this conversation headed?

“Billy, you’ve got a lot going for you.”

“Thanks,” he muttered under his breath.

“Don’t fuck it up.”

Upon saying that, she got up and briskly walked out, leaving Billy speechless. He stared at the chair where his mother had been sitting, and then broke out in a broad smile.

“Justine!” he heard his mother yell. “What are you trying to do in there? Use up the whole Atlantic Ocean? Come on, I’ll help you pick out some clothes.”


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Billy and Justine headed down the hill, past the Quickcheck and towards Fairfield High. The day had finally come. Billy slowed his pace a little so Justine wouldn’t have to struggle to keep up. All things considered, he was in a relatively good mood although one laced with apprehension. Anyway, it was hard to think of anything but the giant red disc suspended over Fairfield High. It was all he could do, not to break into a run to get to school.

Poor Justine. At this moment, anyway, he felt sorry for her. She was heading into a lion’s den, and she knew it. Maybe this year the kids would be a little nicer. Maybe if he and his upper class friends looked out for her a little, the kids who knew her would be a little slower when it came to tormenting her. If she could only rein in her bizarre behavior.

“Are you glad school is starting?” asked Justine.

“Kind of. It’s either school or the Food Town.”

“Billy, do you love me?”

“What?”

“I said, do you love me?”

He knew what he should say, but why was it difficult to get the words out? It was true. He knew that he did love her. He just resented being asked, being put on the spot. ‘I just want to be left alone,’ he thought. It was the smart thing to do. Just say you love her. It wasn’t lying. Still, the words stuck in his throat.

“Well, do you?” she said, her voice with the slightest trace of its familiar edge.

He looked down at her. Her hair was pulled back with two big flower barrettes. She had on a puffy shirt and a denim skirt. She looked ridiculous. Her mother had tried to get her to wear something else but she refused. She was dressed like she was eight years old. He remember her splayed on the floor, breathing so softly she would have barely flickered the flame on a birthday candle.

“Yeah, Justine. I love you.”

“Really? You love me,” she said trying to reassure herself.

“Yes, I love you! How many times to do you want me to say it? Now, wait until you see what’s at the school.”