This is the 6th installment of the Fox Lane series. I left off having successfully competed in my 1rst gymnastics meet. My score was whopping 2.75 on the still rings. The thing that makes me so pleased with this score is it beats Johns' best score by .05 of a point. So here I am at Crossroads bowl in Mt. Kisco New York feeling on top of the world and at my old stomping grounds. I go to catch up on the gossip and see how everybody's bowling especially unc. See it's Thurs. night and unc bowls league tonight. Normally I am not allowed to stay up this late on a school night, but I'm bending the rules due to a technicality. I peek at the league to see if unc is on the prowl or heard that I was here. Thinking I better go to him before he comes to me, I go to the league standings sheet to see what lanes he is bowling on. While I’m there I hear bowlers cheering. There’s usually only 1 reason bowlers cheer for each other and that’s a string of strikes. Curiosity getting the better of me I go over to see who has the string going. On my way I bump into Gary Roberts and he says "Jody! Long time no see. Can you believe unc has the first 5?" Shocked, happy and scared all at the same time I open my mouth to say something and nothing comes out. Gary smiles, nods and says " Oh I get it. He doesn't know you're here does he?" I shake my head and say " No and I don't want to mess him up." Gary says ' Here take my sweatshirt it's got a hood. Put it on and nobody will know until he done throwing strikes." I smile and say "Thanks Gary. It seems you're always helping me out." He shrugs and says " Yeah well who knows? Maybe you'll be able to do me a solid one day. Take care kid, I got places to be and women to please. If you catch my drift?" Walking away in his usual bopping fashion he quickly looks back without stopping or missing a beat to his forward bopping rhythm and says "Kid! Don't lose that sweatshirt. It's not mine." Suddenly I hear another even louder roar. Wow! I wonder if that was strike number 6? I'm dying to see so I pull the hooded shirt on covering my head and go over to where uncs' team is bowling. Everyone one is huddled around and unc's just staying calm sitting on the bench waiting for his next turn. James Gwatney seems to have a string going as well. He's got the first 4. I turn to go see Gwatney throw his next shot and bump into Buddy Banks. We say "Sorry" at the same me and then realize who the other one is. He grabs me saying " Well ,well look what the cat dragged in. So what trouble..." Suddenly he stops. Letting me go as he realizes I'm wearing Gary's sweatshirt. He continues "No man ! Not this time stay away from me." He takes a step back and raises his hands in defense like I have something contagious. Then Buddy says " Look kid your unc gave me very simple instructions to follow if I wanted to stay... How shall I say this?" Smiling he thinks of it and says "Porous free and walking upright were the words I think he used. So you get permission from unc we cool, if not you're typhoid Jody." He starts to turn to walk away and I say quickly " Yo, at least tell me how you're bowling." He answers "You know me a solid 190. No big games , but no low ones either. I'll catch you later." I run back and see unc get ready for his next shot. He takes 3 quick shuffle steps and lofts the ball out with his hand straight up the back of it giving it a lot of forward roll. It looks a little light but he carries a swisher. That's number 7. I hear another roar and Gwatney just got number 5. I wiggle in closer keeping my head down. Unc gets up, sets himself and boom! number 8. I start jumping up and down as the crowd get bigger and bigger. Gwatney throws number 6 and he's almost alone over there. Now the entire bowling alley is behind unc and it so quiet you can hear your own breathing, at least I can. Three quick steps and boom 10 pin the crowd goes "Awwww" but wait her comes a messenger and yes yes! It lightly rolls over and taps out the 10 pin. The cheering is deafening. I can see how happy unc is and it makes my heart feel full. I begin to understand how unc feels watching me bowl. No one else is bowling except the guys on uncs' pair. His turn comes up and this time he does leave a solid 10 pin. There's an "Awww" followed by a lot of applause. Unc goes to pick up the spare and makes it. He's got 1 final shot in the 10th frame. He throws extra hard and straight this time, they all go down and there is more thunderous applause followed by hugging and plenty of congratulations. Not being able to contain myself I wait to congratulate him. He sees me and a huge grin breaks out on his face that leaves a light burning in my heart til this day. We don't need word just a hug and a deep understanding of what it took for both of us to come this far. The next game is beginning and I say "I'll call right now." He nods and goes back to bowling. I call home and say " Hi Ma guess what?" She answers " You're at the bowling alley and want to wait until unc finishes bowling." I say " How...? Never mind, yes on all counts. There is one piece of news you may not know and that's I did great at the meet tonight and unc bowled a 279. I scored 2.75." Mama say " You're going to school tomorrow . I don't want to fight getting you up tomorrow morning,understand?" I say " Thanks mama, I promise I'll get up right away and won't make it hard on you." She reples' I'll believe that when I see it. I 'll pick you up with unc. Enjoy you;re late night and congratulations to you both." I reply "Thanks ma gotta go Love you." I hang up and go back to root unc on. Before I can get back to the lanes I'm intercepted by Julie Diaz. " Jody I am so glad you're still here. I need a favor. Just watch the snack bar for 1 hour and I'll be right back. If you do I'll make it worth your while. If Vic comes in tell him I asked you. It should be no problem O.K.?" I say " Sure let me tell unc and I'll be right back." She kisses me I and go to tell unc who is still bowling very good. I come back walk around and get an apron I wash my hands and check to see if we got everything we need. The biggest thing anyone otders is a chocolate shake french fries and a grilled cheese. nothing I can't handle. Vic shows up and sees me and says "Well stranger to what do I owe the pleasure?" I say " Good to see you too Vic. Julie had to pop out to get something. Girl stuff I think." Vic nods and says well as long as your here, help me to make the hamburger patties for tomorrow." I say " Sure never did that before. I'd like to learn somethin new. Let's go." We walk back to the walk in refridgerator and get a 20lb bag of ground chuck. We go over to the work counter in the back and I see Vics German Shepard there. I say "Hey you still got Lady." He replies of course I still have Lady she's my good luck charm and traveling companion. The only female relationship that has worked out for me. Look I need to stock the hot dog truck for tomorrow.Let me show you what to do. First cut the bag and dump the meat onto the wooden board. Then take about the size of a pool ball of meat and roll it between your palms." He does this very fast and before he can show me the next step he drops the meat on the floor in to a pool of blood. I say " Vic the meat fell into ths blood on the floor. What should I do . Then as if it was completely normal he bends down and picks up the bloody, dirty ball of meat and forms it into a hamburger. Placing it in the stack where the others are. He says " Just like that, don't worry if you drop one it's getting cooked anyway so waste not want no.t Right? That's my motto." In shock I reply " Vic, what is that blood from?" Still mking patties he turns to me and says jokingly "Oh the blood kid, Ladys' aunt flo is in town. It's her bitchy witch week. Besides who doesn't like a little ketchup with their steak?" I answr " You're serious? That blood is rom Lady? Getting a little testy he relies defensively "No kid she sat on a tomato. Grow up. Ground chuck ain't cheap. I can't afford to be throwing away good meat. I mean if you drop one in front of a customer, yeah chuck it . Otherwise what they don't know won't hurt'em." Not wanting to offend him any more I just nod, shudder and continue making patties. People start coming in ordering food so I get back to work . Finally Julie returns all happy and high saying " Thanks so much, you're a good kid, here." She passes me a large baggie filled with pot. I say " Wow Julie thanks you didn't have to ." She answers " Yeah I know , but I like you you're sort of cute too." She leans in and kisses me. This time not as a friend.I reply " Wow Julie maybe I should fill in for you more often." She smiles and says "You know where I am if you're interested. Think of it as friends with benefits. I''m not looking for a boyfriend if that's what's worrying you." I reply "Thanks Julie I haven't kissed a girl since Patty and me broke up. It makes me feel normal again if that makes any sense." She takes my hand and we walk in the back. The swinging doors shut tight, just like I am about to in terms of telling what happens between her and I. I toss my apron in the laundry bin and get ready to go back to unc. As I'm walking away I realize that it has been one hell of a day. I see unc finishing up his third game which was a 245 to give him a 704 series. I grab unc and tell him just how awesome he did. He smiles and says " You know I'm going to celebrate with a drink. Meet me at the bar I'll by you a soda." I let unc bask in his success with all his admirerers and friends. Meanwhile I go back to the snack bar to keep Julie company. I hear a crash of tables at the bar and I think ' Oh god please don't let it be unc"I run over t find Unc backing away with an old grandad in one hand and a soda in the other . I run to him and he says "What do you say we watch this from the sidelines? I'll bet you a dollar Gwatney whoops his ass this time." It seems that the owneer Ralph Hamberg likes to throw his weight around when he has had a few and bowled bad. Him and Gwatney every so often go outside and dent up some cars as they both stumble around trying to punch one another. Everyone else watches from the wall sized bar window. This interracial Laurel and Hardy routine lasts until the cops show up. That's when everyone scatters. Some go home others stay at the bar. No ones says anything to them about what happened. They come over to ask unc " What did you see happen? Where were you when the altercation occurred?"and unc says" Did either one want to press charges?" The cops answer " Sir that's none of your business. Would you prefer to answer these questions down at the police station?" I jump in saying " Officers this man is my legal guardian and care giver. My mother is coming to pick us up any minute. You want to know what happened? " The cops look at unc asking "Is this true?" Walking up behind the policeman I see my mother. She's smiling and congratulating unc on bowling 704. The officers interupts saying "Ma'am Is this gentleman this boys legal guardian?" My mother crosses her arm and both unc and I smile. She says in a voice very calm deliberate. Gentlemen "Have either of these two caused you any problems? Tell me now if they have and I promise you I 'll give them both a good spanking when we get home. I know they can be a handful sometimes." Taken back by what my mother just said they quickly say " Ma'am, no they 've done nothing wrong. We are trying to ascertain if a crime has been committed or not." My mother nods knowingly and pulls out a cigarette and looks from one to the other waiting. Finally she says" Would either of you kind gentlemen happen to have a light?" They look at each and reach in their pockets one pulling out a zippo lighter. The taller cop lights her cigarette and then puts it back in his front pocket. My mother says "Why thank you, I'm glad to see that gallantry isn't dead yet. I can give you my address in case you want to ask anymore questions. It is a school night and this young man should have been in bed hours ago." Flashing a mock stern look my way she says " Young man if these gentlemen are done with you . I want you to march out to that car right this minute." Turning to the officers she says "Are you?" Looking uncomfortable they say " Yes ma'ma I think we have everything we need. Thank you for your time." They turn and go away. Unc is blushing. He says " Miss Ruth why do you take such joy in embarrassing me." She replies " Gilbert that would be giving away trade secrets. You're just going to have to figure out that little mystery out on your own. Now if we're ready let's blow this clambake." I wave goodbye to Julie and we go out to our 1968 white Mustang and drive home. On the way we talk non stop about tonights adventures. When we arrive home my mother comments on my new sweatshirt which is mauve and says "John Jay Track And Field Varsity" I give a quick kiss and I love you to everyone and scamper off to bed. Very similar to what I'm gong to do now. Thanks and Goodnight. Jody
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