Unlikely Hero—14

1

Ending of chapter 122

Garth lost out on much of the splendor they’d driven through. His eyes kept squeezing shut on him. Especially each time a hoard of yellow cabs bore down on his uncle’s small red two-seater car. Garth saw the large yellow beasts coming at them on a mission of destruction and his eyes shut and he couldn’t open them until he heard his uncle’s voice again. Each time they pulled up to a traffic light he figured they were safe for a time. Then the light changed and the beasts charged again…. and again…3

The highway, his uncle called the Thruway, wasn’t much better. Only now the beasts were many colored and raced along beside them causing him to catch and hold his breath from time to time. 4

His uncle brought the car safely into the garage, the motor barely died, when Garth leaped out and rejoiced at the firm surface beneath his feet.5

Chapter 136

Garth counted each step he took as his feet sunk into the thick charcoal rug that ran the length of the front hallway. He lost count at twenty. His interest centered on the wide spiral staircase. There was a landing in the middle that looked nearly as big as the bedroom he’d left behind in Leona’s flat. An over-wide window allowed the sunlight in so Garth could see all the way to the top. Long railings looked promising and he figured it would take him five minutes at least to slide the length. That would be a grand ride. 7

Garth told himself he wasn’t scared anymore. So the bloody Yanks were ‘Big’ on big—that was okay by him. 8

They entered the room his uncle called the den.9

Mathew grinned down at the boy as he apologized. “Guess I goofed. Joel’s got a year if not inches on you.” He had just finished introducing the caretaker family to Garth.10

To please his uncle, Garth shook hands. With his uncanny ability to sense trouble, he was already contemplating a situation that was less than appealing. The woman, “Dar’lene,” she pronounced it with an emphases on the first syllable, was a phony. She no more wanted Garth there than she anticipated a thrashing. The worst thing about her and the first thing he noticed were her large overly white teeth. They filled her wide mouth and stuck out at him when she smiled, which she seemed to do constantly. She had lots of black hair like Leona, and he hated flowing black hair.11

“Oh he’s such a handsome boy, Mathew, “ she gushed. “We’re going to get along fabulously.”12

Garth pretended to agree by returning her smile, but he thought—‘ yah, right.’13

Joel was shorter than Garth and afraid of his father. Garth caught on to that instantly. This guy Hugh touched his son’s shoulder and the boy flinched. He expounded on the great times the three of them would have together. “Box seats at Yankee Stadium. Joel and I will teach you to play baseball. …” Hugh rattled on. Again he touched Joel’s shoulder and the boy flinched. Garth knew too well the automatic reaction to an expected blow to miss this. Hugh, as the fat bloke was called, beat up on his kid. 14

And Garth decided, ‘try that with me, ya bastard, sure, I’ll kick ya in the nuts’. Garth said, “I play soccer.”15

“Joel’s pretty fair at that too. Do you like fishing? Your uncle has a boat we use.”16

So that was it. This was all his uncle’s and they made free use of it. Mathew had already told him he was often gone away for weeks at a time on business.17

“Your secretary set up a dozen appointments but do you really think, Mathew, being such a big boy, that Garth would want a babysitter?” Dar’lene’s mouth spread as wide as it could get. The white teeth reminded Garth of a shark ready to attack him.18

‘Babysitter!’ Garth scowled. She sure knew how ta cut a fellow. Nanny sounded pretty neat, but babysitter. 19

“We’ll interview some. Let Garth judge. He might like the idea of a pretty young lady around.” Mathew grinned down at the boy as if they shared a secret.20

“Of course. I just thought with school only eight weeks away, you might not want to bother.”21

And you sure don’t want another lady on your turf; Garth thought but said, “I’m a bit hungry.”22

“I’ll finish up dinner. Hugh and Joel can show Garth to his room…”23

“Just Joel.” Garth cut Dar’lene off. 24

Hugh’s face reddened slightly and his lips pulled tight puffing out his plump cheeks. 25

Mathew said, “The boys will be fine on their own. Why don’t you join me in the office, Hugh, you can fill me in on what’s been happening.”26

Joel darted from the den with Garth in pursuit. Joel didn’t take the front stairway only ran up a service way in the rear of the house. “Mom don’t like it when the main rooms get messed. Takes her a couple hours just to vacuum.”27

“So, we’ll come down the front.” Garth snickered. “I wanna try sliding down that banister. You ever try it?”28

“Heck no.” Joel drew up short and stared at Garth. His blue eyes brightened to register his astonishment. “We can’t do that.”29

“Sure, and why not?”30

“We might scratch the wood. Mom would have a fit…”31

“It ain’t your mum’s wood.”32

“No, it’s your uncle’s but…”33

“That makes it mine.”34

“Yours?”35

“Right, you got it. Uncle Matt says everything that’s his is mine too. We’re gonna take us a ride down that banister. You go on one side and me the other—bet I beat ya.”36

A frightened expression flashed across Joel’s face but he only pointed at a door. “This is your room.” He shoved open the door, then stepped to one side. 37

Garth didn’t let on how astounded he was. He stared around the area that he was certain could have held Leona’s whole flat. “Your ma fix this up?”38

“Nah, Mathew had a designer come in before he left to get you. A funny little man my mom didn’t like much. I thought he was nice. He kept bringing me up here and asking me how I liked this or that. He even changed a few things I thought were babyish.”39

“Why two beds?”40

“Suppose ‘cause they match and Toby, that was the designer guy, said one was if you had a friend stay over.”41

Garth stepped slower than he’d ever moved in his whole life. His hands and eyes explored his new possessions. He burned inside with a desire to question Joel but couldn’t bring himself to admit his own stupidity. The TV screen was huge, but it had no knobs. ‘How’d ya turn the bloody thing on?’ There were black boxes fitted into shelves below it. He had a vague idea of what they were, but no clue as to how to operate the game system or video machine. He gave a slight push on a door that swung open to display videos on one side and racks of smaller plastic squares on the other.42

“I picked out the Atari games.” Joel bragged, and then said, “If you don’t like them—they have others. The movies I wasn’t too sure about but Toby said, you being an Irish kid, you’d like ‘em.” 43

Joel walked over to the elaborate electric train with its tracks weaving about a miniature town and life-like countryside. “This was my idea.” He longingly fingered a number of the cars. “Toby let me set it up. I spent three days working on the town. Always wanted one myself. But my mom said they’re too expensive and noisy. You want to see it work?”44

“Sure.” Garth came to stand beside the other boy. 45

Joel flicked several switches. Lights flared up in the miniature buildings and the train engines spewed smoke along with their happy sounds as they sped along the tracks. Joel picked up a tiny figure of a stationmaster. “Wouldn’t it be fun if we could make ourselves so small we could fit into one of the trains.”46

Such an idea didn’t appeal to Garth. He wanted to get as big as he could as fast as he could. He said, “Where’s the toilet?”47

“Toilet, you don’t ask to use a toilet. You’re supposed to say bathroom.”48

“Why? I don’t wanna take a bath, I wanna piss.”49

“Yow, you say piss around adults, you’re gonna get smacked.”50

“Nobody hits me anymore! Uncle Matt promised! Now where can I pee?”51

“Don’t get mad at me, Garth. I’m just telling you like it is. You got a bathroom over there.” He pointed to the door on the opposite side of the room. “You got your own ‘John’ —you got about everything.”52

Necessity made Garth ignore him. But he shortly returned to find Joel engaged in making corrections on the tiny village. “Nice having my own bathroom.” He stressed the final word. “But I sure hope I don’t have ta run all the way up here every time I gotta pee.”53

Joel choked back a giggle for Garth’s expression was quite serious. “Course not. In fact we have to use the bathroom off the kitchen when Mathew’s gone. So my Mom doesn’t have to clean so much.”54

“Your Ma’s sure got lots of rules. Your Pa got rules too?” Garth asked intent on making a list in his head so he’d be sure to break each one.55

“Hugh’s not my dad.” Joel snapped. “My real dad lives in Jersey. I only see him a couple times a year.”56

“Oh?”57

“My Mom divorced him and married Hugh. I don’t much like Hugh.” He shrugged. “You be careful around him—he can be mean.”58

Garth gave a nasty snicker. Then said, “I ain’t scared of the fat bloke. Bad things can happen ta mean people, ya know. Now let’s take a ride on the banister.”59

The loud hooting of Garth drew the men into the hallway. Mathew stood beside Hugh while each enjoyed a drink. Then the two boys came sliding down the wooden banister. Instantly both men set their glasses on a small hall table. Mathew was laughing as he caught Garth at the end of the railing and set him safely on his feet. 60

Hugh let out a curse and made a grab for Joel. The boy leaned to the side trying to escape his grasp and fell onto the stairs. “Damn!” Hugh’s meaty fist raised…61

“Hugh!” Mathew’s bark halted the other man. “What are you getting so upset about? They’re kids. You all right son?” He reached down to help Joel up. The cowering boy was covering his head with lifted arms.62

“Ain’t his fault!” Garth stepped in front of Joel. “I made him race me.” He glared up at Hugh. “It’s my house ain’t it Uncle Matt?”63

“Of course it’s your house.” Mathew said. “And there’s no harm done. You know every time I come down those stairs, I fight the urge to leap on a banister and take that ride.” He ruffled his nephew’s hair. “Hugh was only concerned you boys might hurt yourselves.”64

Dar’lene called from the end of the hall. “Dinner’s ready.”65

“Can Joel eat with us?”66

“Naturally, Garth. We don’t hold with ceremony around here. Hugh and Dar work for me, but they’re my friends.”67

“Okay. I got great stuff in my room and two beds, you think Joel can stay in my room tonight?”68

“If it’s all right with his parents. Hugh?”69

Hugh shrugged. “No problem.”70

Garth was certain there would never be a problem so long as his uncle was around. 71

Dar’lene had fixed a scrumptious meal. Mathew said, “Looks good.” He pulled out a chair for Garth and then sat in the one beside him. 72

“Aren’t we gonna eat in the big room?” Garth was a bit disappointed. He’d contemplated sailing dishes down that long table. Hugh was sitting down as Darlene finished placing her last serving bowl on the table. Apparently they were going to all eat together and that didn’t set right with him either.73

“The dining room,” Mathew said, “came with the house. We don’t use it much. This room is cozier. Now what looks good to you?”74

The others were already helping themselves and passing dishes. Garth followed Joel’s example and put a small amount of each offering on his plate. 75

Though the dinner conversation was casual, Garth sensed the undercurrent of nervousness in his uncle’s tone. Something bad happened or was going to happen. Garth lost his appetite. He began spearing individual vegetables with his fork and depositing them on hill of creamy potatoes. He arranged them in rows by color. Carrots at the top, corn came next and then the green peas.76

“I thought you were hungry?” Dar’lene’s white teeth flashed at him. Garth dropped his eyes and continued to construct his masterpiece.77

“Kid ate constantly on the plane.” Mathew seemed to apologize. “His belly is full of chips and peanuts.” His hand slipped over to cover Garth’s. “Dar will fix you something later if you get hungry.”78

‘That outta make her right happy.’ Garth ogled his colorful creation. Suddenly he smashed it into the plate with the fork so it mixed together. Anger boiled up in him and he struggled not to allow it to show as his uncle continued talking. 79

“I planned to hang in for a few more weeks until you got settled, Garth. But something important has come up in our over-seas operation. It needs my personal attention. I shouldn’t be gone very long.”80

“No problem.” Hugh interrupted. “We will keep things running here.”81

Garth’s face tilted chin up and he shot a look of disgust at the couple across the table. Then the look faded into one of disappointment as he turned his face towards his uncle’s. “When you leaving?”82

“Day after tomorrow. I tried to hold off until next week…”83

“That’s okay. I ain’t no nipper. I’ll make do.”84

“Dar’s got her hands full with the house. I called a friend of mine and she has offered to stay—I think you’ll like her Garth.” Mathew gave the boy their secret smile. “Kayla’s a pretty lady, so don’t you steal her on me.”85

“Mathew, that’s not necessary. I can manage…”86

Garth switched his eyes back to stare into Darlene’s toothy mouth and her protest was left hanging in the air. “Fine with me,” he said, “so long as this Kayla ain’t bossy. Can Joel and me go play in my room?”87

“Sure. I’ll come up in a while. I haven’t seen it yet. I hear Toby did a great job.”88

“It’s grand, Uncle Matt, don’t think any kid has one better.” Garth shoved away from the table. He had a sudden urge to cry, he chewed on his lower lip and blinked his eyes as he grabbed Joel’s sleeve and shook his arm. “I’ll race ya.”89

Instantly leaping up Joel took off after Garth.90

Though Joel protested, he followed Garth up the front stairway. They’d just stepped into the bedroom, when Garth picked up the first thing his glance fell on, a thin wooden clothes rack that mimicked a space ship and held a robe. He flung it.91

Joel held his hand over his mouth and gasped as the dummy ship took flight headed towards the wall. The green robe flared out like a parachute and the rack lost speed and came down on a bed.92

“Why did you do that!”93

“I felt like throwing something.” Garth slumped on the floor. He curled his legs under his buttocks, clasped his arms crisscross around his chest and rocked back and forth. He stared as Joel rescued the clothes rack and set it back in its proper place.94

Joel returned the robe, pulled out a chair from the desk, and sat down. “You sure can get mad,” he said. “I’m glad that didn’t hit the wall and break.”95

“So what if it did. It’s mine.”96

“You mad ‘cause Mathew’s going away?”97

“Bet if I told him to stay, he would.” The tears that had threatened were gone. Garth uncurled himself and jumped up. “You know this Kayla?”98

“Seen her a few times. She’s nice.”99

Garth moved to the entertainment center and ran his hand over the TV screen. “Show me how to work this,” he ordered.100

“You just turn it on.”101

“If I frigging knew how, I wouldn’t ask you!”102

Joel took the remote from a side drawer in the cabinet. He pushed the on button and handed the remote to Garth. “This changes the channels.” He touched the control.103

Garth began to switch channels so rapidly that the color from one scene blurred into another. It became such a mixed-up jumble of characters that Joel giggled. Then he warned, “Don’t let an adult catch you doing that, you’ll get seven kinds of hurt.”104

Garth snickered. He tossed the remote on the desk and let Archie Bunker finish calling his son-in-law a meathead. “You better be right, ya know.” He carefully removed the electronic game and his special picture from his pocket and set them beside the remote.105

“Right about what?”106

“This Kayla. She best be nice to me.” 107