“It’s what mommy calls the other drivers when we’re in the car.”
“Okay, now that we both sweared, what’s your secret?”
Flash looked down and whispered, “I didn’t lose my bike.”
“You didn’t?” I asked excitedly. “That’s great. Just tell your parents and we can go play.”
Flash shook his head. “I didn’t lose it, but I don’t have it either.”
“I don’t understand,” I said.
“I didn’t forget to lock it up at Julian’s house. Someone... ah... took it from me.”
“Who took it?” I asked, but I already knew the answer.
“S...Scott Benson,” Flash said.
Scott was the youngest of the four Benson Boys. A group of serial bully brothers and constant menace to everyone our age. No playground or park was safe.
“Why didn’t you tell your parents? Why did you tell them it was your fault?”
“Because I didn’t want them to know,” he replied.
“Why? Your parents could talk to Scott’s mom and get your mini-bike back. Plus, then you won’t be in trouble anymore.”
“I’ll be in more trouble with Scott if I tell on him to a grown up.”
Flash’s words made me sad, but I understood his logic. He may have been right. Pulling weeds was better than getting punched in the mouth, but Scott stealing Flash’s prized possession was crossing the line, and if Flash wasn’t going to get a grownup involved, justice would have to be served by a kid.
––––––––
My older brother hadbeen that kid, returning Flash’s bike without any parents ever being the wiser. Scott had come to school the next day with a busted-up lip and never bothered Flash again.
“Wanna come over for dinner and video games tomorrow night?” he asked, pulling me from my memory.
“I’ll ask my parents, but that sounds fun.”
“We can do it Saturday if that doesn’t work,” he added.
“Mom’s taking me and Hay to the Melody Morgan concert.”
Melody Morgan was the be all and end all for me and my sister and no one was going to get in the way of us getting to her concert. Not even Flash Wallace.
“Oh yeah, I forgot. Cool. See you tomorrow,” he said. “Bye.”
“Bye.”
I hung up, then headed downstairs for ice cream.
