Torren
On the second Friday of each month, the drive-in shows a classic movie.
When I sawRebel Without a Causeslated for this month’s classic flick,I nearly did a spit-take. My favorite movie on the big screen?Hell-fucking-yes.
I avoid the overcrowded lot and park my bike on a hill overlooking the scene below. It’s so cool—like being transported back to the 1950s. Nobody comes up here, which is why I always watch the movie from this spot. I started coming to the drive-in shortly after Tobias and I created the Hellcats. I was having nightmares, so I’d hop on my bike and ride until the sun came up. When I spotted the drive-in on one of my nightly rides, I was stoked to see the sign advertisingClassic Movie Friday.
I love old movies. Life would be better in black and white if you ask me.
I sawRebel Without A Causeon TV when I was still living with the Kays, and I was transfixed. Dean’s raw sexuality mixed with overwrought acting as Jim Stark, complete with a motorcycle, was just what my broken fifteen-year-old brainneeded. Every scream he released hit me right in the chest, because I was on the verge of screaming like that all the time, too.
Felix and I take a seat on the soft grass, and I reach into my side pocket and pull out a box of chocolate-covered raisins. I don’t like chocolate or raisins, but I somehow love them together during a movie.
Go figure.
“Want some?” I ask Felix, handing him the box.
“Oh, hell yes! I love eating these during a movie.”
“They’re not really good at any other time,” I add.
Felix stares off, thinking for a moment. “You know? You’re right. If someone had these at a party, I’d be like, “Nope,” but during a movie? Perfect.”
Felix finds a way to make me laugh no matter what we’re doing. The movie begins, and we share the snack. Once again, I’m mesmerized by James Dean, and I also realize Felix kind of looks like him.
Guess I have a type.
At one point in the film, Felix leans closer and says, “I bet you kind of looked like him when you were younger.”
The person he’s referring to on the screen is Plato, played by Sal Mineo. I can see the resemblance. We both have dark hair, brown eyes, and a tan complexion. I’m not sure how old Sal Mineo was when this film was made. Maybe 16? 17? Right around the age when I first saw it.
Plato lies about his dad, making up all of these grand stories about him, when, really, he’s a deadbeat who bailed on the family long ago. He looks to Jim as a father figure—maybe more than just a father figure if you give credence to the homosexual undertones of the film.
Which I do.
A mentor of sorts. I never really paid attention to his storyline. It was always Jim Stark and his motorcycle for me, but Plato had a lot going on. He just wanted a dad who loved him and was looking for that in Jim.
My chest squeezes as I watch the scene of Plato asking Jim to stick around for dinner. His socialite mom isn’t around either, so Plato is desperate for connection.
He just wanted a family that loved him.
My eyes zero in on Plato, the rest of the screen vanishing, and soon, my face replaces his. It’s me. I’m just a little boy, and I’m so nervous to be going home with my new parents…
This car smells nice…like rich people. Maybe I should tell them it smells good. That’s showing good manners, right? That’s all they talked about at home. “Be on your best behavior!” “Show good manners!”
I hope they like me.
Shit, I’m going to have a brother! I hope he likes me, too.
Things will be better.
They adopted me, so they have to like me—at least a little.
I’m just nervous. I’m sure they like me.
Yeah, this will be good. If they didn’t like me, they wouldn’t be taking me home.
Home…
