CHAPTER 1
It's a beautiful still day in the middle of June. Grass and trees seem to be at they're greenest peak. Just as a stage light the sun sets perfectly on this small town. Insects rhythmic like harmony beckoned the only sound heard for miles. Quiet days weren't unfamiliar to this unusually small populated town. So small you'll need a magnifying glass to see it on and map. It was just the way towners prefer it. Hard working town and still close to its old tradition and heritage. Community leaders were available and approachable by all. Store owners know their customers as well as the customers knew them. This town was one of a repetitive one; days were much of the same. Just as every night brought darkest.
Town's elementary school bell rings breaking the silence of quiet day. Sound of the bell no different than the way it sounded months before; although this would be the last time students would hear the school bell until next the school semester. Far as the weather, summer had already begun, but for students the last day of school was the first of summer.
The school doors open, kids begin pouring out by the hundred. Certain kids head to their school buses and form a single line to board. There were some parents that didn't take kind to their children traveling to school by bus; and the last day of school didn't warrant a change. A hand full of kids either walk home or road their bikes. Johnny White and his friend Roger were among the kids that journey by bike to and from school.
Johnny had a clear knowledge of how to get home; he even knew a few short cuts. It just was more fun riding along the school bus. The two of them made the ride home a race. As soon as the bus departs he and his friend did. Kids on the bus would pull down their windows to watch. Some of the kids thought it was out right crazy what Johnny did, while others thought it was cool.
Today Johnny didn't want to wait for the bus to depart once he unlock his bike from the bike rack he gave his friend the stare. There were no words needed or use. His friend was familiar with the look and he knew it meant the race home was on!
Johnny jumps off the sidewalk, his friend followed, following Johnny was something he'd gotten accustomed to. Johnny was just such a good rider. They'd talked about Johnny maybe being in X-games and the way that Johnny road it was starting to feel realistic. In the street, out the street, in front and behind one another forming what appears to be figure eights!
Arriving on the block where the two of them live, they separate going to each of their homes. Besides the ride to and from school these two boys spent most of their time with one another. Their moms would talk over tea and pie about how inseparable they were. Catching butterflies and lightening bugs, building a club house, staying nights over one another house, you name it, they did it together.
Almost at his lawn he yells back for Johnny to check in.
"I'm dropping my things off home then I'm coming over".
Johnny noticing his mother car in the drive way, he hadn't heard what his friend said. Johnny seeing his mother car wasn't out of the norm but the time of day unusual. Drops his bike on the first step of the porch and runs up and into the house.
"Mom, Mom".
He was so eager to see his mother and too concern for why she was home at this time. Again "Mom, Mom" and again no response. He walks through the living room and dining room to find his mother in the kitchen at the table reading papers.
"Hey mom you didn't hear me calling you?" In a soft voice she replies, "Johnny what did I say about shoes in my house?" He sighs and takes them off leaving dirt in the place where he stands, places his sneakers by the door and sweeps up the dirt.
He feels a stare but she doesn't say anything. He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his report card. Good grades were a must under Johnny's mother roof. He could only imagine how much money or what kind of gift his mother would give him this time; she always did for having favorable grades. His mother extends her arms and hugs Johnny, he's thinking `where's the money'?
She says, "Son I don't know how I would have survived without you".
He just wanted some money, maybe a new game or something; but something was bothering his mother.
"So mom what's all these papers?"
"Not right now, she replies. But I really need to talk to somebody".
He figure when she was ready she'd talk and when she really needs someone she'd call Johnny's grandfather. He didn't see how he could help ... he lives in a totally different town. But whatever it was he told his mother always seem to work.
"Ding dong" Johnny racing to the door. As he's opening the door from the kitchen he hears his mother say, "What did I tell you about running through this house"?
At the door is his friend tossing a football into the air. Johnny was great on a bike but lack any skill at football or basketball.
"Dude come on, today's the day"
Johnny knew what he meant and ran and got his sneakers. He could hear his mother "Johnny", but before she could finish he says, "sorry." Johnny runs out of the house closed the door on his mother's last words.
Not only did he have his sneakers, but he also has a bag which his friend couldn't help but to ask what's in it. There was some over-protective parents that insisted and made sure their kids had on a bike helmets. There were no one that wore knee and elbow pads and as new as Johnny's look you could tell he didn't either. Johnny says,
"These are from two Christmases ago, if we are about to do something no one has, I think this is the perfect time to put these to use".
Roger says, hey dude I agree, better safe than sorry"!
They had everything they needed. The two of them take to their bikes, Johnny's mother opened the house door; "Johnny be home by supper or none at all".
"Whatever" he says under his breath, knowing his mother said things like that before. No this no that, if you don't clean no dinner, and she never stood by any of it.
Just as their set to start they're journey. Johnny realizes he doesn't have his lucky gloves. Remembering them being on the porch he returns to collect them. Johnny friend had gotten off his bike as well. Distance between he and Johnny nearly fifteen feet. Football along his side, resembling an old western cowboy movie; Johnny knows exactly what about to happen.
He screams "Hey Roger you ready pilgrim? Roger always being Clint Eastwood; "ready"?
Johnny replies "I'm always ready".
"Well let's do it you old bag of dirt".
Roger sends the football spiraling through the air. Spinning and rotation of the ball is beautiful and a sight to see. Before the football reaches Johnny, Roger yells "like Bret Favre". Football zipping through the air but seems as if it were in slow motion. Johnny put his arms out, stands in the trajectory where the ball would land. Braces his self as the ball is coming directly toward him, catching this pass would make Roger throw look so much better. It was here the moment of truth ... Johnny drops the catch ... Roger immediately drops his shoulders in disbelief.
"Hey Johnny, that was a good pass dude! You couldn't catch a cold in the middle of winter in Wisconsin".
Roger was dead on; he did throw a pretty pass, and Johnny just as other times dropped the football. Johnny sucks at mostly all sports baseball, football,...
