Episode 12: Why Is Chuck Grinning?
Sally’s face was set in stone. I knew I had to do something or the night would be spoiled. The problem was she didn’t trust me enough yet and was afraid I would be tempted by Madeline’s obvious good looks and bold behavior. After a few warm up laps, I moved next to Sally and reached for her hand. The smile returned.
“Sally, listen to me. Not only am I your date, but I am exclusively under your spell. Madeline, nor any other of these girls interest me at all, not in the least. We’re here to enjoy ourselves and we can share our joy with others.”
“I’m sorry, Jack. But…but I just found you and I care about you and I don’t want to lose you.”
“No chance. I may skate with others, but I only want you. You should skate with others as well. Having friends is important and you can’t live in a shell because of Chuck. That is over.”
“Okay, once or twice, but I want you next to me.”
Things were great for about an hour. We stopped skating and went to the snack bar for a cold drink and rest. The pause was shattered by the snarling voice of Chuck with two of his buddies. Hope two was now shattered. The business with Madeline was a distraction and a nuisance, but the interference of Chuck was becoming more than annoying. It had to come to an end, I said to myself.
Sally was about to say something but I touched her arm and shook my head.
“Responding is what he wants, Sally, ignore him, that’s what I’m doing.” I wasn’t really ignoring him, I was just waiting for an appropriate time and place. It was good intention on my part but Chuck, of course, had other ideas. He walked over to us and stopped in front of Sally.
“I would like the next skate, Sally.”
“No, Chuck. I am not skating with you or having anything to do with you. Period!”
“That’s not very nice, Sally, you know how the skating rink works. It’s for fun and everyone participates.”
“No, Chuck. I made an exception in your case, so leave me alone. There are plenty of girls here who would be happy to skate with you. I’m not one of them, and I’m getting tired of telling you to leave me alone.”
I was watching Sally and her hands were clinched so tight they were turning white. Her dark eyes narrowed and somehow turned blacker, and she started to rise up from her seat. I didn’t dare wait any longer so I stepped between her and Chuck.
“Leave Chuck, leave now and don’t bother us again, or so help me I’ll bloody this beautiful floor with you.”
He grinned at me. Grinned. Didn’t raise a fist or utter a sound, just grinned. I could feel the hair on the back of my neck rise and the muscles in my arms tightening. I had had enough, too much really. Then he laughed and turned away and headed to the lacing up area.
Sally wanted to leave but I talked her out of it. If we left, he would win I told her. I pulled her out onto the floor and bravely put my arm around her. She smiled and came in close. The closeness seemed to satisfy her and we skated that way for another hour. We didn’t leave the floor so no one asked us for a skate. Madeline and Chuck both passed us more than once, but we pretended not to see them.
I turned in my skates at the counter and we headed for the door. I thought I would try the arm around the waist thing again and Sally not only let me, she put her arm around me as well. I was a little bit heads-in-the-clouds as we walked tightly together to the car. I opened the door for Sally and she paused for a moment. I was thinking it might be time for a little kiss, but something caught the corner of my eye. It was Chuck and he was close. I turned Sally loose just as Chuck swung what looked like a fungo bat at my head. I raised my arm to ward it off but I was obviously too late. It was the last thing I remember about Friday night’s skating date.
I woke up the next day with blurred vision, a needle in my right arm and an aching pain in my left wrist. Sitting next to me and holding my right hand was a beautiful dark-haired girl. Her eyes were puffy and red, either from crying or lack of sleep or both. She was coming in and out of view and I tried hard to focus. It was then I realized that my head was also hurting. I wanted to touch my head but my left arm hurt too bad to move it. There was no chance of moving the right one.
“Hello,” I said, “Where am I and what’s going on?”
Sally looked up and a large smile lit up her face. “Oh, Jack, you’re awake. Don’t move, just lie still. You are in Mercy Hospital in Nampa. You have a slight concussion and need to stay still for a few hours.”
“What happened, I don’t seem to remember.”
“Chuck hit you with some kind of a bat. You have a bad bruise on your left wrist where you tried to fend off the blow.”
“Where’s Chuck?”
“He fled after I hit him and scratched his face. If I could have caught him he would have been there for the police, but he got away. The police are looking for him though.”
“You attacked Chuck?”
“Yes, of course. He might have killed you. He was acting crazy, getting ready to swing that bat again.”
“How did I get here?”
“Ambulance. Someone ran into the rink and called the police and they called an ambulance. I was so scared. You were totally knocked out. The ambulance people had a hard time getting you out of my grip. I was beside myself.”
“How did you get here?”
“I got your keys and drove your car. When I got here I called mom and dad and they came right over. They stayed until the doctor said you would be alright. Dad took your car to our house and he and mom are coming back this afternoon when they release you to take you to our house.”
My vision was clearing a little and the headache was easing some. The wrist was still throbbing. I took a quick glance. Eew, it was red and swollen, no wonder it hurt. It obviously had taken some of the blow meant for my head.”
“Do I have a knot on my head, Sally?”
“Yes, quite a bump but it’s coming down. They’ve had ice on and off both places.”
It was then a nurse in white walked in pushing a cart with all kinds of things on it. She smiled when she saw I was awake.
“Good morning, Mr. Reynolds. Glad you are awake. Stay awake for a while. You have a concussion and need to rest but you’ve slept enough for today. After lunch we will get you up to stand and maybe take a few steps. Right now I need to take your temperature and get your blood pressure, okay?”
I nodded, opened my mouth and clamped down on the thermometer. She moved my left arm to get the blood pressure cup on it and I made a hurt noise.
“Sorry, but I have to do this. I’ll get you some Tylenol when I’m done.”
“What is Tylenol?”
“It’s a relative new pain killer that’s safer than aspirin. It’s an acetaminophen. The doctor said you could have it if needed. Your temperature is normal, and your blood pressure is a little elevated but that’s to be expected. I have two policemen waiting to talk to you, and if you feel up to it I’ll let them in. I wouldn’t admit them as long as you were unconscious.”
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