“There! Can I go now? Why don’t you threaten me some more, big man?”
“Wouldn’t do any good with you Nate. Hey, Demon.”
The dog was at Mike’s side in an instant, his snout contorting to voice a low rumbling growl.
“Please escort Mr. Denkins to his car.”
“No… wait!” Denkins started running but Demon clamped onto his shoe dumping him to the ground. While Denkins scrambled forward on hands and knees Demon nipped him along with leaping attacks on all sides.
As Denkins’ cries of anguish faded into the distance, Mike turned around to check on his sister and friends. The usual ball of ache formed in his throat when Laura walked Joanie over. Laura’s costume consisted of an upper thigh length, frilly black, maid’s outfit which nearly drove Joanie’s plight right out of his head. Seeing her big brother locked in a disconcerted stare with Laura, Joanie giggled. She stopped abruptly when Mike angrily turned on her.
“You think this is funny, you little twerp? What the hell were you thinking? You’re grounded and I don’t mean like Mom and Dad grounding. You don’t do anything for the next three months unless I say it’s okay.”
“But… but Mike! You can’t… you just can’t!” The horrified look on Joanie’s face elicited laughter from the five seniors gathering near her.
Mike turned and whistled a short two tone note. In seconds Demon was again at his side. The dog spit out part of Denkins’ pants leg. “We can go and explain tonight’s happenings to Mom and Dad. I’m sure they’ll be happy to discuss terms with you.”
Joanie quieted immediately. “O…Okay, Mike.”
Mike retrieved his jacket. After taking out his cell-phone, Mike called his parents.
“Hey Dad, I have Stan, Jerry, and Joanie. Everyone’s hungry. Is it okay if I take them to Denny’s for something to eat?”
“Sure kid. Are your friends manageable?”
Mike glanced over at the disheveled Stan and Jerry who gave him a finger wave. “Yeah, they’ve sobered up quite a bit.”
“Put it on the shop charge card. Your Mom and I are calling it a night. Lock up when you get home.”
“I will. Goodnight.”
“Bye, kid.”
Mike put away his phone. “Now, all we have to do is stop by Walgreen’s drugstore and get some Fabreeze. You smell like a damn brewery, Sis. We need to cover that. It’ll make Stan and Jerry more acceptable at Denny’s too. Thanks for watching out for Joanie. I owe you all big time.”
“That’s good,” Janis said, “because I had as much to drink as Stan and Jerry. Jerry drove but Connie was the designated driver and they slipped her something.”
Connie giggled as if to emphasize the point.
“She’s been doin’ that every few minutes for the last couple hours.” Janis pushed Connie into Stan. “It’s annoying as hell.”
Connie giggled again.
“I…I came with Tom,” Laura said.
“Can you drive?” Mike asked. “You could drive the rest home in Jerry’s Toyota.”
“I did those… jello shots someone brought. They were sooooo good.” Laura began to forget what the question was about.
“How many?”
“I think… maybe eight.”
Mike thought for a moment about logistics before speaking. “Here’s the only way we can do this then. Connie and Janis will have to sit on Stan and Jerry’s laps with Joanie in the middle. Laura can sit up front with Demon. If that won’t work I’ll call a cab for whoever wants to stay and wait.”
“We ain’t waitin’ out here!” Janis looked around at the ‘Hanging Tree’ with colored lantern light flickering in reflection over its branches.
Connie giggled. “I’m hungry.”
Mike grabbed up one of the lanterns nearby and gestured for them to follow. By the time they reached Patterson Pass Road all the other vehicles were gone except for Jerry’s Toyota and Mike’s Chevy Lumina. Mike helped everyone get settled in the car before getting in the driver’s seat. He opened all the windows.
“The fresh air will help but sing out if any of you need an emergency stop.”
“Thanks, Mommy,” Stan said.
After a quick stop at the local open all night Walgreen’s Drugstore, Mike drove the ‘April Fresh’ crew to the Denny’s on Marina Blvd in San Leandro. Jerry grabbed Mike’s arm as the group exited the car.
“I don’t think they’ll let you bring Demon in with you.”
“Sure they will. Demon and I have been in here before.” Mike walked around to the trunk. He opened the trunk lid and extracted a white cane and sunglasses along with a harness for Demon. By the time Mike outfitted Demon with the harness and stood up sporting white cane and sunglasses, the other teens were howling in laughter. “You know of course it’s not nice to laugh at the handicapped.”
This triggered another bout of hilarity before Mike followed the rest in with Demon gamely guiding him. With the many restaurant Halloween decorations, the group consisting of a Hobo, Vampire, Witch, Maid and ebony/ivory ‘Ashley Twins’ duo of Connie and Janis hardly attracted a second look. They were seated and served in short order. After Mike paid the bill with Laura’s help signing the credit card receipt, the costumed cadre left with a big bag of leftovers for Demon.
Mike dropped each of the seniors off in order of nearness except for Laura. Jerry was the next to last let out near his house, leaving only Mike, Laura, Joanie, and Demon in the car.
“What time you want me to come by, Jer?”
“Better make it ten, Mike, thanks,” Jerry replied as he trudged up to his house entrance.
“Ten it is.”
As Jerry went inside and Mike started the car. Demon jumped into the back with Joanie. Laura reached over and grasped Mike’s hand.
“Want to drop Joanie off and walk me home. With Demon, it’ll be like old times. I live less than a mile away.”
“Sure,” Mike agreed, glancing back at Joanie. “You make sure your first stop is the bathroom, Sis. Brush your teeth and gargle with Listerine. Take a shower and get into bed. I’ll check you when we get home. If you forget anything, I’ll have Demon get you up again.”
Joanie giggled. “Yes, Mommy.”
“Okay for you. Demon… stir the witch up.”
Demon poked into Joanie’s side with his snout, eliciting screams and futile movements to avoid the dog’s persistent tickling attack until Mike called him off. Mike parked in front of their house and escorted the chastised Joanie to the door. She surprised Mike with a hug.
“Thanks, Mike. I…I know what I did could have gotten your friends hurt.”
Mike held her at arm’s length. “If you remember about the unintended consequences that’s a good first step. Dad’s worried about you. He mentioned Demon being easier to talk to.”
Joanie sighed, pulling away from Mike and walking inside the house. “I’ll do better. Get going. If you’re not back in twenty minutes lover-boy I’m callin’ the cops.”
“Why you…” The door shut in his face. Mike rejoined Laura and Demon at the front sidewalk. Laura was hugging herself.
Mike took his jacket off and draped it around Laura’s shoulders. “Still want to walk home?”
“Yes.” Laura put her arms around Mike’s waist. “Can I go with you and Jerry tomorrow?”
“And Demon.”
“Of course with Demon.” Laura reached up and bordered Mike’s face with her hands. “I…I’ve missed you. Tom-”
“Let’s forget about Tom for now.” Mike’s kiss, tentative at first, heated into a fevered embrace only Demon’s yank on Mike’s shoe broke up. The dog head butted Mike’s leg. “I guess it’s time to walk.”
Laura nodded, threading her arm around Mike and leaning against him as they walked.
“Maybe we could include a few adventures together in between Halloweens,” Mike suggested. “At least until you dump me before the Senior Prom.”
Laura gasped, trying to pull away but was held in place by a laughing Mike
. She relaxed and settled for a playful slap on Mike’s face.
“That wasn’t very nice.” Laura met Mike’s amused look with a sultry one of her own Mike didn’t need more than streetlamp light to interpret. “How can I win you back?”
“You could start by taking off Tom Metger’s class ring.”
The resulting chase down the sidewalk with Laura on the attack had Demon circling the two teens as if trying to pick a side. When the two ended their spat in each other’s arms, Demon waited a full five minutes before he head butted Mike’s leg once again.
Chapter 3
MMA and Laura
Mike raised his arms in triumph. The referee signaled him into his ring corner and Mike complied. An arm bar submission hold ended the fight three rounds into what had looked like a sure loss. Mike’s opponent sat wincing in pain with three of his corner mates trying to assess the damage. Stan and Jerry danced around in Mike’s corner, celebrating their friend’s fourth Mixed Martial Arts win in a row. Mike’s Dad walked up to inspect the damage Mike suffered during the match with stoic acceptance.
“He broke your nose, kid.”
Mike, Stan, and Jerry all laughed. Mike’s nose still bled even with the coagulants used. The referee had warned Mike he would stop the fight if the bleeding worsened. Mike’s takedown of his opponent at the opening of the third round allowed some respite from his faster handed opponent, leading to the winning arm bar hold. Mike returned to center ring when beckoned by the referee to be declared the winner in front of nearly three hundred fans. After shaking hands with his opponent Mike left the ring with his Father and friends. A doctor in the locker room reset his nose and did a quick check-up on the young man before allowing him to go. Dan Rawlins’ somber attitude grew more tightlipped each time he looked over at his son. Mike noticed.
“What’s wrong, Dad?”
“Your Mom is going to chomp me up one side and down the other. She’ll probably set Demon on my genitals. Why did I ever let you talk me into this?”
Mike sighed, exchanging guilty smiles with Stan and Jerry. “You knew this would happen sometime. I’ll talk to Mom. It’s no worse than playing football like Stan and Jerry do. Jerry had his jaw wired for months from getting it broken in last year’s final game. He’ll be playing again for UC Davis this year.”
“I’ll need major backup. You head for your room and leave me to face your Mom and Sister alone and I’ll put you in traction.”
“I’ll take the heat until those two harpies give up,” Mike promised. “I’ll redirect the conversation to how well my corner crew did. Between the ice and coagulant they managed to give me a chance to win between rounds. I knew I’d get him.”
“I don’t know, Mikey,” Stan clucked. “If you hadn’t gotten that lucky takedown Rivera would have punched you into next week.”
“Thanks for the reality check you prick.”
“That roundhouse in the second round nearly put Rivera into the front row seats,” Jerry said as the four came to a halt next to Dan’s Chevy Equinox. “I thought it was over but I think it just made Rivera mad. By the end of the second round Stan had to wrestle the towel out of my hand. I figured we needed to save your life with a surrender.”
“Gee thanks, guys,” Mike put his head down comically with hands loose at his sides. Dan laughed along with Stan and Jerry. Mike peeked up from his stance for a moment. “You guys still coming over to watch the A’s/Red Sox game tomorrow afternoon?”
Stan gave Mike the wave off. “You think we’d miss it at your house on the fifty inch HD? I don’t think so.”
“Can we get a beer to celebrate Mike’s win tomorrow during the game, Mr. Rawlins?” Jerry put on his best ingratiating look for the question.
“Bring a note from your Mom and Dad along with a designated driver and it’s okay with me.”
“But we’re in college,” Stan pointed out to no effect.
“I’ll pick you guys up at noon and take you home later. We’ll be eating anyway but I doubt I’ll want a beer,” Mike volunteered with the first hint of nasal tone seeping into his voice.
“Sounds good, Mikey.” Stan waved and put Jerry in a headlock while dragging him toward Jerry’s Toyota. “See you then. Best sleep with an ice pack over the snoz, buddy.”
Dan opened the trunk for Mike’s equipment bag before the two got in the Equinox for the ride home. “You’re going to look like a raccoon, kid. You did pretty well covering up after Rivera busted it. How’d it feel?”
“You mean other than the blinding pain?”
Dan laughed. “I don’t suppose you’d take my advice now and start playing soccer or some other sane sport would you?”
“What’s the fun in that?” Mike gritted his teeth as the Equinox jolted over some rough spots in the parking lot on the way out. The adhesive tape over his reset nose seemed to be bulging as swelling continued along with the ache.
“It’s a good thing Laura left for college already. She probably wouldn’t care much about going out with Rocky Raccoon. I was stunned a little when you told us she won a scholastic scholarship to the University of Florida in biotech. Kind of puts us mech-heads on the defensive, huh?”
Mike nodded in agreement. “She’s in the genius IQ category. Besides, she was shedding me at the end of the year anyway. Getting the scholarship launched her to the moon. I took the hint and gave her space.”
“Now I get it! Boy, am I slow on the uptake.”
“Get what?”
“This sudden self destructive phase with getting your head beat in. That dreamy cloud you drifted around on after taking Laura to the Senior Prom disappeared fast after the University of Florida announcement. It also explains all the weekend backpacking trips with Demon. It’s no wonder your Mom thinks I’m so dense. I’ll bet she’s figured this out long ago.”
Mike started to object but lost faith in his ability selling an alternate explanation to his Dad. “Demon loves the backpacking and getting my head into MMA is a good outlet. I just pretend each of my opponents is dating Laura.”
Dan hooted in appreciation, reaching over to clap Mike on the shoulder. “Good one, kid. Those were great prom pictures though. You were the only junior guy to take a senior girl. That should matter a little to you.”
“Not much since I wasn’t trying to impress anyone other than Laura. We did have a great time though. I don’t think she felt like she was slumming. Thanks to Stan, Jerry, Connie and Janis the other seniors were cool with me being at the prom.”
“Have you heard from her lately?”
“Not even an E-mail after she graduated. In her defense Laura has an aunt and uncle in Florida. Going there for a summer class made a lot of sense. I’m sure it helped her get familiar with the school.”
Dan heaved a big comical sigh. “That’s so… so adult of you.”
Mike chuckled and shrugged. “What choice do I have? Anyway, it’s like that old movie ‘Circle of Iron’. You can’t possess what you love.”
“So you do love her.”
“I don’t remember ever denying that I did. There’s no use in advertising it because I’m only seventeen and most people just laugh when they hear a teenager saying they’re in love.”
* * *
Dan thought about Mike working a full five day work week since school ended on top of MMA training and backpacking. He shook his head slightly at his not seeing what was happening before. Taking a great kid like Mike for granted was far too easy when work had finally picked up. Simply paying his son a full technician’s wage didn’t substitute for being a Dad. Thinking about it now, Dan couldn’t come up with anything that would have made it any easier. Not for the first time did he wonder at how intuitively Mike had found something other than trouble to help him through a rough time.
Finding out about how Mike and Demon had saved the day for his sister and friends last Halloween on Gravity Hill, from an impromptu interrogation of Joanie at the breakfast table, Dan kept it to himself, thanking God for his good fortune. Joani
e idolized her brother now and was well on the way to becoming as responsible. Ever since Demon came into their lives he had been a good luck charm for the whole family. Between the dog’s ongoing comedy act with reading everyone’s mind, along with his ever present wagging tail at the shop, Demon’s place in the family was indispensable. Dan considered his next words with care.
“Although your way of coping is a bit dangerous let me handle your Mom. Besides, with that nose it’ll be a couple months before they’ll give you another match.”
“Thanks. I can still train though. With those new masks like the basketball players wear I can keep from doing any added damage.”
“Boy, you’re a glutton for punishment. You even brush that nose against something and you’ll wish you didn’t have a nose.”
“Yeah, but I won’t be thinking about Laura either.”
“Point taken.”
* * *
“Oh, good Lord!” Mike’s Mom ran over with Joanie following, gripping Mike’s face between her hands.
“Easy Jen, Mike’s okay.”
“It looks a lot worse than it really is, Mom,” Mike claimed, trying to gently disengage from his Mom’s inspection.
Joanie cringed with her mouth and eyes tightening. “Mike! That’s no joke. You look like you’ve been mugged.”
Mike tugged his Mom’s wrists down to her sides before holding up his hands in a defensive stopping motion. “Look. I didn’t go to a boy-scout meeting. It was my decision to get into mixed martial arts. Not that anyone seems interested – I won. Let’s not fight about it all over again. I’m hungry. Hey Demon.”
Everyone turned toward the lop-eared dog standing at the entrance to the kitchen with his head cocked as if hanging on every word spoken. When all eyes watched expectantly, Demon turned his head to the side, his left front paw whipping up next to his eyes in a classic shun. The four family members were reduced to helpless laughter as Demon held the pose. As the merriment subsided Demon peeked back around his paw at Mike. He then ran over to head butt his wounded master, absorbing pats from all around.
Demon (The Mike Rawlins Series Book 1) Page 4
