My Name Is River Blue

by Noah James Adams

  Ant, dressed only in his boxers, ignored me and began dancing around our room. He partly sang and partly rapped a song that went something like "party night for a football stud cattin' around the ladies," followed by the unintelligible muttering Ant used when he couldn't think of lyrics that rhymed. Since his verbal play was going badly, he jumped into his interpretation of dirty dancing with an imaginary, sexy girl boasting huge breasts. I could almost see his invisible, slutty partner, as he repeatedly squeezed and licked the air where her big boobs might have been. He swung his hips side to side, and began wailing a new song. It was so bad and so loud that Jeff Simms, our young foster brother, ran dripping wet from the shower room to see if one of us was sick. I told him not yet, but I was getting close.

  As we normally did, Ant and I were saving gas money by riding together to the party. After we obtained our driver's licenses, Papa had given each of us a great deal on a dependable used car. We made interest-free payments to Papa with the money we earned working at Long's Fitness Center and Deer Lake Farm. We could afford our car payments, gas, maintenance, taxes, and insurance, but we had little money left for anything else. If I had extra money after paying bills, I deposited a little in my savings account while Ant was more likely to spend than to save.

  After Ant and I threw on our jackets, we found Hal and Jenny in the kitchen to tell them we were on our way to the barn party. It was a house rule to check with them before we left.

  Hal and Jenny asked the same questions and gave the same advice that they always did before Ant and I left the house.

  "Are you two planning to go anywhere else but Papa's barn?" Hal asked.

  "No, sir," answered Ant. "I'm driving my car, and we should be back by midnight, but if we're too tired to drive home, Papa will let us stay. The coaches will be there to supervise us, and we're taking our new cell phones Papa bought us for Christmas."

  Papa had added Ant and I to his cell plan, and we paid nothing as long we kept our minutes and texts to a minimum.

  Jenny spoke up with a warning. "Boys, the weather report said we might have some light sleet or freezing rain overnight. It didn't sound like a big deal, but just be aware when you begin driving back home. If you think the roads are slick, stay over with Papa. I'll call one of you if I hear a report about icy roads conditions. Let us know if you're going to be later than midnight."

  "Yes, ma'am." We answered at the same time as we edged towards the door.

  "Okay, boys, drive safely and have a good time," said Hal.

  We hurried out the door and a minute later, I was buckling my seatbelt in Ant's little Chevy Malibu. Ant seldom wore a seatbelt if he was driving at night when cops were not likely to see him. Each time we began a trip, I told him that he should buckle up, but Ant only complied in town. A Harper Springs cop had once caught him, but a football player was never fined for a small offense, and in Ant's case, the cop decided to be cool and not mention it to our guardians. He made Ant promise to wear his seat belt, which lasted until we were out of town.

  As we drove away, Ant performed good-natured imitations of our house parents giving their somber warnings that only changed with the weather. He had me laughing hard by the time we turned onto Hwy 8, the two-lane country highway that led us to Deer Lake Farm, the barn party, and the night that changed our lives forever.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  When Ant and I drove onto Papa's property, we saw many of our teammates' cars and trucks parked near the second barn, a huge structure, which was about one hundred fifty yards from the house. The barn's concrete floor had been cleaned, and there was a pleasant smell of sweet hay in fresh air. In addition to the stalls, which were empty for the party, there was a tack room, an office, a supply room, a half bathroom, and a small kitchen. At one end of the barn away from the stalls, Papa had cleared a large area of the floor to make room for folding tables and chairs. A food buffet had been set on three long tables placed end to end near the kitchen. As we walked farther into the barn, the smell of barbeque meat had my mouth watering.

  When Ant and I saw people lining up to fill their plates, we headed that way, and as usual, we didn't make it far before our teammates yelled greetings from wherever they were and made their usual jokes. They referred to me as "his majesty," and one of them fell on his knees and thanked me for blessing them with my presence. The older guys who knew me best enjoyed having fun with me, but there was no ill intent. It was simply the way that we razzed each other. Ant suffered similar treatment, but the guys didn't take things nearly as far with him as they did with me.

  When Ant and I joined the buffet line, the younger players and cheerleaders gathered around us and did their best to act as if we had all been best friends for years. After four years, I was used to the spotlight that brought me a few real friends, and many more people, who just wanted to share the artificial light with me.

  Carlee Summers and Tina Woodson suddenly appeared in the buffet line beside us. Carlee handed me a plate stacked high with barbeque meat and sides, and Tina offered Ant a plate equally over-filled. The girls then directed us to a table, which two freshman cheerleaders had saved for the four of us seniors. It was nice having the girls take care of us.

  Carlee and I were still on good terms, just as we had been on the night of the state title game, and it was a relief to me that our relationship as friends was working with no plotting on Carlee's part to make us any more than that. We had not had a single argument since she apologized for the homecoming game fiasco two months earlier.

  To say that the night of our homecoming game was awkward is like saying the Titanic took on a little water after the ship hit an iceberg. I vividly remember how nervous I was when Ant and I drove away from the football stadium's parking lot that night. I had good reason to worry that the cops would arrest me before morning.

  ***

  Before the students voted for homecoming king and queen, the committee chairperson, Nancy Graves, told me that Carlee and I were a lock to be the royal couple. I told Nancy that I would not accept homecoming king and advised her to find someone else to stand with Carlee at the ceremony. When Carlee mentioned homecoming to me, I told her that I did not want her to be embarrassed, so if the students elected me king, Nancy should award the title to the guy in second place.

  I didn't know until after homecoming that Nancy was such a bitch and hated Carlee so much. Nancy convinced Carlee that I really wanted to be homecoming king because it would give me a way to be close to her without admitting that I wanted to start over. As was normal for her, Carlee ignored what I told her and believed Nancy because it was what Carlee wanted to believe.

  The school administration planned to hold the crowning ceremony during half time of the homecoming game. From a mobile stage at midfield, Principal Wilson would announce the name of the new queen who was supposed to join him on the stage where he would crown her and present her with flowers. Then he would announce the king, crown him, and allow him to give the queen a chaste kiss on the cheek. After a few pictures and a wave to the crowd, the couple would ride around the football field in a convertible while the crowd applauded. After the game, the king and queen would attend the homecoming dance where they would continue to be the center of attention. Things did not go nearly as smoothly as planned.

  Ant told me that when Principal Wilson announced Carlee Summers as homecoming queen, she did the whole "I'm so surprised and humble" routine complete with a few tears shed at the very idea of her winning such an honor. When she walked to the stage, Wilson crowned her and presented her with roses, which caused a few more tears. Ant said Carlee looked good and was sporting some new, dangly diamond earrings. It was typical of how Big Bill Summers blew money on his baby girl so that she could show off his wealth.

  There were loud cheers and applause when Principal Wilson announced that I had won homecoming king, which I knew was true because I heard it all the way into the locker room where I stayed after the rest of the team left for the ceremony. When I didn't come
to the stage, and the crowd's cheers turned to mumbles, Coach Haney asked Ant about me. Ant told the coach the truth, and the coach walked to the stage and whispered to Principal Wilson, who did a poor job of hiding his anger for a moment before he gathered his composure. Wilson forced a smile as he moved to the microphone to inform everyone that I was unable to participate in the ceremony because of a mild injury for which I was receiving treatment in the locker room.

  Carlee guessed the truth and was shocked that I had the audacity to do exactly what I told her I would. It didn't occur to her at the time that Nancy set her up to look foolish. With a smile, she did her best to convince her friends that I was truly receiving treatment in the locker room and that I was going to the dance with her. However, she told her father how humiliating it was for her to stand alone on the stage and that she would be devastated if I didn't take her to the homecoming dance. I was surprised that "daddy" didn't attempt to drag me off the field during the second half of the game.

  Carlee's expectation was even crazier because I had only gone to a high school dance twice in four years. She knew that I had never gone to a homecoming dance or the prom, and in my senior year, I still could not afford to waste money on a new suit nice enough to stand next to Carlee in her expensive gown and matching accessories. I refused to take money out of my small savings account to buy her a corsage, purchase admittance tickets, and pay the photographer "to capture our memories" of the evening. Papa would have given me the money, but I was already uncomfortable with how much he did for Ant and me, and I would not take advantage of his generosity for something that meant nothing to me.

  In Carlee's spoiled world where she didn't understand words like "budget," she could not believe that I would not even splurge for the extra gas it would take to drive to the dance. She ignored the fact that I had to earn every dollar I needed to pay for anything more than my basic needs, and she had no clue what life was like for a kid without the support of a family. Lastly, she couldn't accept the fact that I wouldn't ask her to be my date even if I could afford to spend the money.

  After the homecoming game, Ant and I showered, dressed, and hurried out of the locker room into the cool night air. We had a long walk through the parking lot, as we were at least ten light poles away in the closest part of the student parking section. With a donation, booster club members "bought" the choice parking spots each year, which put them closest to the stadium. The next sections of parking were for the rest of the fans, followed by teachers and staff, and lastly, the students parked on the far side of the lot.

  Ant was rushing to get home and change clothes because he had accepted Tina's offer to give him the money he needed to take her to the homecoming dance. That was a major difference between Ant and me. Tina's family had money, and Ant was fine with allowing Tina to pay for any of their dates. He had no problem with spending her money for a date or simply telling her when he needed some cash. I would have never accepted money from a girl I dated, and when I asked Ant how he could ask her for money, he said that he was doing her a favor. If she gave money to him, she was helping the needy as her minister suggested a good Christian should do, instead of wasting it like a spoiled rich girl.

  There were about a dozen vehicles left in the student parking lot, but I didn't see any people until we were almost to Ant's car. I saw what appeared to be a large shadow near it, but as my angle adjusted with the light of the nearest pole, I determined that it was Carlee's father leaning against the passenger side door. He had to be at least 6' 5" and 260 pounds, and every time I saw him, I thought "Big Bill" was a suitable nickname. I had a good idea why Mr. Summers was there.

  Since he was blocking the door to my side of Ant's car, I could not avoid speaking to him, and I decided to be polite. I wanted to avoid an argument with Mr. Summers, but I didn't think he was there to congratulate me on our win.

  "Hello, Mr. Summers. Something I can do for you?"

  "Are you feeling better?" Summers' tone was nicer than I expected.

  "Feeling better?" At the time, I didn't know about the reason the principal gave everyone for my no show at the crowning ceremony.

  "Yeah, I heard you were being treated in the locker room at half time, and that's why you didn't join Carlee on the stage."

  "No, sir. I didn't participate. I told the homecoming chairman and Carlee two weeks ago, and a couple of times since then that I would not accept homecoming king."

  His smile faded. I had reached my final height of 6'2" and still, I had to look up at the nasty expression on Big Bill's face. He looked at me as if I had kicked mud on his expensive suit, and he was obviously struggling to control his anger.

  "So, you mean you left Carlee hung out to dry? Do you think that's how you should treat a young lady on your first date?"

  "Mr. Summers, like I said, I never asked Carlee to the homecoming dance. I'm not dating Carlee or anyone else. I've never gone to a homecoming dance, and I'm not going to this one." It was hard for me to believe that he was so accepting of Carlee and me dating. I thought he would be happy that I would not be with his daughter. I could only believe that Carlee had him wrapped tighter than I thought.

  Big Bill's face flooded a deep crimson as he stepped closer to me. I stood my ground, close enough to smell his Old Spice. Close enough to count the hairs sprouting from his ears and his nose, and unfortunately, close enough to notice that he needed mouthwash.

  Recognizing the potential for trouble, Ant came around from the driver's side of his car and stood just a couple of steps to the side of us.

  "So, you're telling me that you don't want to date Carlee, and you never asked her to the dance?" His voice was noticeably louder. His body was shaking.

  "Sir, I'm telling you that we haven't agreed to go to any dance since we were freshmen, and I don't want to date Carlee. She asked me to the homecoming dance, but I told her at least three times that I could not afford to go and that I was not interested in dating her. The problem is that Carlee only sees things like she wants them to be, and she ignores an answer that she doesn't like."

  Summers grew an ugly scowl on his face, and for a moment, I thought the man would hit me, but all of the sudden, his expression relaxed. It was a strain, but the man did his best to sound friendly with his next words. He was a good enough businessman that he was adept at changing tactics to get the results he desired.

  "Listen, River. I think I know what the problem is. You can't afford a new suit, flowers, pictures, and all that garbage, and you're too proud to ask anyone for help. I respect that you don't want any charity, but I can help you out, and no one will ever know. Tommy, my sister's son, is staying with us right now, and he's almost your exact size. I'm sure one of Tommy's nice suits would fit you. I can have Tim Gibson get a corsage from his shop, and I can give you the money you need for other expenses and a little extra just for you. It's an easy fix. Carlee and you can make a fashionably late entrance with all the other kids staring at Carlee's gown that cost me a mint. This means a lot to Carlee, and with a little effort, we could give her the night she deserves."

  "Mr. Summers, I think it's great that you want to give Carlee a nice night, but you'll have to do it without me. I'm not a dress, a piece of jewelry, or a new phone you can buy Carlee to make her happy. If you want to spend money on something that she needs, buy her a few sessions with a therapist. You might get a group discount for the whole family."

  The blood rushed back to Bill Summers' face, and it occurred to me where Carlee got the notion that no one was supposed to say "no" to her. I braced for the man to get physical, but he tried to belittle me instead.

  "It's just as well, boy. Carlee begged me to let her have this one date with you, but I was against the public seeing her with your kind. You think you're God's gift to Harper Springs right now because you can throw a football, but you're one injury away from people treating you like the trash you are. Just like your own mother treated you when the slut dumped you like garbage to be a burden on decent people."

/>   I was angry enough to hit him, but I maintained control until Big Bill stepped even closer, spat in my face, and stabbed my chest with his meaty finger. "What do you think of that, you little half breed bastard?"

  I shot forward, shifting all my weight into a punch that exploded into Summers' jaw. His head snapped up and back, his body bouncing off Ant's car before he fell forward smacking his face on the asphalt. Ant wrapped his arms tightly around me to prevent me from doing any more damage to Big Bill or me.

  I had only a moment to watch Big Bill's mouth drool blood on the white parking stripe before Ant opened the passenger door and shoved me into his Chevy. He sprinted to the other side of his car, hopped behind the wheel, and spun away from our parking spot and the massive lump that was Big Bill.

  My hand throbbed as if I had hit a brick wall. As we rode towards home, I worked it to check for any broken bones, and came to the conclusion that there was no serious injury to it.

  I was worried that I might have hurt Bill Summers much worse than my hand, and I wondered if we should have stayed and called for help. My other concern was the possibility of him having me arrested for assault, and I thought the fact that we drove off and left him would look bad. I was quiet until Ant burst out laughing.

  "What's so funny?" I asked.

  "Yo, you just dropped Big Bill like a bad habit. Can you imagine how many people have wanted to do that? Geezit, you knocked the total shit out of that cracker. I bet you broke his fucking jaw, dude."

  "Ant, shut up! I don't need any more to worry about." I could picture the story Bill Summers would give to the cops. He would not mention his insults, spitting in my face, the hard poke he gave me in the chest, or blocking me from the car. Big Bill was an influential man with enough money to buy connections and the favors that went with them. If the rumors were true, he had local law enforcement and a few politicians on his unofficial payroll, and I wasn't sure if my status as QB1 for the Hawks would keep me out of trouble if Big Bill chose to seek revenge.