Excerpt



The Scorch could see his mother sitting on the porch across the street. Jane waved at him, as he held the blossom up. She couldnt make out what he was holding. His excitement was unmistakable.

Mommy, mommy, see my pretty flower!

Scorchs feet found the graveled surface of Horseshoe Drive.
*****
From the corner of her eye, Jane was aware of the big green car making its turn. She knew it was the Layton boy, from around the curve. Jane had seen him many times before. What a hunk that Jimmy Layton is! I bet he has a dozen girls after him. If I were sixteen Id be after him too.

Janes reverie was interrupted by the laughter of her little boy. The Scorch had stumbled his way toward her. Jane could see Louise still raking. Her friend was unaware the Scorch was about to cross the street. One minute Jane was at the height of happiness. A split second later, her whole world changed.
*****
The girls stood in line for Jimmy Layton. He was the coolest cat at Maplesville Highs class of 53. He called his wheels The Green Hornet. It took Jimmy two years of saving to buy the car. The Hornet needed lots of work. Jimmy was his fathers son, good with his hands.

Jimmy bought the 1937 Ford Coupe from a nearby junkyard. His uncle Harry owned an auto body shop at Tysons Corner. Thats where Jimmy brought it back to life. The final touch was the bright yellow fuzzy dice, hanging from the rearview mirror. Mr. Layton heard the excited calls of his son.

Dad, dad! Come check out the Hornet! I got her started and doesnt she sound cool?

Shes beautiful, Jimmy! It reminds me of my first car. Lets go for a spin.

You got it pop! Where to?

Anywhere you want son, youre driving.

Jimmy looked over to his father while driving and sat as straight as possible. At seventeen, he was almost as tall as his father. Mr. Layton was powerfully built through the shoulders and chest. He carried himself with the confidence of someone who could handle any physical threat. Jimmy idolized his dad.

One day, men will look up to me the way they do my dad.

The next hour was spent in silence, between the two, as they cruised the streets of Maplesville. Words were not needed to express feelings. Before they knew it, the ride was another memory, as they sat with the rest of the family, eating dinner.

Jimmy loved his wheels. The Hornet was a mean, mean driving machine. He and his buddies would cruise the drive-in, at Lee Highway, for chicks on the weekends. These nocturnal excursions always seemed to produce positive results. Chicks loved to be seen in the Hornet. The girls compared notes about their experiences with Jimmy. The make out sessions with Jimmy at Black Pond took on mythical proportions.

Jimmy had dreams of one day being an architect. He loved building things. He knew his father could never afford college. Jimmy labored at several part-time jobs, saving his money. The oldest of seven children, Jimmy was mature for his years. He knew what he wanted and was willing to work hard to attain it.

The thermometer was up to 95. The humidity made the heat even more oppressive. Jimmy had been working at the Haskins dairy farm. Of all his side jobs, he considered baling hay the ultimate drudgery. The only positive was the money, five bucks for the day, plus lunch. He was now on his way home.

His upper torso was sweaty and covered with hay chaff. All of the windows in the Hornet were open, including the vents. Jimmy was doing a no-no, steering the car one-handed. His left arm rested on the door. He thought the breeze on his bare skin would cool him off. Nothing seemed to give him relief from the heat.

The white T-shirt he had worn that day had long since been removed, soaked with the efforts of his labor. The upholstery of his seat acted like a blotter. Jimmy knew there would be sweat stains on his seat, but he didnt care.

All I want to do is get home and find a way to cool off. I could strip down to my underwear and sit in the deep part of the creek. That would feel great. Theres one problem with that; my little brothers and sisters will splash around me. No, I just want to relax by myself for a while. I wonder if mom has fresh lemons for lemonade. Thats it, thats what Ill do! Ill get a nice tall glass of moms lemonade and sit under the walnut tree in back. Its always cool under that tree.

Come on Hornet, lets get home!

Happy with his solution, Jimmy smiled as he steered the Hornet toward home.
*****
Rising, Jane yelled at Scorch to stay where he was. She started running toward him, screaming for him to stop.

Mark! Mark! Stay there, dont move!

He was giggling, while holding something up. He didnt pay any attention to his mothers pleas and continued on.

Honey, mommy will come and get you. STAY THERE! STAY THERE! NO! NO! STOP, STOP, OH GOD PLEASE STOP, MY BABY!!!