I raced out of there. It wasnt time for Alices party so we had to find a place to go. The sun was going down, and there were already trick-or-treaters out with their parents. Everyone started getting rambunctious. It made it hard to drive with all the yelling and Jacks elbow in my face.
Get that thing out of my face!
Jack just laughed because there wasnt much he could do with his elbow. Everyone was talking very loudly, and the people that had saved their cups were trying to drink their punch and were spilling it all over the car. Then for some reason everyone started chanting, Fuck Alice Wolfe, fuck Alice Wolfe, fuck the Wolfe! We didnt know why we were saying it, at least I didnt, but it was really funny, and some of the guys were howling and everyone was feeling good from the drinks and about the escape and about the night ahead.
For some reason I was still driving fast. As if we were racing somewhere. I guess I just wanted to get this octopus of bodies out of the car as soon as possible, but it was also more fun to drive faster, as if we were really having a crazy adventure. I used to think of these escapades around the neighborhood as good life experience.
We decided to go to Eleanor Park to lie low before the party. There was a little community garden in the back of the park where people could grow their own vegetables, and there were some picnic tables there just like the one in Eds backyard. We all sat down and continued what we had been doing at Eds house. Ed went over and started picking baby tomatoes and carrots from the garden. They were small but tasted really good, and the carrots were soft and buttery tasting. Ivan went over and started kicking a trellis down, and everyone laughed because his foot went through it.
It was a simple existence, when I look back on it now. I have friends who grew up in New York City, and the stories they have from their childhoods are amazing. Full of color and culture and danger. I envy them.
At about eight we went to Alice Wolfes party. We had finished the punch in the park, and everyone was feeling even happier. The Wolfe chant started up again, but this time it was slurred. Now that we were close to the house, the chant began to take on meaning for me. It meant that we had little respect for Alice Wolfe and her friends. Yes, they were the prettiest, most popular girls in our class, but they werent that pretty. And our chant meant that we were going to dominate them. We were going to go over there and do our best to get them alone and fuck them.
We had decided to go as monkeys. We had identical monkey masks that wed stashed in the trunk. All eight of us wore one so no one could tell us apart. At Alices it worked out great. It broke the ice because we could act as stupidly as we liked, and we ended up making the girls laugh a lot more than they usually
did. I had a few more beers, and then I found myself talking on the back porch with Sandy Cooper.
I know its you, Ryan.
Nooooo its naaaaht. I was using a deep, doofusy kind of voice like Baloo from the Jungle Book movie.
Ill pretend its not you so if I get caught I wont get beat up by Susan.
Whoooooos Suuusaaan?
Shut up, Ryan.
I took the monkey mask off, and we made out for a bit in the backyard. Then I figured that I had better call Susan because I said I was going to. She was going to a different, less cool party with her girlfriends because they werent invited to Alices. I needed to come up with an excuse not to meet her. I told Sandy to wait, and I went inside to use the phone.
I called Susan at her house.
Took you long enough, she said.
What?
You were supposed to call me two hours ago.
Sorry, we were just over at the park and there wasnt a phone around.
Good excuse.
Its true. So youre still at home?
Yeah, were just getting our costumes on.
Who?
Me and Elizabeth and Jenny and Hart and Nick.
Nick Dobbs? Whats he doing there?
Putting his costume on. He and Hart are going to be the guys from A Clockwork Orange with Terry and Pete.
Why the fuck are you hanging out with Nick?
Hes my friend.
Yeah, getting real friendly in the library.
I hung up the phone. I told Jack and Ed that I was leaving, and I ran out to my car. The driveway and bushes were blurry as I ran. I got the car handle in my grip and opened the door. I got in and took off toward Susans.
I was racing on my anger. On the righteousness of catching Nick with her. I had no clear plan for what I would do when I arrived, but I could see my fist going toward Nicks face. I had glimpses of Harts angry face; Id probably have to deal with him too. He was bigger than me. Id probably have to reason with him after I kicked the shit out of Nick. I saw Susans horrified reaction, and I felt buffeted on a hot wave of self-righteousness. The streets were fairly empty, and I accepted them as my personal roadway. My ordinary submission to traffic laws evaporated. I raced around corners without looking and shot through the phantom walls of the stoplights. The more recklessly I drove, the easier it was.