Cool wind, calm evening Friday night. An evening for making plans. Soon, Friday evening will mark the end of school. The beginning of the weekend. Time for a Monster Movie and a bottle of Chocola. Next Friday is the end of July. Three months from now is the Old Man’s birthday. Next month is the State Fair. The Headless Man will be there. Mysteries under the lights. A world ahead, a life ahead, nothing to dread. Sometimes kids know things. The hidden plan is revealed on Friday Nights. There are familiar steps. Scenes seen before.

‘At least we have a nice house this time,’ Chet thought. Chet was three years old. Chet had been there before. His thoughts were old; his body young. Chet remembered the outdoor cookouts, Neva J playing badminton, George and Helen sunning themselves. Chet knew Dad was troubled just behind his eyes where the soul looks out. Dad had fought in WW II in the Pacific Theatre. His eyes had seen more than his soul could contain. He hoisted Chet on his shoulder and danced around the house with Chet laughing and tears coming out of his eyes.

Neva J did the Twist with Chubby Checker. Neva J was mid-30s but felt 10 years younger. Her family was Pentecostal, but she preferred to read Edgar Cayce. Neva J liked a Slo-Gin Fizz and fun at the Honky Tonk. There was preaching there as well by the barstool ministers. Neva J waited for Bill while he was away fighting the War. They had been poor but were now middle class in the suburbs. Bill played Jai Lai and Neva J played badminton. Bill smoked Lucky Strikes and made flicking a cigarette lighter an art form.

Lady And The Tramp on the Silver Screen. Chicago was lit up like the State Fair. Shoppers and theatregoers were scurrying about in the cold snow. The Disney Movie was a smash at the box office. Ivy was there, and Bob Susie held Chet’s hand, and Steve munched popcorn. Lady was so pretty, Chet thought as his girlfriend Susie held his hand. They were going to see Grandma A in Eldorado for Christmas. Nugget would be there barking and showing his little teeth. He had a menacing smile. The little family of three would take the car, as it would be too cold for the Harley. Christmas Carols and long silence. Things left unsaid. Laughter and hugs at Grandma A’s. Fudge and divinity. Neva J’s coffee cake. Presents to open, a heady conflation of relatives seldom seen yet seemingly loving. Chubby Checker singing Christmas songs and Neva J secretly twisting the night away.