A Name Earned by Tim Tingle

Author:Tim Tingle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Book Publishing Co.
Published: 2018-10-10T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 10

Midnight Express

Mr. Blanton screamed at the top of his voice, shaking the phone hard and waving his fist at it. “I am sick and tired of you telling me what to do! I can call the cops on you, for having my boy out this late at night! Lemme talk to him! Now!”

When he finally stopped yelling to take a breath, Dad eased the phone away from him. “Take it easy,” he said. “You’ve got a right to be mad. Let’s get you home now.”

Dad opened the door to the house and motioned for Mr. Blanton to follow him inside. As he turned to close the door, Dad stepped outside, for only a moment, and motioned for us to climb out of the hole, pointing around the side of the house. We pulled the door aside and hurried out.

Keeping in the shadows, we ran around the garage side of the house. Mom was waiting for us in the driveway, her car engine running. “Jump in,” Mom said. “Both of you! Quick!”

Still not knowing what was going on, we did as we were told. We hopped in the back seat. In case we need to duck, I thought.

“Mom, where are we going?”

“We’re taking Lloyd home. Coach got a call from your mom, Lloyd. She was afraid for you and asked him to try to find out where you were. He guessed you were here, so he’s telling your dad that you are home now.”

“Dad’s gonna be furious when he finds out where I was,” Lloyd said.

“You were playing ball down at the outdoor court, late. And if anybody wants to know why, it’s because you were afraid to go home. Coach will be there when we arrive. He’s planning on staying around and settling everybody down.”

“So Dad’s taking Mr. Blanton home?” I asked.

“Yes, Bobby,” Mom said. “Your dad and Coach will both stay as long as they need to. Coach feels like it’s time for a serious talk. Lloyd, you have a lot of people looking out for you.”

“Thanks. I just wish this could someday be over with.”

“You’ve got one thing going for you, Lloyd,” I said.

“What’s that?”

“You’re a senior. In a few months, you choose. Stay or go.”

“Easy choice. The problem is where.”

As we pulled into Lloyd’s driveway, the porch light came on. His mother peered through the curtains, and when she saw it was us, she opened the door.

“Stay down, Bobby,” Mom said. Lloyd dashed inside, and Mom met Mrs. Blanton at the door. I couldn’t hear what she said, but what she did was pretty cool. She gave Lloyd’s mom a huge hug, kissed her on the forehead, and dashed back to the car.

“That kinda seals the friendship, right Mom?”

“You know it, son. Now let’s get home before Dad and his friend arrive.”

“No problem there,” I said. “Knowing Dad, he’ll probably drop by the bar for a few beers. Just to seal the friendship.”

“Not funny, Bobby. Not funny.”

But she was shaking her head and smiling, so it was kinda funny, in a Choctaw way.

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