CHAPTER 14: CELL MATES
In the springtime, a young man’s thoughts often turn to
baseball, while a young girl is more likely to be thinking of romance.
Eduardo [“Eddie”] Gomez strolled down Highland Avenue with
his baseball glove, bat, and ball, thinking about the game his team had almost
won. More honestly, they had lost, but just barely, 4-3. He had played well at
shortstop, got three hits, but they lost, anyway, to another team made up of
eighth-graders like him.
Tess Williams marched up Highland Avenue on this beautiful
afternoon, with a few things bothering her normally cheerful self: she did not
have a boyfriend, her cell phone was out of power, and two guys in a
convertible had just driven by and made some wisecracks about her. Would they
move on or come back and cause her more grief?
As Eddie and Tess approached each other, they smiled. They
were not friends yet, but were only a grade apart and knew each other as
schoolmates, not classmates.
The guys in the convertible came back and shouted something
rude at Tess. Eddie was already about ten yards past her. He frowned and turned
around.
“Shall I walk you home?” he asked her.
“Yes, I’d like that.”
“Are they bothering you?”
“A bit.”
“Do you have your cell phone with you, in case you need
it?”
“Yes, but the battery is dead.”
“Not good. Not good. I’ve got mine, if we need it.”
The convertible came by a third time, but the two guys were
silent. Perhaps they thought a boy with a baseball bat wasn't one to be messed
with.
“I don’t like this,” Eddie said, “I’m going to call my
father.”
“Why? What can he do?”
“He’s on the police force here. He’ll tell us.”
Eddie called his dad and described the situation. Eddie had
noticed the kids were drinking something from cans partly hidden in paper bags,
and they sounded drunk. His father said not to hang up the phone until he
finished walking the girl back to her home.
Just before Tess and Eddie arrived at her house, a police
car came up Highland Avenue. The couple did not see where it went.
“This is where I live, Eddie.”
“Nice house. Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“An older brother, Rick, and a younger brother, Tim. How
about you?”
“I’m the oldest of three, with two younger sisters.”
“Would you like to come in for something to drink?”
“Not this time. I’m expected home soon. Why don’t you give
me your cell phone number, and I’ll give you mine?”
“Good idea.” They exchanged phone numbers and said goodbye.
That evening, Tess excitedly told her parents about Eddie
and the kids in the convertible.
Mr. Williams added, “I know Eddie’s father. Good man. I
just saw him an hour ago. I wondered why a cop car with its flashing lights and
a convertible were pulled over on Highland Avenue when I came home. I saw
Sergeant Gomez talking to two guys in the car. Now I get it.”
“Eddie walked me home. Very nice. I like his looks.”
“Handsome is as handsome does,” her mother said. “You’re
welcome to invite him here sometime, if you want to.”
“Maybe he’ll ask me on a date.”
“Take your time, young lady. ‘Slow but steady wins the
race.’ ‘What will be, will be.’” Her father was in no rush for Tess to start
dating.
That night, Tess entered a few sentences about Eddie into
her diary. She noted that she and he were more than just schoolmates; they had
exchanged cell phone numbers and were
now “cell mates.” (Mr. W. would not have liked that term.)
Tess hoped for more. Eddie did, too.
Moral: A friend when you are in need is a friend in deed, indeed.
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