Throw Back

Chapter Five 

Throw Back

They were out in the open where all could see their love shining, they didn't care who was watching, it was like no other person existed, they were rocking their lone boat yet happy and satisfied that they had each other. This was their fifth picnic that summer, they had all the day to themselves, she was on sabbatical and somehow Tom had the time to spend with her that day, it was all nice.

 Linda was excited that day, it showed in the way she smiled. Tom on the other hand felt a slight dose of guilt, he was not meant to be with this lady and he knew it, he wasn't giving her the attention she needed but he played along with the moment.

They spread their sheet in an open place close to the lake, it was still sunny but the shade from the tree  created a lonely shadow and offered much protection. They sat there both in their thought for a while. Every one in his but a smile lingered on both face. No one could creep into the others l, those days were gone. All they did now was share synthetic love with only one person pulling the strings and trying to make things work.

Although Linda was up for a promotion she didn't let it bother their relationship, she still tries to balance her personal life with that she shared with Tom, she was like a comic super hero. The plane horizon was a good scene to stare at,they spent their gaze saying little but smiling a lot as they both drift apart slowly, they could feel it literally happening but couldn't help it. It was like a land slide always forceful and unexpected.

They both had the pancakes they made , but you could tell it tasted like wood, what could they possibly do , how did they get here?

The guy on the radio had predicted a slightly sunny day. Tom as a child  has always wondered how they managed that, knowing what the weather was going to be first hand. It used to be who was in the box that spoke to he and his folks and later that.

He was very active as a kid, always on the move, he and his gang. They were always getting into trouble and always looking for ways to make quick cash. He was either into newspaper distribution or recycling junk of all sorts.

He  taught of starting a business of his, where silver and other jewelries could be exchanged for cash but he couldn't at that instant remember why he didn't start it anyways. He once got unto trouble for stealing candy in a local store, they were sold out by a kid. He at the thought if trouble remembered a man on their block that had a paint sprayed all over his car 

"Stay out of trouble it read"

It all started when he met Bill and Kelvin, they hung out usually at Kelvin's basement, that was their usual hideout, that was were day stayed after school, until the night came calling. They will eat whatever was served, Kelvin had a nice Catholic mum, his dad was never In the question and Kelvin always got away with changing the subject when he was  asked a bit his dad. Tom must have sworn he saw a  man leave their house one day when he and the boys rode past, Kelvin's was in a rather unnecessary argument with Bill over what could break from what height and what wouldn't, he didn't bother to call Kel's attention, they just rode.

Bill on the other hand grew up in a farm, it seemed like the best thing to do hanging at his place, but the chores always chased the boys away including Bill, Tom particularly loved milking the cows. Bill had a cow of his and a section if the corn farm was also his to take care of, he was the richest amongst the boys, he could easily afford what ever he wanted, he owned a radio but this always placed the boys on edge to catch up, they would steal most times to have what Bill had.

They were at Kevin's place , they were all wet from the heat in the room,. They were  all in silence starting at the soccer board, no one was enthusiastic about that, they needed a new adventure

"What do you boys say,let make something" Bill said as he removed his shirt

"What do you have on you mind ?"replied kelvin, gazing at Tom who was as busy under a box.

"I left my action figure here,didn't you see it?"

"Lets go out for some air we'll think better that way"

They all headed out, Tom unsatisfied with his quest for his action figure. The boys all had bikes which made them fast around town. They all had all sorts of talks and arguments as they rode,the city was on the radar today.

They've all heard how the city had alot if comics and action figures free and how the paintings of spider man was always prominent on the walls. They dreamt of the day that they will live in the city, how they would do  nothing but play with action figures.

They left the house In a rush to take a ride around town, they were the three most fond guys that were always found together, they had everything in identical pieces the design on their bike were identical, every thing down to their toys were identical.

"How about we build a radio" Bill suggested 

"That not a bad a idea, with that we could communicate without necessarily coming to see each other" said Kelvin

Usually they should head North and then back, but they headed South this time without an idea of where to go, they suddenly start a race it was intense. It was Kelvin idea so he rode a little faster than others in the gang, they rode for twenty five minutes without stopping, laughing carefully not to lose their spot.

"You guys are loser"  Bill screamed after taking the front wheel and noticing how reluctant the others got.

They rode faster no with the eagerness to make him pay, they were going to both beat him at the race. Bill was tall lad with spaces all over is teeth, his height was an added advantage when I came to running and other athlete related issues. They stopped abruptly now riding with their front wheels aligned, none was kin on winning anymore, they rode slowly and got to the front of Mr Clauses store, that was the only store around the block.

They had overheard the Smart's talk about how they stole candy and chocolate from the  store without getting caught.

"Say, how bout we treat ourselves to some candy, while no one is watching"  Tom said holding tight to his brakes

"Yeah, we just have to come with a plan" Said Kel

"Distract the man, it easy" replied Bil

"I spoke to one of them a few days ago, he said it like taking candy from a baby" he continued

"I bet that why they rarely take food from the cafeteria, their biz got them covered" said Kel

" we could do this now or leave, which one's it going to be" Kelvin added

" you scared or something?"  Bill said looking at Kelvin with an eye brawl raised

" what? I'm just saying we taking to much time thinking we got to make up our minds onward to do"

"We don't have a plan here, Bill what the plan" Tom inquired

" why me?" He said with his face all red and sweaty

"You the oldest, that's why"

Bill always came up with their idea for mischief, the time they painted Mr Smith's house, it was all him, the paint wasn't that pretty, it gave the house a weird face, they always laughed anytime they rode or walked past the house. 

"Get as much can'dy in your pocket as possible, without being notice or spotted" Bill said

"One more thing, we go in separately, we don't want attention" Bill added

" crap, I've got a flat"  Tom declared, all sweaty

" fix that later, it can wait"  Bill added impatiently

" what if we have to make a run for it, how'd you want to me escape, im going to get caught"

"No one is getting caught, just stick to the plan"

They could all feel their hearts pounding and the thought of letting the whole thing slide because that was the easy decision to make came to their hearts but they threw it out the bus, they all had one picture in view, two pockets filled with candy

They steeped into the store, kelvin after Tom after Bill in that order. Tom had one prayer on his mind, he didn't want it to get to a bitter chase where they had to make a run for it. Then he'll have something to sorry bout They headed first for.the comic books section. They wanted to look like serious customers, they stayed there for five minute paying no attention to the attendant, it all seemed to be working fine.

Then it was time to pick up the candies and leave the store, they all had their pockets full of candy. Kelvin was shaking hard but he had to jeep a straight face he couldn't show it. It all work fine until they were about to leave the mall then the owner called out from the counter front, that was when they remembered that they had gone in separately and should have exited that way.

Apparently, a little kid who was in front if the counter with her dad told him that Kel had a pocket full of candy and she would like to have more candy, that attracted the owner attention to the boys and he called out to them.

He later called Kelvin's mom to come get them, it was hard sitting in front of an adult who was showing them how disappointed she was in them

Tom hated sitting in front an adult who was showing his displeasure. He tried to escape with errand card but he was stop

Kelvins parent tried to raise he and his sister in the way they best know ro. They will drive long distance to get church, Tom and Bill sometimes get caught In the net. They will sit in the audience looking very serious, although, their minds were far from the whole thing.

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"How long will you be staying" said Linda as she sat at the dinning table

"Not long, it will be fast trust me" Tom replied knotting his tie, looking in the mirror 

" would you mind getting  the groceries from the mall downtown?" 

" yeah, honey," he replied without giving it a thought.

They had gotten an apartment when they had plans to get married and they were serious about it. It had roses at the back, this was a usual hideout for Linda, she met Mrs Craftsman who also had a passion for roses, linda picked up a thing or two from this skillfully armed old lady, she would and watch her do her thing for minutes amazed at her skills. She had a son who was about Linda's age, his family came visiting during the holidays and weekends.

" Those kid mean the world to me" she would say as she uproots the leafy greens that weren't planted on her garden. 

Linda marvelled at her being able to live alone in her big apartment and notice the one thing they had in common with Mrs Greenwood at Tom apartment.

She had a doctors checkup that she totally forgot about, which placed her on an urgent hurry. She had lost her  dad to a heart disease, she had held his hand and felt the weakness in his bones, his voice was withdrawn and his eyes were dark with pain.

"Hold my hands tight Lin, might just have a few days with you gut" he said as tears balled up in Linda's eye. She rose up and left the room, the guy at the counter had so much doubt written in his eyes as he handed the fill outs to her, she had conviction in her writing, she didn't care to look back, the man in the ward was going to a lot of pain she couldn't go through the same, she had to do something, it had to be fast. She handed over the form to the man in counter who watched her leave speechless, he was sure she filled out the form correctly, he didn't bother to ask.

She got an invitation to model for the fliers that were designed for the heart cancer and  the decrease disease awareness.

" we've got to have you on there my lady"  the photo guy said,as he moved from place to place, it made him look like he was dancing. He kept on making funny statement and gesture as he took the photos.

"Yes mama"

"Give me, those curves"

I like that"

"Show me more, yes that more like it" 

"It for the heart, do more"

Linda didn't quite understand the last statement, until she gave it a little thought, he meant the picture were for heart disease awareness. She didn't know her heart will bleed than expected until Tom never showed up on their wedding day.