A little more from my book, SPECIAL TIMES, SPECIAL SUMMERS

The following is the last bit of the chapter called CLOSING A SUMMER.

I doubt that I'll post any more unless I get some comments, even negative ones.

I'll just go back to my normal rants. They don't get any comments either.

***

September. School was bustling. Assignments were being handed out , kids were complaining over the unfairness of the projects that they had received, or the amount of time they had to do them. Book reports, class projects, Math assignments, and the usual Cross-country practice: whatever it could be, the kids were getting it. But most important to the kids was the fact that homecoming was nearing. The game was one week from Thursday. Upon investigation, I found that Day Park would be playing arch-rival, and two time champ, Ellers! The Dynamite of Day Park would play the Eagles of Ellers this year. The Eagles had won two consecutive championships, and were undefeated for two straight years. They hadn’t lost this year either. And Day Park had never won a game against the Eagles. Their record against them? 0-33. Maybe this year was the Dynamite’s year.

When I got home that night, I called Karl and Diane. I asked if they planned on seeing the game. Karl said he’d not be able to attend because of a prior engagement. Diane, on the other hand, said she hadn’t known about it. Neither of us was a football fan. But I wanted to go this year. I told Diane if she wanted to come to the game, she’d have to let me know. Student ID was needed to buy a ticket at a reduced price. Or, an adult could show his license to show he was a Day Park resident. But nobody from Ellers would be allowed in, unless someone could sneak in under someone’s Student ID or that visitor would pay full price. And you can bet if anyone knew-- any visitor from Ellers would be hassled something awful.

After a few minutes, Diane declined my offer saying that she just wasn’t a football fan. I would find out the real reason at the game.

It was now football night, the night of homecoming. I watched the game with mild interest, even though football wasn’t my favorite game. Day Park kept the Eagles grounded for the first half. The score was 3-3 at halftime. There wasn’t a lot to cheer about for our team, nor theirs.

In the third quarter the Eagles flew high, scoring 21 points. One touchdown was scored on an interception. One scored on a major blunder by the defense when they allowed a 73 yard run. A fumble by the quarterback in Day Park Territory allowed a quick score for the third touchdown. It was 24-3, and some of the students started to leave. It was quiet, except for the Ellers Cheerleading squad. I looked at our plain cheerleading squad, and compared their technique to the Ellers squad. One girl topped a pyramid and gave a cheer through a megaphone. That voice sounded familiar. I looked more closely. Why, it was Diane! Why didn’t she say she was going to be at the game? She could have just come right out and said “I’m going to be there. I’m on the cheerleading squad.” She didn’t. That puzzled me. Maybe she thought she could remain hidden, or maybe she didn’t want me to distract her.

In the fourth quarter, the Day Park Dynamite exploded for 21 points. Score tied, Eagles with the ball on their own 26, and just two minutes left. Each team had a full allotment of time-outs.

With just a few seconds left, Eagles still had the ball on the Day Park 27. The team was 3rd and 8. Just 6 seconds left on the clock. The Dynamite would have to pray for a miracle. It looked as if the Eagles would remain undefeated. The snap. The kick was Blocked! It was picked up by Day Park, but the guy who grabbed the ball was neither a fast runner, nor sure handed. He dropped the ball. A player from the Eagles grabbed the ball, and the gun sounded. There were no overtimes back then, not during the regular season. While it wasn’t a victory, we had not lost. I worked my way over to the other side of the stadium, where I tried to get Diane’s attention. Some of the students looked at me as if I were a traitor. I couldn’t get Diane’s attention, anyway. She disappeared into the darkened pathway. And I was left, both rejoicing that we had not lost, and yet miserable that Diane had not seen me.

This was the last game of the summer season. I would not see Diane again for some time. And we would go, one last time, to the lake, to close up the cabin for the winter season. And the Ellers football team? Three time champ.

some more of the book...not quite a whole chapter.

I decided to cut this chapter down a bit. The posts have been long, and if anyone is reading 'em, I don't know about it.

Closing a Summer

The Lester Family left, as Karl had told me they would be doing. There were things to do in the cities, and they were things that could only be done in the cities. I never asked what they were, I didn't really believe it to be any of my business. We were already in August, and Dad had gotten called to go out of town, again. And this time, it was not just for a week but for two, and that meant we would have to go to the cities, as well. School was going to be starting again, soon. At the time, it was starting before Labor Day, and that meant we would have to prepare for autumn, and closing up in October. We wanted to stay for a couple more weeks, but it just wasn't possible.

We would still have weekends for the next month, but as the temperature grew cooler, we would have to drain the pipes, get kerosene for the space heater, and haul up the boat. We wouldn't be leaving for a few days, yet. We would have to leave Sunday about 2 P.M. or so. After all, we would have to wash things, get groceries, and all that sort of stuff which we hated to do. I would have to go shopping for school supplies. I needed clothes and shoes, as well, having added 7 inches to my height during the summer. I was now as tall as I would ever be, but I didn't know it then. I had grown 14 inches in the last 3 years. I was still young, and was sure I'd hit 6' 6". But my feet had grown, too, and I was getting very clumsy. If I wasn't tripping over my feet, I was dropping things. I just didn't seem to have the coordination I used to have!

I gathered my clothes, my guitar, and the address book. I would call Karl and Diane while we were stuck in hell, waiting for school to start. And that was one thing we agreed upon: School was hell. We all hated it, even though we did have favorite subjects. Karl loved History. Diane's favorite subject was Math, although I'd have sworn it was boys. My own favorite was Science. I learned Karl played Trombone. I played Saxophone. Diane was a singer, and was in her school choir. That was one thing that we all had in common: we shared a love for music. And that love of music bound us together very effectively. We wouldn't drift apart as long as we all loved music. I asked Diane if she'd be interested in singing in a band, if there was a singer's position available. She said she'd love to do that. I would ask Wayne if he'd accept a girl band member for a singer. But I wouldn't be able to do that until we got home, and that wouldn't be for a few days yet.

I turned my telescope up the hill to where Steve lived. Large truck in the driveway, and things were being loaded. I looked some more, and spotted a "For Sale" sign. And it was already sold. Although I had a problem with Steve, recently, I would go up and talk to him. After all, if they were moving, it would be proper to say Goodbye. I wasn't sure how he'd react after the battle I had with his buddy Ralph. Looking around the area, I did not see Ralph's car. So, I'd go up there soon. But I would check before I left, just to be sure Ralph hadn’t shown up.

I tried to play a little golf, but I simply didn’t have the desire for it. I didn’t want to read, either. There was nobody swimming, and fishing just didn’t strike my fancy, either. I was bored. It would have been different if Karl and Diane had been around. I could always count on a good golf competition, or Diane would make the day interesting in some way or another.

After about an hour and a half, I scanned the hill with my telescope. Ralph’s car was nowhere to be seen. I began my short trek up to Steve’s place. I would have to find some stuff out, and I would need to say goodbye. Steve had been a part of my life for a good number of summers.

I reached his place, and knocked at the door. As Steve came to the door and he saw who it was, his eyes narrowed. I could see he was still steaming over the situation at the swamp. I hadn’t touched him, though. I had wanted to tell him to get his hands off of Diane. The other guy had intervened, and I had defended myself against his attack. Steve really didn’t have the slightest idea what was going on. “What do you want?” he snapped.

This was going to be a tough situation, but I would try. “Steve, I didn’t come to apologize to you. I came to explain, and to say goodbye. Why didn’t you tell me you were moving?”

“I didn’t know myself until just a week ago. Dad got transferred out of state, and the company put the house up for sale. See, it’s not really our house, but it belongs to his employer. Now, you said you were going to explain something. Keep it brief, and be gone.”

“Steve, I know you want to know what happened that day at the swamp. Here’s the story, and it will be brief. I asked you to hang around Diane for a week, and find out what she thought of me. You did not report back, and at the end you kept seeing her. It wasn’t so much that as the fact that you seemed to be becoming romantically involved with her. Do you realize how old she is?”

“Yes. She’s 16,” was his reply.

“No, she’s not. You know how old I am. Karl is younger than I am, and she’s younger than he is. You are 18, and she is 13. Do you see why I was concerned?”

He went white. “13? Only 13? Wait a minute. You’re not pulling my leg, are you?”

“No, Steve. I am not. As God is my witness, you can ask Karl if you’d like. But those times you were kissing her…That made my blood boil!”

“Huh?” Steve asked. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Steve, I saw it. Three times, I saw it. Are you saying you didn’t? I didn’t have a camera available, or I’d show you what I saw.”

Steve sat down hard on the front step. “I don’t remember doing anything of the sort, Mike. You would think I’d remember something like that, wouldn’t you?” Steve’s shock at my statement made me realize what had happened. Diane had done it again. And this time, she had her victim forget, or maybe he had been hypnotized at the time, and didn’t know it!

“Steve,” I said, “Did Diane tell you what she’s studying? Magic and hypnosis. Did she show you a coin she twirled in front of you? Or did she speak in a monotone?”

Steve shook his head in disbelief. “I’ve been had, Mike. This is unbelievable. She did it to me. You called it. Monotone voice. She put her head on my shoulder, and spoke softly. I thought she was 16, and I trusted her.” He shook his head again, and repeated his first thought. “I’ve been had.”

I spoke quietly. “Steve, she did the same to me. But she didn’t have me kiss her. She’s confused the hell out of me, and I still don’t know what to do.” At this, I turned to leave.

“Mike, thanks for everything. And thanks for letting me know. You’ve been a good friend over the years.”

I turned back to him. “So, you aren’t angry with me?”

“Not any more. And don’t worry about Ralph. He doesn’t live around these parts. You’ll probably never see him again. If you do, just lay low for a while. He’ll leave. He’s just a bully, nothing more.”

I nodded. “Steve, you’ve got my address. Say you’ll keep in touch, mon ami.” Steve spoke French, and he knew that translated was “my friend.”

“I will, Mike. You can bet your dentures on that!”

I recognized Steve’s ploy as one last attempt to get our verbal sparring match started. “Dentures? Says you, Cat lover!”

As he turned to go in, I said “Steve?” He turned back to face me. “In a way, I envy you, and yet pity you.”

He looked puzzled, but thoughtful. “What do you mean?”

“I envy you because you got the chance to kiss Diane. But I pity you, because you apparently didn’t mean enough to her to allow to remember those kisses.”

Steve looked at me, a gleam of friendship in his eye. “In a way, I could say the same. I pity you, and yet I envy you. I pity you because you are a puppy on a leash and do not know it yet. And yet, I envy you. Diane will be here next summer, and the summers after. So will you. And you have all the time in the world…” He trailed off for a moment. “You have all the time in the world…to win her heart.”

As I started down the hill, I realized that I would probably never see Steve again. And as for keeping in touch, I truly doubted that he would. Summer vacation was nearly over. And we only had a few weekends left at the cabin for the year. It was time to think of closing down, gathering all our items, and heading home for a winter.

Revelation: Chapter 9

Revelation

The night was restless for me. When I dozed, the dreams haunted me like ghosts from the closet. And some of them were just plain eerie.

Have you ever had a premonition? I don't mean a lucky guess at a football score, or the fact that you managed to get a prediction of a ball player's home run. I mean a vision, a dream, or a feeling so powerful that you not only know the final score of the game, you know when the runs will score, who gets the hits, and in what innings. You get it so powerfully that when it occurs, you have a very strange feeling of deja vu, that feeling of "Hasn't this happened before?" or "Haven't I been here before?" I had a dream like that at some time during the night. And when the events happened that next morning, I wondered if I had developed a gift for prophecy.

I had a dream, but it was interrupted by the alarm clock. I had been working in the garage in the dream, and it had been 9:00 A.M. That's when Diane stuck her head into the garage. And that's when the alarm clock went off.

While we were having breakfast, Dad told me he was going to be clearing some dead trees on the property line. And he told me that he wanted to store the wood in the garage. The garage was a mess. He asked me to clean it out and straighten up the shelves. This wasn't exactly a request that he made. About 15 minutes later, I went out with my keys in my pocket, the key to the side door of the garage, and a frustrated mind. I had hoped to go fishing.

I unlocked the padlock which we had on the side door. I had a key to the knob. I had never realized that whoever the genius was who put the knob on had done it backwards. The keyhole was inside. I don't know why, either, but I turned the locking mechanism to lock the door if it was closed.

There was a knock on the door. Diane stood in the doorway. I looked at my watch. It was very strange. It showed just a minute or two before 9:00. I acknowledged her with a brief nod, and continued to clean the area where the log pile would go. Diane continued to stand in the doorway, confused or maybe just a bit hesitant to enter. Then she knocked again. "Mikey? May I come in?"

I stopped what I was doing, and gave her a hard stare. I considered what I went through yesterday. I really didn't need her around confusing me, stirring up my emotions. But I nodded. "If you wish," I said, and she seemed surprised at my cold tone. I knew that this was going to be difficult for me. What I was going to say, I didn't know. How she'd take it, I didn't know. I just knew it was going to be hard for me. And my suspicion was that she'd get defensive. I'd know soon enough.

"Mikey, what's wrong?" she asked. She seemed truly confused. Again, I gave her a hard stare. "Will you talk to me, please?" she questioned.

I kept my voice low, quiet. But I let a little of the annoyance which I felt creep into my tone. "What is it, Diane? Is there a reason for this visit?" I kept my face still, but I was scowling. I was letting her know that something was up.

She was somewhat taken aback at my tone. I could see it in her face as it registered confusion and surprise. She tried again. "Mike, please tell me what's wrong." She tried that pleading tone. This time I was successful in ignoring it. I kept my silence, waiting for the question I knew was going to come. I kept moving things to the side of the garage, not speaking.

"Mike," she said, "This isn't like you. Does this have something to do with yesterday? Would you mind telling me what that was all about?"

"Yes." My response was short. "And yes to the second question."

She tapped her toe impatiently. "Well?"

“You asked if it had something to do with yesterday. I said Yes. You asked me if I would mind telling you what it was about. I said yes. That means, Diane, I would mind." I watched as her eyes widened in surprise. I continued when she opened her mouth, cutting off anything she may have been planning to say.

"Diane, if you want to know what it was about you will have to answer a few questions for me. Is that agreed?" I said. She nodded. "I expect answers." I looked at the door of the garage. I now knew why I had set the lock. There will be a chainsaw running very soon. I would like it quiet in here." Then, I spoke in French “Je t'adore, Diane." I recognized the truth of those words. I did believe I loved her, but I know she didn't recognize the language. My statement could be misunderstood by someone who didn‘t speak French, and it did sound very English the way the words were said.

She closed the door. Then I asked, "Why did you close the door?"

She seemed perplexed that I asked that. "You said to shut the door."

I said, "No. I didn't. But that is what you heard. That's fine.” Then, I lowered my voice to a volume just above a whisper, and allowed it to take on a sinister tone. “In fact, I wanted privacy."

Her face showed bewilderment, and there may have been a touch of fear in her eyes. "Now, I have a little bit to say before I ask any questions."

I took a step toward her. I attempted to come across as menacing. It worked. She tried the door, and it didn't open. "Mike!" she cried. "We're locked in!"

"No, we aren't, Diane. I have a key. Now, I'm going to tell you something." I took another step and she backed away. "Recently, Diane, I have been awfully confused. Things have been topsy-turvy, and I haven't been able to figure out why. Until yesterday, that is. I began to think about what's going on. I've written more songs in 2 weeks than I had in 6 months. I've been singing more than I ever have before. I've been battling unfamiliar thoughts and emotions. I tried to find a common event, something that would account for all this. I reached one conclusion. There is only one factor in common with all of these events. One factor."

I took another step toward her. Again, she took a step backwards. "Would you like to know my conclusion?" She nodded, but said nothing. I circled around her moving in front of the door. Then I took another step but gestured at a chair. "Please sit down, Diane. This is going to take some explaining. But remember that if I ask you a question, I am going to expect an answer!"

I began my explanation. "There was one thing I found that all of these events had in common. I traced all of these things to one day. It was the day I saw you at the library. This gave me the only clue I had. And the one factor? You."

She swallowed. "Me?"

I allowed my voice to rise a bit. "Yes, you! You took out that hypnotist's coin. You tried to hypnotize me with it. You put it away. But you managed to hypnotize me anyway, didn't you?" She looked at me, saying nothing. "Diane - you succeeded, didn't you?" I said again. Still no response. "Diane," I warned her. "You did, didn't you?" She didn't respond directly, but she lowered her eyes to the floor instead of meeting my gaze. And her cheeks reddened.

"That's what I thought," I said. "You did. Why did you do it, Diane? Why?" I waited for a moment. "Diane, you said you'd answer my questions. Now, answer."

I had prepared myself for anger, laughter, and denial. But none of that applied. I was horrified when her eyes began to fill with tears. I had not planned on that, at all. And it was going to be a lot harder to continue this.

"Mikey... it was all meant in fun!" Her voice cracked a little.

"That's another thing, Diane. My name is Mike, not Mikey. I have let you call me Mikey. But my name is Mike. Do you understand?" At that, she nodded.

"All in fun, Diane? You hypnotized me without my permission, you invaded my mind, you planted suggestions without my knowledge. How do you suppose that makes me feel, Girl?" I let my anger come through, now, and took two steps closer to her chair. Her face paled slightly.

"What did you suggest, Diane? Tell me. I learned a few of your suggestions. What did you plant in my mind?" I backed off the two steps that I had just taken, and she seemed to regain some of the color she had just lost. But she said nothing. "Diane, you said you'd answer my questions. You'll have my full story if you answer them. Otherwise, you won't get the story, and I will tell Karl that I saw you kissing Steve!"

Her face went totally white. "What?" she gasped. "What are you saying, Mikey?" I shot her a hard stare and she remembered. "Sorry. Mike. What are you saying?"

"Diane, I saw it. I saw it, more than once! Was it his idea, or did you do the same to him as you did to me? Now, answer my questions!" I growled. "What did you suggest to me when you had me hypnotized for over an hour?"

"Mikey... I don't remember. It was a long time ago. I don't remember." Her voice cracked again, as if she was trying to hold back grief. I watched closely, waiting to see what was next.

"You don't remember?” I questioned, keeping my voice low, and a little bit sarcastic. “Oh, I think you do. In fact, I am sure you do," was my reply. "If you'd like", I said, removing my own hypnotist coin from my pocket and holding it in front of her eyes, “I can try this to learn what you are trying to hide." I moved quickly to stand in front of her chair. And the tears that I saw forming earlier began to fall. I hated doing this to her. But I had to say it. It wasn't until months later that I would recognize that what I was doing was actually following Diane's previous suggestion about revealing my emotions to her.

I walked off a few steps. My back was turned to Diane, and I pulled a handkerchief from my pocket. Using a trick I learned, I formed a rabbit. Then I turned around and faced Diane again.

Her surprise at seeing the rabbit didn't stop her tears from falling. So, I vanished the rabbit, and used the handkerchief to dry some of her tears.

"Diane, let me ask you again: What did you suggest?"

She began hesitatingly. "I really don't know if I remember everything, Mikey... But I'll tell you what I do remember."

"Diane, I know a few of them. Self-hypnosis revealed them to me. But if you miss them, I will know."

"Ok." She sobbed a bit, and I gave her the hanky, with which she dried her eyes slightly. "Thank you, honey."

"Honey", again. But this time, there was no flirting tone, no mischief in her tone. This time, she meant it.

"Ok, Mikey. Here's what I remember: I asked you to sing for me. That was actually the first one I did. You've done so. You sing well, too. Another, I asked you to be open with me. I asked you to reveal your emotions. Be honest, open. You've done that, too. In fact, I think that one went too well." She paused.

"Did you tell me to be unable to remember all of them, Diane?"

"No!" she said. "No, I didn't say that, at all. I remember another one, that asked you to please me. I defined it a little more, but I really don't remember what I said, exactly."

"Okay, Diane." I looked at her. "I know you are being honest, here. Those are what I remember. Is there anything else? Anything at all?"

"If I remember any, I'll let you know. Okay, Mike?" She spoke softly, sadly, and carefully.

I remembered one possibility. "What about that phone call, Diane? The one when you predicted that I was the one on the line? What about that?"

"No. That wasn't one of mine. I just had a lucky guess, that's all." she said.

I pulled up a chair next to her chair. I reached out, and took her hand. "Diane, I'm sorry that I had to do this. But tell me: Why did you do it? Fun, as you said? Was there something else, something I don't know?"

"I don't know, Mike." She was still crying, and I reached out to dry her tears a little. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I guess I just wanted to prove that I could do it. I did that."

We sat together for a few minutes, and I continued to hold her hand. It was soft, warm. We simply sat, not speaking, just appreciating each other's company. Then I got up, and helped her up. She reached out, and I pulled her into a hug. We just held each other for a few moments, as I figured out what to say next.

"Diane," I began, "Now...you wanted to know what yesterday was about. I'll tell you."

"No, Mikey. You don't have to tell me."

"I promised, Diane. Please, just listen. When I saw you down at the swamp with Steve, and I saw you kissing him, and I saw you letting him put his arm around you... Something came over me. I don't really know what. I wish I could describe what I've been feeling. I don't know what to call it!" I said. "It simply made my blood boil, Diane. I don't know why. But in every case, it comes back to you."

Her eyes widened. "Mike, I do believe you are jealous!"

That caused me to think. "You know, Diane; I think you may be right. But... do you know Steve's sister, Denise?"

"We met briefly, Mike. Why?"

"Did you know, that she's only a year older than you-- and 4 months pregnant?"

"What?" she exclaimed. "You are joking!"

"No, Diane, I'm not. In a way, it was Steve’s fault. He set her up on a blind date, and that's what happened. Steve didn't protect her. And I was trying to protect you."

For the first time since I had known her, she was shocked silent. I went to the door, unlocked it, and opened it. The chain saw was loud. And I spoke just above the noise.

"Diane, I am sorry if I scared you, startled you, or worried you. Do me a favor, dear. Don't tell Karl about this, Okay?"

Once again, like the time at the library, she beamed at me. The tears in her eyes were now dried. She gave me back my hanky. Then she pulled me close. "Ok. I'll say nothing. But tell me, what did you say when I closed the door?"

"I said Je t'adore. It's French, Diane. I'm sure Swahili has a similar phrase. The English translation, Diane: I adore you. Or, maybe ... something stronger."

At that, she smiled. "I think I know."

She kissed me lightly on the forehead, and said a few words in Swahili. I couldn’t begin to guess what she said.

"What does that mean, Diane?" I asked.

"Mikey," she teased. "I can't tell you everything, can I? What would life be without a little mystery?"

"Diane," I said, with a note of warning in my voice. "What does it mean?"

She looked at me in such a way that my heart melted. And then she said something that I've never forgotten. "Forever, my love."

SuperSpy in Action (Ch. 7)

For those who have been patiently waiting, here's the continuation of SPECIAL TIMES, SPECIAL SUMMERS


Superspy In Action
I would normally sleep with my window closed. The strange sounds, the crickets, the owls, the frogs, the combined symphony would almost always keep me awake. If it rained, as well, Leaving the window open would invariably mean that I would be walking through a puddle on the floor. I hated it, and the two reasons I gave would always get me to shut my window. But, from time to time, either someone would open the window when I was asleep, the wind would blow it open, or maybe, just maybe, I would fall asleep before I closed it. Sometimes, I'd awake to find a face (Imagined) staring at me through the window, and I'd scream and slam the window shut. It was something I had never been able to shake, nightmares of an ugly face staring at me through the screen... and a hand with a knife ripping the screen open!
This morning, I woke about 6:30. I wouldn't normally wake at that hour. But I was hearing chatter outside. I looked out: Karl and Diane were playing a round, or maybe a second round, on the little course. Apparently, they either got in late, just before midnight, or early, like about 5AM or so. Whichever it was, I rose, and shouted "HEY! Have you no respect for the dead?" Then I laughed out loud. "Any Eagles?" I yelled over at them.
Karl raised a hand, all 5 fingers extended. Then he put 2 fingers up, and pointed to Diane, then 3, and pointed to himself. "WHAT?! I'm Coming out! Prepare to lose, amateurs!" I called. Before I went out, I marked the sheet that I had begun, a sheet on which I was keeping track of the holes-in-one that were shot. Karl was gaining, and Diane - Surprisingly, had shown a touch on the course - a touch that I never knew she had.
After about another hour, we called it a game, and began to discuss a possible fishing trip over to the rocky coast on the west side. That is when a car pulled into the Lester's driveway. Yep, that was Steve's buggy, alright. He got out, raised his cap to the 3 of us, and then called for Diane to come over to him. I noted the time, and realized that "Superspy" was now underway. I invited Karl up to the front of the cabin, and we went up front, and sat on the chairs that were in front of the house.
Karl seemed a bit uncomfortable I didn't know if it was because of the game that we had finished, if it was because of Steve's appearance, or something else was on his mind. It turned out to be the latter.
"Mike, I have a question for you, and don't be upset--after all, I'm trying to protect my sister."
"Well, I don't know why I'd be upset. You can certainly try to protect her. Remember, I have no brothers or sisters, so I won't know exactly what you are driving at, I suppose," was my reply. Karl sat back, looking at me, as if he were trying to figure out the best way to say his question, as if it were difficult to phrase.
Finally, he sighed. "Well, I guess it should just be said. What is the blazes is happening between you and my sister?"
I was startled. "What? What do you mean? There's nothing going on. Why in the name of Charlie Brown would you ask that?"
Karl sighed again. "When we pulled up to the library in Day Park, it looked like you were planning on giving her a tonsillectomy! She told me all about your chat, and everything you said."
Again, I was startled - and appalled! "Excuse me? Tonsillectomy? You've really lost me here, buddy! And all our chat was about was if I would sing for her! She did tell me that she was studying magic. And hypnosis, too, as she said."
Karl stared at me. Disbelief? What was he seeing? "You really don't know what I mean, do you? You have no clue at all."
I stood up. "Karl, I really don't know what is going on here! The charge you are leveling at me is... weird, to say the least! I don't know what you saw, or thought you saw, but I didn't have anything in mind. And what the blazes did Diane say our conversation was about, anyway?"
Karl remained seated. He covered his face with his hands, as if to relieve a pain that had occurred. He took a deep breath, and then released it.
"Come on, Karl... let it out. Just what the fig did Diane say, anyway?" I growled. He looked up, a bit shocked at my tone, I guess. I softened it. "Look, buddy... I really would like to know what is going on. Why this all of a sudden, anyway? And, just look a moment. Is Diane over here? No, she's with Steve!" I waved over at Steve, he nodded, smiled an ironic and mysterious smile, and took Diane's hand. Then they walked off to the east. That was surprising. He took her hand! What the heck, it wasn't that bad, I supposed.
"What she told me was probably exaggerated, Mike, " said Karl. "But I remember, too, what you said a while back."
AH! That was it. The game had him concerned, but he didn't know it was a game. I would have to phrase my wording very carefully, if I didn't want to lose my advantage over Diane. Then, Karl muttered something sotto voce, in that same language as I had heard him use before. This was my chance to learn something else.
"Karl, just what was that you said? The language isn't familiar. It's not French, Latin, or Spanish. What is it, when and where did you learn it? Do you know any French, Spanish, or Latin?" Now, I sat down again, and waited.
Karl replied, "No, we don't know any of those you mentioned. What I spoke is actually Swahili. See, my mom was a missionary for a while, and the language spoken in the area was Swahili. Diane and I were born in this country, but went over there at a very early age. We learned the language at the same time we learned English, and sometimes we lapse into Swahili. It's handy if you don't want anyone to know what you're saying!"
I laughed a bit. "The schools don't teach that language around here, that's for sure! Maybe you can teach me some of it, someday. There's a few phrases I'd like to know. And, I'm sure you can teach me how to cuss at people!"
Karl cracked up. He laughed for a good 5 minutes over what I said. It wasn't meant as a joke, of course, but it sure came out that way. As his laughing eased, I looked up, and saw that Diane and Steve had just returned, and that Diane was getting in his car. Sure, I thought. Go for a ride, keep her away from me for a while, Steve-boy.
Then, I reassured Karl. "Karl, let me tell you something. You can trust me with your sister. If I want to go out with her, or something, I will check with you. I've been told that dating a friend's sister can be a complicating factor in friendships. In fact, I'd more than likely be asking you to ask her for me. I'm not very comfortable around girls, and Diane tends to make me a bit more uncomfortable that you'd think!"
Karl gazed at me askance. "But, what you said..." he began.
"I know what I said, Karl. It's true, too. But don't let it cramp your style. I think Diane may be a bit too young for me. But when I want to find out, I will still ask you, first."
Karl seemed satisfied with what I said. I sat down again. He muttered again, quietly, and I spoke up, "Again, Karl? Swahili, again? What is it this time?"
"Just wondering if the fish might be biting today, Mike. It's still early, the lake is quiet. Do you suppose there's anything biting?" At that, he slapped his arm, swatting a mosquito.
"Aside from Mosquitoes?" I laughed. "It's possible. We've got some bait ready, if it's worth anything. If you'd like to try, just say so. I happen to know some of the best spots on the lake. I've spent a lot of summers here, already, and have figured the best locations." I pointed some of them out. "Over there, to the East, near the boat landing, out in about 25 feet of water seems best for Rock Bass, and Perch. To the south-- straight across the lake is another one. I've not had any luck over there, but it's said to be teeming with Pike. No Muskies in this area, though. Over to the west, there's a rocky floor. It gives a lot of Bass, generally Largemouth, I've seen only one Smallmouth bass in all my years here. There have been sunfish all over, and you've seen the carp jumping by now. So, which area would you like to try, Karl? If you'd like, just a little ways to the east produces some fair size bass, and just beyond the raft gives us some small pike and a few horned pout." At Karl's puzzled expression, I said, "Oh, that's the southern term. 'Bullhead', I believe, is the 'Yankee' term!"
"You mentioned something about a second lake, Mike. What's that like?" Karl asked.
"Never fished there. The channel was only opened a year ago, I've only rowed to the area, never actually into the lake. And I don't know anyone in that particular area, so I don't know what goes on with the fish!"
Once again, Karl muttered something in Swahili. Although I didn't know what he said, exactly, I guessed, and said: Ok, we'll go west. The horned pout I dislike. I prefer the battling bass to the wet-rag pull of the bullhead."
"I thought you said you don't speak Swahili!" he said. "But you certainly understood that statement!"
I laughed. "Just luck. I noted your eyes when I mentioned each area, and I saw you nodding when I mentioned the west area!"
"Oh," Karl responded. "I see. For a moment, I thought you were either lying to me about not speaking the language, or somehow you were picking it up awfully fast!"
I glanced at my watch. "I just checked the Solunar Tables yesterday for when the best fishing activity should be." Karl looked puzzled at the reference. "It's a table of predicted wildlife activity. It's very seldom let me down. It's not perfect, and I don't know what the formula is. I think it has something to do with the sun and moon, and I think it has something to do with the tides. I'm not really sure, of course. And my watch says if we leave now, we can get to our best spot just as the best time of day starts. In fact, This is the best time of activity for the whole week! There's another time when it will be nearly as good, but it's awfully late, and I really don't want to be out here at 11:30 tonight!"
Karl nodded at that. "How long does this active period last, Mike? Should we bring a lunch, snack, or a bottle of pop?"
"The table shows 2 and a half hours. You might want a drink, though. Snacks are fine, but we'd be back in by lunch time. So, use your best judgment. I'd row over, that will take a while. Fortunately, it's not windy, it would really slow us if it was! We better hurry--time's a wasting!"
At that, we went off to gather our gear, and whatever we thought would be good. Clouds were gathering, cooling the day. The little weather station I had indicated a temperature currently in the mid-70's, humidity on the rise, and the barometer was falling, indicating that rain was likely later this day, either around dusk, or early morning. I grabbed a radio, a couple of bottles of Orange soda and a bottle opener. Then I picked up my gear and went to the boat. Karl was a few minutes behind me. As we shoved off, I absently noted that Steve and Diane weren't back yet. Steve was going to do well as a spy. I laughed lightly as Karl and I headed to the west shore, the rocky floor of the lake.
There are times when you wish you had good luck. Today wasn't an exception to that, at all. We sat for 3 hours, with barely a nibble on the bait. But we listened to the radio, talked about school and what we'd be taking in courses the next year. After a while, my thoughts turned to Diane. I wondered how much Steve was learning, and what I would know. It was around noon when I suggested that we call it quits, and go in. Karl agreed, and I moved up to the anchor line, to begin the retrieval. It was then a big speedboat came racing by, setting our boat rocking. I waited for the waves to die down, and started to pull up on the anchor again. As I did, the same boat came racing by, again, bearing straight down on us. The driver swerved off at the last second, missing us by a matter of a few yards. Karl and I could hear the guy's laugh. "Get that guy’s boat license number if he comes by again!" I screamed over the roar of the motor. But the boat roared off to the south side of the lake, leaving Karl and me shaking our heads and trembling a bit.
Karl muttered something. Swahili, again, I guessed. Possibly a curse. I said a few nasty words in French, and uttered a Latin epithet. "This idiot is doing us no favors, Mike," Karl groaned. "Let's get out of here before he comes back.
I responded, "Yeah. You told him to go to hell, didn't you? I gave him a few nasty words of my own. What do you think? Drunk, or just plain stupid?"
Karl seemed surprised, "You seem to be picking up the language, Mike. You hit it exactly."
"No surprise! I said the same thing in French. Great minds think alike, you know!"
We laughed. Karl kept his bait in the water, trolling the bait behind the boat. I rowed back, and we reached the raft area, when Karl's pole bent... "WHOA! Mike, I've got something!"
I quickly dropped anchor, and got the net. Karl battled that fish for 10 Minutes, finally getting it up to the boat. It was a beautiful Largemouth bass, I took out the scale. "6 and a half pounds. You really got a big one there!"
Karl was shocked at the size of the fish. "I've not seen a bass that size before!"
"I've not, either, " I said. "But 6 and a half pounds is not a record around here. And the world's record is over 3 times this size!"
We docked the boat, and Karl and I went different directions. He brought his fish and equipment up to the cabin, while I stayed on the dock, trying my luck. I heard a familiar "Vroom" of Steve's car and determined by the sound that he was just leaving. I wondered if Diane was with him, or if she had was now at home. And I found myself wondering what Steve might have learned. I would walk to his place later, to find out.
It wasn't long until I found the dock shaking, rumbling under running feet. I turned to see Diane running at me, full tilt. I had nowhere to dodge if she planned on pushing me in. I'd have to do a nifty leap to avoid being pushed, and not fall into the water.
Then, it happened. She stepped on a bad board. It broke, and she began to fall, giving a brief cry of alarm. Somehow, and I will never know how, I got there and grabbed her, keeping her from falling into the water, or onto a couple of protruding nails that I had just noticed. She held onto me for a couple of minutes, then let go. "Thanks, Mikey. If you hadn't been there...." she said, then trailed off. Then she muttered something in Swahili, like Karl had done.
"Yes," I said. "I agree completely. You really DO need to be more carefully when running on a dock, Diane. This is the prime example, and it was nearly a lesson painfully learned." I pointed down at the nails which protruded from the dock. "See? If you hadn't fallen into the water, you would have landed on those. I'll repair them later. Until then, Please, be careful!"
She looked at me, and blanched. "I didn't know you knew Swahili!" She was obviously remembering the conversation with Karl, which I hadn't understood. But it was plain that she thought I did.
"I don't," I replied. "But it seemed a logical conclusion, considering what you just did. Besides, as I told Karl, earlier: Great minds think alike!"
Now, it was her turn to laugh. It started as an aborted giggle, but then turned into a roaring belly-laugh, the likes of which I had never heard before. I wondered how far it could be heard. When she finally was able to control the laugh, and paused for breath, there were tears in her eyes. "Thanks, Mikey!", she gasped, still out of breath. “I really needed that!"
"Well, why did you run all the way down here, anyway?" I asked. "There must have been some reason, and if it wasn't to push me in, what was it?"
"Lots of reasons," she replied. "But I wanted your input on something. Tell me about that hunk!"
"Hunk? Hunk of what, Diane?" I queried. I had never heard the term used like that. Although, at that time, I felt a slight tightening in my chest, and had a gut feeling what she meant.
"Hunk of what? You are a card, Mike! No, I mean that adorable fellow, Steve! He's asked me out, and I want to know more about him!"
My heart sank into my shoes. He asked her out? On a Date? This was not in the plan as I understood it! She was calling Steve a "hunk"? Well, this must have been in his plan; I would talk to him tonight about this unexpected turn of events.
"Well," I said, "I can tell you quite a bit. But, isn't he just a little leery asking you out? Isn't he concerned about the age difference?"
She laughed at that. "No. He thinks I'm 16."
"HUH? You certainly don't look 16 to me! How did you convince him that you were?" I asked.
"Easy!" she said, removing an ID card from her pocket. "This convinced him."
"Diane!" I exclaimed, shocked. "You with a FAKE ID?!" She shushed me.
"Shhh! Not so loud!" she said.
"Diane, I don't believe it. I ought to tell your parents! That is going to get you into trouble, sure as the devil!"
"Please, Mike. Don't say a word. PLEASE?" she pleaded. Darn it! That same tone I couldn't resist. She had me with that tone, and she knew it. Reluctantly, I nodded.
"Ok, Diane. I won't say a thing. But, promise me you'll destroy that thing in the near future. Someone will ask you for an ID, and you'll take it out, and they'll know it's a fake. Believe me, you'll be in trouble!" I sighed. She hesitated. "Diane, promise me," I warned. She reached out, and made an "X" across her heart. Then she did the same with me. I took that to mean she would do so. I never did see the fake ID again.
So, I told her about Steve, as she requested. Captain of the Football team, and star Strong Safety. Smart, but quick to make judgments. He was a chess player, and member of the high school swim team. He was very well known in town, and loyal to boot. Steve was all that. I told her what I could. But, it was troubling to me. Steve could have told her everything. Diane could have hypnotized him into telling all, too. But she was asking me about Steve. As I summed up Steve's biography, I felt nervous, edgy. Something was wrong. I did not know what, but that feeling permeated my soul. Something was wrong.
I went to Steve's about 7:30 that night. He had little to say, but he explained away the date without a moment's hesitation. And what he had learned in the first day of "Superspy" wasn't much. He still had time, and I knew he'd make the best of it. But he requested the rest of the week without having to report. It seemed like a reasonable request, but it still gave me an uncomfortable feeling. But I let him have his request.
The rest of the week passed slowly: too slowly. Having Diane around would make time fly, but when she wasn't around, things seemed too slow. Karl and I would play golf, fish, swim, or play cards. He didn't play chess, so I let my game slide. But time dragged. I would be very happy when the week was over, and Diane was back at the cabin and joining us for golf, and other things that made life so fun during this summer. Without her around, I felt empty. I mentioned it to Karl, who simply shrugged. I did attempt to learn more about him, his family--and Diane. I asked if he could teach me a few phrases in Swahili, the language he still used from time-to-time. But he seemed reluctant to do so. I guessed that even though we had become friends quickly, he felt uncomfortable teaching another language. Maybe, he just didn't want to give up an advantage. Or maybe he didn't think he could teach it correctly. Either way, I decided that I would check the library for any possible way to learn the language. I didn't know much of the others, even though I did know some phrases and words in Latin, French, and Spanish. Swahili would certainly be my biggest challenge!
I wrote a letter to Wayne. I told him what was going on, and invited him to the cabin if he had a chance. I gave him more information than I had ever given anyone in my letter. I told him that the week had seemed so empty. I did get a letter a few days after I mailed mine, but he simply restated what he had previously said. To sum it up, he said "Be careful. Don't go overboard." And, he repeated that statement that had been with me since he first made it: "Sooner, or later, she will crush you."
Finally, the last day of "Superspy" was reached. I breathed a sigh of relief, and hoped that Steve would tell me all I needed to know that evening. I saw his car drive by that evening, but he didn't stop. And Diane was with him, again. Ok, the day wasn't over yet. But now, I felt left out. I felt deprived. And I felt neglected. There was something else, too. I could not identify the emotion. It was there, and it was strong, but it was not familiar. There was a bit of sadness, as well.
Over the next few days, the pattern of feelings continued, and Steve kept seeing Diane. I had asked him to stop after 5 days. He hadn't reported in, he hadn't told me anything, and he was still seeing Diane. Anger was now eating away at me. And I still didn't know what to do. And that's when I realized; Steve wasn't going to back off.

Chapter 6

Solving a Puzzle/Birth of Superspy

I am a fast reader, and I always was. I learned speed-reading at an early age, and used it a lot. It came in handy when I settled to read the hypnotism book. The book was only about 100 pages, I was done with it in a matter of minutes. I left a note on the kitchen table, saying I wasn't feeling well, was going to sleep and didn't want to be disturbed. Some truth in that note. I didn't want to be disturbed. Sleep, that was another matter. And the confusion I felt was enough to make me ill. And, from the book, self-hypnosis was easy, and I had myself ready to solve my puzzle.

I began to put myself into a hypno-state. As I went deeper into it, I suggested to myself that I would be able to remember if Diane had succeeded, and what she may have suggested to me. After what I guessed was about 10 minutes, my mind released the secrets.

Diane had managed to hypnotize me. I made a suggestion to myself that she would not be able to do so again, unless I suggested she try. But the suggestions she made remained difficult to bring up to the surface. Finally, I stopped trying so hard, and just let myself drift. That's when the suggestions began to bubble to the surface of my mind. Interestingly, there were only 3 that came to mind.

The first was "Release your emotions, reveal them to me." That really didn't bother me at all. I was the type to release my emotions anyway. I had a hot temper, and could be very moody at times. Nothing to change in the suggestion, I let it go.

The second suggestion was more straight forward. "Sing for me." Well, I had planned on that, too. All she had done was reinforce what I had planned. I would write a love song just for her, and I hoped she would join in singing it. Of course, I knew nothing about love. But I doubted that she did, either. So, again, there wasn't much to do.

The last suggestion was a bit cryptic, even if a straight suggestion. "Please me." I couldn't help but wonder what that meant. Was that why I called her "Dear", instead of "Diane"? I could please, alright. But what was meant? Since the suggestion seemed a bit odd, and a bit too suggestive, I squelched it. I replaced the idea, with something different. "Play along, but carefully. Don't lie, or lead her on. Simply accept, and respond appropriately." I searched my mind for any thing else that seemed wrong, or new. There was nothing else. I looked for anything, any clue as to what I might have said in my hypnotized state. There were no clues. I had been in the trance for over an hour, but I had no idea what I might have said, or done. Either it was nothing done, or Diane had managed to erase any trace, and very effectively. I suspected that unless I asked her, I would never know. But there was no way that I was going to ask, and give up my slight advantage that I had gained.

I roused myself from my hypnotized state, and went to the magic store a half mile away. I bought a hypnotist's coin, and a few tricks. I would be ready if Diane tried to sneak into my mind again with her ploys. Not this time, I pledged to myself. I will learn the truth.

That night, I wrote 3 songs. Two of them were based on advice Wayne had given me. One was a love song for Diane. I kicked myself for writing it, especially on such short notice. Then, I called her number. No answer. I guessed she was still out-of-town, at the funeral, or possibly on the way back and had not yet reached town. There was no way to find out.

I took out my microphones, my recording stereo, and 2 eight track tapes. I played for 45 minutes, listening to my songs for 45 minutes afterwards. I added my harmonies, and then listened again. Satisfied, I put my guitar back into its case, put the tape with the guitar, and then called Wayne. I asked if we were still practicing tomorrow, and he replied in the affirmative. I told him I was bringing my tape, he could listen to my songs, and tell me what he thought of them. We agreed on a noon practice time, and we said our goodbyes. It was late, I wanted to get ready for bed. But something kept me up. It was late, but I dialed the Lester's number one more time. This time, Diane answered, and I was astounded when she answered with "Hi, Mikey." I hadn't said a thing. Her display of telepathy caused me to flip out!

"How did you know it was me, Diane?" I asked. "I didn't say a word! You simply couldn't have guessed!"
"Oh, Mikey, I have my ways, " she teased. "I knew it was you! You're a few minutes later than I expected, though! Were you on the phone? Is that why you are late?"

"I promised to sing you a song, Diane. Do you have the time to listen to one now? I know it's late, but I have the time to play, if you have the time to listen!" She said that she had the time, and I took out my guitar. Then I sang. I sang the song I had written, the one which I called "Wandering for Love". I poured all my emotions into it, played with more feeling than I could ever have done in private. The song lasted about 5 minutes, then I played the final notes, and picked up the receiver which I had placed in front of the amp. My microphone had been hooked up to my amp, so I was easily hearable.

"Well, Diane, what do you think?" I asked. "When I wrote this, I was thinking of you." I thought See what you've done to me, Diane? Mike, you've got to get a hold of yourself!

Diane sighed, from the other end of the phone. I couldn't tell what type of sigh, however. "It's wonderful, Mike," she said. "Do you have more?"

"I will play you more when you get back to the cabin," I said. "You are the only one who I've ever played for, aside from my group leader. My group leader wants to record it tomorrow. I've already put it on tape for him."

She sighed again. "Good night, Mikey." Then she said something in that language that she had spoken a few days before. "Usingizi nafuu, angu penzi."* Or something like that. Before I could ask her to repeat it, or what it meant, or what language it was, she had hung up.

Before I settled down to sleep, I wondered again how she knew it was me calling. I recalled her words, "You're a few minutes later than I expected, though! Were you on the phone? Is that why you are late?" Very unusual. How could she have guessed that it was
me, or that I was on the phone? Now, I began to suspect
that when she had hypnotized me, that was a suggestion. She had wanted me to call at a specific time. She had wanted me to sing. Now, I realized that I had done it again. I was a fly in a spider web's; the spider homing in on my vibrations. The whole thing was becoming plain.

It was time for sleep. I dozed off in a few minutes, and the dreams of Diane began again. Would I ever be able to control them? Or was this my own personal Waterloo? I awoke once, to find that I had become tangled in the sheets. I straightened them out, then went back to sleep.

Next day, I was awakened by my alarm. I showered, and true to form, I would sing in the shower. But today, I couldn't even sing a note. I tried to speak, but I had no voice at all. Oh, that was great. My voice was barely a whisper. I called Wayne, telling him what I could -- and it wasn't easy. Wayne told me he'd stop by and pick up the tape I had made, He drove, I didn't. Then he told me to call the doctor. I had that done for me, but the only thing I was told to do was rest my voice. The doctor was filled with appointments for the day, I couldn't get in. But I was told if my voice wasn't better by late evening, I was supposed to go in the next day. Not likely! I would be going back to the cabin tonight, and I had no intention of staying in town another day. Mom mixed up an old-fashioned honey and lemon deal that was supposed to help my voice. Then she walked a short distance to a neighboring pharmacy to ask the druggist about what could be done. Whatever she got worked, though. I began to get my voice back by about 3PM.

When Wayne stopped in to get the tape, I tried to apologize for my voice going out. He dismissed it, said he had developed the same thing just a week earlier. Some bug was going around, apparently. He told me that he'd listen to the tape, and transfer what he could to the reel-to-reel that he had set up. He also told me that he would add his bass part, dubbing in what he felt was best for it, adding other vocals, or piano if appropriate. I gave him a lyric sheet with chords for the songs on the tape, and then went back inside, to sleep some more. But I found myself thinking of Diane, again. This was not good, I thought. But I couldn't get my mind off her. Finally, I formulated a final plan, my way to get space, and learn what she was really thinking. I decided a spy would be the only way I could really learn what was going on. Steve immediately came to mind. He owed me a favor, a big one. The previous year, he had been accused of vandalism and theft. But I had been his alibi, and it was soon determined that someone else had been the guilty party. When I got back to the lake, I would talk to Steve.

Dad pulled in from his long trip at about 4:30. He was tired, but said he wanted to get back to the lake, because it was so relaxing there. I tossed my suitcase in the car. Then, I grabbed my library books. And, for the first time, I picked up the guitar and amp, and stuck them in the back seat. I had never taken them to the lake before. I had song ideas floating around in my head, and I wanted to write them down, with chords. And, of course, I would sing for Diane again. After all, I had promised.

Traffic was very heavy that night. A terrible accident on the highway had shut it down, and we were forced into an alternate route. But, I didn't even look at the area, didn't look at anything except my notebook, in which I placed the lyric for 6 different songs, that night alone!

Then, I closed my eyes, and hoped that we'd be early enough for me to go up to Steve's place and talk to him about what I wanted. But, by the time we pulled in, it was late, there had been just too much traffic on the road that night. There had been an accident on the alternate route, as well, so when we arrived, I knew it was too late to go up to Steve's. I'd have to do so in the morning. It would give me a little more time to determine exactly what I wanted Steve to do. Sleep took me quickly, and it was a dreamless night, for a change. I would awake well rested, clear mind, and alert enough to tell Steve just what I wanted.

I walked up to Steve's about 9:30 AM. Something odd was going on. I then saw the sign "Garage Sale." Steve was behind the selling table, but greeted me quickly, and asked his dad to take his spot for a few minutes. We walked off to a quiet spot.

"So, what's shaking, Mike?" he asked.

"Well, Steve, I hope you can do me a favor this next week. I need you to be a spy for me."

"Spy? On whom?", he asked. "what's the deal, and why do you need a spy?"

I told him what I wanted. I said that I needed him to hang around Diane for a week. I needed to know what she thought of me, or if I was just a game to her. I gave him a short list of "code words", and suggested that we meet daily, to get me informed about what he had learned. Steve laughed a bit.

"This is one job I will truly enjoy," he said. I summed up the whole situation, and then gave a final word. "After 5 days, or so, I want to know everything you may have learned about Diane, and what she thinks of me. Then, back off. I'm going to have a go at her, game or not."

Steve tipped his hat over his eyes, and said "This is a job for Superspy!" We both laughed and code named our little scheme "Operation Superspy."

* According to the computer program Universal Translator 2000, this means “Sleep well, my love.” I do not vouch for accuracy.

Chapter 2

We Have a Pact

I had just begun my trip up the ladder when I was hit in the chest with the rag. I grabbed it, and finished my trip up the ladder. Then, I stopped.

“Okay, folks; everyone knows the rules. No intentional face hits. Head hits are ok, but avoid the face. No whip-crack shots; let the rag go. Anyone who does not let go will remain 'It', but we will all hold the offender under water until he drowns.” I grinned. “Of course, that’s only for the worst offenders! And, of course, no tags-back!”

“Five seconds to clear off, or be whacked,” I shouted. “One...two...three,” and by the time I hit 4, everyone was off the raft except for me and Steve. I didn’t have Steve in mind for the tag since he had hit me when I came up the ladder. I looked out over the water, trying to see where everybody had gone. There! I saw some bubbles right near the raft. I dropped the rag right on the head of Karl, just as he surfaced. He sputtered a few incomprehensible words, grabbed the rag, and submerged. A moment later, he was on the ladder, coming up, without the rag. I could only guess at whom he tagged. Linda surfaced by the ladder and began to climb, only to get hit in the behind by Kelly. Linda grabbed the rag and whipped it at me just nicking me in the foot. The rag continued off the raft. Cursing my luck, I jumped, grabbed the rag and did a 180- degree turn, tossing the rag. It missed Steve, who pushed Kelly into the water. But then, Diane came up. She had the rag. Had I managed to hit her from that distance? I didn’t know, but I grabbed a breath and headed for the relative safety of the underside of the raft.

I heard a splash, and a moment later Steve surfaced next to me. Too late, I realized that he had the rag, and he got me in the chest for the second time. I snatched the rag and did a dive, heading for the ladder. I powered the rag into Karl’s behind, finished climbing the ladder, and paused to catch my breath. No such luck, however. I found myself in the water. As I surfaced, I was met by a human projectile I recognized as Steve. He had pushed me in, and somehow he apparently was suffering the same fate. Diane was the only one on the raft. Had she done it? I climbed the ladder, and I heard her say softly “That one is for you, honey.”

Honey?, I said to myself. Did I hear that right? Did she call me ‘honey’? Not able to make myself believe what I had heard, I stood for a second, until I saw Karl coming up the ladder. No rag. Linda had it but she tossed it on the raft and left the game. Apparently, she had been out on the raft too long. Diane grabbed the rag and went after Steve, who did an amazing back-flip into the water. He apparently came up under the raft, where it was somewhat safe. Diane stood holding the rag, looking at me. I waited to see what she would do, ready to dodge. But Diane surprised me. She walked over to me, placed the rag in my hand, and said “Go get them, Mikey.”

Mikey?, I wondered. Nobody has ever called me that before. Karl came up the ladder. I hit him in the belly, and went into the water. Steve followed Karl up the ladder. In seconds, Karl was in the water, but he still hadn’t gotten rid of the rag. I climbed the ladder and attempted to push Steve in, but the big guy was too strong for me. As I went into the water, I saw Diane coming up after him. She was in the water in a second or two, and we both dived for the underside of the raft. I came up first, grabbing a beam. She surfaced just barely after I did, and sputtered.

“It seems that they want to play ‘king of the raft’, Diane,” I said. "Let’s go get those idiots!” She took my hand as if to shake it. But she held it too long, and then she said, “Ok. We have a pact.” Now, what was that supposed to mean?

Diane and I teamed up. If I was hit, she would take the rag and hit the person who hit me. I did the same for her. If one of us was pushed in, the other one of us pushed the person who did the pushing. I found myself wondering why I was teaming with her. But I didn’t question the fact that I was teaming with her.

The ringing bell alerted me that Lunch was ready. I excused myself and left the game, and when I did the game broke up. I didn’t go in immediately, knowing that the lunch bell usually meant 10 minutes. I headed for the gym bars, and Diane went to the swings. Steve and Adam left the beach entirely, and Karl went in. The parades had started. That meant it was 2 in the afternoon! Had I been out there that long? Somebody tossed a firecracker behind me. It exploded and I jumped. I glanced around, finally glaring at the offender who was laughing at me. Big, burly guy...apparently he thought it was funny. I looked over at the swings. Diane was there, swinging a little, but looking directly at me. Then, she did something that struck me as a bit weird. She put two fingers to her lips, then lowered them, and blew across her fingers, toward me. Then she headed up to the cabin. Once again, a firecracker landed at my feet, and I got out of the way just in time. That one wasn’t an ordinary firecracker. That one was an M-80! It was the equivalent of a quarter stick of dynamite! Same fellow tossed it as before. Not wanting to put up with it, I went to the west side of the beach. And I thought about what Diane just did. Then it occurred to me. She had blown a kiss to me.

My eyes must have bugged out. I heard a voice near me say “That guy must be freaking out! He’s a doper, for sure. Just look at his eyes, man.” I ignored the comment. He had no idea what had just happened to me.

The Lunch bell rang again. I went in. My shoulders ached from the sunburn I was sure I had. I was hot and not feeling well. I ate a small lunch, then went to lie down. I would be sound asleep in just a couple of minutes. I began to think about what was going on. Diane had called me Honey and Mikey. She had taken my hand, and held it, saying “Ok, we have a pact.” Just what kind of pact? What did she mean?

I awakened at 7P.M. when a series of firecrackers exploded by my window. I groaned as my shoulders lifted off the mattress. I may not have had the world’s worst sunburn, but it was the worst I ever had. It was a light supper, just a hot dog and some potato salad, with a few baked beans. So much the better, since I really wasn’t in the mood for any big meals. I put on a light-weight shirt to protect me from the mosquitoes, and then went down to the swings. I sat for a few minutes, remembering the buzz of the game earlier. Then, I found myself swinging high. I dragged my feet to stop, and turned around. That girl from the game –what was her name again?– was standing behind me, a wide grin splitting her face. Her hair was now done in page-boy style and the light of sparklers was reflected in both her eyes and hair. For some reason, her name kept escaping me.

The boy I met earlier came up and said “I told you to wait for me, Diane.”

Ah, that was it. Their names were Diane and Karl. Why did that take so long for me to remember? I promised myself I would not forget their names again.

Diane gave me another of those indefinable looks which seemed to be her trademark. “I hope you’re feeling better now, Mikey.” Karl shot her a dirty look. It was easily readable, even by a novice like me. It said “you are my sister, and you don’t know this guy. So, shut up!” She ignored it, I guess, because she continued. “We came over around 6. We were told that you weren’t feeling well. We wanted you to join us out on the raft.”

“I wouldn’t have come out anyway,” I replied, as my shoulders painfully reminded me of the earlier game. “I got way too much sun today. I’m still kind of sore, and I'm feeling a bit woozy.”

Karl spoke up. “I was wondering if you planned on going fishing tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? The way these boats were parading through here? I doubt that fish would be biting, but I did notice an area that seemed to be untouched by the noise today. It’s over there.” I pointed to the west, near a rocky coast. “We might have some good luck over there. Want to meet at seven, down by my dad’s boat? We’ll use that. BYOBB. That’s Bring your own BAIT, Buddy!”

“I’ll do that,” Karl said.

Diane sputtered. “I am going along. Karl, you are well aware that where you go, I go, and where I go, you go!”
“You’d be quite welcome to come along, Diane,” was my reply. In fact, I prefer more people to fewer.” Karl shot me a dirty look. He was one who was very easy to read. His look said Give me a break! She’s driving me nuts!

Karl took a couple of swats at some mosquitoes that were floating around him. “I’m going in. Just too many bugs out here tonight. See you in the morning, Mike!”

I nodded, and reminded him, “Seven A.M. Be ready!” Karl nodded back, then ambled off to the house. I got up, and offered Diane the swing. She sat down, and gave me a dazzling smile. I felt a bit odd, so I said “I’m going to wander the beach a bit.” I did move off, but not very far: only as far as the gym bars. I found myself gazing west, at Diane. She noticed, and gave me that same smile as before. But this time, her expression was not simply a “Thank you.” Why was she so difficult to read, anyway?

I stood for a few moments until the mosquitoes became a swarming nightmare around me. I gave her my goodnight sign, a pantomiming of lifting my hat, then went in. I noticed that she went in at the same time.

The fireworks began at 10P.M. Every year, I would watch with great interest. But this year, for some reason, I could not concentrate on the display. My eyes kept straying to the house next door. A few bottle rockets whizzed by our window, exploding brilliantly. But they barely captured my attention. I simply kept watching for another glimpse of Diane. I could not understand why.

The loud crackles and flashing lights of the finale alerted me to the end of the display. Yes, I had missed the whole thing. I had been watching Diane’s house for 30 minutes. Something weird was happening to me, and I didn’t know what.

I was tired, and still a bit sick. I got ready for bed, and crawled in. As I did, my mind returned to the day. The game replayed in my mind. Diane had captured my imagination from almost the moment she came into the driveway next door. Diane had called me Honey, and Mikey, two things which I had never been called. She had invoked my name when pushing Steve into the water. She had taken my hand, and held it longer than I had expected when saying “Okay. We have a pact.” I still didn’t know what she meant. I tried to sort through it all.

A bottle rocket whizzed by my window. Firecrackers were still exploding, sparklers were still being lit and tossed into the lake where they fizzled out. This was going to continue long into the night, I knew. I set my alarm for an early rising, just so I could conduct my fireworks hunt in the morning.

Another bottle rocket sped by my window. A flying disk burst while going by. As it did, I imagined the face of Diane, looking in at me. I heard her say, again, the mysterious words: “We have a pact.” This is the last thing I remember before falling asleep.

Chapter 1

This may, or may not, be my last from my novel. It will depend on the reactions I get, and so far the reactions are zilch. That's fine. I can always come up with other things.

So, without further delay, here is Chapter 1, SPECIAL TIMES, SPECIAL SUMMERS



Let the Game Begin

The fishing opener had come and gone, and Memorial Day, too. It was July 4th. And I was up very early, 5 A.M. to be precise, scurrying about within the cabin. This was always a big day at the lake. I knew that if I were to get any fishing done at all, I would have to do it early, because by 11 o’clock, the lake would be filled with boats. There would be a pontoon parade, and a fleet of speedboats pulling water skiers. The lake wouldn’t be the same for good fishing for at least a week. And it was why I was up early.

I thought again about the area, and how fortunate we were. Just 150 feet from the lake itself. There were hills and lots of woods with lots of wildlife. (I detected a skunk nearby, and heard a few loons on the lake). A small store was just a mile away, reachable by walking or by boat. It was known as Nellie’s Store. Just a little place, a bit of a dump . . . but it was the place to hang out for the younger crowd, and a place for the older set to meet.

I took my fishing pole and tackle box, and walked 100 yards to the dock I had chosen for my fishing. There was a little wind, but it was enough to interfere with my casts, so I chose a heavier lure. First cast, something hit the lure. What it was, I’ll never know. It broke my line. It was big, that I know. Since my line was a 12-pound test line, and the fish snapped it with such ease, it must have been big. Unfortunately, it left me without my lure, and I struggled to make a new Fisherman’s knot, which is something I was never able to do well.

A bell ringing caught my attention. Breakfast. Mom had either gotten up early, or . . . . My watch showed 8AM. Incredible. Where had the time gone?

Although I finished breakfast quickly, a quick glance out the window confirmed my suspicions. Already people in speedboats, making waves, pulling water skiers. So much for fishing, I thought. I sat for a while, reading. Then I decided a game of miniature golf on our backyard course might be more my speed. It was now 9:30 A.M. I had barely reached our tee when I saw a large car pull into the driveway of the cabin next door. Interesting! When had that cabin been sold? I hadn’t noticed. I hit the ball, and continued to note what was going on.

The back seat doors opened quickly, but nobody emerged right away. The front doors opened, and a short, bald man got out of the driver’s seat. A woman got out of the other side. Not much to note, really. As soon as the trunk was opened, a couple of others exited, now from the back seat. A boy got out. He was a few inches shorter than I was. Maybe a year younger, too. He shouted “Hurry up, Diane. You have to help us unload, and I want to go swimming!”

A girl, maybe two years younger than he was, got out of the car. She was a little shorter than I was. Maybe 2 inches shorter. She was taller than the boy. Her hair was what I termed a two tone blonde. It was mostly blonde, but there was a hint of brunette in her hair. I always liked that mix of color, and somehow, it fit her perfectly. “Shut up, Karl,” she said. “I do my share around here, and I probably do more than you’ll ever do.”

Oh, that was great. It was a brother and sister act. It certainly wasn’t likely that they were not. The girl looked in my direction for a moment, then began to unload the car. I blinked . . . was she looking at me or just in my direction? I certainly didn’t know.

I played a few holes on the course, and then I heard a voice. “Hi! Can I join the game? I’m not very good, but I need some practice.”

“Sure, Karl. Join right up! Par 3, of course. Don’t go in the ditch, or it costs you a stroke!”

He looked at me curiously. “How do you know my name?”

“I heard –is that your sister?– say it when both of you were jawing at each other!”

“Oh. Yes, she’s my sister. She’s a pain in the butt. But then, aren’t all sisters a pain?”

“I wouldn’t know. I’m an only child. But I would guess that sisters would be a pain. Oh. . . sorry. I’m Mike Blandest. Do you spell your name with a C, or a K?“

“K. I’m Karl Lester,” Karl replied. “I’m from the cities. I live in Ellers.”

“ Are you saying that you live near Day Park? If so, we’re practically neighbors!”

After a few minutes, I had learned he was a year and a half younger than I, and that Diane was not his only sister. But she was the only one left at home, so the others didn’t really matter. Diane was a year younger than he was. My guesses hadn’t been too far off.

Karl picked up a golf club, and I gave him the go ahead. He hit the ball and it rolled 50 yards right down to the hole. It hit a stick shortly before the hole, and it rolled about 4 inches to the right. I looked at him.

“Not very good?” I asked, incredulously. “You almost sunk it!”

“Almost. But I didn’t,” he said with a bit of a grin. “Just luck, I tell you.”

Luck, my foot. I found out that his father was the pro golfer at the Striker Golf Course. But when we played the next hole he was so far off that I simply couldn’t doubt his word. He wasn’t that great.

A slam of the door at the cabin next door caught our attention. Diane yelled at Karl, “I thought you were going swimming!”

Karl looked at me, shrugging, and said “I have to stay with her. That’s our deal for swimming.” He put the club down, and trotted back to his place, while I looked more closely at Diane. She was a tomboy, no doubt about that. Her hair was a medium length, and her eyes sparkled a bit in the sun. She was not wearing a swim suit, bikini or one-piece, but shorts, and a shirt. She was going swimming in that? Karl came out of the house in a swim suit, and they ran down to the dock, Karl slowing down just as they reached the dock. He then proceeded to push his sister into the water. I laughed to myself. This was going to prove an interesting summer, for sure!

New neighbors and new friends always brought excitement for me. And as this day progressed, a day that was always exciting anyway, I would begin to realize just how correct my belief was. I had met Karl in a matter of minutes. I guessed that it wouldn’t be long until I met his sister. But I never realized that meeting Diane officially was going to turn my life upside-down, throwing it into complete chaos.

Since my golf partner was now gone, I played two more holes then went inside. Reading was my favorite pastime, and I had a bunch of library books. My first love was a good dinosaur book, then astronomy. Mysteries took 3rd place. What I had was a mystery, and I was just getting into it. A knock at the door disturbed me, but I didn’t pay attention. I wasn’t alone; someone else would get the door. Well, that was what happened until a voice thundered “MIKE! Someone for you at the door.” Sighing, I marked my page. I went to the door and went out. I expected Karl. But it was Diane who was there, soaked and shivering slightly. There was a slight twinkle in her eye, and an air of mischief about her. I wondered what she wanted.

“Mike? I’m Diane. Karl and I have a small group on the raft and we’d like one more to join us for a game of Rag Tag.”

"I know who you are, Di.” I chuckled a bit. "The game sounds fun. Who’s out there? And why are you asking me, instead of Karl?”

“Karl pushed me in. He told me to come up and get you. Instead of fighting back, I thought it better to come on up. Well, we’ve just met Steve, who said he knows you. His brother, Adam is down there, as are Kelly and Linda,” she answered with a rather strange tone of voice. Annoyance? Resignation? A combination of both, maybe? I could not identify it.

“Sounds like you’ve got enough already. Why do you need me?” I asked.

“Oh, come on,” she pleaded. “You know the game is more fun with more in it!” There was a look on her face that I didn’t understand. . . I couldn’t define it. I never was able to resist a pleading voice. I sighed slightly, and nodded.

“OK. I need a few minutes, and I’ll be down. Tell the group that the Raft Master is a coming....”

She giggled a bit, and then she put her hand on my shoulder. She gave me another odd, indefinable look, then turned and ran back to the lake. Someone tossed a firecracker behind her and it exploded just as she jumped into the lake. I didn’t see who tossed the ‘cracker. The beach was already filling up; smoke bombs were going off, and firecrackers were sounding now and then.

I went in to change. Oddly, my heart was pounding–not just the normal beat, but hard. Strange. No game had ever got me so worked up. As I pulled off my shirt, I realized–Diane had touched me. Sure, I had been touched by other girls. There were games of tag in Gym class. There had been square dancing, too, but square dancing wasn’t my style. I dismissed the crazy thoughts that I was beginning to have, and finished changing.

I had not been swimming in a week. The whole week had been one continuous thunderstorm. Today, it was bright, already warm. And it was July 4th; crowds were showing up already. Cherry Bombs, Firecrackers, Smoke bombs, and other Independence Day “Necessities” were now starting to go off regularly, the sounds echoing around the lake. Tonight, there was the big fireworks display on the south side of the lake. I didn’t have any fireworks, but tomorrow morning, I’d search the beach. I was sure there would be leftovers. I grabbed my “Raft Master” goggles and fins, and went out the door. I hoped the lake was warm. And I hoped that fish weren’t biting. At least, I hoped that they weren’t biting on me. I would soon find that I wasn’t the hunter, but the hunted. Or, at least that is what it would appear to be.

The sand was surprisingly cool, but full of cockleburs. I had to watch my step, but glanced out at the raft. There was Steve, doing battle with his brother. Steve had the advantage. He was 3 years older than Adam, and 10 inches taller. Both had the same deep red hair, and the freckles to match. Kelly, neighbor to the east was there, assisting Adam. To no avail, however. Kelly, also a redhead, was handled as easily as Adam, both of them getting pushed into the water at once. Kelly was more boy-like than Adam was. Linda, Kelly’s sister, was just a year younger, and more voluptous than Kelly. A complete contrast to her sister, Linda was the girl of the family. Raven-black hair, certainly more feminine in appearance but a lot stronger than she appeared, Linda simply sat on the raft taking a break from the game.

Suddenly, I heard a voice. Just a whisper, but it caught my attention. “Let’s go for a walk, Mike. I’d like for you to get to know me better.” I looked around for the source of the voice. Nobody was even close to me. Nobody was looking at me, or anyone else. I concluded that my imagination was playing tricks on me.

Checking the water temperature with my toe, I found it warm. I dived in, and did a breast stroke out to the 10-foot deep water where the raft was anchored. But my speed was that of a baby who was just learning to crawl. I took it slow on the short swim out, just observing the bottom and the fish. As I took hold of the ladder, I thought Let the game begin. It did. And my life would never be the same.