I am riding bikes with Judy. It seems that's the only thing she and Thomas J would have had in common. I haven't told Judy about seeing Thomas J in the classroom, while I was reading the poem and how he vanished just as quickly as he appeared. I don't want my new friend to think I'm crazy. Would she tell people in our class if I was crazy? I didn't know but I wasn't willing to take the chance.
"Hey, look Vada! No feet!" I hear his voice behind me and I look over my shoulder to see if it's really him. There his is with his legs sticking out, a big proud grin on his face.
"Wow Thomas J! Real Evil Kenevel!" I call out to him just like old times. I am kicking myself, wondering if I have hurt him. Did I used to hurt him when I said things like that? Thomas J just smiles and continues to peddle, happily. He is standing up on his peddles and catching up to me now. He is stronger than I have ever known him to be.
"Vada, did you just say something?" Judy is looking at me weird. I realize it is she who is asking me if I have said something to her. With a shake of my head I am reassuring her that no, I definitely didn't say something. Not to her anyway. She's turned her face forward and is riding ahead. "First one home is a rotten egg!" I am letting her go, happy to just ride along with Thomas J by my side, just like old times.