CHAPTER 7
David hid behind the big elm tree in his uncle's front yard and clenched his fists tightly, struggling to control his temper. For the past two weeks at his Uncle Levi's house, he'd felt more like a prisoner than he had when he was in the detention center. He wasn't allowed to leave the house, except to go the four blocks to see his mother twice a week, and even then Uncle Levi went with him to make sure that was where he really went. He couldn't call any of his friends. He couldn't watch TV or listen to the radio, and he had endless chores to do. He kept begging Rachel to let him come back home, and he knew she was weakening. He missed her and Nicky more than he imagined possible.
The last straw was Uncle Levi insisting that he go to temple three times a week with his aunt. Although he had always gone to Temple with his mother and father on the high holy days, the rest of the time, Rachel usually just took Nicky with her to Sabbath while David had been allowed to stay home with his father. If his mother didn't let him come home soon, he was going to go crazy following all of Levi's strict rules. If his mother intended this as a punishment, he had learned his lesson. The next time he'd be more careful and be sure not to get caught. He heard his uncle calling his name and knew he had to answer unless he wanted to be in more trouble than he already was.
"I'm right here," he said, stepping out from his hiding place.
"Go change. Your aunt wants to leave in an hour," his uncle said sternly.
"Yes, sir," David said meekly, knowing it wouldn't do any good to argue. His uncle's mind was made up and, in his house, his word was law. David trudged upstairs to the room he was using to change into his black slacks and a white shirt for the service.
When they reached the temple, David tried his best to stay alert and pay attention, but his mind kept wandering. He recited the prayers automatically, making the correct responses without thinking about it. Finally, it was over and they were free to leave. When they got back to his Uncle's house, David was happy to find his mother sitting at the kitchen table with his uncle.
"Maw!" David said, giving his mother a heartfelt hug. He was curious to find out why she was there.
"I've come to take you home if you're ready to go," Rachel told him with a smile as she reached out and affectionately ruffled his thick curls.
"You bet!" David said, hoping he didn't sound too enthusiastic. He ran up the steps to grab his stuff.
As he disappeared upstairs, Levi looked at his sister and shook his head, showing his disapproval at Rachel's decision.
"I still think you are making a mistake," Levi said gravely. "It is too soon. He hasn't repented his actions."
"I understand how you feel but I miss him terribly and I want him back home with me," Rachel said firmly, her own mind made up. At times like this, she could be as stubborn and determined as any of her brothers.
Levi was the oldest, and she respected him and his opinions, but he didn't have any children and didn't understand the bond between mother and child. Levi grunted and rose to his feet, disappearing into another part of the house. A few minutes later, David came bounding down the steps and rejoined his mother. Smiling happily, he followed Rachel out of his uncle's house and headed for home.
When he got home, Nicky threw himself into his big brother's arms. David laughed and held his baby brother tightly, relieved to be home again where he belonged. His Aunt Geneva gathered her things and prepared to head back to her own house now that Rachel was home. She kissed her nephew on the cheek as she left, leaving behind a lingering scent of lavender.
"You'd both better get to bed," Rachel told her sons. "It's almost ten and you have school tomorrow." Both boys immediately obeyed, climbing the steps to the second floor, the sound of their laughter floating back down to Rachel. She smiled. Both of her sons were home again. Maybe now things could settle down and get back to normal. She was still worried about David but she vowed not to get so angry with him that she sent him away from home again.
The next morning, David was in a good mood and joked with Nicky during breakfast, promising to play ball with him when they got home from school that afternoon. Since Rachel had to work that day, she gave David instructions on what she expected him to do before she got home.
The next three weeks passed quietly, lulling Rachel into a false sense of security. But, then one afternoon after school, David ran into Ice and Tinker on his way home.
"Hey, Curly," Ice said falling into step beside the younger boy. "We heard about what happened to you. Glad to see you back again."
"I'm glad to be back," David admitted with a lopsided grin. "It really sucked at my uncle's house."
"Hey, now that your back, you wanna meet us later at the park and hang out?" Ice asked.
David hesitated, but only for a moment. He still considered Ice and the other boys his friends, and he had missed hanging out with them. Even though he knew he was taking a chance, he agreed to meet them at seven o'clock that night at the park. Still unnerved by his recent experiences, he promised himself that even if he started hanging out with the gang again, he'd cut back on some of his more irresponsible behavior in the future, including the drinking and smoking pot.
That night he asked his mother's permission to leave for awhile, leading her to believe that he was going to hang out with a friend down the street. He knew she would never agree to him meeting Ice and the others at the park. He hated lying to her, but he honestly believed he was sparing her any more worry or concern by not telling her the truth. She agreed, reminding him to be home by ten.
David hurried to meet the gang at the designated place. They were already partying: drinking, smoking and making out with some girls they had hooked up with. David accepted a beer from Spider, figuring that one beer wouldn't hurt. It wasn't long before a cute little brunet with an exotic look to her face, attracted his attention. Sauntering over to where she was standing with another girl, a little redhead named Roxanne who often partied with the Red Dragons, he grinned at the two girls and said,
"Hi, Roxie. Who's your friend?"
"Hi, Curly," Roxie said with a smirk on her face, knowing that it was the other girl David was really interested in meeting. "This is a friend of mine, Cheyenne." She turned to the other girl. "Cheyenne, this is David, but we all call him curly because of those gorgeous curls of his."
"They are gorgeous," Cheyenne said, eyeing David closely with almond-shaped, deep brown eyes. It was obvious that she was attracted to him, too. David took her arm and led her away from Roxie, intending to get to know his new friend a little better. They found a spot underneath a large oak tree and sat down. David passed her his beer, watching as she took a long deep swallow.
"You been with the Dragons long?" Cheyenne asked. "I don't remember seeing you around the last time I came to one of their parties with Roxie." She smiled at him brightly and rested her hand on top of his left thigh. "Believe me, I would have remembered you."
"I just hooked up with Ice and Tinker a few months ago," David told her. He didn't see any point in telling her that he wasn't actually a Red Dragon, at least not yet.
"Well, I think we need to get better acquainted," Cheyenne said, tilting her head seductively.
"My thoughts exactly," David said, bending his head and kissing her. They sat there, making out for the rest of the evening. By the time David thought to check the time, it was almost eleven. He knew he'd be in big trouble if he didn't leave and get home. Apologizing profusely to the brunette, he said, "I don't wanna go, but if I don't get home, I'll be grounded for another month."
"That's okay," Cheyenne said with an easy smile. "I wouldn't want that. Can you meet me tomorrow night at the corner of Fairfax and Tenth Street? I usually hang out at the arcade there."
"I'll try my best," David said with a pleased grin, happy that his abrupt departure didn't seem to bother her.
"Terrfic. See ya then. Until then…here's something to remember me by." She gave David another deep lingering kiss that set his blood on fire and made his head spin. One way or the other, he vowed to keep his date with her the following evening.
He hurried home as fast as he could, not that surprised to find his mother waiting up for him, and she was not happy. "David Michael Starsky!" she said as soon as he walked in the front door. "Where have you been? And don't try to tell me that you were at Joseph's house because I called there, and he said he hadn't seen you all evening!"
"Aw, Maw…" David said, thinking fast as he shifted nervously from one foot to the other. "I was on my way to Joseph's house and I met a girl…we got to talking and I lost track of time. That's all. I promise. It won't happen again."
Rachel looked doubtful, but she wanted desperately to believe her son. Against her better judgment, she softened a bit. "I see. And who is this girl you were with?"
"You don't know her. She's new. Her name is Cheyenne," David said, hoping Rachel wouldn't ask for her last name. David hadn't thought to ask, his mind had been on other things.
"That's an usual name. Is she Jewish?"
"I don't think so," David said with a snort, picturing Cheyenne's almond shaped eyes and oriental features in his mind. Geezee…Maw…I ain't gonna marry her. I just met her." He gave his mother one of his most endearing smiles. "She's real nice, Maw. I like her…I like her a lot."
"All right…" Rachel said, giving in to her son's youthful enthusiasm. She knew that David needed a social life and time to spend with his friends, girls included. She didn't want to stifle that. "But next time remember to be home on time. Now get to bed. It's late. Tomorrow's Saturday and I have some chores I need you to help me with."
"Yes, ma'am," David said respectfully. He started for the steps, then turned back to face his mother and said, almost innocently, "Is it okay if I go out tomorrow night? I kinda made a date with Cheyenne to see a movie." The lie slid off his tongue with ease. He knew that Rachel definitely would not approve of what he hoped to really be doing with Cheyenne the next night.
"I suppose," Rachel said, glad to see David so happy and excited for a chance. "And since it's the weekend, you can stay out until midnight but not one minute longer. Agreed?"
"Agreed." David said with a grin. He knew that his mother would be in bed before midnight so he should be able to stay out later if things worked out the way he hoped. Whistling under his breath, he continued up the steps to his bedroom.
