When I Was Sam
Chapter 8
Burn baby burn, disco inferno...
Excessively loud 70s music bounced off the walls, and came at us from all directions. Subwoofers pulsated, vibrating my very core. Twinkling lights, reflecting off the disco ball, danced on the ceiling, the walls, the floor, and the skaters, as they skated counterclockwise around the rink. Somewhere in the middle of the crowd, Abby and I, hands clasped together, moved with the flow. This was another Carter Home outing. Uncle Gadget was there, but Penny didn't come. She was on a date with Troy. In my opinion, she could have combined the two, but, apparently, she preferred dinner and a movie with a handsome young man to hanging out with a bunch of little kids. Go figure.
Most everyone, adults and children alike, were courteous and orderly, and, no matter their skill level, were only there to have fun. Some people, however, aren't happy unless they're causing trouble. A gang of young hoodlums, led by Pugsley Addams, raced in and out of traffic, knocking into, around, and sometimes over, anyone in their way. And up to that point, no one had done anything about it.
Heaven, must be missing an angel...
Abby and I synchronized our steps in time to the music. When a slow, romantic song came on, we slowed our pace, adding a twirl or two for good measure. Ian skated up next to us. "Ain't ya cute," he said, with a laugh.
"Ya got a girlfriend yet?" I asked.
"Me?"
"Look around. This place is full of girls."
"This place is full of girls?" said Abby, with a pout. "You're not supposed to notice."
Uh oh. Trouble in paradise.
Ian smiled, laughed and skated away, leaving me to fend for myself.
Suddenly, out of the blue, I was knocked from behind and sent sprawling head-first across the floor. Flipping over on my back, I looked to see who had hit me. Pugsley Addams was skating away with Abby in tow. Chad, of all people, helped me to my feet, and we had the following conversation:
"He just took your girl."
"Is he a caveman, or something?"
"Whatcha gonna do?"
"This cannot go unchallenged."
"Don't do it."
"Why not?"
"He'll kill ya."
"Sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do."
"Hey wait!"
Building up a head of steam, I headed straight for Pugsley, careening into him, and sending both of us sliding across the floor. He climbed to his feet, let out a stream of unsavory expletives, and took a wild swing at me. Ducking under his punch, I kicked his shin, which, literally, made him hopping mad. He let out another stream of expletives, and took another wild swing at me. This time, I zipped around behind him, and knocked his skates out from under him, landing him flat on his back. Abby, Ian, and the boys began to chant, "Sam-my, Sam-my, Sam-my…" and the gathering crowd took up the chant. Infuriated, Pugsley snorted, and charged at me like a raging bull. Channeling my inner kamikaze, I threw my tiny body at his ankles, tripping him up, and sending him sprawling face first into a wall. A cheer went up from the crowd. Abby fell on top of me and hugged my neck. "My hero," she sighed. I just barely avoided the kiss.
When the dust settled, an angry and defiant Pugsley was thrown out. The skating rink staff wanted to throw me out as well, but certain influential adults stood up for me, and they let me stay.
Later, when we were saying our goodbyes, Chad snuck up behind me, and said in my ear, "Not bad for a girl." This signaled a change in our relationship. Though we would never be friends, we were no longer adversaries.
In the Gadget-mobile, on the way home, Uncle Gadget lectured me about taking matters into my own hands. Even so, I could tell he was proud of me.
To be continued...