13.
The crew was jammed into Louis' Nova and they were off to try and find some restaurant that was still open at 9:00 at night. They came up to one of their favorites: "Krusty's All-Night Waffle Hut." The gang ordered a plate of eight blueberry pancakes. They were all starving so they'd probably dig right into the plate as soon as the order arrived.
"Wow, I can't believe we're done with high school," Tawny said.
"I can. I mean, we are about to embark on the rest of our lives. I mean, shortly we will all be college students, most likely in vastly different places. Who knows when we'll see each other again? I mean, this could be the last summer that the four of us could all be together as one group. I mean, this plate of pancakes could be the last one that we share together . . ."
Twitty quickly covered Tom's mouth with his hand. "Easy, Tom. We just graduated a couple hours ago."
"Yeah, I'm so glad to be done with school. I'm so glad that ban Wexler put on me is over," Louis confessed.
"He looked pretty mad, Louis," Tawny began, but then she started laughing, "but the one with the dogs was pretty good!"
Louis was grinning and said, "Yeah, sometimes I don't know how I come up with this stuff!" He paused for a moment and then remembered an image from the night that he would never forget. "Yeah, and I never would have thought that the poodle would keep on biting his leg! I mean, you would have thought when Wexler was shaking and kicking, the dog would have let go!"
All four erupted with laughter. Then the food arrived. The plate had barely touched the blue and white checkered table cloth before Louis had stuck his face right smack in the middle of the plate. Everyone laughed even harder with their lovable friend once again being a hoot. Twitty was grinning heavily, "Hey, dude, I think maybe you ought to chew before you swallow." Louis didn't really say anything besides a few barely audible noises and continued gorging.
"I think that when he comes up for air we should grab some of those pancakes," Tawny suggested.
While Louis was still stuffing his face, Tom asked Tawny, "Say, where is young Corey this evening?"
"Oh, he was going to hang out with some of his family tonight. We'll probably do something tomorrow."
"How long have you guys been going out?" Twitty wondered.
Tawny tried to recall all the facts. "Well, after the play he asked me to prom but I said no. After while I asked if he had a date and he didn't so, we ended up going to prom together anyway."
Louis pulled up. "Hmm, hot-shot actor didn't have a date, huh? Good for you. Helped him out of a little jam, huh!" Louis quipped.
Tawny gave one of her stares at Louis. "No, I wanted to go with him."
Louis realized he probably sounded like a jerk, so he finished with, "Hm. Uh huh."
It was a slightly awkward silence and Twitty spoke up, "Well, guys, I'll catchya later. I gotta call Amy. I can get something to eat at her house. Later."
"Bye, Twitty," they said.
"Well, I better go. I told my mom I'd be back soon," Tawny said.
"Bye, Tawny," Tom said.
"Bye."
"Well, Tom, looks like it's just you and me, buddy!" Louis screamed as he gave Tom a friendly smack. So, the last two of the group stayed for a little while longer. Louis and Tom shared some laughs.
After another half an hour later Tom said, "You know, Louis, I think it might be time for us to go."
"Why do you say that, Tom?"
"Well, I think that the fact that we have half a dozen angry truck drivers staring at us might be a reason."
Louis shifted his eyes. Then he said in the direction of the drivers, "H-Hey there, fellas. Wh-Wh-What's up?" he said very nervously.
One of the drivers said, "You said that we were a bunch of lazy, dumb, out-of-work construction workers."
Louis tried to think of something to say. Anything that could get him out of his bind. "Actually, um, big sir, what I said was that uhh, when people are working at the same job for a long time, they tend to um, you know when they do the same thing day after day after day is . . ." Louis was really stumbling over his words by this point. Then he nudged Tom and said, "Book it, Tom! Run!!" So, the two of them made a mad dash for the door as Louis grabbed a couple of plates and threw them at the truck drivers out of desperation. Of course, since Louis throws like a girl, he missed his target badly, but fortunately one of the plates shattered on one of the knees of a truck driver, thus creating just enough of a diversion so they could make a run for Louis' car. Louis frantically pulled out his keys and tried to get his door open and then be able to open up the door for Tom. Then once Louis found the correct key, he hopped in and opened up Tom's passenger side door. They got buckled in and Louis hit the gas pedal just in time. One of the thugs had jumped onto the trunk of the Nova. Tom nudged Louis to show him there was someone on the truck and Louis slammed on the brakes. Then he put the gas pedal to the floor and Louis and Tom had made their escape.
"OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh," Louis kept saying in barely more than a whisper because he was so out of breath.
"Well, Louis, it appears that we have once again averted danger and are on our way to safety," Tom said. "Boy, I could sure use a cup of hot cocoa."
Louis smirked, "Me too."
Louis and Tom made their safe getaway. It looked like the old Nova had one more burst left in it. Louis and Tom finally let out some breaths of exhalation and relief. Louis dropped Tom off at his house and they exchanged a handshake, Tom didn't give hi-fives too often. Louis and Tom shared another smile and congratulated each other on their graduation again. Then Louis was off to his house. Another disaster caused and solved by the great Louis Stevens.
