Chapter Sixteen
"Kev, you're a sure winner in this costume," Scott declared, "Look at the emblem; I wonder what it is supposed to stand for?"
"You dummy!" Joel answered, laughing. "It's not supposed to mean anything! They just put any old thing on there! It's supposed to be like superman's 'S'. Ever notice everyone thinks his 'S' stands for 'superman', but in reality it is really some kryptonian insignia which probably means something like 'police chief'."
"Superman is a 'police chief'?" Kevin asked, "I don't think so, not with the cape! The police chief stays at the police station while the officers patrol the city."
"I don't think it's that way for the American Indians," Jim interrupted, "I believe the Indian Chief is the one who led their tribe into battle, no?"
"Who stays home and protects the squaws?" his brother, John asked.
"Probably the guys too old to go into battle," Jim suggested.
"If they're not good enough for battle, how can they protect the squaws?" John argued.
"Maybe the sons do," Jim replied.
"No, the sons go into battle when they can fight," said John shaking his head.
"Okay, the squaws don't need protecting then, they are moving camp to a safer place," Jim suggested.
"I don't think so, Jim," John laughed.
"Okay, I give up. Who protects them then," Jim asked.
"I don't have the slightest idea," John responded, laughing harder.
Jim slugged John in the arm.
"You never hear much about that in class, do ya?" Joel answered.
"Never mind that," Scott said, "You gonna wear this for the contest, Kev?"
"I don't know. I guess so, I'm still not even sure the suit is for me," Kevin replied, wondering why his father would buy a costume without asking what he might want to wear.
"You don't think he bought it to wear himself do you?" Joel joked. "How lame! Kevin's dad walking around the school dressed like some alien Superman!"
"Of course not!" Kevin argued. "My dad wouldn't do anything that crazy!" At least he hoped he wouldn't. Would he? Kevin would just die if his dad did that to him at the contest. He was sure none of the other parents or teachers would come to the contest dressed up.
"Kev, just try the suit on, let's see how it looks. If you look dopy, we'll tell you and you'll have enough time to scrounge up another costume," Joel suggested.
Joel HAD a point. If this was a decent costume then he could wear it to the contest. Maybe he'd even win with it. That would make his dad and Pam happy, and it certainly would make him happy to win the prize. On the other hand, if it didn't look right, well, maybe it would be better to get an honest answer from the guys first.
"Okay, I suppose you're right," Kevin said, taking the suit and stepping into his room to get changed.
The suit had an elastic quality; it fit him snugly and appeared to be made just for him. It was rather comfortable as clothes go, light weight and silky to the touch. The cape fastened easily and gave a more modest covering, he thought. As he slipped the shoes on, he wondered if this was such a good idea after all, but he supposed since he had gone this far, he might as well finish. Kevin took a quick glance in the mirror, trying to decide if the costume looked realistic enough for him to be taken seriously. Though he had not come up with any particular costume ideas, he probably would have chosen something more like a Musketeer, Warrior or someone brandishing a large threatening weapon. A man in tights, who flies, wasn't exactly his first choice, but at least his dad tried and maybe, just maybe, it could win the contest.
Kevin stepped out into the living room, expressionless. He didn't say a word as he walked across the room with his cape swaying gently behind him.
"Wow! That looks great!" Scott said, obviously impressed. "If you don't want it, can I borrow it?"
"You really think it looks decent?" Kevin asked, not sure if the guys were serious or not.
"I think it looks like the real deal. I mean the cape is like 'count Dracula' and way cool!" Jim answered enthusiastically.
"I wonder if it glows in the dark," John asked, touching Kevin's arm lightly.
"Let's turn out the lights and see!" Joel laughed, flicking off the lights.
Kevin and his friends were surprised to see that the suit had a slight glow to it.
"Is it warm?" Joel asked, "I mean, if you have to wear a coat over it, you'll lose the whole effect."
"It seems fine in here," Kevin replied.
"Let's go outside and see," Joel suggested. "Come on guys," he said as he led the way out the front door.
Kevin's friends followed Joel out to the front lawn, while Kevin remained in the house.
"Come on Kev!" they called. "It's getting cold out here!" Joel said, as he returned inside the house and gently pushed Kevin out the door in front of him.
"Wait!" Kevin called, as the front door slammed shut behind them.
"You didn't by any chance unlock the door, did you?" Kevin asked his friend Joel.
Joel turned around and jiggled the doorknob. "Uh…. Guess not," he said looking embarrassed.
"Well, how are we going to get back in?" Kevin asked, folding his arms in front of his chest.
"You're the superhero!" Jim teased, "Can't you bust the door down?"
Everyone, but Kevin burst out laughing.
"Don't you have an extra key lying around somewhere?" John asked.
"You mean one of those 'hide-a-key' things?" Kevin asked.
"Yes! That's it!" John nodded.
"Nope. Never had a problem like this before," Kevin answered.
"Why don't you call your dad," Scott asked.
"How do you suggest I do that," Kevin responded, "The phone is inside."
"Well, we could call from the pay phone at the 7-11 on the next block," Scott suggested.
"Can you guys call my dad at Bernoulli's for me?" he asked.
Jim laughed, "He just doesn't want to pass Tracy Thompson's house on the way. She might see her superhero outside."
"Yeah, Tracy would like that!" Joel teased, "I wonder if you should call from her house instead!"
"Come on, guys!" Kevin said, annoyed.
"Never mind, I'll go and call your dad," Scott offered. "Who wants to go with me?" he asked.
"I'll go," Joel offered.
As Joel and Scott walked off down the road, Kevin thought it might be best to look for another way in. He really didn't want to be standing out there on the front lawn in a bright red superhero suit.
Chapter Seventeen
Mrs. Jensen peered out her kitchen window. She thought she heard some strange sounds coming from the Hinkley's home next door. With her kitchen light on, she had a difficult time seeing clearly out the window, so she decided to turn her kitchen light off.
"That's much better," she said, peering out again. The Hinkley's front porch light only illuminated the front area of their home, so the view of the side area of the property was only fairly well lit. Straining her eyes, she tried to make out the four shadowy figures outside the garage. They appeared to be carrying a trash can to the back area of the house. She watched as they placed the can directly below a bathroom window.
"Uh-oh, I'd better call the police," she thought, dialing the telephone on the wall nearby.
"Hello, Police?" she said, keeping her eyes out the window. She saw two of the shadowy figures come around the front again, trying to open a window on the side of the house facing her home.
"I'd like to report what appears to be a robbery in progress," she said, nervously. "Please hurry," she said, after giving her phone number, and the Hinkley's address.
"I'd better warn the Hinkley's," she thought as she dialed the number next door.
The phone rang and rang and rang until an answering machine picked up, "Hello, this is the Hinkley residence, please leave a message after the beep,"
"Pam and Ralph? I guess your not home, this is Mabel Jensen from next door. I think some felons are trying to break into your house so I called the police."
Chapter Eighteen
"The bathroom window looks like it's open," Kevin said, climbing on top of the garbage can they carried from the front.
"Good. Can you get close enough to climb in?" John asked.
"Hold it still! It's wobbling," Kevin yelled.
Jim and John held the garbage can steady while their other friend, Peter went out front to watch for Kevin's dad.
"It IS open, but I'll never fit in through this window!" Kevin complained, stepping down.
"This isn't working," Jim complained. "Any other bright ideas?" he asked.
"I've got one," came a voice from behind the bright light that shined on their faces.
Chapter Nineteen
"Now that Bill's gone, maybe we can continue where we left off," Pam said, leaning closer to Ralph.
"Mind if I give Kev a call?" Ralph asked, looking uneasy.
Pam sighed, "Go ahead. I know it will make you feel better," she replied. She knew he would be distracted throughout the whole meal if he didn't call home at least once. Better to get it over with and then they can have some time to themselves.
She looked over the menu trying to decide if she felt like eating an Italian pasta meal or if she preferred to go with a nice Caesar salad.
Ralph returned looking upset. "Pam, there's no answer at home."
Pam looked up, surprised, "What do you mean there's no answer? Are you sure you didn't misdial?"
"Yes, Pam, I got our answering machine!" Ralph answered. "I think something's wrong. I can feel it."
"Oh, Ralph, you're just worrying over nothing. I'm sure it's something silly like they have the TV on too loud, or …" Pam wasn't even convincing herself. She knew Kevin didn't go for loud anything, at least not loud enough to drown out the telephone."
"Do you think I should call Mrs. Jensen and have her look in on Kevin?" Ralph asked.
Pam knew that wasn't good enough. "Do you have the suit with you?" she asked.
"No Pam. This was supposed to be our night off," Ralph explained.
"Excuse me, Mr. Hinkley." Mr. Bernoulli had returned again. "You have a telephone call. You can take it out front."
"Thank you, Mr. Bernoulli," Ralph answered, rising from his seat.
Pam followed Ralph to the telephone.
"Hello?" Ralph said into the telephone.
"Mr. Hinkley, this is Scott, Kevin's friend," Scott said.
"What is it, Scott?" Ralph asked, firmly.
"Uh, Kevin asked me to call you because we're all locked out of the house," Scott replied.
"Is everyone alright?" Ralph asked.
"Yes, we're okay."
"Okay, sit tight and I'll be there in a few minutes," Ralph said.
"What is it?" Pam asked, wondering if there was anything else that could go wrong this evening.
"They're all fine, but the kids are locked out of the house. That's all I know."
Chapter Twenty
The beam from the flashlight shifted from John to Jim to Kevin, "What's going on here?" the voice behind the light demanded.
Kevin moved closer to see who was addressing them.
"Hold it right there, superboy!" the voice warned.
"Who are you?" Kevin asked.
"I am Police Officer Parody, who are you and what's going on here?"
"I'm Kevin Hinkley, this is my house and these are my friends. We got locked out of the house and we're trying to get back in," Kevin explained.
"I want you all to follow me, please," the officer said, keeping his flashlight focused on the small group.
As they reached the front lawn Scott and Joel joined the group.
"Are you part of this group?" the officer asked them.
"We didn't do anything wrong, officer," Scott answered, nervously.
"Let's have your names, addresses and phone numbers first," Officer Parody ordered.
A second officer came around from the other side of the house. "This appears to be all of them," he said. "I didn't see any damage, but there was a trash can placed below a bathroom window. It appears they were trying to break into this home," he announced.
"Thank you, Officer Grady," Officer Parody replied. "May I see your identification?" he asked, turning his attention back to the group.
Everyone but Kevin produced a student photo school I.D. The officer verified their names and addresses from the I.D.'s.
"Now son, what are we going to do with you?" Officer Parody said, shining the light on Kevin. What is this outfit all about? Some prank or something?" he asked, sarcastically. "Maybe I should bring you down to the station and have a chat with your parents."
"That won't be necessary, Officer," Ralph interjected. "I'm the boys' father. What is all this about?" he asked.
Kevin noticed the surprised look on his father's face when he saw Kevin's outfit. He wondered how this birthday could get any worse.