Chapter 14: Holding it in
Just when Johnny Vincent had seemed to be feeling a bit better despite his Lola problems, Vance Medici had also started to mope. Everyone at the greaser clique knew that a guy needs to brood sometimes, but the timing was just bad: now there were two teenagers sulking. As the greaser king was withdrawn to think about how to go about getting Lola to speak to him and the red-haired greaser played hooky from club activities and seemed to avoid contact, the rest of the guys gritted their teeth.
It was especially annoying to Hal Esposito, who just didn't get it. He wasn't the kind to wallow in self-pity, even though he had some self-esteem problems and knew he was generally regarded as the ugliest greaser. Hell, Hal not only had fallen into the "funny fat guy" role, he played it straight and was still able to remain pretty cheery. So what exactly was it about life that was so hard for thin, well groomed guys that constantly made them moody and miserable?
As the overweight greaser looked at the drawings for the skull pattern he had designed for a bicycle, he was feeling lazy. Lazy and irritated. Everyone except Johnny and Lola were present at the auto shop and yet everyone was quiet, again. He was staring at Vance, who was dragging the mood down because he had somehow decided that today was a good day to show up at the tuning club despite not being into it at all. He was practically begging for someone to inquire what was wrong with him.
Hal had been stubborn, but it was time to get this over with. But he wasn't going to be gentle and super understanding about it, oh no.
"VAAAANCE!" he suddenly snarled with an ascending tone, startling everyone in the room.
"What the hell's wrong with you? Spit it out!" he continued, his pent up annoyance evident in his voice.
When the shout descended upon the rest of the greasers and it rung in their ears in the silence, its delayed effect almost made Ricky burst in laughter. Fortunately, he managed to save it. Vance looked offended enough as it was.
"Whatcha mean?" the short greaser asked huffily.
"You know exactly what I mean!" Hal snapped back.
All the boys glanced at Vance, as if to say "Yeah, we all know". The sour youth crossed his arms on his chest and hemmed.
"I just think it's strange, s'all", he said with a poisonous tone.
"Well, what is?" Hal asked impatiently.
"That I seem to be the only one bothered that Peanut left like that", Vance continued. Hal immediately rolled his eyes and let out an exaggeratedly frustrated-sounding breath.
"Sheesh. Okay guys, raise your hands if you feel happy that Larry left, I wanna see 'em!" he said, looking around for some hands.
"C'mon, anyone?" he further demanded, only to meet shaking heads and awkward coughs.
"Gee, whaddya know, nobody seems to be happy that Larry left. What a surprise", Hal snarked as he turned back to face Vance.
"You just don't get it. I mean, am I the only goddamn one who thinks it's real weird that boss beat the hell out of him for nothin', then Peanut just took off without makin' any noise? And that boss let him, just like that? Hell, the guy even moved outta the damn dorm! And cut his hair!" the redhead ranted in disbelief.
"Tsch. It's you who don't get it", Hal shot back, shaking his head.
Norton frowned at him, suddenly looking somewhat tense and ready to interrupt the conversation.
"Hm! Whatcha mean by that?" Vance hemmed. The rest of the greasers seemed somewhat confused as well.
"I guess it's okay for you to not know since you came here later. Ricky too. But everyone else here oughta know: what was goin' on between Larry and boss, it was unnatural", Hal explained.
Vance was obviously taken aback by that. His mouth gaped and he seemed to draw a blank when he looked for words. His face couldn't even decide on an expression: it flickered between outrage and hurt. He really just couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I mean, seriously. You don't seem to have any idea how strong the rivalry between Larry and boss was! Or how long Larry can hold a grudge. Didja somehow to miss how he kept eggin' that nerd Thad's window a year after he broke that yardstick over his head? He even had someone else do it for him if he couldn't do it himself, for god's sake."
"So, wha, do you mean, like... I mean, was Peanut just...", Vance stuttered, not having gotten a hold of himself after slightly misunderstanding what Hal had meant with "unnatural".
"Yeah, are ya sayin' that Peanut was just pretendin'?" Ricky joined in, seeming angry.
Lucky and Lefty looked at each other, somewhat worried about how things were turning out. Norton gulped, wondering if he would seem too suspicious if he stopped and derailed the conversation here.
"Tsch, dunno. I guess he coulda really have forgotten all about how things used to be, but I doubt it. I think, the real reason to why Larry agreed to be Johnny's gopher is because he's just that kinda guy. When he thinks somethin's his duty, he does it, and he don't whine about it. He's stupidly loyal 'n' shit and it was Johnny who pretty much saved his life, man", Hal explained, crossing his arms.
"Yeah... I always thought it was strange how things turned out. I mean, there was some crazy shit happenin' between those two 'n' suddenly Peanut stepped down and became Johnny's dog. Suddenly he don't want no Lola, no recognition for his name, nada", Lefty cautiously agreed.
"Yeah so, y'see Vance? That", Hal harrumphed, "and Lola's shenanigans is why I always thought it was only a matter of time before somethin' like this happened."
Vance looked to the ground, having calmed himself down, but he still seemed unsatisfied with that explanation.
"I still think that the real reason why Peanut's gone now is because he's gay", he said.
Norton almost choked on his tongue.
"Wuh, wha? Oh c'mon. I know you're bi or whatever, and I don't care, but don't project yourself or your insecurities on other people", Hal sneered. Ricky, Lucky, and Lefty showed their approval by nodding.
"I know you don't wanna believe me, but let me tell ya, I happen to kno-", Vance started talking, fast.
"VANCE!" Norton suddenly snapped loudly, the expression on his face a bunch of different shades of imposing and intimidating.
Everyone turned to look at him with, scared, then Norton realized his mistake. After the initial shock, a hint of suspicion flitted across his fellow greasers' faces.
"There's... No truth to that, is there Nort?" Lefty carefully prodded.
"Yeah, I mean, he had that thing with Mandy... More than a year ago...", Lucky mumbled, desperately trying to think of more examples.
"Guys, NO. No way, we aren't gonna even speculate things like this", Norton demanded adamantly.
"I was right, I knew it!" Vance hemmed victoriously.
Norton let out the loudest hush he had ever mustered and his hands made a distinct "keep it down" gesture as he looked to the door of the shop. When the greasers shut up, he jogged to the doorway and peered outside, checking for something, or somebody. When he closed the door and came back, he shot an angry glare at Vance. The rest of the boys were looking at Norton, expecting an explanation.
"No talks of this sort ever reach Johnny's ears, capisce? Whatever's goin' on with Peanut, we ain't gonna start spreadin' things like that" the black youth grumbled and turned away from his fellow greasers' eyes, planning to ignore their demanding expressions.
"Dude! Spill the goddamn beans already! What do you know that I don't?" Hal lashed out, taking a step closer to the tall right-hand man.
Norton's eyes were drawn back to his friends. They were, all except Vance, in shock and disbelief. The redhead just looked at Norton knowingly, bitterly. What was truly in common with all of them was, surprisingly, a hint of worry and concern. The black greaser shut his eyes for a moment, then sighed.
"If I tell you, you have to promise that you don't tell boss, ever. In fact, you ain't even talkin' about this among yourselves because we all know Johnny loves to eavesdrop, so shut the hell up, for his sake. And for Peanut's sake", he said, with a clear, authorative tone.