High and Inside

High and Inside by Jeff Rud

Book: High and Inside by Jeff Rud Read Free Book Online
Authors: Jeff Rud
Tags: JUV000000
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were just sitting down to Sunday dinner of baked ham, roast potatoes and corn on the cob when the phone rang. “Let the machine get it,” Mom said. Too late, Matt had already picked up.
    â€œMattster.” The bubbly voice was unmistakably Jake. “What’s up?”
    Matt explained that he was just about to eat dinner. “I’ll call you back, okay?” he said. He returned to the table a little happier than when he had picked up the phone. Since that weird night at Long Lake, he hadn’t felt quite as close to Jake. It was good to hear from him, whatever he wanted to talk about.
    â€œIt was just Jake,” Matt said. “I’ll call him back.”
    It was just the two of them for dinner tonight. Mark had visited the previous weekend and he was coming home only once a month or so now. But that was all right with Matt. He enjoyed the occasional quiet dinner with his mom. The weeks were so hectic with school, sports and Mom’s job as a real estate agent that it was nice to be able to catch up.
    Unlike some kids, Matt kind of enjoyed spending time with his mother. Sure, she could be pretty hokey at times, but they had plenty of laughs together and he always knew she wanted what was best for him. That never failed to come across, no matter how mad she got at him for not cleaning up his room, doing the dishes or for stalling on his homework.
    â€œI see from your school newsletter that you have a dance coming up,” she said. “Are you planning to go?”
    â€œI don’t know. I guess. But I can’t figure out if we’re supposed to take someone. You know, like a date?” Just the word “date” seemed forced and a bit silly to Matt.
    â€œI don’t think you have to, Matt,” Mom said, her lips slipping into a half grin. “Is there somebody you were thinking of taking?”
    â€œNaw, not really,” Matt said before quickly changing the subject. “We’ve got a game tomorrow. Are you coming?”
    â€œI’ll try to make it but I’ve got a house to show in the afternoon. What time does it start?”
    â€œRight at 4:30,” he said. “We’re playing Manning. I don’t think they’re very good.”
    Matt went on to offer his analysis of the entire South Side baseball team to his mother, player by player. She listened intently. Matt knew it wasn’t because she was a huge baseball fan—in fact, she barely knew the rules— but she was interested in whatever he was doing.
    They were just finishing dessert, an apple pie that Mom had baked the previous fall and frozen, when the phone rang again. Matt jumped up to grab it. It was practically a reflex action.
    â€œSorry, man.” It was Jake again. “Can you talk?”
    Matt took the portable phone upstairs to his room. He closed his door, stretched out on his bed and looked out the window as dusk was settling in on Anderson Crescent. “What’s up, Jake?”
    â€œI’ve got an idea,” Jake said hesitantly. “It’s about the dance.”
    Matt waited for Jake to continue.
    â€œI kind of want to ask Marcia,” he said.
    â€œYou mean Marcia Evans? You want to take her to the dance?”
    â€œI don’t know about taking her,” Jake said. “Maybe just meeting her there and hanging out. You know, more casual. Not like it’s an official date or anything.”
    Matt chuckled to himself. Not like a date? This was exactly like a date. Jake just didn’t want to use the word. But Matt couldn’t really blame him. This was brand-new territory for both of them.
    â€œSo, I was wondering,” Jake continued. “Marcia is like best friends with Andrea, you know. And you and Andrea get along pretty good…”
    Matt could tell where Jake was going with this one. “Why do you say that?” he asked defensively.
    â€œIt’s pretty obvious, dude. I mean, I heard she asked you to watch

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