I was a little
scared to walk into English class in my new high school. Everyone looked me up
and down as I found a desk on the front row. Mr. Pomfritt introduced me as Miss Angel Angelise, which always got whistles from the boys and eye-rolls
from the girls. Of course I was no angel. Why did my parents give me that name?
I could feel all eyes on the back of my neck. Then, of all things, he asked me
to stand and tell everyone about myself. Egad!
In all my moves
around the country there is one thing I’ve learned, face your fears head-on and
get the upper hand right from the start. I stood and faced down my classmates
as if I was a star on stage and they were my audience. I picked out the cutest
boy in class and spoke directly to him in a sultry voice. He looked back with
goo-goo eyes and I knew I had him hooked.
“Hello. My
father is a visiting professor at the university so we move around a lot. I’m
only here for one semester but I hope to make some good friends,” and I looked at
the cute blond boy in the third row. He tripped over his feet and almost
stumbled as he ran up to take my hand.
“Hi,” he
grinned. “I’m Dobie Gillis and I will be your very good friend while you’re
here in Central City.”
I smiled and
batted my eyelashes. “Thank you, Mr. Gillis. I look forward to it.”
“May I show you
around town after school and buy you a soda?”
Mr. Pomfritt
cleared his throat. “That will be all Mr. Gillis. You can take your seat now.”
Dobie extended
his arm and whispered in my ear as he escorted me back to my desk, “I’ll meet
you on the front steps after school.”
I smiled sweetly and looked around the room. Every
male eye was on me and all the girls sneered. I was not surprised. That’s the
way it always was in a new school, however, there was one girl that really
looked upset. She had to be Dobie’s girlfriend. I learned later her name was
Thalia. I didn’t like having to deal with jealous girlfriends. I hoped this
time it would be different.
Later, at
lunch, I sought out Thalia for some friendly conversation. I didn’t want to be
at odds with her or to break up a sweet couple. I had an idea. I would invite
my cousin, Milton, to come for a visit. Jealousy could work both ways. Milton
was handsome, smart, and broad-shouldered. I told him to zero in on Thalia and
make her feel special.
Milton arrived
on Thursday night and accompanied me to all my classes the next day. The girls
made goo-goo eyes and the boys just sneered but he winked at Thalia and sat
next to her. She, of course, was smitten and Dobie panicked at their quick connection.
He didn’t even give me a glance as the green-eyed monster reared its head. Milton,
however, paid no attention to anyone or anything around him but Thalia.
Everything was working just fine.
“Ladies and
gentlemen,” said Mr. Pomfritt. “We have a guest in class today. Miss Angelise
has invited her cousin, Milton Armitage, to sit in with us. Mr. Armitage, would
you like to say a few words?”
“Why, yes, thank
you.” Milton was always polished and dressed in a sports jacket and tie. He walked
to the front, unbuttoned his jacket, and placed his hand in his pocket. He looked
like a teacher instead of a student. “Hello-o-o-o! It is my pleasure to be with
you today. My cousin has told me how welcoming you’ve been to her in this new
place so we would like to host a party at her house tonight and everyone is
invited. I hope you can come.” There were oohs and aahs of excitement from the
girls and back slaps by the boys. Milton grinned as if he’d just shared a
secret and sauntered back to his seat.
“Thank you, Mr.
Armitage. I’m sure you’ll be the talk of the school the rest of the day. Now,
let’s get back to our studies.”
**********************************
Lunch
period was a panic. The girls bombarded me with questions. What should they wear,
or should they bring something, but mostly questions about Milton. I knew his
presence would switch Dobie’s focus back to Thalia. I was not the jealous type.
I had my eye on someone else. He looked kind of dopey and acted kind of silly but Maynard G. Krebs made me laugh and I needed light-hearted in my life right now.
**********************************
The
doorbell rang and Milton and I answered together. It seemed the whole school
had gotten word of the party. The yard looked like a parking lot and more and
more kids poured in the front door and headed straight for the food on the
dining room table. Dad disappeared into his study but I knew there would be no
peace in his mind until everyone was gone.
The
Beach Boys played in the background and everyone found a dance partner. Dobie
grabbed up Thalia and I could tell he was making everything right with her, as
it should be. Milton surveyed the sea of girls and chose a cute young thing
named Zelda. Maynard was still at the food table. I came up behind him and
touched his shoulder. He jumped and turned to look at me.
“Would
you like to dance,” I asked.
“I
don’t dance,” he said matter-of-factly and put another morsel in his mouth.
“I’ll
teach you.” I put my hand on his shoulder. He gulped and put his arm around my
waist. We danced and talked and laughed the whole evening. It was a grand
party. By the end of the night Dobie and Thalia were back together, Milton and Zelda
were an item, and Maynard G. Krebs had invited me to watch a double feature
with him, The Monster That Devoured Cleveland and its sequel, Son of the Monster That Devoured Cleveland.
All
in all, it was a grand party.
