Chapter 10

Friday April 9, 2032 – Upper Darby High School, Drexel Hill, PA

The day was cold, miserable and blustery. Despite the chill and threat of showers, the meet would go on. The Upper Darby Relays featured relay events only on the track side as well as the full slate of field events. Luke, Joey, Josh and David did their best to stay loose and warm as they waited for their event. They won the preliminary heat with a time of 42.81 seconds and moved on to the finals.

After too long a wait in the cold, the four boys took the track with seven other teams for the finals in the 4x100m relay. Luke put them in second place with a good first leg. Joey lost a couple spots but that was normal for him. Josh closed the gap some but turned the baton over to David in third place. David tried to kick into high gear. He chased down the second place guy but felt a twinge just before the finish line as he struggled to catch the leader.

David limped to a stop after he crossed the finish line. Their team finished with a time of 42.73 seconds. Coach Phillips decided that a likely strained hamstring should be rested. David skipped the high jump that day.

Saturday April 10, 2032 – Avon Grove High School, West Grove, PA

The Avon Grove Performing Arts Club conducted a full dress rehearsal for “You Can’t Take it with You” Saturday afternoon. Between cast and crew, there were close to fifty students and six teachers involved in this production.

Jessie was nervous as she waited for her first scene with Chris Rush.

“It’ll be fine, Jessie,” Chris commented as they waited to go on stage as Mr. & Mrs. Kirby. “We practiced plenty. You got this.”

“I guess,” Jessie admitted as their cue came up. Jessie and Chris walked on stage and began their first scene. Within seconds of starting her lines, it all felt so normal and natural. She could do this.

The rehearsal went fairly well, without too many breaks or flubs. That was good for the company. Their first night was five days away. They cast and crew would present “You Can’t Take it with You” to the world on Thursday night.

Thursday April 15, 2032 – Avon Grove High School, West Grove, PA

The full Martin clan came for opening night, including little Robbie. The play would end way past Robbie’s bedtime, but he insisted he had to go cheer for his big sister. He did not want to wait until the matinee on Saturday. So what if he was tired tomorrow? Penny and Kyle reluctantly agreed with their young son.

The play came off with few hitches. Jessie sparkled opposite Chris Rush as Mrs. Kirby. The goofball comedy reminded Kyle and Penny of some of Coen Brothers’ movies. Robbie managed to stay awake for the entire performance, but the first-grader fell asleep on the short drive back to Landenberg. Kyle carried him upstairs to bed when they got home.

Jessie was ecstatic. She got over her nervousness early in the performance. She had a blast doing the play. She was so happy she chose to do this. That was good. The club had performances on Friday night and Saturday afternoon before their evening closing performance.

Saturday April 17, 2032 – Paradise High School, Paradise, PA

The 2032 version of the Martin Trust Invitational Meet featured three new teams for a total of twenty-four schools. Among the new teams was the team from Princeton, New Jersey. Will Henry, a Paradise High School grad and member of the Martin family that sponsored the meet, had no problems getting an invitation to his sons’ schools. Danny “Tee” would compete as varsity, while Charlie and Chad would represent their middle school. Zoe, Andrew’s thirteen-year-old daughter would be running for Paradise Middle School.

The gathering of the Martin clan for the meet would also give Josh, Andrew’s ten-year-old; Mack Henry and Robbie Martin time with their Pop-Pop while the older kids ran. Mack, Will’s tomboy daughter, and Robbie were both seven. Danny “Jay” begged off the trip to Paradise. He had a camping trip to Horseshoe that weekend with his troop.

Dr. Turner, the athletic director for the Paradise School District, kicked off the meet with some brief announcements and then asked Penny to speak to the assembled athletes as the head of the Martin Trust, who sponsored the meet. Penny gave a few remarks and wished the athletes the best as they competed.

Penny, Andy and Heather, and Will and Abby all hung out together as the first event the 110m hurdles started. Dr. Jason Turner and his wife Sara were there too. Sara was helping with some of the administrative items necessary for a large meet like this.

“How is Connor doing, Andrew?” Sara asked politely. She had been Connor and Lauren’s first grade teacher, then as Miss Beiler.

“Doing well,” Andy replied. “They’ve settled into the Gulf Coast Florida lifestyle. Had you heard they had a baby in February?”

“They have?” Sara replied. “I hadn’t even heard they were married yet.”

“Well ... he’s a Martin. What can I say?” Andy laughed. “They are getting married in July.”

“Those things do happen ... sometimes,” Sara responded, blushing.

“Too often in the Martin family,” Andrew grinned.

“Our mom was seventeen when she had me,” Will interjected.

“More dirt than we need to talk about, Will,” Penny warned.

“How are your boys doing?” Andrew asked. “Is JJ racing today?”

“JJ [Jason Jr.] is only ten, so he hasn’t started middle school yet,” Sara replied.

“JJ is definitely a Turner,” Jason laughed. “He started Pee-Wee football three years ago and loves it. He is doing Little League and can’t wait until next year when he can join the school’s teams. He has his eye on wrestling in addition to football and baseball.”

“Lucas is seven,” Sara added. “He can’t wait for the fall when he can start Pee-Wee football too. He definitely takes after his big brother.”

“It looks like they are starting up the 100m dash,” Penny commented. “We all have nephews and a niece in that event. We’ll catchup again later today.”

David saw Sara off for her heat before he prepped for his own run. Sara ran well enough to make it into the finals for the 100m dash. David lined up for his preliminary heat. He recognized one of the other runners, the kid from Northern Lebanon.

David typically ran a 10.6 or so when he practiced and didn’t push hard. He looked the field of runners over and decided he did not need to push to place in the top eight of the preliminaries and to move onto the final heat. Josh Frantz looked to be about the second fastest runner in the field, unless the kid from Lebanon improved.

It proved the kid from Lebanon had improved since last season. David was shocked to have the kid push ahead of him near the ¾ mark in the race. David kicked into a higher gear and managed to cross the finish line with a 10.52 second time, 0.03 seconds ahead of the other kid.

Sara, Sadie, Caroline and Charlotte did not place in the 4x100m relay. Their day was done. Luke, Mike, Josh and David had no problems qualifying for the finals. David noticed the kid from Northern Lebanon was the anchor for their 4x100 team. That could make an interesting challenge for him when their teams raced in the finals.

David had to push a little to make the finals for the 200m dash. It was not his best event, but he got in. David managed to clear 6’-5” in the high jump. That was his personal best. Slowly he was getting the hang of flopping over the bar. 6’-5” was the minimum to make it into District 1 Championship Meet in about month.

The finals for the 100m dash were after lunch. David’s lane was beside the kid from Northern Lebanon. David had a good start on the dash. He pushed hard, knowing he had to keep ahead of the kid beside him. David managed to stay ahead for the whole race, but he could hear the kid’s footsteps just barely behind him. David finished in 10.48 seconds. The kid from Northern Lebanon had a time of 10.50 seconds.

“Damn, I thought I’d get you,” the kid said, but without heat. “Good race, man.”

“You ran a hell of a race too,” David replied. “By the way, I’m David Martin.”

“Luke Reifsnyder,” the kid replied. “Damn, how am I going to shave another tenth of a second off my time and get the state record back?”

“Back?” David asked.

“My dad held the state record when he was my age,” Luke replied. “A year after he set the record, future Broncos wide receiver Kyle Martin broke his record. I want it back.” Luke paused as he realized David’s last name. “Are you any relation to Kyle Martin?”

“He would be my dad,” David said.

“So, your talent is inherited like mine.”

“My physical abilities may be inherited,” David said. “I work my ass off to develop them and achieve what I achieve.”

“Amen, I understand,” Luke said, offering his hand to shake. They shook. “I’ll beat you next year, David.”

“Only if you are in college,” David replied. “I’m a senior.” The two parted to wait for their next event.

The 4x100m was next. Both David and Luke anticipated another showdown between them in the last leg. It did not work out that way. Luke, Joey and Josh were faster than Luke Reifsnyder’s teammates. David took the baton from Josh with a half dozen yard lead. Luke was not able to close the distance. Avon Grove finished with a 42.61 second time, their best for the season.

David placed second in the 200m dash with a time of 22.46 seconds. Danny “Tee” made the finals in his two events, the 400m run and the 800m run. He did not win either race. Zoe placed 3rd in her 200m dash. Charlie and Chad Henry did not place in their races.

The entire Martin clan gathered at Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop’s for dinner after the event was done. It was nice to gather much of the family together. Kyle was busy down in Philly getting ready for the NFL draft in a few days. Liz and Chris’ kids weren’t old enough to be running track meets, so they were down in Malvern.

Saturday April 17, 2032 – Audrey Cooper’s Home, Kemblesville, PA

The cast and crew of the play were elated as they took their final bows after the evening performance. Grant came for the last performance even though he had seen the play on opening night. Logan and Kaylie were giving Jessie and Grant a ride to Audrey Cooper’s wrap party immediately afterward. Kaylie and Jessie talked about how much fun they had with this play. They would seriously consider doing it again when the Performing Art Club put on their next production.

Half a dozen cars were parked on the street in front of Audrey’s house. They had to laugh at the address - 6 Forest Gump Road. More cars carrying cast and crew arrived as the two couples walked inside for the party. Audrey and her boyfriend, Lucas, greeted their guests. Audrey pointed out where the beer was kept. Logan, Kaylie, Jessie and Grant made a beeline to the keg to get Solo cups of the amber brew.

Grant’s uncomfortableness at parties was disappearing. He had fun at the other parties he went to with Jessie. He also got laid at every party. While it was less than three months since he lost his virginity, Grant learned to love sex, especially with his adventurous girlfriend.

Grant had been halfway hard all through the play, thinking about what he was going to do that evening. Jessie and Grant finished their beer and danced a bit. Grant quickly went fully erect as he held Jessie.

“You want to head upstairs for some fun?” Grant whispered after Jessie bumped into his boner. “I need you badly, sweetie.”

“It isn’t even ten o’clock,” Jessie said. “We have plenty of time for fun upstairs before our curfew. Do you want to make out a little first? That’ll help get me ready for the fun to come.”

“We could do that,” Grant agreed. The two found a spot on a couch and began making out. The oversexed couple had been deep kissing for about five minutes when there was a commotion at the front door. Jessie and Grant looked up to see Jaxon Buchanan stroll in accompanied by three of his friends, Kai Woodrow, and Abel and Bart Leon.

Jaxon was a little rough around the edges and was a noted stoner among their classmates. He also had done a great job running the lights for the play. His compatriots on the other hand, had no connection to the play. They also spelled trouble. Kai Woodrow, a junior, was a noted bully. Abel and his twin brother Bart were Kai’s loyal followers.

Grant stiffened when he saw the foursome. He had a couple run-ins with Kai over the past two years. The foursome disappeared to the garage to grab beer.

“It will be OK,” Jessie said soothingly to her lover.

“I don’t know.” Jessie tried to distract Grant with more kisses. Soon his mind was focused on Jessie and them getting laid in a few minutes. Others at the party seemed similarly uncomfortable with the unexpected guests. Audrey and Lucas were nowhere to be found, so the foursome were free to mingle and party down.

Kai announced loudly, “FUCK! Let’s get this par-tee crankin’!” He went over and turned up the music to full volume. He fiddled with the bass knob until the throb from the speakers rattled the windows in the house. Everyone stared at the interlopers but were too intimidated to do anything.

Audrey and Lucas showed up a couple minutes later and got into a heated argument with Jaxon and Kai. While they were debating the volume level, there was a pounding on the front door. Audrey scurried over to the door quickly, relieved to be away from the oafs.

“AUDREY, YOU HAVE TO TURN THE MUSIC DOWN!” a middle-aged lady insisted, barely loud enough to be heard. “WHAT WILL YOUR PARENTS SAY IF I TELL THEM ABOUT THIS PARTY?”

“I’ll get the music down, Mrs. Willard,” Audrey pledged. She was pink with embarrassment. She hurried back to the music center. Jaxon, Kai, Abel and Bart had headed back to the kitchen for more beer. Audrey turned the volume down to an acceptable level. Audrey went on to some of her other duties as hostess.

Jaxon and his buddies returned with more beer. Kai made a beeline for the music center and cranked the volume to high again. One of the seniors, who played Martin Vanderhof in the play, tried to turn the volume down again.

“Sit the FUCK down, you pansie,” Kai snarled. Abel and Bart stood up beside Kai to further intimidate the guy. He sat back down with his date. Grant and Jessie continued to make out while all this was going on, but they kept an eye out for trouble.

“This is going to be a bad scene,” Jessie whispered in Grant’s ear. “Maybe we better leave before things get ugly.”

“We haven’t had our time together upstairs,” Grant replied, aghast at the idea of skipping sex that evening. “We need our time together.”

“Do you want our time together to be in a jail cell?” Jessie retorted. “I know, just KNOW, that neighbor is calling the cops right now.”

“You might be right,” Grant admitted. “Let’s go.” Jessie and Grant stood up, which caught Kai’s attention.

“It’s little sissie boy,” Kai cackled. “What’s the matter? Running home to mommy?”

“Um ... um ... we’re just going to the kitchen for more beer,” Grant stammered.

“First smart thing I have ever heard you say,” Kai laughed. He did not block the way to the kitchen. When Jessie and Grant got there, they ducked out the back door of the house and headed up the street.

“Now what?” Grant asked as they walked north away from the Cooper’s house.

“We take advantage of my mom’s ‘no questions asked’ policy for parties that go wrong,” Jessie answered.

Jessie took her phone out and punched the button to reach her mom. “Mom, Grant and I need a ride. Things are not looking good at this party we’re at. We walked out to avoid trouble. Can you come get us? We’ll meet you where Parson’s Road meets Good Hope Road.”

“I can do that, Jessie,” Penny promised. “Are the two of you OK now?”

“We left the party,” Jessie replied. “We should be safe here. I doubt any police will try to pick us up here on the road, if the neighbors call them to calm the party down.”

“The police?” Penny gasped. “Seriously?”

“There are some seriously out-of-control party crashers there,” Jessie responded. “I would not be surprised if the police showed up.”

“I am on the way right now,” Penny said. She dragged Robbie out of bed and grabbed their coats, hurrying out the door. Kyle was in Louisiana meeting a potential draft recruit. David and Sara, as well as Danny and Anna had gone to the movies in Downingtown. Even Phyllis and Larry Czarwinski were away. They had gone out to dinner and then a dance a local winery.

The walk from the development street to Good Hope Road was over half a mile. Jessie and Grant weren’t quite to the corner when four police cars, without the sirens wailing, roared by. The last car stopped abruptly alongside of Jessie and Grant. The policeman rolled down his window and shined his flashlight in the teens’ faces.

“Where are you two going this time of night?” he snapped.

“Away from the party you are raiding,” Jessie answered. “We want nothing to do with those assholes who crashed the party. Absolutely no part of it ... uh, SIR.”

“That is using your head,” the policeman snickered. “Are you two safe here? Do you have a way home?”

“My mom is meeting us any minute down at the corner,” Jessie replied., pointing towards Good Hope Road.

“Do you know the names of these crashers?” the officer asked.

“Jaxon Buchanan, Kai Woodrow, and Abel and Bart Leon,” Grant replied.

“Them?” the officer huffed. “Why does that not surprise me? Good luck, you two.” Jessie and Grant started walking south again. They overheard the officer report on who the troublemakers were as he headed after the first three cars.

Penny pulled up just as Grant and Jessie reached the intersection. The two hopped in the minivan. Penny headed out to Route 896 and took it north and then up Route 796 to get up to Grant’s end of their school district. It was after 10:30 when Penny finally got Robbie home again and in bed. He had slept in the back seat the whole way from Franklin Township up to Penn Township and then back down to London Britain Township and their home.

“What exactly was happening at this party, Jessie?” Penny asked after Robbie was safely tucked in bed.

“I thought the point of the ‘no questions asked’ policy was to encourage David and me to avoid bad situations without worrying about you or Dad asking a bunch of questions.”

“True ... but...”

“I will say this much,” Jessie responded. “Four nasty guys crashed a perfectly fun party and things went haywire. Grant and I left before the police showed up. I doubt you or Dad want to see a head line in Monday’s Daily Local News that says, ‘Coach Kyle Martin’s Daughter Arrested at Teen Party.’”

“The police? Really?”

“They didn’t pass you on your way to get us?” Jessie asked. “If you missed them, you missed them by a minute or so. One of the cops stopped and questioned Grant and me. When he was satisfied that we were harmless and safe, he let us walk on to the corner where you met us.”

“Thank you for having the good sense to get out of a bad situation,” Penny said.

Jessie headed to her room. Avoiding arrest by the police was a relief. It just wasn’t the relief she desperately needed. The stretch since Grant screwed her last month was the longest dry spell of her life. Grant was horny and wanted to screw. So did she. Worst, who knows when they would get an opportunity again? Another month without sex? Unthinkable!

Monday April 19, 2032 – Avon Grove High School, West Grove, PA

Jessie already knew what happened to Kaylie and Logan after she and Grant split from the party Saturday night. She and Kaylie had commiserated via texts on Sunday. She and Logan had been upstairs in a bedroom getting it on when the police knocked at the door. Kids spread the word around the house quickly while Audrey and Lucas tried to stall the police at the front door.

Kaylie and Logan, half dressed and dressing as they split, followed a lot of the party-goers out the back door. The gang of fleeing kids snuck along the tree row behind the development to a farmer’s field to the south. There they snuck through the woods over to Parsons Road near the intersection with Good Hope Road.

Logan realized he was nailed regardless of whether the police caught him at Audrey’s house or not. His mom’s car was parked in front of Audrey’s house. He walked back to the scene and turned himself in while Kaylie waited down at the corner for Logan to pick her up.

A policeman gave Logan a sobriety test, which he passed. He and Kaylie each had a beer, but they were more interested in time alone upstairs than in getting drunk. Logan got a summons for disorderly conduct and was sent home. He picked up Kaylie and took her home well after her curfew. Logan’s parents and Kaylie’s parents grounded their wayward children for two weeks.

The gossip circuit blew a fuse on Monday, relating all that had happened to participants at the party. Many of the guests got away. Audrey and Lucas took quite a bit of heat for hosting an underage beer party. All the guys who drove ended up like Logan, getting a disorderly conduct summons. Jaxon Buchanan, Kai Woodrow and the Leon twins were caught in the garage when the police arrived, half-baked and sharing another joint. All four were arrested and taken to the county jail until they were arraigned and made bail.

All the participants at the party waited through the school day on Monday expecting to be called to the principal’s office for further discipline. No one was called to the office. The kids did not realize that the Performing Arts Club was held to a different, less stringent standard than the kids participating in athletics. If you were on an athletic team, you and your parents signed a contract pledging no alcohol or drugs and giving the school permission to tests for that and to kick you off the team if you violated those standards.

The Performing Arts Club had no such contract with their participants. What could Mr. Sanchez or the other teachers involved do? Kick them off the Performing Arts Club for the school year? The final play was done. All the club would do for the next week was tear down sets and return borrowed props to their rightful owners. The teachers running the club decided to have everyone participate in clean up despite the fiasco of a cast party Saturday night. Parents and the courts could handle discipline for this incident rather than the school.

Tuesday April 20, 2032 – Avon Grove High School, West Grove, PA

“I can’t believe nobody has called us in about the booze party Saturday night,” Grant commented as the two met at Jessie’s locker before home room.

“We got so lucky,” Jessie replied.

“In one way,” Grant retorted. “In another way we did not get lucky. I’ve been horny since Saturday night. I need you bad, sweetie.”