Chapter 20: THE OTHER SHOE

Johnny is going to Shell’s managers school, and I’m enrolling in college. Not the first Collins to get a degree, if I succeed in getting one, but it’s been a several generations hiatus. Why the sudden thirst for an advanced education?

Tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday. I become a tweenager. Old enough to be tried as an adult, executed as an adult if convicted of a capitol crime, old enough to bear arms in military service, but not old enough to vote, drink alcohol, or sign contracts without ADULT co-signers. From eighteen to twenty-one is the tween years. Neither fully adult nor a coddled minor, just restricted unfairly and vulnerable.

I have to register with the Selective Service Board for the draft within thirty days. Then my fate depends on a lottery, unless I have a deferment. Hardship deferment I don’t qualify for. I’m in debt more than a million dollars. How can I manage such a encumbrance from overseas in uniform? Military service would be an extreme financial hardship on me. Selective Service does not sympathize My only option is a student deferment. I’m going to be a frat boy! Isn’t that what they call college attendees who are rich party animals? Soy Yo!

The nearest campus is a hundred miles away. I need a commuter car.

Johnny accepts my latest generous offer, an even-steven swap. A brand new 1961 International Harvester Custom Crew Cab, 3 Door Travelette pickup truck for his four year old (low miles, hardly ever driven, and already considered a classic) 1957 Chevy Bel Air Nomad 2door station wagon. I further stipulated in the deal, the IH pickup must wear ‘NOW’ Truck-stop logos on the front doors. Johnny happily agrees. He is the General Manager. He wants that in capital letters on the doors beneath the logo. Okay with me. He knows he needs a truck to operate the truck stop, and was prepared to trade-in the Nomad stationwagon. I saved it for my museum I’ll have some day. Also, now I have the pussy wagon to go to college and party in.

Again, Mei is grateful for my generosity towards my brother. Her eyes make eloquent promises for after her pregnancy. I almost feel sorry for Johnny, but he did run off to sea, abandoning the family to absorb and do his share of the work for him. A little revenge is only justice. Yeah, I’ll gladly fuck Johnny’s young wife, given a chance. Besides, she’s cute and if she’s at all like her sister Jin, a good piece of ass, I’ll wager. Soon Mei can decide which of us is the better fuck.

Sergey is a handy man to have around. He’s willing to work at any task I assign him. Over the past year and a bit longer, I’ve been accumulating junk and wrecked cars averaging one a week or sometimes two. The sheriff calls me to clear away wrecks after accidents. The trailer Moses gave me, equipped with a twelve volt winch on the tongue, is ideal for loading and hauling off immovable cars. In addition, I keep my eyes peeled for, and brag it around I’ll pay five dollars for information about abandoned vehicles in ditches and fields. Over a two dat period, I pulled seven carcases out of a deep pond on one farm. Result is, I just added my one hundredth junk car to my collection. How do I celebrate? Dastardly!

By asking Sergey to pull every alternator, generator and starter motor from all one hundred wrecks and junkers, any that have any, then rebuild them and put them in stock. Sergey is in the back, way back behind Moses’ stuff, doing this leaving Yolanda all alone. Not for long she isn’t. I’m dressed for an outing when I come to call.

“You can’t come in Ricky. My father isn’t here.”

“Then come out with me.”

“Why? Where would we go?”

“To the county wide police auction. They probably have recovered stolen bicycles they can’t identify who the owner is and are auctioning them off to the highest bidder.”

“I would love to bid. I have attended auctions with my father. Alas, I have no money to bid with.”

“I do.”

“Is it a long trip?”

“No more than half an hour away.”

“Will you behave yourself, remain a gentleman at all times?”

“I promise to be gentle.”

“That’s not the same.”

“Will you come?”

“I have to inform my father and request his blessing.”

Sergey approves of the outing and mission, and insists upon coming with us. I enjoy Yolanda pressed against me squeezed between us.

Yolanda bid on eight bicycles and only lost one. A young boy was with his father and was upset Yolanda was winning. He fussed that it was HIS bicycle that was stolen and they were trying to buy back. Yolanda ceased bidding once she became aware of the situation. Afterwards she attempted to congratulate the kid but he was still angry and rebuffed her. Oh well. Life is far from perfect.

Sergey wanted me to bid on a worn, tired, and retired police car. I asked. Why? Sergey has no license to drive, so what’s it’s use? For making a dragster, he grins. Okay, I’ll buy that, and did...

We left and returned with the car hauler an hour later. Loaded the ex-patrol car and bikes, then returned to the yard. I’m invited to supper that evening, to celebrate my birthday. How nice.