Chapter 6A: How You Remind Me

And this is how you remind me
This is how you remind me of what I really am

Nickleback, from the album Silver Side Up

The rest of the week went by quietly, compared to the events that occurred earlier in the week. Alex continued his morning workout, which was slowly becoming a ritual, which happily included Henry. This helped Alex as much as it did Henry because Henry suggested different routes for their run, introducing Alex to the different places in the neighborhood; also including people whom Alex should either avoid or become friends with.

It was during these runs that Alex and Henry became closer friends discussing everything from life lessons to future plans. As they were running through the forest preserve the subject of family was broached and Alex decided it was time to open up, remembering the change he saw in the mirror a few days ago. As they entered one of the picnic groves Alex spotted a table and ran towards it, slowing down as he approached. Alex sat down and turned to Henry, pointing to a seat on the other side of the table. With a deep breath Alex told Henry of Lisa, of their love and friendship through the years, and of her untimely death, leaving nothing out. It was tough, but Alex made it through, stopping once in a while when his emotions started getting the better of him, but ultimately he was able to control them and push forward.

Henry sat quietly, which Alex thought was impossible, listening intently, never interrupting as he listened to the history of Alex and Lisa.

When Alex finished, Henry didn't say anything for a long time before saying "Wow. That's some serious shit you went through. Man. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose someone that I was that close to. I'm really sorry to hear about Lisa dying and all, Alex."

"Yeah, some fucked up shit. I miss her a lot, but, well, I can't live in the past you know. Onwards and upwards they say. Still sucks though."

After a brief silence they continued on their run, making it to Henry's house in silence. Saying goodbye Alex continued on home, entering his house he called out, "Mom I'm home."

As he entered the kitchen he saw his Mom walking in from the yard carrying some groceries. "Alex, I'm glad your home. I forgot to get milk - could you run to the Quickie Mart and pick some up for me?" She placed the groceries on the table and opened her purse and pulled out 10 dollars and handed it to Alex.

Alex took the money and headed out the door, stopping before leaving he asked "Is that all you need Mom?"

"Yeah, 2% milk. Thanks honey," she said without looking at Alex.

With that Alex left the house heading towards Quickie Mart. As he got to the corner he decided to go a different route, didn't want to run into Stevie or Frankie, as once a week was enough for him.

The trip was uneventful as he got to the Quickie Mart and paid for the milk. As he left and began heading home he heard someone behind him "Hey dude, you like Pearl Jam?"

Alex slowed, but didn't stop as he looked over his shoulder at the person talking to him. Walking towards Alex quickly was another teenager, about Alex's age, trying to catch up to him. "Yeah I like Pearl Jam, got all their CD's."

Catching up to Alex and matching his walking pace he said "Yeah you're a fan. Listen I've got a couple of tickets for their concert at Soldiers Field for sale. You interested?"

Alex finally got a good look at him; he was average height and of slight build, with light brown hair combed back, and piercing green eyes. He wore faded blue jeans and a well-worn Rush 2112 T-shirt with Nike gym shoes. Alex eyed him warily and said, "Right! How much?"

"Come on man this is legit, no bullshit! You don't want to miss this concert, man. I'm telling you people will be talking about it for the rest of their lives! And you can tell everyone that you were there, at the concert of the 90's!" he said excitedly.

"Laying it on a little thick there, aren't you?" asked a wary Alex.

"No way, dude. Pearl Jam, they talk to our generation, it's like they know what we are about. You won't want to miss this. It's like Lollapalooza or Woodstock, but in Chicago. And how much better can it be than at Soldiers field, where the Bears play. Damn, they never have concerts there!"

"Ok, listen, slick, I'm about ready to get my freakin' hip boots here. So cut the shit and talk to me about price!"

"Do I know you, dude?"

"No, I don't think so. Why?"

"Ah, never mind. Ok, because I know you're a tough customer - you know I can tell these things - and because I like you, how about 50 bucks?"

Alex began laughing at him, "Shit, might as well make it a thousand. No way can I get my hands on fifty bucks."

"Well how much can you get your hands on?"

"Well, IF I wanted to go, I could come up with fifteen."

"Fuck, dude! Fifteen! A ticket broker can get an easy hundred for ONE ticket. Dude, you get there early and get front row sets for the best show on earth. Festival seating is the best!"

"It's not festival seating, Slick."

"Yeah, festival seating sucks, and I've got two tickets right next to each other. You can't go wrong, I'm telling you, for forty bucks!"

"Forty is still a lot dude. No way my parents would let me do that! And let's not forget, how do I get down there, and food. Shit, you know they will be charging a shit load of cash for a small coke and a lousy hot dog. This could be a very expensive concert."

"You bring a couple of sandwiches with you, a couple of cokes, and you're all set. It's the perfect plan! You save money because your bringing food with you and the tickets are only thirty five bucks!"

They went back and forth over the cost of the tickets, now at twenty-five, when they got to Alex's home. Not sure what would happen next, Alex stopped before going in and turned to the scam artist. "If you follow me in, I will need to know your name so I can introduce you to my parents Ok?"

"Sure that's a great idea, I can help talk to your parents about buying the tickets for thirty bucks each! Oh yeah, my names Douglas Boyd."

"Alex Thomason. Ok, slick come on inside, and last I remember it was twenty-five apiece not thirty."

"Are you sure we don't know each other?" he asked quizzically.

"Yes I'm sure. Why do you keep asking me that?"

"Well no one calls me Douglas, they call me Slick."

Alex could only look at Slick and laugh. "Well, it fits, that's for damn sure! Come on in and we will see about getting my parents to spring for a ticket for fifteen bucks."

"Damn, that's where you started! I can't let these two go for thirty."

Walking into the house Alex said over his shoulder "I only need one. I was assuming you were going to take the other."

"If you buy both tickets for forty I can go."

For the next 30 minutes the discussion was whether to allow Alex to go or not, which thankfully they finally agreed to. Then they had to discuss what he was allowed to do and where he was to go, which thoroughly embarrassed Alex. Next, was transportation to and from Soldiers field, which Alex thought would be the final nail in the coffin, but much to his surprise his parents agreed to drive them back and forth. Finally it was the haggling over the cost of the tickets. Slick was good at trying to keep the price high, but when my Dad saw the ticket, $23.50, the wind went out of his sail, and a small handling fee of five bucks was applied per ticket and the final price of forty seven was agreed to.

Alex was ecstatic, Pearl Jam at Soldiers Field would be his first concert, and what a group to see for his first time! With the conclusion of the deal of the century, Alex and Slick began to discuss music. Since Slick sold him the Pearl Jam tickets, Alex assumed that was music he was into. From the discussion Alex found he was wrong; Slick loved a wide variety of music from Pop to Raggae.

Slick also turned him on to different rock groups that Alex either wasn't interested in or never heard of. Foremost on the list was Extreme, a group Alex had disregarded because of their top 40-style songs the radio played. But after Slick gave him a couple of their CD's he was surprised he liked them, the songs played on the radio were not like the rest of the album. They were more funk, glam, hard rock metal band than the sappy shit they played on the radio. From Alex's perspective, they were influenced by Queen and Van Halen, from the multi-part vocal harmonies and electric guitar techniques.

Alex and Slick spent the day discussing music and other mundane things until it was time for dinner. Slick was invited to stay, but had to leave, but not before making plans for the next day; it seemed that there were several CD's that Alex had that Slick wanted copies of.

As they sat down for dinner for a delicious tuna casserole, not one of his favorites, Alex brought up the subject of the concert. "Since I have this extra ticket, neither of you want to go, do you?" The pause seemed to last a lifetime as his parents exchanged a look. Finally his Mom said, "Well, I was hoping that you would ask one of us."

SHIT, Alex said to himself! This was not going good! "Well, ah, I do have an extra ticket if either of you want to go." The last was spoken, but with zero conviction behind the words.

Again they exchanged looks. Silence. Than a smile formed on his Mom's face, followed by laughing from his Dad. They had set him up. Alex lowered his head and began laughing with his Dad, then his Mom joined them both. Finally Alex said "Ok, Ok. You got me. Man, you two are something! Back to the question at hand, I was thinking of asking Jennifer. That ok with both of you?"

"Is this a date, Alex?" questioned his Mom without looking at him.

"No Mom. This is two FRIENDS going to a concert," replied Alex.

"So you think that is how her parents are going to see it?" interjected his Dad.

"I hadn't thought of that" He said with a frown.

His Mom stopped eating and looked at Alex "So, is she going to pay for the ticket?"

"No, because I am inviting her. It wouldn't be right to ask her to pay for the ticket." Where are they going with this, thought Alex?

"That's what I wanted to hear. What do you think, Honey?" Mom's question directed at Dad.

"Well, I think that asking her to pay for the ticket is wrong. And I also think that you need to make sure that her parents know it is NOT a date, they might think she is too young to be dating. And if they have any concerns, have them talk to us. We expect you to be on your best behavior, even more so because it IS Jennifer, and we would require you to watch out for her before, during, and after the concert. She WILL be your responsibility, understood?"

"Completely. I'll make sure she is safe. I'll ask her after dinner. Thanks."

They ate dinner making small talk, then tragedy struck when his Mom brought up the subject of landscaping and lawn care. "Have you noticed how well every one maintains their homes here? I was thinking that we should make every attempt to keep up our home, and by the end of summer start making some changes in the front yard with the landscaping. You know, plant some bushes and flowers and such."

"I was thinking the same thing. Well, about keeping the place clean, not about the landscaping" replied Dad. Well, when Alex's Mom gets an idea it is not so easily dismissed, and the ensuing conversation solidified her authority when it came to decorating inside and outside the family home. Ten minutes into Mom's discourse on landscaping and home maintenance Dad conceded defeat, and with a few well placed 'Yes Dears', Mom's plan was blessed. And with a satisfied smile she thanked them both for their support in the beautification plan for their home.

Clean up after dinner was quick as Alex swiftly put the dishes in the dishwasher and tidied up around the kitchen. His parents satisfied with the job Alex bolted out of the house to Jennifer's. As he was making his way he was thinking of how to ask, clearly he needed to make sure that everyone knew it wasn't a date but one friend taking another to a concert. Standing in before the front door Alex collected himself, took a deep breath and rang the door bell.

The door opened and there stood Rox looking hot in a VERY tight tank top no bra and shorts. Focus you idiot, thought Alex. "Is, ah, Jennifer home?"

Rox, looking Alex up and down, winked and yelled "Jen, Stud Muffin's here!" Laughing at a reddening Alex she said, "Come on inside, Alex."

Alex shook his head as he walked into the house "Have a short memory do ya Rox?"

"Ohhh, I'm scared!"

Bounding down the stairs came Jennifer. "Hey Alex what's up?"

Deep breath, Alex. Here it goes, "I was wondering if you would like to go to the Pearl Jam concert at Soldiers field?"

Jennifer stopped in her tracks and stared at Alex. She furrowed her brow and crossed her arms and let out a deep breath "Uh, I don't know Alex. I'm not allowed to date until I'm sixteen."

"No, it's not a date, it's two friends going to a concert. That's all. You see I met this guy, well I guess he's a friend now, and he was selling a couple of tickets to the concert and I don't know anyone else around here and he wouldn't sell me just one so I, I mean my parents, bought both of them, and I thought of you."

"Mom and Dad will never let you go, Jen," jumped in Rox. "They never let me go out, as a FRIEND, with a boy before I turned sixteen" she said in the smuggest tone ever.

Agreeing with Rox, Jennifer said "That's true Alex. My parents feel very strongly about dating before any of us turn sixteen."

Alex's hopes started to fade. Swearing to himself, Alex didn't relent, "Like I said it's not a date, it's just two friends going to a concert. Why don't you ask? The worst thing they can say is no?"

Jennifer shook her head "I sure they'll say no, but I'll try." She turned towards the kitchen, looked back to Alex and waved him forward and yelled out "Mom can I ask you a question?"

From the kitchen her mother said, "Sure Jen, what's your question."

Following Jennifer into the kitchen, Alex saw Mrs. Lindenberger standing by the stove preparing dinner while Mr. Lindenberger was reading the paper sitting a the table. "Oh, uh, hi, Daddy. I didn't know you were home."

He looked up from his paper and seeing Alex smiled and nodded his head in acknowledgment and looked back to Jennifer, "I just got home. So what do you want?"

Jennifer distraught with finding her dad home replied, "Well, I was going to ask Mom something, but it can wait until later. Can I help with dinner, Mom?"

"Mom, Jen wants to go to a concert, with Alex," interjected Roc as she entered the kitchen behind Alex.

Jennifer looked daggers at Rox, clearly pissed that she had let the cat out of the bag before she could smooth the way with her Mom and gain her support before bringing her Dad into it.

Alex watched the events deteriorate before him, the pleasant smile that was on Mr. Lindenberger was replaced with a tight lip and a stone face. "Alex," he said in a low tone, "Jennifer is not allowed to date until she's sixteen. And it's not just Jennifer, it's all of our children. As much as I like you, it's a hard and fast rule."

"Mr. Lindenberger and Mrs. Lindenberger, I want you both to know that this is NOT a date, it is one friend who would like to take another friend to a concert. And I can assure you that I do not see this as a date, and I want you both to know that it will be my responsibility to ensure that she is well cared for before, during, and after the concert. You have my word on it."

Mr. Lindenberger watched Alex during his speech, his eyes never straying for a second, and when Alex was finished he put his paper down slowly and sat back in his chair. "That was a nice speech Alex, and if Jennifer was sixteen I would have been persuaded to allow her to accompany you to the concert. But as it is she is not sixteen and is not allowed to date. Therefore I cannot allow her to go, I am sorry but that is one of the rules of the house."

Alex shifted his look from Mr. Lindenberger to Jennifer, looking at her for some assurance that he can continue his efforts in persuading her parents to allow her to go, but she didn't return his look as she was staring at the floor. Alex shifted his eyes back to Mr. Lindenberger whose expression had not changed in the time that Alex looked to Jennifer. He couldn't accept that response, and began thinking of a counter argument, "Mr. Lindenberger, I can accept your answer IF this was a date, but we are just friends, nothing more." And then it was at that moment it all came together for him. "You see, my sister Lisa and I were best friends, we did everything together, and I don't know of any other brother and sister that were as close as the two of us were. When we moved here and I meet Jennifer I was reminded of how much she is like Lisa because of how similar they are. That is why I can tell you in all honesty that this is NOT a date."

The expression on Mr. Lindenberger's face softened for a moment but then turned back to the stone face that Alex dreaded. "Even if we allowed Jennifer to accompany you, as a friend, to the concert, by the way, where is it?"

"It is at Soldiers Field" replied a hopeful Alex.

"Soldiers Field! How are you getting there?" asked an incredulous Mrs. Lindenberger.

Momentarily stunned by the Mrs. Lindenberger's joining in on the conversation Alex quickly responded, "My parents are driving me and my friend, Douglas Boyd, and will pick us up afterwards."

"Slick is going with you?" cried out Rox.

Alex looked at Rox, who's expression of amusement was clearly evident on her face.

"When did you meet him?" asked Jennifer who's expression mirrored her sisters.

"Today, by the Quickie Mart. He sold me the tickets. I take it you know him?"

Jennifer now sprouted a huge grin. "Of course I know COUSIN Douglas, He's my Dad's Sister's son. He's FAMILY. Ain't that right, Dad?"

And as his face softened he nodded his head in agreement "That he is. So Slick is going with you Alex?"

"Yes he is" said an eager and once again hopeful Alex.

"And your parents will take you to and from the concert?"

"Yes they are. They said that you could talk to them if you had any questions about transportation."

"I will do that right after dinner. Now, I am not saying that Jennifer can go with you; the wife and I will discuss it and let you know."

Alex looked back to Jennifer, who was all smiles, and then to Rox, who was not happy at all. It seemed that her happiness was predicated on Jennifer not going to the concert. Alex just shook his head; he would never understand that type of sibling rivalry.

True to his word, right after dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Lindenberger went to Alex's house to talk with his parents about the concert and, it seemed, were content with how they were getting to and from Soldiers Field. But he was still uneasy with allowing his daughter to go without adult supervision. The discussion centered on the fact that Jennifer and Alex were too young to attend the concert without someone responsible. But Alex's parents countered that Alex was a very responsible young man, capable of good judgment and would take every precaution to ensure the safety of their daughter. For the next hour they debated the issue until finally Jennifer's parents were satisfied and allowed Jennifer to go to the concert with Alex, as a friend.

Alex and Jennifer were both elated with the results and thanked her parents for allowing her to go to the concert. Goodnights were exchanged between the neighbors and after the Lindenberger's left, Alex once again thanked his parents for their help and reassured them that the confidence that they showed in Alex's maturity would not be unfounded.

Alex walked outside onto the deck and enjoyed the summer evening as the sun started its descent into the trees. He smiled to himself thinking what a great day it had been when he saw Jennifer walking out of her house.

"Hey Jennifer, what cha doin?"

"I came out to ask if you wanted to meet my friends and maybe go to the movie with us?

"Yeah, I'd love to, I'll ask my parents. How much is it?"

"One of my girlfriend's father owns the theater, so we get in for free."

"Wow, that's cool. What are you going to see?"

"Casper, the Friendly Ghost movie. It stars Christina Ricci, she was in the Addams Family movies."

"Oh. I suppose that would be what girls would go see."

"So what would you want to see, huh? Braveheart or Johnny Mnemonic? Typical boy movies!"

Laughing, "Yeah I guess."

"So who's going with us?"

Jennifer began a long detailed description of her friends, starting with Emily Knight, her best friend since grade school. She was followed by Robin Hutchings, the tall one, Connie Holloman the cheerleader, and lastly, Cindy Oswald the shy one.

From her description of her friends, it was clear to Alex that Jennifer had a strong relationship with her friends, just as he had with Gary, Neil, and Joe. And when she began telling stories of their times together, it brought out the nostalgic side of Alex as he told stories of his best friends.

As they both exchanged stories, each better than the last, they both ended up laughing and falling all over each other on the deck, each having a glimpse of the other's lives through stories of the best times with their friends. Both had a new found insight into how the other interacted with friends, how they made good, and bad, decisions that allowed them to grow from children to young adults and to review the choices that led to the follies that were called life lessons.

As Jennifer got up to leave, wiping away the tears from laughing so hard, she waved goodbye and said, "And don't forget the movies tomorrow."

Quick thinking Alex yelled back "Can I bring a friend?"

"A friend? Who do you know around here?" she laughed.

"Someone I met, Henry Mason, I think you know him?"

"Oh God, the talker! Sure bring him along."

"Great. What time?"

"Noon."

Alex walked into the house, seeing his Mom and Dad watching TV he crossed his fingers and said "Jennifer and her friends are going to the movies and she invited me. Is it ok if I go?"

A quick look was exchanged between his parents before his mother asked, "What movie are you going to see?"

"Casper. A fairly safe movie for one as young as I," responded Alex.

That cracked his dad up "Where the heck do you come up with this stuff Alex? Well anyway, I think it's ok if your mother agrees."

Looking to his mom with pleading eyes, Alex waited patiently.

Looking sternly at her husband, Alex's mom shifted her gaze to Alex. "Well, how can I say no, now?"

His dad winked at Alex and said to his wife, "Like you'd say no."

"Well, Ok you got me. How much is it Alex?"

"I think I'll need ten bucks."

"Ok, here's ten. Have a good time tomorrow."

"You bet I will," as he went upstairs to his bedroom.

Next morning Alex finished his workout and headed to Henry's. He had spent last night thinking of how he should approach Henry about going to the movies. Telling him that girls would be going might scare him off, on the other hand, he could surprise Alex. These things weighed heavily on Alex as he got to Henry's house.