The Back Harlow Road • Stand By Me

Chapter Three "New Friends"

The tortures shopping spree came to a quick end once the boys of our cluster came to join us. We all got a booth to eat at our local dinner, Blue Point Diner.

The boys, including Ray, had just come from a baseball game. They were full of sweat and the dust from the field covered their uniforms. We ordered an enormous amount of food in which I only ate a small bit of.

"Hey! We should go to," Lando, with his now bruised nose, was cut off by some people entering the diner. Christopher Chambers, Gordon Lachance and the rest of their gang.

Our whole table, with the exception of Ray and I glared at them remembering the encounter. I could see that the two boys were roughed up, but no where near as bad as Lando's nose.

Ray didn't glare at them because I knew he was friendly with them. I didn't glare, because as many people have said, I don't have a mean bone in my body. I disagreed to that, the real reason I didn't glare is because I had nothing against them.

"As I was saying," Lando started again "we should go down to the pool."

A bunch of cheers were heard from our group, but I didn't cheer. I wasn't allowed to go to the pool because my mother was afraid Ray and I would get polio.

When we finished our food and obviously paid they started to get ready for the pool.

I looked at Ray nervously when I got home and he had on a swim suit "what are you doing?" I said calmly. He put a change of clothes into a bag, a plaid shirt, jeans and Keds, and looked to me. "Going to the pool obviously," he said without a problem.

"You know mom doesn't want us to go to the pool, you could get polio!" I exclaimed.

He rolled his eyes "oh well, I'll be fine," he gathered his stuff and stared walking to the door.

"When will you be back?" I asked scared for my brothers sake. Sneaking out and doing something you weren't supposed to was very dangerous.

"Probably tonight," he said and I was confused, night? "I'm going to go pick blue berries along the train tracks, you could come if you want."

I shook my head, afraid to get in trouble with my parents. "See you later Ray, love you," I said hugging him before he left.

He embraced my hug and nodded "Love you too, sis," he left and I was bored and worried.

What if he got caught? Oh he would be grounded forever! I could've stopped him from leaving, I could've went with him.

I thought about this as it turned later and later, I wasn't sure when he would be home. My parents came home and resumed our usual routines, even if it was without Ray.

I had itching guilt, eating at my gut and I swallowed down the truth when my mother asked where Ray was. I told her that he was visiting a friend in which she only nodded.

It eventually got later, and there was still no sign of Ray. I lay in my bed, eyes wide open, nervous about the absence of my brother.

That night, when I almost fell asleep, a shot of adrenaline rushed through my veins. It built up and then nothing, complete emptiness. I felt a great sadness, I felt numb, it was weird and I didn't like it. It was lonely.

The next morning, waking up was a struggle at its greatest. I woke up when my father was getting ready to leave, and my mother sat at the table, folding the new dress she had finished making. "Connie, baby, I finished the dress, you should wear it today," she said smiling her warm mother-like smile.

I nodded and placed it in my arms, my father looked frustrated. "Where is that damned sonny boy?" he asked furiously about Ray.

I shrugged my shoulders and made a run for my room. As I got ready I pushed that weird feeling aside. I slipped into the pink-coral colored dress and it fit perfectly, obviously because my mother had taken my measurements.

I wasn't sure what I would do today, but it would be something productive to keep my mind off of Ray's disappearance, if you could even call it that.

As I walked out the front door in my little white flats the milk man came to deliver the milk. He talked with my mom and their voices faded as I walked farther away.

When I made my way into town I noticed the same threatening gang that I was ordered to stay away from, The Cobras. They seemed to be picking on one of their own friends, that reminded me of how Clair acted towards me.

As they walked away they left Charlie Hogan on the ground to rest in his embarrassment. I walked over to the guy sitting on the floor, he seemed less intimidating when he was alone.

"Are you alright," I asked concerned and he did a double take when he looked at me. I just smiled as he gave me a confused glance.

"Uh, um. Are you talking to me?" he asked nervously and I shook my head laughing "yes you, silly," I extended my hand to help him up and he took it.

He stumbled accidentally and I giggled as he started to walk away. Well that was until Ace grabbed his shoulder and chuckled sarcastically. I went frozen "well well, what do you fucking know about this, Eyeball," he said and I started backing away, pale.

"Nothing, man," Charlie said and tried to walk away "just forget it," he said and Ace shoved him.

"Charlie Hogan and.. and Constance Brower, wow," he said tauntingly and I rapidly shook my head "no no no, it's not like that," I choked out.

"Did you hear that Ace? It's not like that," Eyeball said sarcastically and I widen my eyes. I was scared of their next move, I wished Ray was here he could make peace.

"Hey come one man, leave her alone," a new voice said and I turned around. Christopher Chambers and Gordon Lachance stood behind me.

"What did you say you little shit?" Ace asked as he approached Christopher. Gordon gave Chris a death glare "why are you helping her? She's friends with Lando," he cringed at Lando's name.

"You heard me," Christopher shot back at Ace and I looked wildly in between the two. Ace eventually walked away and all his followers went after him.

I sighed relieved "thank you," I kindly said turning to Chris. Gordon rolled his eyes and I was slightly confused "whatever, lets just go Chris," he said trying to walk away.

I didn't know why he hated me so much, I never did anything bad to hurt him. "I'm sorry, did I do something?" I asked frazzled.

He scoffed and tried to walk away again "no you didn't, he's just not in the best mood," Chris reassured me and I nodded.

"I'm Constance Brower by the way, but you can call me Connie" I said properly introducing myself although everyone already knew everyone else in this town.

"Chris Chambers," the blonde haired kid said and I acted like I've never seen him before in my life. Since Gordon wouldn't introduce himself Chris did for him "This is Gordie Lachance," he pointed to Gordie and I smiled.