Take Me to The Races

The Blackboard Jungle

I was flipping through the mail as I walk back to the house. I let out a groan when I saw there was one from Riverdale General for dad. "Dad, it's the hospital." I drop the letter in front of him.

He let out a big sigh before ripping it open. His eyes got big as he read the paper. "This can't be." He shook his head rereading the letter.

"What wrong, dad?" I was worried that they did in fact want all the money at once.

"Did you tell anyone about this?" He looks up at me.

"No, you said to focus on Christmas so I did. What's going on?" I ask, but instead of answering my question he got up and walks away. "Dad!" I call after him as I follow him to Archie room.

"Hey, Arch. Did you say anything to anybody about my medical bill, 'Cause it's been paid, all 86,000 dollars? There was something called an angel donation." He walks into the room, looking down at the paper.

"No. Well I mean Veronica, but she wouldn't..." He shook his head as he put on his backpack, but he had to pause to think about it. Because, his rich girlfriend definitely would do something like that. "Yeah, I'll ask her." He adjusts the backpack straps.

"No, I'll get to the bottom of it, you just focus on school. I haven't seen that guitar for a while." He looks down at the guitar case in Archie's hand.

"I've been busy. But I spent a lot of break writing songs and I was thinking I would maybe start a band, like the Fred Heads." He smiles at dad as he walks past him.

"If you're going to do that, do it in the garage. That's why I soundproofed it for you." Dad laugh as Archie walk down the stair.

"Yes, please do that." I plead as I follow him. I grab my backpack off the couch and swing it on my back. "I can give you a ride if you like." I offered as we walk out the door.

"I umm... I didn't think that a good idea." He stares at the red truck.

"It's just a truck, Archie." I roll my eyes.

"No it's much more than that." He walks down the street. I got in the vehicle and follow right behind him.

I follow him for two blocks before I pull up beside him. "You know Malachai would be pissed if he found out you rode in the Red Hot Mama." I tried to make the ride sound more appealing. I stop the truck when he stops walking.

"What's the real reason you want to give me a ride?" He turns to me.

"I want to find out if Veronica paid Dad's bill, if she did then I want to thank her." I explain to him.

He got into the truck like I had a gun to his head. "This doesn't mean I approve of this relationship." He put on his seatbelt.

"It wouldn't be nearly as much fun if you did." I tease, taking off down the road. The ride was quiet with Archie staring out the window.

I park the truck and we walk into the school. We look around for the Latina in question. "She's over there." I pointed to her.

"Hey Ronnie!" He ran to catch up with her. I was right on his heels.

"Hello." She beams up at him.

"Did you tell anyone about my dad's hospital bill?" He asks her. I wasn't sure if he was so straightforward because he wanted to know or to get rid of me.

"Hmm, did I? I may have mentioned it to my mom and dad in passing." She hummed like she had to think about it.

"Ronnie," He whines.

"They wanted to help and they have the means to help. What is your dad upset? Are you upset?" She became worried that she may have offended their male egos.