Albany Park (8 page)

On a rainy night a week later, during a very hot session of groping, caressing and fondling in the back seat of the Dodge; she twisted and turned helping him remove her jeans and panties.

“I love you baby,” he whispered as he kissed her neck and massaged between her legs.

“Oooh,” she crooned, casually pushing his hand away. “I dunno if we should.”

“C’mon, baby, I want you so bad.”

“What about protection,” she groaned as she let him move his hand back.

Sitting up, he reached into his back pocket to find his wallet and held up the tiny flat package he’d bought for a quarter from his friend Morrie, who worked at the drug store on Lawrence and Avers.

Watching him, Donna giggled and laid back, pulling him on top of her. “Please be careful,” she whispered pushing her tongue in his mouth.

Slowly he moved into her, waiting for her to pull him closer.

“Oh baby you feel good,” he moaned.

A humming sound escaped from her as she locked him in an embrace of her legs. “Ooooh, yeah,” she cried out softly.

Their breathing came in loud gasps and it was over in a few moments.

He wondered about her boyfriend whom she hadn’t mentioned lately. Nor did he tell her that he had broken up with Shirley the week before. One thing for sure, he was confused, and figured she
was, too
.

Once school was back in session, they discovered they were in the same Biology class but didn’t have an opportunity to be alone for two weeks. The day before the big game with Kelvyn Park, she stopped him after class, tugging on his sleeve. “I’ve been wondering what happened to you,” she said, her lips tightly curving down.

“Hey, you know how it is. I work and with the park tournament still goin’ on, I’ve been practicing and playing a lotta ball.”

“Well, at least you could call once in awhile and act like you know me in school.”

“Aw c’mon, I always say hello and I thought you had a boyfriend.”

“He goes to another school and that’s not your concern. It’s like you’re avoiding me.”

“Look, I’m not avoiding you. It’s just that nobody knows we’re seeing each other and I haven’t said anything to anyone about you because I thought that you wanted it that way.”

“Well, think again.”

“Okay, but look, we’re playing a big game tomorrow at Eugene Field Park. After that I’ll give you a call and we can get together. We can talk then, okay?”

She looked down, saying with a sigh, “Okay, I hear you, but
call me
,”

Late the next afternoon, the team was warming up for the game in a fast circle, rebounding and passing to one another as they came in to do lay-ups.

In the small gallery above the Gym, Donna was holding onto the black chain link protective fence trying to get Vic’s attention, her bright red fingernails curving over the heavy screen.

”Vic, Vic ” she shouted.

Surprised to see her, he waved and she pointed to the door indicating she wanted to talk to him, and started for the stairs. Trotting off, he met her in the small alcove outside the gym.

“What’s up?” he said, glancing to see if anyone was watching.

“I wanted to watch you play, but I can’t ‘cause I have to work, so I want to wish you luck before I have to leave.”

“Hey that’s sweet, you didn’t have to, I’d understand.”

“I wanted to,” she said, reaching up to kiss his cheek. “Have a good game. Good luck and come by after to see me.”

Wiping the lipstick off, he flashed a crooked smile, as he turned, away. “Okay, see ya later,” he said, and rushed back to the gym.

Joining the other players, Vic thought for a moment about Donna. He liked her, but knew it wouldn’t last and he was going to let her down. He shrugged his shoulders, hating to do it, but knew he wasn’t ready for a
shiksa
girlfriend. His friends would tease him and Ma would kill him.

Shirley and Didi Pollack, who were in the hall waiting to go upstairs to see the game, had seen Vic run off as Donna fluffed her hair and examined her make-up with a small mirror she had pulled from her purse.

“Did you see that slut Donna Pickarski with Vic? I didn’t even know he knew her,” said Didi.

“Neither did I,” Shirley pouted, knitting her brow and glaring at the girl.

As Donna started toward the door, Shirley moved quickly across the red and black tiled corridor and caught her arm. “What are you doing here?” she hissed.

Donna’s eyes widened as she yanked her arm away. “Whadda ya mean? And what business is it of yours?”

“Just stay away from him,” Shirley countered, her eyes hardening as she moved closer to Donna.

“Why, what are you gonna do about it?” Donna shot back.

“I’m just warning you: Stay away, you rotten goy.”

Hearing Didi gasp at that remark and grab Shirley’s arm, Donna moved back.

“Look girly, I’ll do as I damn please. You don’t own him, “she snarled, turning away. “And keep your goddamn hands off me.”

Pushing the door she exited the building and ran down the steps and up the street.

“I can’t imagine what he sees in a tramp like her,” Didi remarked, wrinkling her nose and rolling her eyes. “She’s got a terrible reputation.”

Shirley moved to the door to make sure Donna had gone.

“That bitch better watch herself,” she muttered. “Vic doesn’t know what he’s doing. He’s gonna be back with me soon.”

The game was tougher than any of the others the team had played. Kelvyn Park had a good team, big and strong. The lead had changed several times, see-sawing back and forth, almost to the very end.

With a minute to play, Eugene Field was down by one point after a go-ahead basket by Kelvyn Park. Sam Greenstein had taken the inbound pass and was dribbling the ball along the right sideline, letting the other guys get in position across court, drawing the Kelvyn players with them.

The odor of fresh perspiration hung in the brightly lit gymnasium, and screams of, “Go, go, go!,” from the twenty or so boys and girls in the small balcony above heightened the intensity of the hotly contested game as the clock wore down.

Shirley was next to Jim Vogel, jumping and screaming as she watched. The thud of the bouncing ball and the screeching of gym shoes stopping and starting on the shiny floor were the only other sounds.

Stopping short of center court, Sam turned so his back was to the player guarding him. At the same instant, Vic broke from the crowd at the other side and ran toward Sam who quickly faked left and turned right, bounce-passing the ball to Vic. Flicking it in front of him at the free throw line, he dribbled once and laid it up for a basket. The small crowd cheered as Eugene Field took the lead twenty-nine to twenty-eight with fifteen seconds to play. Vic immediately signaled for a time out.

Huddling, the boys listened as Vic said. “We got to put a full-court press on ‘em. They’re gonna try to get the ball to the greasy-haired guy; he’s their best shot. I’ m gonna guard him as tight as I can and you guys gotta do the same with your guys. Remember, don’t foul ‘em, but stay on ‘em.” They touched hands and broke, each guarding their man and waving their arms to deflect any passes. The whistle blew and the inbounder ran along the baseline trying to pass over Sam. Vic’s man broke back toward the baseline just as the ball was passed and deflected by Sam. Vic was between the referee and his man, who was racing to reach the ball. Vic kept his hands up but was able to use his hip to shove his opponent off balance just as he reached the ball. Vic’s foot got stepped on and he fell hard; at the same time the ball went out of bounds. The whistle blew and the referee ruled that the Kelvyn player touched it last.

Kelvyn Park called a time out.

“We gotta hold ‘em,” Vic said in the huddle. When they broke, Sam got the ball at the sideline while the Kelvyn players pressed. Faking to the right, Sam quickly flipped the ball left to Vic, who held it, drawing his man close. He shouted, “Nine seconds,” as the other players began running and cutting toward him. Vic dribbled sideways and then reversed direction, His opponent tried to reach in and steal the ball but Vic switched hands and was able to keep it away. A rhythmic shout of, “Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one,” and a cheer from the gallery ended the game. Eugene Field had clinched the section in basketball for boys fourteen and under. Vic had led the scoring with twelve points.

Sam threw his arms around Vic and slapped him on the back. “Great play on that guy. We were lucky he tripped.”

Vic held up his hands, “Let’s just say he had a little help, but the son of a bitch stepped on my ankle.”

The other three players laughed as they started toward the locker room. They all knew Vic played to win even if he had to bend the rules; he didn’t care as long as they won.

In the locker room, the Kelvyn Park guys were already changing clothes and getting ready to leave without showering. Other than the banging of lockers, the room was quiet until they left. Then, the Eugene Field guys started to shower and talk about the game. Amidst the sound of running showers, banging lockers and joyous voices bouncing off the walls the Park Superintendent came down to congratulate them.

Standing at the entrance to the shower in his rumpled suit, the short, heavyset man shouted at the naked boys, laughing as he tried to avoid being splashed. “Good game boys. The park is proud of you,” he yelled.

Outside, the group of kids who had been in the stands congregated on the large landing a few steps above the sidewalk in front of the park, waiting to celebrate with the team. As soon as the last player came out, they started to break up. The sound of their voices, which was loud and cheerful shortly before, was slacking off, as they descended the steps and began drifting away.

Vic, his hair still wet from the shower, had on his maroon and gold jacket with ‘Aztecs’ emblazoned across the back. He was lifting his duffle bag filled with gym clothes and shoes off the landing when, moving behind him, Shirley grabbed his arm.

Turning to face her, Vic noticed her tear-reddened eyes. She let go and stood looking down. Sniffling, she said, “Victor can I talk to you? It’s important.”

Shaking his head and sighing, he hesitated, then irritably said, “What?”

Still looking down, she responded softly, “Please, I just want to talk
to you
.”

He put a hand on her shoulder. With his other hand he lifted her chin. “Are you okay?”

It was obvious she wasn’t, but he had been through this with her before. Shifting his weight, he dropped his hands at his sides and rolled his eyes.

“Look,” he said, “you know there’s nobody else, but I just can’t go on with you.”

A soft whimpering sound escaped from deep down inside as Shirley once again looked away and at the ground. “Oh Victor, I love you so much, please, please don’t do this to me.”

At the same time, she put her arms around his waist and clung to him with a strength that belied her tiny frame. At five-foot-two and not more than a hundred and five pounds very lusciously distributed on her small body, she wasn’t a big girl. Today, however, she held on with a strong determined grip.

Vic stood somewhat helpless, shrugging his shoulders, feeling sorry for her. He knew he had hurt her and even though he didn’t want to be her steady boyfriend, there was something between the two of them that was gnawing at him.

Moments passed. They stood, he with his arms down at his sides and she clinging to him. Finally with her head pressing against his chest and holding on tight, she whispered without looking up, “
I’m late
.”

His mouth fell open and his head jerked back as he tried to comprehend what she had said. Looking down he quietly said, “What do ya mean late?”

“You know, late,” and very softly, “Victor, I didn’t get my period.”

It didn’t register with Vic for what seemed like an eternity. He lightly kicked at the gym bag at his feet and released his arms feeling a nervous beat of his heart. What was she saying? Did he hear her right? What did it mean? Surely it wasn’t what he thought. Slowly he pushed her away, but she tried to hang on until he held her at arm’s length and managed to look into her eyes. There had to be a mistake.

“Are you sure?” he asked, in a halting voice.

Her answer was a long anguished sigh. After a short silence, she turned her head away and said in a more forceful voice, “Victor, I was due to start two weeks ago.” Then, gasping, she shuddered, crying uncontrollably.

Frightened by how helpless she appeared, crying like a small baby, Vic felt a sharp quickening of his heart. What she said scared him. Shaking involuntarily as her plea for help sunk in, he suddenly had trouble breathing.

She raised her head and looked into his eyes, pleading, “Please hold me, I’m so scared.”

After a few seconds, which seemed like hours, he moved closer, surrounding her with his arms and holding her head against his chest. Kissing the top of her head, he held her tight, whispering, “Don’t worry, somehow we’ll get through this.”

“Tell me you love me,” she whimpered. He didn’t answer.

“Please, Victor, say it”, she cried. “You know I love you.”

Again no answer. Then, in a very hesitant voice, “I know you do.” He looked at her a long while, finally saying, “C’mon I’ll walk you home.”

“Please kiss me,” she pleaded, looking up at him.

Mascara, messy from the tears that flowed from her usually sparkling brown eyes was staining her thin face. His eyes, meanwhile, focused on her lightly freckled nose with the tiny bump that she hated. Her pouty lips that he loved to kiss, quivered, beckoning and tempting him. He also felt her hips pressing into his body, which ordinarily created a familiar feeling that he found irresistible. Shirley Siegal knew how to excite and tease him in a way that made him know he was a man. Tonight however, it wasn’t working.

He pulled her to him, gripping her arms tightly and kissed her with little passion. Surely, he thought, I do love her, but he couldn’t help hating her at this moment. Shuddering and nervously coughing, he tried to control his emotions.

He knew he had to do something, but right now he was frightened like he never had been before and had to think. He let her go, and stood silent. Staring at her with her dark curly hair, hanging in a messy heap, framing her face and resting on her shoulders, he started to reach out to her, but his hands fell to his side.