Chapter 11

Frank had stumbled over something in the cafeteria weeks before school had ended for good. He could still hear the laughter that had echoed off the walls as his tray flew into the air—on spaghetti day, no less. Renny had looked so damned pleased with himself. Frank hadn’t tripped. He’d beentripped. The successful prank was repeated at commencement. As the senior classmen who played in the band had walked over to rejoin the underclassmen already seated to play a selection, Renny had stuck out a shiny dress shoe this time, sending Frank into the huge chime stand, creating a dissonant clang throughout the auditorium that lasted almost as long as the shocked gasps and titters of amusement from the crowd.