Inside the Black Jacket

Epilogue

 
 
Friday, February 25th, 1983 Regan and Dan overslept, and had to catch the later train from New York City to Sleepyside. Dan carried a large suitcase filled with clothes, shoes, books and a brand new pair of ice skates. He wore a new denim jacket and Converse high tops, and his hair had been neatly trimmed less than an hour before they caught the train. Tom Delanoy met them at the station with a big smile and a cheery, “Welcome home!” He was still driving the station wagon. When Dan asked about the sedan, Tom replied, “The engine is still missing. I’ve been waiting for you to come home, so you can help me with it.” “Uncle Bill?” Dan asked. “How about Sunday?”Regan suggested. “After we get home from church.” The smile Dan gave him was blinding. Mr. Maypenny was waiting at the door when the car pulled up to the cabin. He stepped down to greet them. “Glad to have you back, lad,” he told Dan. “Why don’t you take your things to your room and high tail it down to the lake; there are some birds down there mighty anxious for you to get home.” “You don’t need me here?” Dan asked. “Daniel, I’ve missed you,” the old man told him. “but I think I can spare you another day or two. Go. Be with your friends. There will be work enough, later.” “Thanks!” Dan grinned, and dragged his bag into the cabin. Five minutes later, skates in hand, he was out the door and headed for the lake.  Friday, March 4, 1983 Dan stood in front of his closet, and thought about the past week of his life. He had been asked to join the Bob Whites, and the red jacket he now wore bore witness to his reaction to the invitation. On Saturday, he had won the speed skating competition, and its prize of wood flooring for the Bob White clubhouse. Sunday, his uncle had taken him to St. Ann’s Catholic Church in the morning, and after an afternoon of working on cars with Tom, and patrolling on Spartan, they had checked out evening services at St. Augustine. On Monday and Tuesday, he had finished removing himself completely, from Lloyd Flannegan’s group. It hadn’t been all that difficult. The Bob White jacket had helped, but rumors about Dan’s participation in the arrest of Luke Clevik the previous week, had dealt the final blow. For that, he owed Mart, who had started said rumors. He looked at the black leather jacket he held in his hands. Honey Wheeler had mended the tear in the sleeve. Like the scars on his body, it was invisible, unless you knew where to look, and where to touch. They were waiting outside for him, all six of his new friends; his true friends. This afternoon, they would ride through the preserve together, and finish off with dinner at the Belden’s house. Dan carefully hung his jacket on a hanger and placed it at the back of his closet. The past was the past; his future was waiting. Dan didn’t look back, as he hurried to join his friends.  Inside the Jacket 7 Index Shadow of the Valley Main6.7_Inside_the_Jacket_7.html6_Inside_the_Black_Jacket.html7_Shadow_of_the_Vally_Index.html2_Connections_Universe_Index.htmlshapeimage_2_link_0shapeimage_2_link_1shapeimage_2_link_2shapeimage_2_link_3