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%u00a9Jack Fritscher, Ph.D., All Rights ReservedHOW TO LEGALLY QUOTE FROM THIS BOOK80 Jack Fritscherweekend off. My red Volkswagen Bug, borrowed from my dad, hugged the unbanked curves, except when my speed swung my rear tires onto the shoulder, shooting small hailstorms of gravel into the birches and pines. I loved the radio competition between the bad boys and the good boys with Elvis wailing %u201cHeartbreak Hotel%u201d and Pat Boone crooning %u201cLove Letters in the Sand.%u201d Nearly noon on the Fourth of July, and on the whole length of county road I had seen only two kids pushing a bicycle. Sunlight sifted down through the forest that arched high up and full over the road making a dappled green tunnel.I slowed for a blind left curve, downshifting for the fun of it, still drifting a bit right, playing the small car%u2019s quick response. In the middle of the road, two human figures, jumping like startled targets ahead, separated fast a couple yards before my bumper. I passed narrowly between them at no more than thirty miles per hour. A thump hit the right side of my car. I held the center of the road, skidding to a stop on the shoulder. The little car rocked back on its brakes. The dust cloud caught up and settled like powder all over the red hood. I sat holding the wheel.%u201cHey, kid, you trying to kill somebody?%u201d One of the two men ran up to the car. He was shirtless and built bigger than Hank the Tank. He wore plaid swimming trunks, and he shoved his face with a red beatnik goatee into my window. He ran a hand through his red flat-top and shook his head at me.%u201cSay I didn%u2019t hit anybody,%u201d I said.%u201cYou like almost killed my buddy.%u201dThe other guy appeared at my passenger window. %u201cHey, Rip, should this kid be driving?%u201d%u201cI%u2019m sorry,%u201d I said. %u201cWhat was that thump?%u201d%u201cKenny kicked your fender,%u201d Rip said.%u201cSee this fist?%u201d Kenny leaned into the car, beer-breath first. %u201cRip%u2019s like the strongest guy in town.%u201d%u201cI said I%u2019m sorry,%u201d I said. %u201cWatch where you%u2019re walking.%u201d%u201cDon%u2019t get wise, kid,%u201d Rip said. He made a big left bicep and snapped it a kiss. %u201cI can turn this Bug over like nothing in the ditch.%u201d%u201cHe can. Like a turtle on its back,%u201d Kenny said. %u201cWith you in it.%u201dI started the motor. %u201cBack off,%u201d I said, %u201cI%u2019m tougher than I look.%u201d I raised my left fist and kissed it.%u201cHey, kid,%u201d Rip said. %u201cDon%u2019t kid a kidder.%u201d He reached his big arm through my window. %u201cWhat are you? Fifteen with a learner%u2019s permit?%u201d He clamped his hand on my shoulder. %u201cKid, you need like an adult in the car