P. A. M. A. FILES: “Florsheim Shoes!” Part 2

For one glorious peaceful year, my Mom had been “single” but in recent phone conversations – hints were being dropped about a possible change. Translated – she was thinking about reconciling with Rick, my ex Stepfather.

Rick was a character. He was a slick one-man demolition derby on two feet. If he came back into our lives – it wouldn’t turn out well.

While it was hard not to like the guy, he was the Devil incarnate. Quick smiling, always promising you the moon, first to take credit when good things happened, and always missing when it came to paying the bills.

Their last reconciliation had cost us our house in Sunnyvale, one set of pets – a dog and cat, some antique furniture and left Mom’s finances in ruins.

Shutting my musty textbook with a sigh, I found myself sitting alone in class.

Everybody had left for recess and the sound of a basketball being bounced on the pavement outside seems to echo in the room. I closed my eyes and murmured a quiet prayer – “Please Mom, don’t go back to Rick.”

The Gods must have misheard me. Or decided to play a little joke at my expense. Because a few days later,  on Friday – the day Matt and I usually got picked up by Mom to go home for the weekend – Rick’s silver Caddy was parked out front of the school.

Just prior to Rick’s entrance, I had been in the school phone booth arguing with Mom. “You’re driving me insane, ” I wept over the phone. I remember the hot bitter tears streaming down my face. I couldn’t process how “My Mom” could be so epically thoughtless and self-destructive.

As her half-assed explanation warbled over the phone receiver all I wanted to do was pound my head against the metal telephone in frustration. Despite her protests, I knew it was going to end badly – I just didn’t know when?!

“He said he wants to help you get promoted- he says he’s got in tight with Major N., ” she wailed. I hung up the phone. I had heard enough to scare the stuffing out of me.

After the phone call, I wiped the tears out of my eyes with the heels of my hands. And like a man condemned I met Rick at the front of the gate. I didn’t speak very much on the ride home.

The award ceremony was going to be held at the new school location in a few weeks – so  I focused on my school work. Fate was going to determine if I was going to finally get bumped to Second Lieutenant. 

The big day arrived and we all drove to the beautiful, modern buildings in San Jose.  Most of the kids were excited about the new campus location but I couldn’t take it in.

You see I was graduating and would not be able to attend the Academy since the grade levels only went through first through ninth grades. So, it didn’t really matter to me how nice the new school location was – I was graduating and that was that. 

The Award ceremony was held in a large auditorium and we all took out seats after collecting our programs.

It was quite warm in the building, and parents and cadets used their paper programs to fan themselves against the heat. The rustle of paper and grunts of people getting settled in the fold-out chairs filled the air before Major N. got the ceremonies started.

As my eyes glanced over the paper program I immediately zeroed in on the”Promotions” segment of the Award ceremony listed. 

Well, it was either now or never I figured.
But what the Hell? What was this “Mallbeck Award” listed earlier in the program before the Promotions? What the heck was that anyway?

I found out soon enough. Halfway through the Awards and speeches. Major N. announced that my Stepfather Rick was giving a chosen Cadet a “Special” Award.

The Award turned out to be a tape recorder he got from his job in the City. 

Rick worked for a Company in San Francisco that distributed Norelco products. Knowing Rick he probably just purloined a tape recorder from his job and didn’t spend a dime. It didn’t even come in a box for chrissakes and looked used. Some Award! 

 
Next up were the Promotions. 

“The following promotions will take effect immediately announced Major N reading off a paper in his hand. – ” For the rank of…RRRRREEEAAAUUUHHHH… REEEEEEEK…SQUAUUUUCK…microphone feedback drowned out the rest of the announcement.

Major N. stopped talking and gave the microphone a shake as someone adjusted the P.A. system.

Bathed in sweat with anticipation – I was absolutely mortified at the timing.”Oh No! Oh No! I muttered, pounding my fist on my knee. “If he calls my name – everyone will think that stupid “tape recorder” bought my promotion,” I fretted. They’ll think it was some kind of payola, a bribe, a backroom deal.

With the P.A. system fixed, Major N. resumed speaking as he continued to read out loud the Cadets to be promoted that day.

—
On the following Monday, six platoons were lined up for morning formation as the new First Sergeant called the ranks to fall in and come to attention.

As acting O.D. I scowled at the newly promoted First Sergeant – my replacement from where I stood. My Second Lieutenant button on my collar winked in the sunlight.

His shoes were a mess, his uniform was not pressed and his voice was weak but he strutted around like he owned the  freakin’ joint.

Welp, it looks like I got what I wanted I thought touching my button on my collar with a heavy sigh. 

The First Sergeant barked his report “All Present and accounted for, Sir.”

 
I returned his snappy salute. 

My replacement had a self satisfied smug expression on his face as he took his position by my side.

Goddamned Show Off!

Finis.