The Adventures of Frankie

Saturday was the only day of the week Mom had time to fix a big breakfast. Frankie’s eyes weren’t even open as the slightest scent of bacon floated in the air nudging him out of his deep sleep. The smell of coffee filled his nose as he took a deep breath and stretched. First thing every morning, Dad started coffee ...

Scrawny Ronnie, the New Kid, Pretty Paulette, Rita the Red Head and Frankie were on a mission, single file, peddling their bicycles into town. Frankie had just caught up for the second time after slipping the chain back on. Rita was doing her best to keep up on Paulette's old bike. The new kid had told them about a new ...

“This rain sucks, is it ever gonna stop?” Frankie’s head hung low under the hood of his raincoat. “Yeah, but didn’t your grandfather say this was the best time to fish?” Scrawny Ronnie let out a snicker. Frankie didn’t offer a response. “What’s with you?” Ronnie didn’t really expect him to answer; he already knew his best friend wasn’t pleased ...

Paulette bounced up behind Frankie digging fingers into both sides of his ribs. He nearly cleared the jewelry counter at the discount department store. Good thing nobody was waiting on him, she’d a freaked them out too. When Frankie finally came out of the rafters she asked, “Whatcha doin’ here? Where’s your parents? How’d ya get here? You buying something ...

“Dad,” Frankie whispered out of the corner of his mouth. “Dad,” a little more insistent. “DAD,” he nearly shouted as he tugged at his father’s shirt. “Yeah, yeah, what?” Dad turned his attention from the wall of fishing lures lined in neat rows. “Those people are buying some of my worms!” His voice was down to a whisper again, but ...

“Wow Ronnie, what happen to your eye?” Mr. Dwyer asked as he swung open the screen door to let him in. “Nice shiner dude,” Frankie commented as he walked in from the kitchen. “Hey, since you’re both here, come down in the basement and help me move a few things.” The boys followed Dad down the stairs as Scrawny Ronnie ...

“FLOYD, don’t forget it’s picture day!” Annette called as she rushed out the door. She never took the early shift because she so enjoyed seeing her husband off to work and getting the boys ready for school. But being that this was the height of flu season, she had to do what she had to do. “COME ON FRANKIE!” his ...

Paulette kicked a pinecone down the wooded path. This was the shortcut from her best friend’s house. Rita the redhead was grounded.  Not that she did anything wrong, no, her father was just in one of his moods. At least that’s how she always put it. Frankie wasn’t around either, he was at Little League which gave her an idea, ...

“Goodbye Frankie,” Paulette said as the school bus pulled away. She turned to head home across the street but stopped. Looking at the back of Frankie’s head she called a little louder, “Is everything okay?” Frankie just waved over his shoulder with his head hung low. Scrawny Ronnie’s comments at lunch about the money he was getting paid to collect ...

Frankie’s fingers were dug so deep into the cushions of the armrest, surely they would leave an indentation. Probably on the wood underneath as well! His mom hadn’t been in the dentist’s chair for more than fifteen minutes, but that was long enough. Frankie was ready to bolt. It wasn’t anything the hygienist was doing to his mom. In fact, ...