Big Dave

(continued)

By Barry C. Davis

I again considered my options. I needed him, but taking SEPTA would cost me a dollar and thirty-five cents, and that was just going. Coming back would cost the same; but by then, we would have the toys and could ditch Dave before I had to pay for his fare home.

"All right," I said, and led Joel to the bus stop. Big Dave, with a glance up to his sister, finally started moving. We were on our way. With my sudden reduction in funds, I would have to reconsider my purchasing options once I got there.

After taking the bus and the El, we were finally a block away from the store. As if on cue, the same two boys, the dwarf and the nose, stood in the middle of the block.
"Howdy do," I said as I strutted by, holding Joel's hand, both of us luxuriating in the shadow of Mount Dave. If looks could kill, we would all be six feet under, but they don't, so we just kept on walking.

We reached the warmth of Sears, the smell of its freshly polished floors filling our noses. At least that's what I smelled. Big Dave, he smelled something different. He veered off to his right and headed for the snack concession with its fresh popcorn, ancient well-greased hot dogs rolling about and, below that, assorted chocolates and other confections. Before I could reach him, Big Dave had two hot dogs in his hands and was filling a bag with popcorn.

The counter's matron — wearing a bright pink pantsuit and a dark, angry sneer, was clearing her throat. I could feel the presence of store security closing in. Big Dave, in one motion, put one of the hot dogs in his mouth. I mean, he ate the whole thing in one bite. He was chewing on this when the lady in pink cleared her throat again. I smiled up at her, hoping that would pay the tab.

"That'll be one dollar, twenty-five cents please."

Big Dave took the other dog and stuffed it into his mouth.

I reached into my pocket to pay her when Dave, beyond all reason, grabbed another dog, handed it to Joel and asked me if I wanted one.

I shook my head and quietly asked him to back away from the counter. I pointed my finger at him like it was a gun. He did, reluctantly, but not before grabbing one last dog for himself.

"That'll be two dollars and twenty five cents, please."

With what had to be tears in my eyes, I counted out the money.

I was down to five dollars and fifty-five cents. I didn't know what that could get me, but I hurried us upstairs to the toy section before I lost any more money.

As I pushed Dave onto the escalator, pieces of his popcorn tumbled out the red striped bag. He watched his lost popcorn during the entire trip. Big Dave had a sad look on his face, like he had lost old friends. I thought maybe he was planning to go back for them, but I wasn't sure.

We had barely hit the toy section when I saw it. A big sale sign and underneath that, a bent box that held something called a Super Deluxe Mini Hot Wheels Loopty-Loop. I stared at it like it was the face of God. I finally allowed myself to check the price. It cost four dollars and ninety-nine cents, marked down from nine ninety-nine. I grabbed the toy and tucked it under my arm, looking around for the nearest checkout counter. I spotted it — there was a old white man with a bow tie parked behind it — and reached for Joel's hand to take him over there.

I kept reaching, but all I came up with was air. Joel and Big Dave were nowhere in sight. I looked around the toy section until I finally spotted the top of Dave's head. God, I prayed they didn't have food up here.

I walked over to Dave and found Joel standing next to him. They were staring down at a train set. The train, a heavy-looking black engine pulling three cars behind it, rolled around a circular track, past fake trees and a little fake town.

"I want this, Brother," Joel said. He had a beautiful smile on his face.

"Okay," I said then I checked the price. Fourteen ninety-nine.

"I'm sorry, Joel. This costs more money than you have."

He looked up at me, his beautiful smile replaced with a blank look. He wasn't sad, which I expected, just blank. I recognized the look; it was the one he got when our father failed to show after he promised that he would. When Joel got that blank look, it was like he had been hurt so many times he had run out of sad looks or tears. It was a look that was beyond sad.

Joel silently walked away and Big Dave walked with him. He looked at the other toys.
I looked down at the toy in my hand. Hot Wheels? I'm too big for this sort of thing anyway. Plus, maybe Joel would let me run his trains once in a while.

We left the store, with me staying between the snack counter and Big Dave all the while. Once outside, I explained that Big Dave would have to ride alone, cause I didn't have enough money for all of us to take SEPTA. I showed him what I had left, fifty-six cents. I hoped that he would have pity on me. I was hoping that, just this once, Big Dave would walk.

His big hand moved fast and he snatched up the thirty-five cent fare home. Safely past the thugs, we watched as Big Dave climbed the steps up the El. Joel and I started on our way toward home, me with my twenty-one cents and Joel with the big box that held his train set. There was a beautiful smile on his face again and that, I realized, was my Christmas present.