Bryan's Page

      I was ten years old. It was another summer day, with nothing better to do than to get into mischief, so I decided to take the most obvious course of action.

      My parents were the Authoritative type. They were strict, but generally I could do what I wanted within reasonable bounds. Because I was able to do as I wished, I went to my best friend, Brian's house, and from there walked to our other friend, Jack's house. Upon arrival Jack and his older brother Andy were sitting in their front yard bored, so we looked around for something to do. That was when Andy had noticed a large roll of duck tape sitting on the Ping Pong table in their garage.

      Andy had always been the sort of big brother that constantly seemed to get himself into trouble, which I think is the job of an older brother. Jack was the gentle nerdy giant. To his mom he was the innocent angel that could do no wrong. Brian always seemed to know more than I did, especially about the world in general. Together we made a bit of a motley crew, and usually had a lot of fun.

      As a practical joke we thought it would be amusing if Brian and myself pinned Jack against a tree in their front yard, while Jack's older brother took the tape and ran it around his younger brother taping as he circled. Jack became so entangled in the sticky web he couldn't move, let alone escape. Several cars drove by. All of the drivers were quite heartless, and didn't so much as slow down for the child trapped and in distress. We failed to receive the reactions we had hoped for, so we eventually let him down.

      Once we detached him from the tree we had a used piece of tape that was easily eight feet long, and were right back to being bored. Brian and Andy decided it would be a good idea to lay the tape in the road as a finish line that cars could run over as we watched. I thought it was a rather odd idea, but

it might help to pass the time. Car after car passed, most of which attempted to go around the tape, and ultimately ruined our idea. Due to the driver's lack of participation became bored with our finish line. Just as we were preparing to move on to another antic for the evening a red SUV with an adult man driving, which seemed to be in a hurry because the man was driving far over the speed limit, ran right over the middle of the tape. My heart stopped. The tape had attached itself to the back right tire of the SUV, and each time the tire made a full rotation the tape made a surprisingly loud thwapping sound.

      My mind began racing. My heart skipped a beat. What had just happened? Did Brian and Andy know that was going to happen? Why hadn't I realized that was going to happen? What do we do now? Andy shouted “Run!” I was quickly brought back to reality. Jack swiftly kicked off his shoes and ran in the house. Andy, Brian, and myself all ran for the six foot fence that lead to the back yard. Unfortunately, we were all still only kids, and thus vertically challenged. Once we realized the fence was far too tall we followed in Jack's footsteps by turning and running into the garage, up the stairs, and into their guest room that overlooked the street. I looked behind us and the bathroom light was on. Jack had probably hid in there.

      We watched as the man got out of his car. He stared angrily at the tape, tried to pull it off. Once he realized how stuck it was he angrily kicked his tire. We stayed low and hid for what felt like hours. I looked out the window and saw the SUV make a screeching U-turn in the middle of the street. He came to a sharp stop in front of our house and exited his car. The doorbell rang.

For a brief moment I thought we were safe. None of us were stupid enough to open that door. I then realized Jack's mom could answer the doorbell, and speak with the man. Jack's mom was a very Authoritarian parent. She ruled with an iron fist and her word was law. We all stayed out of her way for fear of our own lives. Even though she could not punish all of us, she could call all of our homes and inform our parents of our mischief.

       I was in a state of absolute horror. What would the man do if he caught us? What would Jack's mom do if she answered the door? What would my own parents do to me? Please don't let Jack's mom answer the door. As long as nobody answers the door and he just walks away we will be okay.

No such luck. I heard the most angry heart piercing yell I have ever heard in my life. Their mom yelled “Boys! Get down here right now!” The four of us began our death march as slowly as we could to prolong the inevitable. His mom was obviously furious and flustered as she said “Boys, this man has something to say to you.”

      I finally got a good look at the man in the doorway. He was tall, but since I was a child I thought everyone was. He had brown hair, big round black glasses, shorts, sandals, and a brown t shirt. He mumbled in a monotone voice, “You boys shouldn't do things like that. If I weren't a professional driver I could have panicked, caused a huge accident and someone could have died!” I was young, but I still thought the guy was a riot. He was a professional driver? He didn't look it. Someone could have died? I found that highly doubtful on our residential street. He continued, but I stopped listening, it took all my willpower to not crack a smile and make things even worse.

      As soon as he stopped speaking Jack's mom gave us the most soul piercing death stare I have ever received in my life. She echoed in a deep voice, “Boys, go home right now. Jack, go away. I need to speak with your brother.”

      Jack ran off, and the three of us were confused. I questioningly asked “What about Jack? He was with us the whole time.”

      His mom gave me a dirty look and said “Don't you try and drag Jack into this. He was in the bathroom the whole time!”

      I was shocked. Every fiber of my body wanted to argue, but my fear stopped me. Brian and I walked out the door and began the slow, long march to his house. We knew Jack's mom would have spoken with both of our parents before we had the chance to get home. Neither of us spoke a word

during the walk that seemed to last an eternity, which still wasn't long enough.

We walked through the front door. His parents were waiting for us. They were sitting on the sofa in the main room. His mom turned off the TV, and his dad put down his newspaper. His mom gave an almost evil look, and cracked a slight smile when she said “So, I heard you guys got into some trouble.” I froze. I didn't know how to react.

      Brian's sister then walked in and burst out laughing “I can't believe you two put tape in the road! Thats one of the funniest things I have ever heard!” upon hearing this his parents lost all control and began laughing too. I was off the hook.

      I was so relieved, and later when I went home and my parents had the same reaction. Had my parents reacted more like Jacks parents I do not think I would have become the same person I am today, but for now I enjoy my pranks.