Stepping Between The Ants - Book THREE: A Summer To Remember

By Lord Chester L. Baldwin II

Set in 1963, 'Stepping Between The Ants' Book FOUR: The Fall Behind, is a continued collection of stories that follow two boys; Skipper and Richie, that try to figure out what life is all about. 

The story about Skipper and Richie with their mother, (Mother Bean) and their younger brother Charlie and their younger sister Mary, travel on a bus; running away and arrive in Portland Oregon where Mother Bean's mother; Grandma Scarbrough lives. 

This story documents some of the continued adventures and challenges that Skipper and his brother Richie encounter in their new surroundings, which include;

Having to go to a public school after having always attended Catholic schools

Skipper and Richie find their own special place to be, eventually to be placed up in Grandma Scarbrough's attic, where, for the first time in their lives they feel a sense of well-being and safety.

Skipper and Richie find new friends from their new school who help educate them to their new surroundings and help them to acclimate their bearings. 

Skipper and Richie find and join a Boy Scout Troop with their new friends where they can continue their quest to become Eagle Scouts.

Within this coming-of-age story, Skipper and Richie will have to face their own predetermined notions of what the awful label, 'Retarded' really means before they can fight the injustices and begin to truly understand, and to find the courage and strength to support and champion their newly found, life-changing friendships.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lord Baldwin
• Release date: Jan 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201460440

Book preview

—  GRANDMA’S POPCORN WAGON  —

—

At dinner, Grandma Scarbrough was complementing Clarence for finishing the renovation of the milk truck.  Clarence peered back at her with a self-satisfied smile, ignoring the weird looks from the boys. 

With curious eyes, Skipper looked at Mother Bean who was watching Clarence’s behavior.  She rolled her eyes back at Skipper as if to say, don’t worry about it. 

Are you gonna drive up and down the street and sell popcorn?  Richie asked. 

Yeah,  Skipper interrupted excitedly, like an ice-cream truck, right? 

No.  Grandma Scarbrough answered in an affronted manner like they had assumed she was going to do something foolish.  I’ll be parking the truck where there is a traffic of people. 

In his mind, Skipper visualized a two-way sidewalk, and like a busy highway, there were hundreds of people sliding their feet in a locomotion style, moving in crowded lines, going in both directions.  Where do people do that?  Skipper asked. 

Do what?  Grandma Scarbrough asked, annoyed. 

Skipper smiled, shrugged his head and said self-conscientiously, I can’t explain what I was thinking. 

Grandma Scarbrough turned to Mother Bean and said, I went driving around today at Lents Park but instead, I think I’ll set things up at the Mt. Scott Park. 

Mt. Scott?  Mother Bean asked.  Up by the Mt. Scott Cemetery? 

No.  Grandma Scarbrough answered with a look of annoyance on her face.  It’s just up on 72nd street, just off of Harold.  It’s not a real big park but it has a lot of big, shaded trees on the road on the east end where I’m gonna park the truck; I’ll be in the shade all afternoon.  There were kids running around everywhere, and there’s a swimming pool there, a large play area and lots of picnickers. 

That’s where Skyler said you should go.  Skipper said with enthusiasm. 

It was an extremely hot and humid day that Sunday, coming home from church, and after walking Aurilla Mae home, it seemed to Skipper, as they walked down the sidewalk, that everyone in the world was inside his or her home taking a nap.  Everyone that is except Murphy, who was sitting on his porch on his swing, whittling something out of a bar of soap as he listened to a baseball game from a hand-held transistor radio.  He smiled at the boys as they passed by, but Murphy seemed to be waiting for them to say something first before he would get into a conversation. 

Hey, Murphy.  Skipper said rather indifferently.  What ya doing? 

Whittling.  He answered happily, holding up a white object for them to see. 

Whittling what?  Richie asked with slight interest. 

It started out to be an elephant,  He answered with a grimace, but the tusks fell off.  He laughed as he held up what looked like toothpicks and laughed, So it’s gonna be a duck. 

Something happened in the ball game that Murphy was listening to and he jumped up and drew close to the radio.  Although he wasn’t really looking at Skipper, Skipper smiled up at him and waved goodbye before they walked on down the deserted street back towards Grandma Scarbrough’s house. 

You think he’s magic or something?  Richie asked with sincerity. 

Murphy?  Skipper asked.  Nah,  Skipper said, shaking his head.  What makes you think that? 

No, not Murphy,  Richie said mildly annoyed.  Leslie. 

Why do you say that?  Skipper asked, careful not to commit himself to an answer. 

You know, on the campout and stuff? After it rained and stuff? 

He didn’t make it rain.  Skipper said, smiling mysteriously. 

I didn’t mean he started it.  Richie said stiltedly as he stuffed a chocolate chip cookie in his mouth.  What I meant was,  Richie continued talking with his mouth full of food, Leslie knew it was gonna rain.  He just knew it.  That’s why he had us move our stuff.  That’s why he dug all the little trenches. 

So what?  Skipper asked, stepping with one foot on, one foot off the curb as he walked on.  That’s what weather men do.  It’s not magic or stuff. 

Yeah,  Richie said as he followed behind Skipper, stepping one foot on the curb and the next onto the street.  But he knew, didn’t he? And I think he was laughing because he knew. 

Me too.  Skipper said turning around to look Richie in the eyes.  But I wasn’t gonna tell that to Scoutmaster Rivers.  He’d say Leslie was crazy or something. 

He was really mad, huh? 

I though Scoutmaster Hall was gonna clobber Howard. 

Howard?  Richie said like Skipper had said an unmentionable word.  You can’t call him that.  You’ll get in trouble. 

Skipper looked around suspiciously and said, Howard? Howard! Howard..., Howard! Hey, are you out there Howard? Are there any Howard police out there? 

A voice suddenly called for the boys from the back porch of Grandma Scarbrough’s house and they froze.  When the voice called again, they knew it was Grandma Scarbrough,...  They remained silent, moving in the shadows and cover of the foliage, crouched down as they moved along the fence line. 

Leslie, who suddenly appeared in his yard, was closely studying the huge bluish bulb of a hydrangeas plant in his yard.  When he saw Skipper and Richie sneaking by, he gently let the flower ball spring back into place.  What are you doing?  He called out as he walked stealthily towards them. 

Escaping a fate worse than death.  Skipper whispered with a curious grin.  We gotta be careful.  Really careful. 

Working for Grandma Scarbrough.  Richie added. 

Leslie, we been talking and we think that you have special powers.  Skipper said, leaning on the green bean tree while looking over at Leslie.  And you always do the right things with your powers. 

Leslie looked at Skipper as though he was daydreaming or lost in a deep thought but then his face turned to curious and he asked, What’s this, DIVCO?  Leslie asked, reading the decal on the truck. 

That’s the name of the truck.  Skipper said proudly like it was royalty.  It kind a looks like a space station vehicle to use on a Mars landing expedition. 

You know?  Richie said with a sly grin, We could make a fortune with this as a space station vehicle. 

Make a fortune?  Skipper questioned. 

Duh,  Richie said sounding exasperated.  It’s got a window for food. 

Oh,  Skipper said knowingly, And what bill of affair would you be offering the Venetians on mars? 

The term you seek, my unfortunate fellow is ‘bill of fare’ not bill of affair, but to answer your unworthy gift of an answer from me,... 

What are you gonna feed em? 

Ring nose fish from the purple oceans of the planet Pluto.  Richie replied nonchalantly. 

Oh, pasha.  Skipper replied.  I’m coming up to the DIVCO truck, I been working real hard pushing buttons on a console all day like George Jetson.  I’m hungry for something that’s gonna fill me up and will taste mighty fine going down. 

I beg your pardon, my fine fellow,  Richie put on his carnival barker face and with a terrible southern accent said, Well partner, I see y’all came from the computer board, so tell you what I got for you,   Richie started laughing between words, You ever had skunk jerky pie? Why, it’s the best pie you will ever to have eaten. 

Ever to have eaten?  Skipper said suspiciously like there was a mystery afoot.  Ever to have eaten? I say, how much is this, Rooster claw confectionary. 

That’s skunk jerky pie, fine sir, and the cost of this, scrumptious meal; Five thousand dollars. 

Well, that’s a lot of money round these parts, so buddy, could you spare a dime? 

A measly dime?  Richie asked with incredulousness. 

You know what’s the best thing about all of this?  Skipper laughingly asked with a smile.  There’s always an angle with you, Richie. 

What, me?  Richie said innocently. 

Yeah,  Skipper said good-naturedly with an affable grin, shaking his head, as he put his arm around Richie, Always an angle with you. 

Richie pushed on the accordion door to the popcorn wagon and it opened with a creaking sound.  Hey?  Skipper said smiling, let’s go in and take a look. 

They had no sooner stepped up and into the truck, than the front door of the house opened with Clarence leading Mother Bean and Grandma Scarbrough out to inspect Clarence’s finished work.  The boys quickly dashed out and Skipper fumbled with the door unsuccessfully, trying to get it to shut again. 

Hey there.  Clarence said, annoyed, turning to Grandma Scarbrough in hopes that she might administer some harsh punishment to her grandchildren for trespassing. 

Grandma Scarbrough was too busy happily talking to Mother Bean about how Mary was doing during the day.  Too busy to notice and with a grimace on Clarence’s face, he callously moved the boys to the side of the door as he took Grandma Scarbrough’s hand and helped her step up and inside the vehicle. 

Skipper, Richie and Leslie began to follow behind them when Mother Bean called out, Boys? You need to let Clarence and Grandma Scarbrough do this alone.  You can all come back later for a special tour. 

Late that evening Mother Bean had Skipper help her load her truck as she handed him a group of boxes and had him follow her outside before taking the boxes from him and loaded things in the Chuck Wagon.  Skipper,  Mother Bean said knowingly, You don’t even have to say it; I know what you’re gonna ask. 

You do?  Skipper asked, not sure what she was talking about. 

You never give up on anything if you set your mind to it,  She continued as she motioned for Skipper to hold onto an open box as she pulled small pies, sandwiches and candy bars out of it and stacked them inside the vehicle, and you never seem to forget either.  You know, that’d be a good thing,...  She evened out a layer of ice and rearranged things again into a straight line, A good thing to put to work at school this next year. 

Where’s Richie?  Skipper asked, looking to the back gate. 

I don’t know,  Mother Bean answered, but I’m gonna need that other box of sandwiches and pies. 

Without a word, Skipper ran in and found the two boxes sitting on the floor in the pantry.  He passed them up and went into the living room looking for Richie but Richie was not there. 

There was a puzzled look of gratitude on Mother Bean’s face as Skipper returned with the boxes and she said, he does have a way of disappearing when there’s work to do. 

Again, Skipper stood holding the box as she began arranging sandwiches in strategic areas.  She paused and looking at him, said, Clarence doesn’t know how to act around kids,...  And he’s,...  I don’t know, maybe nervous about being here, working for your Grandma Scarbrough with you kids living here and all. 

Why? 

I think maybe he knows that you love your Grandpa Scarbrough,... I think he feels you two don’t like him because he’s,...  he’s nice to her; he wants to do things for her.  You know, there’s no man around the house to help her to do the things that need to get done...  uh, besides you I mean. 

Skipper smiled from her words but he knew that for most grown-up things, he was not much help. 

Mother Bean laughed and said, I don’t know, but,... I think most of the time you and Richie scare him. 

We do?  Skipper replied, smiling. 

Yeah, but he does do a lot of work around Grandma Scarbrough’s properties; he tills the garden, he prunes the trees, he’s taken out,...  I don’t know, maybe ten tons of dirt and rock from the basement area.  That’s a lot of hard work, Skipper; not something I’d want to be doing.  And look at all the work he did on that milk truck. 

I didn’t get to see what he did cause he got really mad and... 

Let’s get back to Grandma Scarbrough.  Mother Bean interrupted. 

Well that’s another thing.  Skipper said.  She works at the Rexall Drug Store, why does she need to do the popcorn thing? 

The drugstore’s been cutting her hours back this summer.  Gertie just got out of the hospital and they all wanted her to get a few more hours.  So your grandma was talking to Clarence who had that old milk truck on his property.  He said he’d fix it up and he did. 

So does he want to get married to grandma?  Skipper asked without looking in Mother Bean’s eyes. 

I don’t know, maybe.  Mother Bean answered curtly without looking over at Skipper.  They haven’t said anything to me.  But then, they never do.  But maybe Clarence wants to make mother happy. 

Skipper looked up and said, Why is it that she always seems, I don’t know,... like she’s mad at me? 

She’s not always mad.  Mother Bean contradicted.  She’s just...  Mother Bean stopped, and with a hand on her chin, she thought for a moment to find the right words to say. 

I’m just,... 

Your grandma is the way she is because she was raised that way by your Great Grandma Snook.  Times were hard for her and then your grandma had to raise her own family up in the depression where there wasn’t much to live on and times were hard. 

But she’s always mad at me and I didn’t do nothing.  Skipper replied.  So I end up feeling guilty and stuff. 

Skipper, she’s not mad at you,...  Mother Bean reached over, touched Skipper’s chin and smiling, said, my mother never did have any boys, only girls, and my Daddy only confused her at times,...  She laughed. 

Really? 

You’re a different kind a critter.  Mother Bean declared.  She’s still trying to figure you out. 

She is? 

Mother Bean grabbed a pile of the pies from the other box and then started neatly placing them inside.  But anyway, about your grandma,  She said without looking back, about her always being mad and stuff—maybe sometime...  Mother Bean looked confused for a moment and then said looking Skipper in the eyes, maybe you should just pretend sometimes that she’s smiling at you, and maybe just act like she does like you; that’s what I had to do with Grandma Snook. 

I never seen Grandma Snook smile.  Skipper replied.  She always looks mad too. 

Mother Bean laughed as she grabbed a few more pies and said, She has her moments. 

I’d like to see that.  Skipper replied sardonically.

But maybe, Mother Bean continued, "if you acted like she likes you?  If nothing else, it could make things a whole lot better for everyone,...  especially her." 

What about Clarence?  Skipper asked. 

I don’t know,  Mother Bean replied thoughtfully, Maybe same thing—it couldn’t hurt. 

Maybe for you.  Skipper replied.  But he’s not the same guy when you and grandma are not around. 

You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.  Mother Bean laughed as she began to close the door to the Chuck Wagon.  You want anything from here?  She asked affably.   

Uh, maybe one of those pies,...  Skipper said sheepishly. 

Mother Bean smiled as she reached in and pulled out both a blueberry and a lemon pie.  You’re getting too big for just one of these.  She said shutting the door,...  About Clarence?  She said with a strange distant look, I don’t know, I still ain’t warmed up to him myself. 

Really?  Skipper said before taking a bite of the half-frozen lemon pie.  "He bugs you too? 

Sometimes...  She answered.  He’s not my dad but sometimes he tries to be. 

Skipper had always wanted Mother Bean to see things from his perspective, but he had never thought much about seeing things from hers.  That’s weird.  Skipper said, walking with her back to the house. 

She turned to Skipper as they reached the back porch and said, don’t uh, you know, ask him anything...  like about getting married.  You might scare him off.  Mother Bean laughed at the thought as they entered the house. 

It’s kind of nice riding the bus, isn’t it?  Skipper asked, turning to Richie and Leslie.  It’s cool in here and it’s a lot better than walking. 

Leslie said nothing, but the look on his face hinted that he did not agree. 

What if we get off at the wrong stop?  Richie asked, worried.  We’ll miss the park. 

Then we’ll be walking for a while, I guess.  Skipper answered.  But stop worrying, we’re getting off at the next stop. 

We are?  Richie said, panicking.  What do we do? 

How about one of you pulling that rope thing down? 

Only one of you needs to pull on the cord.  The bus driver yelled back after both Richie and Leslie pulled the cord and rang the buzzer. 

I’m sorry.  Richie spouted cautiously. 

Sorry.  Skipper yelled back.  These guys here are new to the bus riding thing. 

It’s okay.  The bus driver replied. 

Say,  the bus driver said as they were exiting the bus, do you boys know about the special promotion we got going?" 

Skipper looked back with confusion and replied, No sir, we don’t. 

We got a special promo right now,  the bus driver said, where you can get into the pool here at the park with a transfer and you can go swimming for free. 

So, what does the transfer cost?  Skipper asked with slight apprehension and suspicious that there were hidden charges. 

Nothing,  the bus driver said, you just ask for a transfer when you get off, that’s all. 

So,  Skipper said with caution, squinting his eyes suspiciously, can we have a transfer? 

Good gracious, son.  The bus driver said as he stamped three transfers, of course. 

Thank you, sir.  Leslie said with his deadpan face, holding the transfer like it was a dollar bill. 

You are welcome, my good man.  The bus driver happily replied.  Where you going?  Richie yelled loudly as Skipper began to bolt through the park grounds. 

I wanna see Grandma Scarbrough’s Popcorn Wagon.  Skipper answered and immediately stopped. 

Well.  We do too.  Richie replied sounding mildly annoyed. 

Skipper put out his arms in defeat and waited for Richie and Leslie to catch up with him.  When Richie and Leslie were directly behind him Skipper spun around.  And there it is.  Skipper said excited as he pointed to the vehicle, now walking slowly towards it. 

I’m not going over there.  Richie yelled.  She’ll be mad that we’re chasing customers away. 

Okay,  Skipper said loudly without turning around, I’ll be right back. 

Grandma Scarbrough was handing a chilidog and a can of pop to a college-aged young man as Skipper arrived, bright eyed and smiling friendly-like.  Hi grandma. 

The warmhearted smile returned from Grandma Scarbrough’s face confused Skipper, but remembering what Mother Bean had told him, he figured that maybe his Friendly smile was making a difference.  Grandma Scarbrough kindly called back, Skipper? Why are you here? Where’s Richie? 

I, I uh, saw your Popcorn Wagon.  Skipper answered.  I just wanted to come by and say hi. 

She looked all around the insides of the Popcorn Wagon before saying, Do you want to come in here?  Without waiting for an answer, she opened the accordion door. 

Skipper glanced back at Richie and Leslie before he ceremoniously stepped inside like he was getting on a train. 

It still has some problems,  Grandma Scarbrough said pointing to a window that was stuck open, but all in all, it’s doing all right. 

She looked at Skipper for a response, until seeing the wonder in his eyes as he scanned the surroundings, it was such a moment that she had to suppress the urge to laugh for joy but a smile did fill her face. 

Uh, what’s in this big box here?  Skipper asked pointing. 

That’s the refrigerator-freezer.  Grandma Scarbrough answered, pulling up the lid.  It’s got all the frozen stuff in there and as you can see, the ice cream is over here. 

Ice cream?  Skipper said.  I thought you were parked here at the park to sell popcorn. 

Oh no,  She answered with a keen smile that Skipper had never seen before.  There’s money in popcorn, but people like different things, like lunch and dessert. 

Yeah, I get it. 

Grandma Scarbrough looked at Skipper with a curious smile that confounded him If you were at the drive-in,  she asked, what would you be wanting to get at the concession stand? 

I don’t know?  Skipper answered, thinking about the stuff at the drive-in that the Bean family could never afford to buy.  Candy,...  burgers,...  popcorn? 

Grandma Scarbrough’s face lit up with approval and she replied, and maybe something to drink? 

Oh yeah,  Skipper answered, Especially after eating a lot a popcorn that’s really salty? 

I got this hotdog cooker over here,...  Grandma Scarbrough said as she pointed to a rotisserie, and the refrigerator,...  and you know,  She pointed up, this here is the popcorn maker... 

What’s going on?  Richie yelled from the window. 

Grandma Scarbrough glanced down at Richie and Leslie and said cheerfully, I was wondering how long it’d take for you to finally show up. 

With puppy-dog eyes Richie looked embarrassed and ashamed but still asked, Can we come in too? 

Come on in.  Grandma Scarbrough said anxiously, looking behind them.  But hurry up, I got a customer coming.  She straightened out her already immaculate China-blue apron and said, now don’t say anything while I’m helping this customer. 

Do you guys sell chilidogs here?  The seventeen-year-old young man asked. 

Yes sir.  Grandma Scarbrough answered, smiling.  I haven’t got my menu sign made yet so it was good for you to ask. 

Skipper wondered who this woman was that was pretending to be his Grandma Scarbrough? Even at the Rexall Drugstore she was never like this.  Skipper began to think that this popcorn wagon was the best thing to ever happen to Grandma Scarbrough and to him for how he felt for her. 

My friend Freddie just got one here, I think.  The young man replied. 

How do you want it?  Grandma Scarbrough asked as she slipped a hotdog into a bun. 

The works.  The young man answered.  Put on everything. 

With chili, chopped onions, grated cheese, sauerkraut, mustard and ketchup, Grandma Scarbrough handed the young man his hotdog. 

The young man took a big bite, handed her back a dollar and said, Thanks, Ma’am, keep the change. 

No.  Grandma Scarbrough insisted struggling to quickly make change.  Here.  She reached out.  I’m not... 

Thanks again.  The young man replied waving as he walked away ignoring Grandma Scarbrough.  He turned again and said, I’ll be back again tomorrow for another one of these. 

Grandma Scarbrough’s look of defeat, confusion and lack of control was another first for Skipper.  I guess I’ll just...  She said, looking at the money in her hand. 

Just keep it.  Richie said positively, put a jar on the counter and write ‘tips’ on a piece of paper and tape it to the jar.  Lots of folks are much obliged." 

I’m seeing a side of you I never seen before.  Grandmas Scarbrough said with a curious but thoughtful grin. 

I been seeing that side for years.  Skipper interjected.  Always an angle with Richie.  Skipper said with fake disgust waving one hand in the air, Always an angle with him. 

If your chilly dogs are that good,  Richie added, smiling wryly, you could make a lot of extra money. 

Yeah, I guess that might work at that.  Grandma Scarbrough said, brightening up, putting the money in a cup next to the cash register. 

That’s the spirit.  Richie replied, Keep em flying. 

Keep em flying?  Grandma Scarbrough questioned with suspicion.  Where’d you hear that? 

It was on an old movie.  Richie replied. 

So what are you all up to, Leslie?  Grandma Scarbrough asked, looking at Leslie who was returning a blank stare. 

We just found out we get to go swimming here for free.  Skipper answered, diverting Grandma Scarbrough’s attention to him.  We can get in with our bus transfer slips. 

I’ve never heard of that before.  Grandma Scarbrough said with a puzzled look but smiling at Leslie. 

It’s a new thing with the city and the buses.  Skipper returned.  And we got a lot a bus tokens, so... 

That’s nice.  Grandma Scarbrough said as she gently ushered them all out of her truck.  Why don’t you boys stop in afterwards and we’ll see about getting you something. 

Anything we want?  Richie asked. 

I’m not giving away the store.  Grandma Scarbrough answered smiling affably, We’ll see what we have left. 

That’d be great.  Skipper said, motioning to Leslie to show some enthusiasm. 

I’ll see you then.  She said as they began walking towards the pool.  Skipper turned around one last time and for a brief moment he saw Grandma Scarbrough smiling back optimistically at him as she waved, then she turned as another customer came to her window and Skipper could hear her say, Hello, how may I help you? 

—  THE BOYS MEET THEIR FATHER  —

- PART ONE -

A Visit To Their Father’s Farm

—

Boys?  Mother Bean yelled up the stairway to the attic, Get your stuff on and get ready. 

Get ready for what?  Richie yelled back.  It’s Saturday morning. 

We’re going for a ride.  She yelled back emphatically.  Now, get ready. 

At the bottom of the steps, Skipper could hear Charlie and Mary getting excited and loud and Mother Bean was saying something softly but firmly to them. 

As Skipper stepped down into Mother Bean’s bedroom, Charlie looked at him with longing and said to Mother Bean, How come we can’t go? Why do we have to stay here all the time? 

Mother Bean, who was straightening out her bed, turned to Charlie with a stern glare and said, "I already told you; this is something Skip and Richie need to do with me.  I’ll be back soon enough, and when we get back, we’re gonna go to Shakey’s for some pizza and then we’re going to a