This Side of Jordan by Monte Schulz Read Free Book Online Page A

took the table beside the checker players. One of them looked over at Alvin and Chester, and murmured a few words to the fellow beside him. The others seated at the table began talking among themselves.
    Chester leaned across to the next table and grabbed an ashtray for his cigarette. Alvin felt a bellyache coming on. Chester had brought him here to Hadleyville to help him take some money out of the First Commerce Bank on Third Street. He’d told him so just after breakfast when he paid the bill. “ It’ll be easy as pie, ” Chester said, handing Alvin a note that read:

    â€œ You’re going to present this to one of the tellers, ” he said.
    â€œ Don’t joke me, ” Alvin replied.
    Chester laughed and told him to get into the car because they had to reach Hadleyville by noon. “ Don’t worry, kid, ” Chester said, while they were driving along the highway. “ You’ll make the grade, all right. ”
    Alvin asked, “You sure we ain’t got time for a couple of pork chop sandwiches? I’m awful hungry.”
    Chester took a quick drag off the cigarette. “I’m sure.”
    His eyes were bluer than any Alvin had ever seen. He shaved each morning. Smelled like cologne. Wore fresh collars and a swell suit. Had his shoes shined before breakfast. Smiled at everyone he met. Never seemed scared, neither, Alvin thought. Now that was something worth learning. He could do a lot worse than taking after a smart fellow like Chester Burke.
    A raucous cheer came from the checker game as somebody won. The old fellow at the cash register clapped. Out on the sidewalk, two rag-tag boys on bicycles rode past carrying fishing poles. Alvin felt envious; that’s where he ought to be going. He could probably show ’em a good thing or two. The twelve o’clock whistle at the shingle mill across town shrieked, signaling the noon hour.
    Chester snuffed out his cigarette, then drained the last of his Coca-Cola. “Let’s go, kid.”
    Alvin studied the men at the checker game. Did they have any suspicions? Before today, he hadn’t done more than carry Chester’s suitcases for him and sit around the hotel lobby in New London while Chester finished his appointments; after changing a flat tire at Hannibal, Alvin didn’t even have to leave his room. Ten dollars a day he’d earned, seventy dollars since the dance derby, more dough than he’d had in his hand all year. Once he hit a thousand dollars, he could buy his own motor and get a shoeshine every morning, too.
    Out on the sidewalk, Alvin asked Chester, “You ain’t going to cut me out, are you?”
    A black Essex sedan rushed by toward the downtown.
    Chester smiled. “Of course not, kid. I’m a square shooter. Trust me. There’ll be kale enough for the both of us, you’ll see.” He stared up the street toward the middle of town while lighting another cigarette.
    Alvin watched a group of women come out of Bogart’s Grocery Emporium, burdened with packages. They were smiling brightly. Another automobile went by and a dog chased across the street, barking in its dusty wake.
    The farm boy followed Chester back up the sidewalk to the Dixie filling station where he bought a stick of chewing gum to settle his stomach. When he came out again, Chester reached into the backseat of the Packard for a gray brim hat and gave it to Alvin. “Here, put this on.”
    Alvin frowned, but took off his checked cap and tried the hat on. It felt tight. He looked across at the garage window to see his reflection. He shook his head. “It don’t fit. I prefer my own better.”
    He took it off.
    Chester said, “Put it back on. You’ll wear it to the bank. Throw the other one in the car.”
    â€œWell, what’s it all about?”
    â€œIt’s part of the gag.”
    â€œOh.”
    Chester grabbed Alvin’s cap and tossed it into the Packard, then