Pewter Angels Read Online Free PDF Page A

Brylcreem into his hair and combed it, slicking one side back towards his right ear. He tucked his T-shirt into his jeans, took another look in the mirror, then headed down the hall to the front door. Jenny was just inside holding onto the screen door.
    “Did you fall asleep?” she inquired.
    “Yeah,” Henry replied, a bit embarrassed.
    “Boy, it sure smells good in here. Fried onions?”
    “Yeah.”
    “I love them too, especially with hot dogs.”
    “That’s what we had for lunch,” Henry said, a surprised look on his face. She even likes what I like!
    He knew his mom was standing in the background, watching and smiling. Not wanting to see if she had noticed the extra Brylcreem in his hair, Henry didn’t turn around. Instead, he just looked at Jenny and motioned over his shoulder, “This is my mom.”
    “Yes, I know. We just met. Are you still able to take me to Balfour High School?”
    “Yeah, for sure,” Henry replied, trying to hide his excitement, and anxious to be with her and away from his mom’s scrutiny. “Let’s go.”
    “Nice meeting you, Mrs. Pederson,” said Jenny as she pushed open the storm door and Henry followed her out.
    “’Bye, Jenny. Nice meeting you,” his mom called after them.
    “Is it okay if we walk? My bicycle is still in storage. You can ride yours though, if you want.”
    “Oh no, I like walking,” Henry lied.
    “So, what grade are you in?” Jenny asked as they headed down Broder Street towards College Avenue.
    “Just starting Grade 9, even though I’ll be a year older than most of my classmates. I got pneumonia when I was eight and missed almost a whole year of school, so my parents held me back.”
    “That’s funny, the exact same thing happened to me, except I had scarlet fever and missed most of Grade 4. Just as I got better, my dad got transferred to Vancouver and my parents decided to have me repeat fourth grade.”
    “So how old are you?” Henry asked.
    “Fifteen.”
    “Me, too. I just turned fifteen a couple of days ago.”
    “So we’re both fifteen and starting Grade 9 at the same high school? Henry, we already have so much in common!”
    Just the way Jenny put it, his spirits shot up.
    “I’m so excited about starting high school. In a way, I’m happy we moved when we did. Everyone is starting at the same time and I won’t stand out so much as a newcomer. I’d feel a little shy and afraid that I wouldn’t be accepted if I had to start at a new school after the school year had already begun.”
    “Oh, I’m certain everyone will like you,” Henry assured her. “But I know what you mean. I remember when we moved into Regina from the farm and I started school late in the fall after harvest how everyone just stared at me for the first day or so.” Actually, Henry didn’t really remember it being such a big deal, but for Jenny’s sake he wanted to agree with her.
    As they approached College Avenue, Henry schemed for ways he could hold Jenny’s hand again. If they turned right and headed west down College Avenue three blocks, they could cross at the crosswalk in front of the high school. If he suggested they cross College Avenue right away there might be a chance they could hold hands as they crossed the busy street.
    “Balfour’s on the other side of the street, Jenny. Maybe we better cross here—it might be busier further up.”
    Jenny nodded. “Okay.”
    As they waited for a break in the traffic, Henry wondered if he should just grab her hand or suggest that he hold it as a safety precaution. Jenny resolved his internal dilemma with a quick “Hold my hand” as they stepped off the curb.
    Henry put his hand into hers and the wonderful feeling of that morning was instantly recaptured. He tried to recall every aspect of her touch and imprint it on his mind so he would never forget. They dashed across the street then slowed to a walk again. It took several steps and tuggings from Jenny before Henry realized he still held her hand in