Kathleen Kudlinski - Christopher Reeve: Young Actor

Get out of the car.

Here, Daddy? Christopher Reeve looked down Wiggens Street. Arent you going to drive us all the way home?

Youre eight, Tophy. You can walk from here. Princeton, New Jersey, is a perfectly safe place. Hold Benjamins hand.

Topher looked at his little brother. Beejy has to walk too? Why?

Listen here, young man. Franklin Reeves voice had turned ugly. I have no interest in seeing that woman or her new husband ever again.

Topher felt his little brothers hand find its way into his. Is he talking about Mama? Beejy whispered.

You bet I am, Franklin snarled. You two had a good week in Connecticut with me. Dont spoil it now.

Topher jumped out of the car. Thank you, Daddy. He tried to stay close while Mr. Reeve got two small suitcases from the trunk. I liked the sailing, Topher said, and the dinner parties and the horses.

The horses made Tophys asthma worse, Beejy said.

But I love them, Topher said, grabbing for his fathers hand.

Franklin? Mamas angry voice carried down the quiet street. Dont you dare!

Good-bye, boys, Franklin said quickly. He gave each son a squeeze and jumped back into his car. Topher and Beejy stood by their suitcases on the sidewalk as their fathers car screeched away.

Mamas heels made a click-clacking sound on the cement walk. What was that about? She picked up the suitcases.

Daddy had to hurry, Topher lied. He had an important meeting.

Of course he did, Mama said. Did he and his new wife have much to say about me this time?

Oh, yes, Beejy said.

No, they didnt, Topher said louder. He punched Beejy and tried to change the subject. He glanced at his mother. The sun made her blond hair and blue eyes shine. That yellow dress looks good, Mama.

She set the suitcases down and smoothed the gathers over her flat stomach. Why, thank you, Topher, she said.

Beejy punched Topher in the arm.

Now, now, boys, Mama scolded. Dont be beastly to each other. She smiled. Tristam and I have a surprise for you. Well tell you when he gets home from the university.

She walked them through the gate, up the walk, and across the porch to their side of the rowhouse. I rode a horse. Topher swung his suitcase proudly.

I swam over my head, Beejy said back.

At night, by the bonfire, I made a sand castle, Topher said. It was huge.

I squashed it.

Did not!

Did so!

Both boys tied to squeeze through their front door at once. Mama just laughed.

Ladies first, she said, and pushed them both aside. Wipe your feet on the mat. Inside, she put her little yellow hat on the stand next to Tristams.

Topher sat down on the piano bench and carefully opened the top. He stroked the keys with his fingertips. Mama smiled at him. You can catch up on your practicing after lunch. I fixed your favorite: Fluffernutters and Ovaltine.

No thank you, maam, Topher said cautiously. He closed the piano and rubbed his stomach.

Why? I put plenty of peanut butter and marshmallow in the sandwiches. I used soft, new Wonderbread, too.

Daddy got us a special lunch on the way home, Beejy said. He glanced at Topher and pulled his foot out of the way.

I should have known! Mama snarled. I suppose he got you ice cream cones.

Beejy shook his head. No, Mommy. We got three-scoop banana splits!

Why, thatthat, their mother muttered. Topher held his breath, but Mama said no more. She pointed at the door. Outside now, boys, before I use words you shouldnt hear. Topher wanted to say hed heard them all already. He wanted to say he understood. He also wanted to cry. Out, Mama scolded in a quivery voice. She jerked the door open.

Topher and Beejy filed out. Behind them the door closed sharply.

Christopher wanted to punch something. He glanced at the crab apple tree in the front yard. Bet you cant throw as far as me! he said. Before his brother could catch up, hed jumped the stairs three at a time and grabbed a green apple off the ground.

No! Topher yelled, hurling it as hard as he could into the street.

Not fair, Beejy said. Youre in second grade. Im only in first!

Boo-hoo, baby, Topher mocked. He shot another apple, yelling No! as loud as he wanted. It felt good. He threw another and another. His muscles burned and his chest heaved. Soon Beejy stood beside him, hurling green apples into the street.

What do we do now? Beejy asked. The apples are all gone.

Topher panted. He still needed to throw things, to fight. I know, Toper said. Lets play pirates!

Its 1960, silly. There are no more pirates, Beejy taunted.

Topher didnt answer. Instead he pulled the cellar doors open. He found three big packing boxes left over from Tristams move into the house. Ahoy, mate! he called to his brother. Let us sail to the top of the world and destroy our enemies.

Aye, aye, Beejy yelled back. Ill grab the swords and guns! He broke dead branches of the hedge along the driveway and raced to meet Topher on the porch.

All aboard! Topher ordered. They shoved two boxes together, then climbed into them. Haul on the mainsail, Topher said. Thars a storm ahead! He swayed left and right to show how rough the seas were.

First mate is here, Beejy announced. Look! A bad guy! The brothers swung swords at the foe. I got him! Beejy yelled. He leaned overboard to watch the enemy fall into the water.

Behind you! Captain Topher shouted. He ran his sword through another attacker and shoved him overboard. Beejy brought his sword down on a third enemy and Captain Topher drew his pistol.

Bang! he shouted. Bang! He looked upward. Haul in the sails. Well outrun them! It took all of the boys strength to pull up the wet sails. The waves grew higher. Topher clung to the gunwales to keep his balance as the boat heaved wildly. Tie yourself to the mast, my boy!

Why?

The next wave could wash you overboard! Captain Topher shaded his eyes and looked into the frothy sea. Here it comes! He took a deep breath and held the railing.

Icy water crashed down overhead and swept the deck. Topher wiped his eyes. His lips tasted of salt. Beejy! Topher cried. Where are you?

You knocked me out of the box, Beejy said.

Swim, Beejy, swim! Captain Toper called, and heaved the great ships wheel to the side. Hold on, mboy. Tears streamed from his eyes. Dont die, Beejy!

The front door opened. Boys? Mama called.

Topher stared at the stick in his hand, panting. A heartbeat ago, hed been holding a sword. He glanced around. He was on his own porch. Tristam was striding up the front walk.

Topher wished he could go back to his pretend world again.

How are my boys? Tristam ruffled Tophers and Beejys brown curls.

Im not your boy, Beejy grumbled.

Tristam strode past as if he had not heard. And here, he said, is my best girl. He dropped a grocery bag he was carrying, swept his long arms around Mama, and picked her right up off the ground.

Ick, Beejy said before Topher stomped on his foot to quiet him.