The Short Giant

SHRIMP

 

Buck whistles thru his fingers, waves his hand and beckons Danny to come to him. Nonetheless, with disdainful anger, Danny goes. 'Here Shrimp.' Buck hands Danny two dimes and orders him to go the two blocks to get the Morning Bugle for him. 'Keep the change, Sport,' he says. Looking at the dimes Danny tells him there won't be any change. The paper costs twenty cents now. Danny laughs at him. 'Right you are, Brainless.' Danny reaches for the money, quickly puts it in his pants pocket and with all his might, kicks Buck hard in his shin. Buck grabs his leg and rubs it red, until it turns indigo. By the time Buck stops 'ouching', Danny is almost two blocks away in the opposite direction of the news stand.

 

At home, Danny Scotch tapes one dime in his scrap book. The other he saves for a chocolate popsicle when Larry, the Good Humor Man, comes around. At dinner he tells his Dad what he did to Buck.  Mom and Dad smile and applaud. His Dad advises him to aim higher next time. 'Make his balls turn blue!.'

 

The marks on the kitchen door frame don't lie. His Mom wants to paint over them as they haven't changed in 4 years. The doctor has told her he doesn't think Danny will grow any taller. At four feet six inches he may be a midget forever. 'But, Mrs. Svenson, we're not sure yet. New drugs or surgery may still give Danny another inch or two.' He adds,  'Bring Danny in soon as there are some new exercises that may help. No fear. They can do no harm, so let's try it.'

 

Mr. Svenson buys a thirty eight inch steel rod at Home Depot along with the clasps that get nailed to the door frame around the basement bathroom. Just about every day, after school, Danny pulls himself up as high as he can go and mentally stretches his legs down to the floor. His imagination is wild. He sees himself becoming six feet tall. At his next exam Dr. Hanson struggles to admit to Danny that so far he sees no improvement. 'I'm not giving up, Dr. My legs aren't longer but my arms are strong. Feel my muscles.' The doctor smiles and gives a low whistle.

 

Dinner time is usually 'talk time' for Danny and his parents. They hurt for their son's unhappiness. They plan the future as best they can. Friday, June the 6th is Danny's fourteenth birthday. His mom baked for him a high, moist, inviting double devil's food cake. She trims it with professional expertise. Small white icing flowers  with little green leaves and fifteen candles complete her masterpiece. 'Mom,' Danny says. You have one candle too many.' As he reaches to remove the extra candle, his mom stops him. 'Danny, Dear, that is the one to grow on. Didn't you ever notice that on all the other cakes I've made for you?' 'I guess I'm not just short, I'm dumb too,' he says.

 

She leaves her chair and walks to his, leans over his head and drops a white envelope onto his lap. His dad tells him to 0pen it and read the card out loud. Danny reads:' Dearest son of ours. This is a special gift card for a new pair of shoes from Baylor's.' His parents see the disappointment on Danny's face. 'Keep reading, Son.' His Mom explains. Mr. Baylor is going to add half to 3/4 of an inch to the heels. Nobody will notice. Inside the shoe he puts a special lift that will add another inch to his height.  Danny doesn't smile, barely mumbles, 'Thanks.'

 

His father takes over again. 'Well, my boy, if you don't want those special shoes, try this envelope.' Not knowing what other scheme his folks have dreamed up, he opens the envelope slowly. It is typed under the Masthead of Dr. Hanson. 'Dear Daniel, I have done a lot of investigating and am now in touch with Dr. C.R.  Jeffers  at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He is Chief Resident in bone development there. After a thorough going over of your age and height, attitude, health, it is possible that as much as four inches of growth can be obtained. It is not magical and will take time. The hospital can arrange, at no charge to your parents, their stay at the Ronald Mac Donald house just a few blocks from the hospital. Dr. C.R.  Jeffers, will fill you in on what procedures will be necessary. The sooner you notify me of your wishes, the sooner we can get going.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DANNY.

 

Danny jumps away from the table, dances all around it, stops to hug his wonderful parents. Breathless and happy, he sits down and eats two big slices of the double rich chocolate cake his mom made just for him