Which way?

AL'S ALLEY

 

He thinks he owns it and acts like he does. Al, a sixth grader, has taken possession of the alley between Langford St. and Smallwood . It's a busy shortcut for us kids who live in row houses and have to go to Elementary School #102. Nobody like's Al and he hates all of us...unless we put a penny in the tin tea can his mother gave him. She might not know he cut a hole in the top and grins as he makes a chink, clink sound when our pennies go in. We feel lucky when it rains so our parents walk us to school with their umbrellas, or if their Dad's have a car, a few of us can get in together.

 

Charlie Carruthers and Donny Meade, 4th graders, are talking about doing away with Al or setting his house on fire. Nobody listens to their dumb ideas. As far as I know, we kids haven't told our parents about Al the thief who is taking away our penny candy money, telling us when we can walk thru the alley and when we can't. Until he stole our alley, I saved my pennies for a Saturday movie or deposited them on Wednesday in class when the bank lady came. She always puts a little American flag sticker on our clothes if we save money for the future.

 

I am getting tired of being ordered around by Al and think maybe I should just go the long way to school, cross the street car tracks, wait for the traffic light and forget about Al. I do that by myself for two days straight and miss all the morning fun in the playground. It doesn't take long for me to realize that the long way is the right way. Officer John notices me at the crosswalk. 'Where have you been, Little One?' He asks me about my friend with the beautiful long blond curls and my other friend, Molly. I'm afraid to tell him the truth about Al but manage to tell him a little bit. He stamps his foot, twirls his billy club and almost explodes. 'Cynthia, he can't do that. He is breaking the law.  Don't talk about this to anybody until I tell you to. And don't take the short cut anymore!' I have to promise and kiss my little finger for him.
Oh, how I want to tell my mother and father about Al and what Officer John told me, but I promised I wouldn't and don't. Monday I go the long way and don't see Officer John. Lucy, one of my friends, is with me because I told her how much nicer, prettier, the long walk is. Another policeman is taking John's place. His name is Harland. He takes a group of us across the streetcar tracks at one time. 'Is Officer John coming back soon,' I ask him. 'Oh, yes. He had something important to take care of today and most likely will be back tomorrow.' Lucy and I thank him for taking us across. We each have our pennies and stop for ½ sweet pickle before we go into school.

 

Sure enough, the next day Officer Joe is at the corner. He takes me aside to tell me a secret. 'Cynthia, Al isn't going to take anyone's money away again. He knows now that he broke the law, stole pennies, and he is having a trial for delinquents March 4 in the Court House. Tell your friends to tell their parents to come to the hearing. I can promise you, Al will never stop you or anybody from going where they want again.

 

He hands me a big, heavy bag of pennies and asks me to deal them out to my friends who take the short cut. I put 15 in my lunch bag, give Cynthia the same, wave goodbye to Officer Joe. She and I will deal them out tomorrow, maybe have a little party after school.