Free Pewter Angels by Henry K. Ripplinger Page A

and bike up there next week. It’s only a few blocks down on Winnipeg Street. Just watch out for the traffic and don’t haul any more than a gallon at a time. If there’s a lot, tell me and I’ll pick it up after work.”
    Henry’s face lit up. “That’s a great idea, Dad! I’ll find the time to get over there tomorrow. He stood up, hardly able to contain his excitement. “Excuse me, I gotta go.” He could hardly wait to share all this with Jenny.
    His mother and father chuckled as he dashed from the table. Henry rushed into the bathroom and washed his hands and face. He also splashed a little water on his hair and rubbed in just a little dab of Brylcreem. He combed his hair back instead of parting it to see if he looked more grown up that way. He thought he did, but it was too much change for one day. He quickly parted his hair the way he usually did and raced for the front door. As he passed the living room, his mom and dad looked up.
    “Nice hair, son,” his dad said before turning back to the paper. “Off to see Jenny?” his mom dared ask.
    “Yeah,” Henry blurted as he bounded out of the house, letting the storm door slam shut behind him.
    Jenny was sitting on her front steps. His pounding heart nearly burst from his chest at the sight of her; he was already anticipating her hand in his. Her face brightened when she saw him.
    “Hi, Jenny,” he called out when he arrived at the gate. “Have you had supper yet? I hope I’m not too early for our walk?”
    “Oh, no, I was waiting for you. Dad had to work late again tonight so Mom and I ate early.” She stood and walked towards him. “Which way should we go?”
    “Doesn’t matter to me. Anywhere, I guess. I have a lot I want to tell you.”
    “Okay, well then, let’s just walk down to College Avenue. It’s only a few blocks away and then we can circle back.”
    “Sounds good to me.”
    The sky for the most part was clear, except for a towering buildup of cumulonimbus clouds in the distant west. Some reached so high they hid the bright sun as it crept towards the horizon. Although it was already after seven, one of the best things about summer in the prairies was the long days; it would be at least another couple of hours before the sun finally set and darkness settled. There was just enough of a breeze to move Jenny’s hair off to the side, exposing her ear and the tiny stud glistening on her earlobe. As they walked, Henry moved to the half of the sidewalk nearest the traffic.
    “Why do you walk on the outside? I noticed you did that yesterday too.”
    “My dad always does that when he’s walking with my mom. I asked him about it once and he said that it was to protect his girl from any harm that might come her way. It has do to with chivalry or something like that. I always thought it was kind of neat.”
    “Well, that’s very thoughtful,” Jenny said. “I must say that it does make me feel protected.”
    “Boy, did I have a good day at the grocery store.”
    “Yes, so you said when Timmy was over. What happened?” The words bubbled out of him. He explained how he had organized the basement and the shelves upstairs, and how pleased Mr. Engelmann was, adding a few more embellishments to the story than he’d told his parents.
    “That sounds great, Henry, and you seem so excited about what you accomplished. I’m thrilled for you!” Jenny’s eyes were bright and happy. To know she understood how he felt—he thought he would burst any second. He moved closer to Jenny, wanting to touch her hand.
    Their arms swung side by side and at times their hands brushed slightly. Henry began to purposely stick his little finger out a little bit more with each pass. Jenny responded by letting her little finger protrude a little more each time too, until finally their little fingers locked. Then without hesitation or changing the rhythm, they started swinging their arms. After several swings and steps forward in silence, Jenny, sensing that their