Traveller by L.W. Samuelson (reading comprehension books .txt) 📖

Jesse said. “You guys played a good game, but we won. What’s wrong with that?”
“It cost us forty dollaws, man. It be better in my pockit den yours,” Willy said.
While the argument raged, Tim collected the three hundred thirty dollars in prize money. He ducked out before anyone could stop him then climbed in his VW and drove off.
Lori broke through the three men surrounding Jesse. “Come on let’s go home,” she said.
“Man, what wrong witch choo, hafta have yo’ sista git all in dis?” one of Willy’s teammates said crowding Jesse.
“Not really. I’m not afraid of you guys,” said Jesse.
“I’ll kick yo’ punk ass,” Willy said.
Lori stood between her brother and Willy. “Game’s over Willy.”
“Da game be ova, but we ain’t,” he said pushing his friend aside to get in Jesse’s face. Lori got between them.
Over a hundred students had gathered around the four men and Lori to oversee the argument. Jesse really didn’t want to fight someone a good fifty pounds heavier than he was, but he did want to stall for time. He gently moved Lori aside.
“I’m sorry Willy. We’ll give you a rematch sometime. We did win fair and square didn’t we?” Jesse held his hand out with a saintly expression on his face.
Willy remembered his probation. Getting in a fight would make it permanent. Besides, he liked Jesse. He had also calmed down. “Shoot man. I guess you be right but you owe me a six pack a beer ana rematch.”
“Sure Willy. Can we go now?” Jesse asked as they shook hands.
The crowd started to dissipate now that the prospect of a fight had lessened. “Sure,” said Willy.

Traveller was sitting on Lori’s steps when Tim pulled up in the alley. “What happened?” he asked Tim.
“Don’t know. I got the money and ran like Jesse told me to. That was some game you played. You’re not really a Russian are you?”
Traveller could never lie to a friend. Playing in the tournament together and winning through teamwork had created a bond between them. “No, I am your friend Tim.”
“So where are you really from?”
“I am from Benwar.”
“Which is located where?”
“Over two hundred light years away from here.”
“I knew it,” Tim said. “We’ve got to get you outta here before they take you away somewhere. Everyone in the gym could tell you weren’t normal. Man, the way you were in one place one second and another in the next. It was like watching Houdini man.”
Traveller smiled, “We beat them. Now Lori can have some money. Here she comes,” he said hearing hear van.
Jesse jumped out before Lori could shut the engine off. “That was far out, man. Jeeze Travis, you kicked some butt.”
Lori came up behind him, “And you just about got yours kicked.”
“You mean Willy? He’ll get over it.”
“What happened?” asked Tim.
“Nothing. Willy and his friends just wanted to vent some frustration. I gave them a little Jesse charm and they got over it.”
“You guys were great,” Lori said. “Everyone sitting in the bleachers kept marvelling at Traveller and his blue legs.”
“Yeah, Travis was just telling me he’s not from around these parts,” Tim said.
“He told you?” Lori asked startled.
“Yep, he’s an alien. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me, but I do think he needs to disappear before someone comes after him.”
“I was afraid of that. Damn it Jesse why did you have to show him off?” Lori asked.
“It’s okay, Lori. I have had more fun in the past week than I have my whole life. I have found friendship. There is nothing better,” Traveller said.
“We’d better take him back to Pomerelle tomorrow so he can lay low for a while,” said Tim. “Does anyone know he’s staying here?”
“No,” Lori answered.
“Here let’s split up the money,” Tim pulled out three one-hundred dollars bills and three tens. A hundred and ten for you,” he said giving Jesse his money.
“And a hundred and ten for you,” he said giving Traveller half of the rest.
“Here Lori. This is for you,” the alien said giving her the money.
“I can’t take that, it’s yours,” she protested.
“Lori, I have no use for money. You have been so kind to me. You need it, I don’t.”
Lori threw her arms around his neck and kissed him on the cheek. “I love you Traveller.”
“And I you,” he said hugging her back. “Jesse, your sister had to borrow money from you parents.”
“I’ll give you half of this when I get some change, Sis,” he said. “I suggest we meet back here in the morning and take him back to his spaceship tomorrow.”
“I have to work,” said Lori.
“I’ll go with you,” said Tim.

Chapter 18 - Goodbyes
The next morning Jesse came over early. He had purchased a pound of bacon and a dozen eggs to cook for Traveller. He’d also picked up a few groceries for his friend to take back to Pomerelle. Traveller was so exhausted that he barely stirred when Jesse let himself in.
Traveller awoke to a delicious smell wafting in from the kitchen. He tried to place it. It wasn’t plant food. It smelled of chemically cured flesh, if that was possible. He rolled off of the couch. His muscles were stiff and sore. He lay on the floor to stretch before standing up. Traveller followed his nose to the kitchen.
“Stand back Star man. Jesse’s cooking breakfast,” his friend said.
Traveller shook hands and bumped shoulders with Jesse before saying, “Good morning Earthman.” He sat at the table with his translator on. “What are you cooking?”
“Bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, and toast. I’m not taking my best friend home without a farewell party.”
Someone knocked at the door. Traveller got up and answered it carrying his translator. “Tim!” he exclaimed hugging him. “We whupped butt last night, didn’t we?”
“Hi Travis. Damned straight. The whole campus is talking about it. I had several people ask me who you are last night. Something smells good.”
“Jesse’s cooking.”
Tim walked into the kitchen. “I didn’t know you cooked woman,” he joked.
“Only on special occassions. How ya doin’?”
“Little sore, but I had the time of my life the past two days.”
“Me too,” said Traveller.
“That makes three of us,” said Jesse. He placed a batch of cooked bacon on a serving plate covered with paper towels to absorb the grease. Jesse placed it in the oven before dumping a two pound package of O’Brien frozen potatoes in the bacon grease to cook.
“Coffee’s done,” Tim said noticing the pot had quit percolating. “Everyone want some?”
“Of course,” said Jesse.
“Lots of sugar please,” said Traveller. He heard a rustling down the hallway. Lori opened a door. She walked down the hallway then into the kitchen.
“I can’t believe it, Jesse’s cooking breakfast,” she said in astonishment.
“Here’s something else you won’t believe,” he said giving her fifty dollars from his prize money.
She hugged him. It was one of the few times he had ever given her anything. Mostly, he promised but never followed through. “Thank you Jesse.”
Traveller handed her a cup of coffee, “One teaspoon of sugar with a little milk, just how you like it.”
“How does everyone like their eggs?” asked Jesse.
“Over easy,” said Tim.
“Cooked hard,” said Lori.
“I’ll try both ways,” said Traveller.
Lori made toast while Jesse cooked the eggs and transferred them to the oven with the hashbrowns and bacon. When everything was ready, Jesse made Lori sit at the table. It was too small for the serving dishes so he sat them on T.V. trays near the table. He made Lori a plate before sitting down.
The three boys piled their plates high with food. “May I say grace?” asked Tim.
Traveller looked puzzled. Lori said yes. Jesse rolled his eyes.
“Bless this food heavenly Father and all those less fortunate than ourselves who will go hungry today. Bless my friends who have provided this bounty. Please protect them and keep them safe from all harm. In the name of the Son, the Father, and the Holy Ghost, Amen.”
Traveller wondered who the Son, the Father, and the Holy Ghost were, but only momentarily, his hunger drove the thought away. He bit into the bacon. His mouth exploded with a new smoky flavor. The crunchy texture added to the experience. “Far out,” he exclaimed automatically using the words he’d heard so many times on television.
Jesse beamed, “Glad you like it.”
After sampling everything, Lori said, “You’ve well, brother.”
Tim never said anything. He was too busy shoveling food into his mouth.
It wasn’t long before the serving trays sat empty. Lori collected the dishes. She ran warm water over them as the boys sipped their coffee and verbally replayed each play of each game from Friday and Saturday. Reliving the battles brought the boys ever closer together. So close, they didn’t even notice Lori’s disappearance.
When she came back, Lori was carrying two gigantic JC Penney’s bags. “Can I have your attention please?” she said. “I have a couple of gifts for Traveller.”
“Gifts for me?” asked Traveller.
“Yes,” Lori said pulling two packages out of the bag. “I bought you two sets of long johns. They are thermal underwear to keep you warm.” She handed them to the alien. “You put them on underneath your clothing.”
Traveller clutched them to his chest. “Thank you Lori.”
“I’m not done. Next, I bought you a flannel shirt and two pairs of Levis,” she said pulling them out of the same bag.
“And finally,” she said pulling a blue parka out of the other bag, “a down coat to keep hypothermia away.”
“Oh Lori I, I, I can’t begin to express my gratitude. You shouldn’t have spent your money on me. I can’t take these,” Traveller choked out.
“You can and you will. I could never forgive myself if someone found a blue alien frozen to death at Pomerelle. Besides Jesse and Tim pitched in.”
“By the universe, if I travelled another two hundred years, I couldn’t hope to find any better friends.”
“I have to go to work now Traveller. I’ll try to come and see you in a week or two. I’m going to miss you,” Lori said tearing up.
Traveller moved from the table to embrace the person who had given him so much. He paid her the highest compliment he could think of. “You would make a good Benwarian, Lori. It is an honor to know someone as great as you are.” His tears mingled with hers as he looked down at her.
She gently pushed him away, “I’m going to be late for work.” Lori looked at Jesse and Tim, “You guys better take care of him,” she said before she burst out the door.
“Good bye Lori!” Traveller called after her.
Jesse, always the master of understatement, said, “Jeeze, I think my sister likes you.”
“Like? Is that what you call it?” Tim replied.
“Boni bon bon,” said Traveller.

Everything they had given Traveller was packed in the front trunk of the Volkswagon. There were books, food items, and his clothing. Tim had thrown in a pair of snow shoes with insulated boots. He had also thrown in a pair of ski gloves, a knit cap, and some goggles.
It was eight-thirty before they finally rolled away from Lori’s. Even though it had only been a week, Traveller felt heavy of heart to be leaving.
Once they were on the freeway, Traveller activated his translator. “Is there any way I can get money for Lori?” he asked.
“We could rob a bank,” Jesse joked.
“Lori says no. We will end up in jail, a place to store people who break the law.”