When I was growing up in Rock Island, Huey (not his real name) was one of my brother Kenny's friends. Short, brown-skinned, a rarity among the pale Swedes and Germans of Rock Island, chubby, with black hair and soft black eyes, soft all over. I especially remember his square soft hands with stubby fingers.
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My brother was 2 1/2 years younger than me, and three grades below (so in 9th grade when I was in 12th). His best friend was Todd, a sports nut with sandy brown hair and blue eyes.
Huey was in a grade below them, so three or four years younger than me, a kid who they tolerated because he was funny.
He told knock-knock jokes.
While eating orange sherbet, he stuck out his tongue to demonstrate that it had turned orange.
He made his belly talk, long before Jerry Seinfeld did it.
At least once, maybe more, Huey exclaimed "Feel how cold I am!", and lifted my shirt to press an icy hand against my belly. I jumped back, and he laughed.
Once I tried to retaliate by tickling him. He grabbed my hands with his hands, and we did a sort of struggling dance. Suddenly we were rolling on the living room floor. But the dog started barking, thinking that I was being attacked, so we had to stop.
I remember them pretending to do kung fu moves. Huey was shirtless, his belly bouncing as he jumped around yelling "Hai-ya!" It must have been during a sleepover, but I don't remember the rest.
One spring when Kenny was in high school but Huey was still at Washington Junior High, the whole family went to see him in Oliver! He was in the chorus of orphanage boys. During "Food, Glorious Food," his comedic mugs and pratfalls stole the show.
Food, glorious food! Hot sausage and mustard!
While we're in the mood, cold jelly and custard!
Peas, pudding and saveloys!
What next is the question?
Rich gentlemen have it, boys: Indigestion!
The whole family went to see Kenny's friend, who was just in the chorus, not even one of the stars? Why?
Was he closer to Kenny than I thought?
More after the break. Caution: Explicit