Banana Man (a Novella) by Christian Blake Page A

stood out bright and strong on both covers even in the dim light. He was a real super hero.
     
    Danny had accomplished what he set out to do that day. He was now the proud owner of the first two issues of Banana Man, and both were perfectly framed and hanging on the wall opposite his bed. Thanks to his mother, of course. And also thanks to her, he didn’t have to worry about buying the next eleven issues from Cleary’s Market. Each issue would be delivered in pristine condition, straight to the mailbox from the publisher. Eleven issues – that was twenty-two months of not worrying about buying the comic.
     
    He still felt a little scared when he thought about Charlie biting his bike, and Mr. Duncan punching the dog, and everything else that happened afterward with Officer Tibbs. Thinking back on the events that happened that afternoon, Danny felt a little overwhelmed, and he felt like crying. But like earlier in the day, he kept his emotions in check. Not too long ago, his dad asked him to be strong.
     
    When his dad finally entered the room and sat down on the edge of the bed, he heard Danny sniffle a couple times, and he knew his son was on the verge of tears. His dad placed a reassuring hand on Danny’s chest. “I’m not working tomorrow, and you’re not going to school. We’re getting up early and going fishing. We’ll stop and get you a donut and chocolate milk, and then head out to the creek. We’ll catch more fish like last time.”
     
    Danny held his father’s hand.
     
    “But after we get back we need to straighten up this house. All the overtime I’ve been taking hasn’t left much time for me at home.” He glanced at the pile of muddy clothes in the corner of the room. “We need to wash those clothes. Sorry I haven’t bought you a new raincoat. Your old one was in your mom’s car.” His dad paused for a moment, and then said, “It’s just you and me now.”
     
    Danny stared across the room at the first issue of Banana Man and thought about his mother. He remembered his birthday party and how she gave it to him. He remembered the moment he unwrapped the comic book, and he remembered how good it felt when she hugged him. Although he hadn’t read either issue, he was glad to have them. He would collect them all, and frame them all. They reminded him of his mother.
     
    “I haven’t cried, dad. You told me to be strong.”
     
    His dad patted his son’s hand. “Sometimes it’s okay to cry. Sometimes it’s all we have.”
     
    Danny felt himself letting go, and the tears almost started again, but his dad began talking about something else. “I want to talk to you about Officer Tibbs,” his dad said.
     
    Danny frowned, and his tears shut off. He didn’t want to talk about that man. “I can see why everyone hates him. He sprayed a dog in the face and punched Peter’s dad. Because of him I was late getting to Cleary’s.”
     
    His dad shook his head. “You’re wrong about him. Officer Tibbs is a good man. He tried to save your mother, Danny, but he got there too late.” He paused momentarily, and turned his head slightly away. “He tried to save her. He tried to pull her from the burning car.”
     
    Danny and his father were silent for a while, and in those few minutes Danny remembered his mother’s funeral on that cold afternoon.
     
    He remembered getting fitted for a black suit. He remembered everyone standing in the mist on that grassy hillside, huddled together under black umbrellas, listening to the pastor. He remembered Ms. Jacobson being there. She was real nice. She hugged him several times and kept dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. She stood behind him and kept her hands on his shoulders while the pastor talked. Mr. and Mrs. Cleary were there too. Mrs. Cleary hugged his dad for a long time and wouldn’t let go, and Mr. Cleary shook Danny’s hand real firm. He remembered staying late after everyone else went home, and he remembered holding his dad’s hand