Rudy knew exactly where to hide the dynamite. He’d found it in the quarry, where they still used dynamite instead of C4 because the owner of the quarry was getting senile. They weren’t looking for gold, but, of all things, limestone. Why they bothered with that, he didn’t know.
He had snuck onto the quarry late last night, and, on a dare, broke into the dynamite shed and took out three sticks. He wondered if this meant he’d pass the initiation into the fraternity. All he had to do was show the dynamite to Artie and then they’d give him the patch to wear on his jacket. Then he wouldn’t be a nerd. He’d be away from the chess club and be a real man.
Maybe Joe could teach him how to ride a motorcycle. Maybe Pat would get him some girls. And Artie – he’d learn all kinds of things from Artie, things that could normally put a man in jail.
He went out to the back, and could see the dog house in the half light. The pit bull came running out, barking. He tried to silence it, with gentle words and petting. He rolled over onto his back, looking for a belly-rub.
Rudy absently rubbed the dog’s belly as he stuffed the bag of dynamite into the house…