Frank sighed in obvious satisfaction. Patton looked at him and grinned.
“What?” Frank asked, chuckling.
Patton gazed up at the stars himself and exhaled, relaxed, at peace, and completely happy.
“My wife—” Patton said, then caught himself. “My first wife,” he clarified. Frank smiled sadly at his friend but said nothing. Patton continued. “She grew up in rural California. Central Valley.”
Frank nodded. He was familiar with nearly every stretch of his home state, particularly the Central Valley.
“She grew up in a place kind of like this,” Patton said, letting the memory of her wash over him like the late summer air. “The way she used to describe it … sounded like heaven to me.”
Frank looked at him curiously. He’d never seen Patton like this before. He looked content, not needing to be somewhere else or to be doing the next thing on his list.
“She made us all go camping,” Patton continued, sounding dreamy. “At first I hated it, but it got to the point I looked forward to it every year.” A painful smile washed over Patton’s face. “And she made it so fun for the kids. We’d hike in the day and fish and then at night we watch the stars and tell scary stories.”
Frank gave his friend an approving nod and a warm smile.
“We never did anything like that. Shontae wanted to do things like that but I was always too busy working and traveling. I missed so much. I pretty much missed everything.” He trailed off, obviously feeling shame and regret.
“But you were making a better life for your family,” Patton said, trying to reassure his friend.
Frank looked at Patton soberly. He was grateful for the sentiment but didn’t accept the excuse. He shook his head and gazed back up at the stars. “That’s what I kept telling myself. I grew up poor. Piss poor. My old man was a mechanic and he loved those damn Chevelles. You know what a Chevelle looks like?”
Patton nodded.
“That’s my name, you know,” Frank said, revealing his deepest, darkest secret that only his family knew.
Patton looked at him, how brow furrowed with confusion. “What is?” he asked.
“Chevelle. It’s my first name. Franklin is my middle name.”
Patton rolled his head back and chuckled, partly because he thought Frank’s name was funny, but mostly because he was beginning to feel drunk.
“Anyway,” Frank said, smiling at his friend’s reaction, “my old man … he was strong and quiet, but he was great. I never saw him cry, not even once. Not even when his mother died. This one night after dinner he comes into my room. He closes the door behind him and he pulls up a chair.”
Frank paused, his face taking on a dreamy expression, as if he could see the moment in his mind’s eye. “He touches my hand and kinda closes my book so I know he really wants my attention. So I sit up at the edge of the bed and really look at him. And man I’ll never forget that look in his eyes.”
Frank took a sip from his drink and set it down on the table. “I’d never seen him like that … you know … quiet. Humble. Hurt, almost.”
“Meek?” Patton said, taking a stab at what his friend might be getting at.
Frank looked at him and considered the word for a moment.
“Yeah … that’s a good way to put it.” Frank sat up and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Anyway, he leans forward a little and his eyes are a little moist and he says ‘Chevelle, you’re a smart kid. You got a chance to make somethin’ of yourself so don’t you be messin’ around with these damn gangs.’” Frank paused again. He cleared his throat, trying to hold off emotion. “Then my old man said, ‘You have the chance to get this family outta this damn place. Whatever you do, help your brothers and sisters.’ I took that as his greatest wish. His dying wish.”
Patton reclined back again, gazing at the stars. “My dad was quiet. It was my mother that did the talking in our house.” He said it and was surprised to feel a sudden rush of emotion. He realized he was missing her.
Frank chuckled and then said, “I just can’t imagine that. I mean my Momma could talk but it was my Dad who disciplined all the kids. Momma would just write down what us kids did and then my dad would whoop our asses when he got home from work.”
They both chuckled.
“My Mom ran our house with an iron fist,” Patton said. “My dad would take me and my brother and my sister out of the house just to get a breath of fresh air.”
Patton turned serious and asked, “So did you?”
Frank looked at him, confused.
“Do what?”
“Help your family?”
Frank reclined again, swirling what was left in his whiskey glass.
“I helped who could be helped. My brother was a heroin addict so I couldn’t do much for him. One of my sisters got pregnant when she was 14.”
Patton grimaced and let out a loud breath.
“Yeah, I’m glad the old man was gone by then,” Frank said. “He woulda killed that girl. Anyway, I helped some of my brothers and sisters through school. Helped another brother buy the old shop where Dad worked. His son is running it now,” Frank said, with a satisfied look on his face.
“That’s great, man,” Patton said, impressed with his friend’s generosity.
“What about you?” Frank asked him.
Without turning to look at his friend, Patton said, “My brother is a lawyer and my sister is an accountant for a big firm. They didn’t need much help from me. Anyway, I made a lot of money, but after I lost my family …”
Frank smiled sympathetically, understanding what Patton was trying to say. He pointed to the house where Jennifer was inside and said, “Now you have a reason to keep going.”
“I almost didn’t make it,” Patton said, his voice betraying a bit of emotion.
“To here?”
Patton nodded, but Frank knew there was more to it.
“After the accident I went into the hospital and they had me drugged up. I don’t even remember the funeral. After a while they let me out but I wasn’t getting better. Drinking. Painkillers. Nothing worked. Anyway, I didn’t need to work because I already had enough money. Maybe that’s what my problem was—I had nothing to look forward to every day.”
Frank nodded, silently encouraging his friend to keep going.
“One day I was going through my shop and I found this gun I’d made. It was all made of composite plastic, you know, that really hard stuff. Anyway I guess I got the crazy idea to try out my invention—to see if my life’s work had been worth it. And I was about to do it when my little nephew called.”
“Right then?” Frank asked, almost disbelieving. Patton nodded and gave Frank a funny little laugh.
“It got me distracted. I love that little kid. He’s always so happy. He was calling me because it was his cousin’s birthday and he wanted to tell me he loved me and was sorry,” Patton said, tears running down his cheeks now. “I held that gun in my hand the whole time I talked to him, but eventually my grip was getting lighter and lighter. By the end of the conversation it was on the table by a lamp.”
“Then what?” Frank asked, riveted.
“I got into my car and drove down to the mental ward of the hospital and checked myself in. I was in there for a while and when I got out, I wasn’t completely better, but good enough to go on.”
“Well Buddy, I’m glad that you did,” Frank said, turning his attention to the night sky again.
They fell silent for a long while, taking in the beauty before them. Patton was the one to break the silence.
“I’m drunk.”
They looked at each other and laughed.
She wanted to grab his hair and scratch out his eyes. He sounded like one of those whiny little crybabies she’d gone to high school with.
“Charlie, you’re making too big a deal out of th
is,” Anna said, trying hard to remain calm. He was pacing around wildly, his hair disheveled. He was so angry he didn’t respond to her.
“So what if they didn’t get him,” she said. “This Larsen guy is just one person. There’s nothing he can do to stop us.”
He stopped pacing and looked at her, shaking his head in disagreement.
“He’s just one person, but he’s convincing. You saw that. He’ll fight us tooth and nail on this.”
She rolled her eyes, not caring if he noticed.
“Charlie, you’re not looking at the big picture here. People want a government. They don’t know how to live without the structure. They’re scared. They’re like children.”
Their argument continued for another half hour. Neither of them budged from their original position so she asked him to leave. They should sleep it off and start again in the morning. What she didn’t tell him she had a date with David.
“We need to do something,” Charlie said as he opened the door to leave.
“Charlie, I’m done with this for right now. Go home. Have a smoke. Have a drink.” Then, placing her slender hand on his forearm she said, “the wheels are already in motion. There’s nothing these people can do anymore.”
“I hope you’re right,” he said, turning and slinking away towards his car.
She wanted to slam the door to show her displeasure, but she decided against it. She still needed him, even if he was showing himself to be a liability.
Hours later Anna was propped up on her elbow, gazing affectionately at the man in her bed. It was the longest he’d ever stayed, she realized. Usually, once they were done, David was up and dressed and out of her apartment before she could even say goodbye. Maybe he was tired tonight, she thought. Or maybe he had something on his mind.
He was acting differently towards her. He was much more passionate and much more intimate. He didn’t sneer at her when she got sentimental. He returned her hugs and kisses now, and he was much gentler with her in bed. He was asleep now, but she had no doubt he would wake up at some point, get dressed, and leave her. For now, though, she would take in the sight of him.
He’s perfect, she thought. Not just in a physical or sexual sense, although he was that. For her and Charlie’s plans to work, they needed someone like him. He was smart enough, articulate, and most of all – and this was the most important – he was ambitious. Blind ambition, Anna knew, led to reliance upon others. She hadn’t sprung the plan on him yet, but she knew he’d go for it.
Looking at him again, she decided to let him in on her and Charlie’s plan.
David Asher woke two hours later. Anna’s slender leg was wrapped around his waist, but he carefully extricated himself. It was symbolic in a way—her leg wrapped around him like that. Some nights when she called or texted him he wanted to ignore her. It was getting harder and harder to pull away from her. She was becoming more and more needy.
Not that he didn’t have feelings for her. He just wasn’t the type to get involved past, well, where he was now. No doubt Anna was beautiful. He hadn’t met her match in the few months he’d been in Blue Creek. She was missing something, though. Something he couldn’t identify or explain. She seemed to have it all going for her. Looks, brains, and passion. He’d dated less attractive women who were much more complete—much more confident in who they were.
David dressed in the dark. He was careful to not let his belt buckle rattle or to drop one of his shoes on the hardwood floor. He didn’t want to wake her and break away from her again. He pulled on his shirt, found his keys and wallet, and quietly exited the bedroom.
The night was warm. A cool breeze brushed across his face. The neighbor’s sprinklers were running, he could hear. David did a full body stretch and he stifled a yawn. He felt relaxed, and not just because he’d just engaged in that most relaxing activity. No, he felt at home in this place, as strange as that seemed to him. He’d dreaded coming to this part of the country, with all the conservatives and Mormons and all their traditional ways of living. He found that many of his fellow citizens were much like him. After all, the town was a small version of the country.
David’s reverie was broken as he approached his car. A slip of paper was lodged under his wiper blade. None of the other cars were similarly decorated so it couldn’t have been some small business person soliciting. He approached the car warily and pulled the paper free. It was a small note, folded in half. The handwriting was messy but legible. It read:
Text me at 435-725-3387. I have something important to tell you.
David looked around him. No one else was awake at this hour, at least as far as he could tell. He opened his car door and scanned the area again. Maybe the person who’d left the note was watching to make sure he got it and read it.
The cryptic note made it difficult for him to sleep. David woke at his usual 8 AM and removed the note from his wallet. He dialed the number and entered the message.
Who are you and what do you want?
David waited for a response, but there was nothing right away. A half hour passed and he didn’t hear the notifying chime. He busied himself to pass the time. He cooked and ate breakfast, showered, got dressed, and tidied up his bedroom. Finally, nearly two hours after sending the original message, he got a response.
I’ll tell you in person. Meet me at Micah’s Sports Bar at noon.
I may not meet in person if you don’t tell me who you are and what you want.
Suit yourself.
David sent the message and waited for a response. Ten minutes passed and nothing. He finally relented.
Okay, I’ll meet you at noon. How will I know it’s you?
Don’t worry, I know what you look like. Sit in a booth and I’ll find you.
The scenario was starting to resemble a bad spy movie. Still, David drove to the spot, making sure to get there early. He watched traffic but couldn’t see anyone watching him in his car. He went inside and picked a booth.
The place was nice and dark. A few TVs were on, playing different sports channels. A trio of attractive waitresses milled around, taking orders and bringing food. David ordered a Heineken and waited. It was ten minutes past noon. At a quarter past noon, a tall, athletic looking man slid onto the bench opposite him. He had long hair and looked like he hadn’t shaved in a few days. The newcomer settled in. The two eyed each other warily. The server returned with another Heineken for David. Travis Snedley ordered one for himself. She left and they continued to look at one another uneasily.
“Okay, so I’m here,” David said, waiting for his counterpart to tell him why he was summoned.
“You know Anna.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes, how do you know that and who the hell are you?”
“Travis, but that’s not important. Some things are happening and you’re about to get involved. I just thought you might want to know before it’s sprung on you.”
David stared at him, trying not to betray the nerves he was feeling. He looked away, chugging the rest of his beer. He waited for Travis to continue but he didn’t. He just sat there silently.
“Why would I get involved with something?”
“Because you’re involved with Anna Radinski and she’s involved.”
David nodded, but was still confused.
“What so important then? Does she want me to sell Kirby vacuums with her or something?”
Travis chuckled and fiddled with the label on his beer bottle. He inhaled deeply and let the air out slowly, almost casually.
“She’s involved with this guy named Charlie Henry. The two of them have started this committee that wants to start a government here in your little town.”
“My little town? Seems to me that it’s your town too.”
Travis shook his head, still playing with the label.
“Technically, I shouldn’t even be here. I was brought her
e to make this whole thing happen.” He looked at David to gauge his response. “Charlie brought me here to … make things happen. You know, make people want a government. Make them feel unsafe.”
The ramifications of that statement slowly fell upon David Asher’s understanding. He sat back, seemingly pushed back by the weight of what he’d just been told. The fire on the 4th of July. The beatings, the robberies, the murder of the family. David looked wide-eyed at Travis.
“I guess it all makes sense now,” David said dumbly.
Travis just nodded.
“So what do they want with me?” David asked, trying to regain his confidence after the startling news.
Travis leaned in closer, his elbows resting on the table. David subconsciously did the same.
“They want you to be their puppet. They’ll put you up as the leader, but they’ll be making all the decisions behind the scenes. Anna has been telling Charlie all about you. You’re handsome, you’re articulate, you’re charming. She says you’re perfect to be—”
“—their puppet,” David finished. He nodded and sat back, trying to process this new information.
“I just wanted you to know,” Travis said with a mirthless smile. “Charlie plays for keeps. If they told you everything and you didn’t go along, I’m not sure what he would do. It’s all a big secret right now. If it were to get out … who knows what would happen. Anyway, Charlie’s not willing to take that chance.”
The implication was clear. If David was let in on the secret and he didn’t go along, he and Travis might be meeting again, under very different circumstances.
“So why tell me?”
“Because Charlie is insane. He’s going too far and there’s no talking him out of his ideas. Let’s just say that I’m contractually obligated to do what he says. If he wants me to shut someone up, well, I have to do it.”
David nodded and swallowed hard. This was unnerving news. Not that he was afraid of Travis – he was confident he could hold his own – he just felt that his new world was crashing down around him. Sure, he’d had similar feelings—he wanted to bring about changes that matched his own beliefs about how things should be run. But to kill people to bring it about? He’d never considered such a thing. David shook his head in wonder at the sheer audacity of the plan.
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