Slideways

by Jeffrey Grode

  The hostess at Pizza Shack shook her head at Ben. No luck. Neither Donato’s Pizzeria nor House of Za could help him with his search. He jogged three blocks north to the Foodland grocery store, but didn’t see a red Mustang in the lot.

  Ben sweated as he hurried inside the crowded grocery store and spoke to the office manager. The man said he’d once coached Jack in peewee football, but had no idea where he worked. Ben thanked him, left the grocery store, and rechecked his list. Pizza Fest and Moonlight Pies came next. Tired and hungry, he started to doubt his plan.

  Hurrying across Raspberry Street, he turned left onto Brown Avenue and slowed to a walk. A young couple holding hands walked fifteen feet ahead of him in the same direction. He couldn’t see their faces, but the red headed man was tall, muscular, and strode as if he owned the sidewalk. His cocky strut reminded Ben of Brandon back home. The young woman wore a brimmed hat and purple dress.

  Ben slowed so he could follow at a distance. Could it be Brandon’s doppelganger? Was he with Lori? His heart sped up. When he saw the young woman carried a wrapped present under her arm, he smiled.

  The couple slowed near the end of the block, and stopped in front of a green Commonwealth ATM. The man released her hand, faced the ATM, and raised his tattooed wrist to a camera scanner.

  Brandon! Ben almost called to him, but kept his lips clamped tight. As he passed them, he glanced at the woman’s face. Trudy? This Brandon didn’t have a mustache, but otherwise looked the same as his Earthly counterpart. Trudy appeared more ladylike than his friend back home, but with clever eyes that darted at him and away.

  Ben crossed the street, sat on a bus stop bench, and watched the couple. He hoped he’d avoided the ATM camera in case CSD checked video.

  Brandon leaned into the ATM for an ocular scan, made a withdrawal, and pocketed the cash. The couple continued up the street hand-in-hand. Trudy glanced at Ben briefly, but kept walking.

  Ben followed from a distance.

  Three blocks later, Ben spotted a red sports car in a parking lot behind a restaurant. Though the car wasn’t the same model as Jack’s Mustang on Earth, he hoped he drew closer to finding Jack’s doppelganger. The lot sign read: Parking for Moonlight Pies’ patrons only. Please use the restaurant entrance on Sycamore Street.

  His heartbeat quickened.

  Brandon and Trudy walked ahead and turned right on Sycamore.

  Ben hurried up the sidewalk and around the corner.

  Brandon blocked his way.

  Trudy stood behind Brandon with her arms crossed. “That’s him.”

  Ben froze and gaped at the couple.

  Brandon grabbed Ben’s shirt below the collar and slammed him into the brown brick building. He held Ben with his left hand and made a fist with his right. “Are you following us?”

  Ben’s breath fled his body.

  “You’ve been dogging us since the ATM.” Trudy said. Her eyes opened wide then narrowed as if she confronted a poisonous snake.

  “You want to rob me?” Brandon shook his fist. “I should kick your fuckin’ ass!”

  Ben took a quick breath. “No, I don’t want your money. I just thought . . . you might be Jack’s friends.” He glanced down at his shoes.

  “Jack?” Brandon let go of him and stood back. “What do you want with him?”

  “I’ve been searching for him and wanted to wish him a happy birthday. I saw her gift and figured . . .”

  “Oh.” Brandon made a sour face toward Trudy.

  “I’m sorry.” She uncrossed her arms. “You scared me a little, and I–.”

  “Who are you?” Brandon demanded.

  “I’m Jack’s . . . cousin, Charlie. Just arrived from Carmichael.”

  “How do I know you’re not lying?”

  Ben winced and removed his sunglasses.

  “Ring-a-ding-ding!” Brandon pointed at him. “You look like Jack, or more like Ben.” Pain showed in Brandon’s eyes. “Sorry, I didn’t know. I’m Brandon and this is Gertrude.”

  Trudy cuffed the back of Brandon’s head lightly.

  Brandon smirked. “She prefers ‘Gertie’, but everyone calls her ‘Trudy’,” he said as he smoothed his hair back in place with his left hand.

  “Nice to meet you both.” Ben shook their hands. Brandon had a strong grip as expected, and Trudy’s felt surprisingly soft and gentle. My Trudy would have tugged my arm.

  “Jack’s inside.” Brandon nodded toward the brick building. “He’s working tonight so we came to see him.” Brandon placed his hand on Ben’s shoulder. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

  “I’m fine. Thanks.” Ben rolled his shoulders.

  “Join us.” Brandon pointed to the restaurant entrance ten yards further on the right. “We can talk inside.”

  As Ben followed them, Brandon and Trudy held hands as if it was second nature and shared kind smiles with each other.

  Ben felt happy for them and drafted in the wake of their good vibe. Despite his worries, he felt like he’d found some friends and his way to Jack.

  The front door to Moonlight Pies had a smiling man-in-the-moon face with two luminescent pepperoni eyes. Ben held the door open for Brandon and Trudy, but his eyes darted inside.

  “Thanks, Charlie,” Trudy said.

  “You’re welcome.” Ben smiled back.

  As they entered, Trudy waved and hurried toward a large table filled with a couple dozen friends.

  “C’mon.” Brandon patted Ben’s back. “Sit next to me.”

  Ben smiled then shivered. The room crawled with people who might recognize him. He donned his shades. So much for being low profile.

  Ben clenched and unclenched his fingers. He remembered a line from a King Lear literature assignment - that way lies madness. Wary or not, he was drawn to the table. He’d come a long way to see his brother and wouldn’t falter now.

  Scanning the room, he saw people he recognized, but Jack wasn’t among them. Neither were Patsy, Johnnie, and GranPat. He let himself breathe.

  Brandon stood near Trudy’s seat and motioned him over. “Hey, everyone, this is Charlie.”

  People turned toward him. “Hey, Charlie,” a few replied, while others nodded went back to their conversations.

  Ben sat down between Brandon and an empty chair on his right. To his far left, Lori engaged Trudy in conversation. As always, Lori looked beautiful, maybe even glamorous. This Lori wore makeup, unlike her Earth counterpart. Ben sat up straighter with his shoulders back and nudged Brandon. “The girl next to Trudy . . .”

  Brandon grinned. “That’s Lori. Sorry, Dude, she’s taken. You have good taste though.”

  “Too bad.” He sank into his chair. Of course she is. She’d have a boyfriend in any universe. Just not me. His eyes found her face once more.

  Lori noticed his attention and narrowed her eyes.

  Trudy saw Lori’s face change. She glanced back at him, then leaned toward Lori and whispered.

  Ben felt something brush against his right shoulder as someone sat in the empty seat on his right. The scent of apricots filled his nose. He turned his head toward the newcomer.

  Ruth smiled at him. “And who might you be?”

  Chapter 17

  Patty Fuller grew more concerned about her missing son and father. Where on Earth were they? She’d tried her father’s cell, Ben’s cell, and the Carmichael house phone. She’d left messages, but no one answered or returned her calls. Worse, the doctor’s office in Carmichael said Dad never showed for his 10:30 appointment.

  A sharp pain radiated from her jaw to her temple. If her abscessed molar wasn’t treated soon, necrotic tissue might cause a serious brain infection. The dead tooth already felt like it was crawling out through her ear.

  She found her husband waiting for her when she came home. Between work, her tooth, Ben, and Dad, she felt deep fried and frazzled. Lori stopped by the house at 5:00 looking for Ben because he hadn’t answering his phone or her texts. John told her what they knew, but Lori asked them to call her w
hen they heard something.

  John promised to visit Carmichael first thing in the morning and check on them. In the meantime, his cousin, Louis Dauphine, a sheriff’s deputy in Carmichael, offered to roll by Dad’s house tonight and check on them.

  Had she been too hard on Ben? She regretted slapping his face. She hurt enough for everyone.

  Patty went upstairs to Ben’s room, closed the door, and knelt next to the bed. Please, Lord, help me be a better mother, and keep my loved ones safe.

  Patrick learned about his shadow daughter on Terra. Patsy had survived tremendous grief after losing Ben in a car accident and her husband to Lucy Dandridge. She worked full time as an accountant. Though John helped pay for Jack’s expenses, Patsy made it clear to everyone it was never enough. She had a hair trigger related to anything Johnnie, which he understood.

  Patrick had discovered she and Betsy were not particularly close. Patsy seemed insulated, defensive, but ready to sally from her fortress to protect her interests. One thing was certain. She loved Jack and would do anything for him.

  Patsy seemed to relax a bit more around Patrick, if not trust him. What was her relationship with Albert? He didn’t know to what degree his doppelganger had been responsible for her state of mind. Patrick had enjoyed his conversations with Albert through the portal, and though the man had a brilliant mind, he could often be condescending and dismissive.

  Patrick hoped he could win over this version of his daughter. He wanted her to be happy, but at this point he’d settle for cooperative. She held the key to Albert’s deposit box and his chance for going home. If the portal watch lay inside, he could return to Earth and continue his work. After meeting Miss Betsy, all things seemed possible, including finding his late wife.

  Sitting at the kitchen, Patrick and Patsy quietly consumed their individual microwaved chicken and vegetable dinners. He scooped out the last of his pea and carrot medley and cleared his throat. “I’ll need to take care of a few things in town tomorrow.”

  She lifted her eyes. “You have business here?”

  “Actually, I want to check on me safe deposit box.”

  “Okay.” Patsy knit her brows together.

  “Unfortunately, I left me key in Carmichael. I’m goin’ to need the spare key I left here with you.”

  “Oh, the spare. I do remember something about a key.” She placed her hand on her chin and her eyes moved up to the right. “Now where did I put that? Maybe in the desk with Jack’s fall tuition bills.” Her green eyes met his and waited.

  He nodded slowly. “Please have a look. I want to visit the bank first thing in the mornin’.” He rolled his shoulders and stretched his back. “It’s been a while, but there may be somethin’ helpful in there for both of us.”

  Patsy stood, gathered the disposable food containers, and dropped them into the trash. “Good. I’ll go with you and take a look. Should anything happen to you or Mom, I’ll need to help with your estate. Let’s meet at the bank tomorrow at 12:30. It’s right across from my office.”

  Patrick frowned. “Patsy, there’s really no need for you to go. I’m just takin’ a look.”

  “No problem. I want to help.” Her smile stretched her taut face. “I’ll have the key when we meet.”

  Patrick stood, walked to the sink, and washed his hands. “Ok, fine. Meet you there at 12:30 tomorrow.” He hoped to find what he needed, before his façade crumbled. His life hung in the balance.

  Chapter 18

  Ben’s eyes opened wide as Terra’s Ruth sat next to him inside Moonlight Pies. No mega-death Goth makeup here. She appeared every bit the shut-up, shut-down vixen supermodel. Her hair flashed blonder, eyes bluer, and lips painted red. She wore diamond and sapphire earrings shaped like tiny blue hearts.

  “Hello,” she said, “I’m Ruth.” Her smile seemed more genuine than the smirk he’d expect from Rouge back home.

  “Hi.” Ben extending his hand. “I’m Charlie. Nice to meet you.” And it was.

  “Do you always wear sunglasses indoors?” Her head tilted back as she tried to peer over the rims.

  Be careful. “No. Just trying to keep a low profile.”

  “Why. Are you some kind of spy?” Ruth’s her hair flowed from side to side as she giggled.

  He leaned closer. “Yes,” he whispered. “I came from another world to see if your pizza was worth the trip.” Her perfume proved intoxicating.

  She put her hand on his shoulder. “Well.” She smiled. “I think you’ll be pleased.”

  Ben’s body reacted. “You may be right.”

  “Are you a friend of Jack’s from school? I don’t remember meeting you before.”

  “Cousin. From out of town.”

  Ruth smiled. “He’ll be glad to see you.”

  “I hope so.” His shoulders tensed. He didn’t know how Jack might react to meeting his dead brother. Hi. Just popped back for your party. What’s new? Ben frowned. Better to meet Jack one-on-one in private.

  The lights dimmed. Ben scanned the restaurant and saw most tables were full. A DJ set up his equipment in the corner with a banner- DJ Donner. The DJ, a stocky man in his early thirties, dressed in a shiny black shirt and black jeans. His wide shoulders made him look as if he’d once played football.

  Near the DJ, three businessmen in suits sat in a window booth. Shadow obscured their faces, but the tallest one’s head reminded him of the bald CSD agent who’d shot at him through the portal. Ben fidgeted in his chair and turned back toward the kitchen door. His heart beat a warning in his chest. Don’t freak, Benzo.

  The waitresses brought an assortment of pizza and glass bottles of water and soda. The pizzas included pepperoni, pep and mushroom, plain cheese, vegetable, and chicken with something mushy and brown. He stared at the chicken pizza closest to him. Looks like poop.

  Ruth reached over and swiped a slice.

  Ben sniffed. “What is that?”

  “My fave. Chicken and deep fried plantains,” Ruth whispered to him. “Keep that pizza in front of us. I’ll need a second slice.”

  “Plantains?” Ben frowned.

  “What? No plantains on your world?” Ruth nibbled a fried glob, but careful not to smear her lipstick.

  “Yea, they look like big green bananas. But on pizza?”

  Ruth took a slice and set it on his plate. “Charlie, I guarantee you’ll like it on your first bite, or I’ll make it up to you later.” Her eyes twinkled.

  Ben blinked and reached for a slice. Sweet and delicious. He winked at Ruth and hoped the brown goo didn’t ooze out between his teeth.

  “Told ya.” She smiled.

  Ben finished his first bite. “In my world, we eat pizza with chicken and pineapple.”

  “Pineapple?” Ruth grimaced. “That’s messed up.”

  The music started and sounded bluesy and jazzy at the same time. He didn’t recognize the song, but others smiled and swayed as if it was a local favorite.

  Brandon turned to Ben. “Doing okay, Charlie?”

  “Yeah, but I think I might head out soon.” He glanced toward the kitchen and started to get out of his chair. I need to find Jack.

  “Wait,” Brandon said, as he pulled Ben back down by the shoulder. “I think Ruth likes you,” he whispered. “Besides, you’ve got to see Jack. He’ll be out any minute. Sit tight.”

  “Okay.” Ben rolled his eyes. He didn’t want to wait any longer. Thirsty, he grabbed a bottle bearing a picture of winged female wearing a dark red dress. The sweet and bubbly Pixie-Cola tasted like cherries and chocolate.

  He finished the bottle, set it down, and drummed his fingers on the table. Where was Jack’s family? He’d expected to see Patsy, Johnnie, or even GranPat, but he couldn’t wait any longer. It’s go time.

  Ben rose from the table and took three steps toward the kitchen, felt a cramp in his abdomen, and stopped. Looking over his shoulder, he spotted the restrooms in the far back corner. As he turned toward the back, the DJ introduced himself.

  “Welcome everybody
to Moonlight Pies, where the pizza is straight from heaven, and the sounds will take you to paradise. I want to give a shout-out to my buddy, Jack, who’s eighteen today, and all his buds at the big table!”

  As Ben neared the men’s room door, everyone at his table started to clap and shout. “Jack! Jack! Jack!” Ben stopped to watch from the corner of the room.

  The DJ played Happy Birthday and the place lit up. Jack strode out of the kitchen wearing a white cap and his kitchen apron. He smiled with both arms raised and waved like a presidential candidate who’d just won the election. This Jack, a little older than Ben remembered, carried himself with the same natural smile and bravado. That’s my brother.

  DJ Donner followed with Van Halen’s When Love Walks In. Jack circled the table shaking hands and hugging guests. When he reached Lori, she threw her arms around him and kissed him for ten seconds.

  Ben froze. She was . . . Jack’s girlfriend? How, when, did that happen? As much as he felt happy to see Jack again, he felt as if he’d lost another chance with Lori. He’d always wanted to be more than just her friend, but he was just . . . sad.

  Sighing, he hurried into the men’s room. It was empty. He caught his reflection in the mirror and took off his shades. I look pitiful. He washed his hands and face with soap and water, put his glasses back on, and chose the far urinal.

  The restroom door squeaked open and someone occupied the porcelain fixture next to his. Using his peripheral vision, he noticed the tall man trying to check out his junk over the small privacy divider. Why was this guy so rude? Ben kept his eyes front, finished as fast as he could, and went to the sink to wash.

  “Hello, Ben.”

  Ben lifted his head, looked in the mirror, and saw the bald CSD agent standing right behind him. Shit-Fuck. He jerked his body around with his back against the sink. The agent held a Taser pointed at Ben’s chest. He stared at the weapon unable to move.