Time for further research on Larry. Was it possible that Larry and Cynthia grew up in the same town? She remembered Greg saying Cynthia’s mom, Beverly, had recently moved in with her daughter. He hoped it would work with the three of them living in the same house. Beverly had moved from Marshall.
She called Greg’s cell. “Hey, Greg. Did Cynthia grow up in Marshall?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“What’s her maiden name?”
“Sonora.”
“Thanks.”
“Wait. Why are you asking this stuff?”
“Just a hunch. I’ll tell you later. Bye.”
She googled ‘Cynthia Sonora Marshall Texas’ and all she got was the wedding announcement in the Marshall News Messenger. So, she decided to search the paper’s archives.
She got several hits having to do with Cynthia’s work at the bank and one announcing the marriage to her first husband. Then she spotted a very old article featuring the high school cheerleading squad. Cute picture, she thought. Wonder if Greg’s seen this?
Rebecca searched the archives for ‘Larry Luzor,’ and was shocked by what she found. Larry was the hero of a big football game. The clock had run out when he made the game-winning catch in the end zone.
Unbelievable, thought Rebecca. He didn’t seem like the type. She read further.
This reporter has never witnessed a luckier catch. Larry Luzor, who had previously seen virtually no playing time this year, was wide open in the end zone. Yet the quarterback hesitated to pass him the ball. But just as he was about to be sacked, he fired the ball to Larry, who inexplicably bowed his head at the last second, causing the ball to hit his helmet and ricochet into the air.
When the football came down, Larry fumbled around with it for a second before he tripped and fell down. Honestly, I don’t think he ever had possession. But the ref called it good, and now the locals are calling Larry a hero.
I prefer to call him ‘Lucky Larry.’
Rebecca grabbed her laptop, hurried to the car, and drove away. She called Greg’s cell. “I’m coming to pick y’all up.”
“Why? What did you find out?”
“They went to the same high school.”
“Who?”
“Cynthia and Larry.”
“You’re kidding. He grew up in Marshall?”
“Yeah, and I’m pretty sure that’s where they’re headed right now.”
“Why do you think that?”
“See the headlights coming toward you? That’s me. I’ll explain on the way.”
**********
“Very sexy. But it still doesn’t look like a cheerleader’s outfit,” said Larry. “We need some kind of little skirt to go over it.”
Larry looked around for assistance. “This Wal-Mart needs to hire more people.”
“It’s two o’clock in the morning,” said Cynthia. She was glad nobody else was there to see her standing in the aisle, modeling the skimpy ensemble he had put together.
He rummaged through the racks. “Here’s something.” He held out a mini-skirt. “Try it on.”
She started to walk toward the dressing room.
“No. Just put it on right here.”
Cynthia pulled the short skirt up under the longer one she was wearing.
He lifted the outer skirt to take a peek. “Perfect. Now go change so we can get out of here.”
Larry picked up the heavy duty work flashlights and batteries he had already selected. Finally, he would get to enjoy the special night he had always dreamed of.
**********
Crow should have been sleepy. He was an ‘early to bed, early to rise’ kind of guy. In the grocery business, you had to be. But he couldn’t stop looking at her face. He was sitting on Chaucey’s couch. She was lying across it, wrapped in the afghan, with her head resting in his lap.
In the one year Crow had known her, she had become so important to him. Oxygen, water, food, and Chaucey—in that order. And the first three wouldn’t matter if he ever lost the fourth.
He wanted to bend down and kiss her, but he couldn’t. It would not be right to take advantage of her while she was sleeping, he thought. So, he would just go on admiring her pretty face. Occasionally he glanced at the rest of her body. But he would not ogle her.
He wished he could track down Barry Undermine and teach him a lesson he’d never forget.
His eyes made another quick pass from her head to her toes and back, but this time he lingered a little too long at the lovely twin bumps.
“Hey there,” said Chaucey in a soft, hoarse voice.
“Hi.” His face turned bright red.
She smiled. “What time is it?”
He checked his watch. “2:20.”
“Aren’t you sleepy?”
“No, not really.”
She sat up. “Well, you need to go to bed. Don’t you have to get up early for work?”
“No. I’m off tomorrow.”
“Well, you still need to get some sleep. So, go on home. I’m fine now.”
“Okay.” He got up and walked to the door. “Aren’t you worried about this?”
Her door had suffered major damage when he had knocked it down earlier. There was no way to reattach it to the door frame—much less lock it.
“Well…”
“Come over and sleep in my bed. I’ll sleep on the couch. I don’t want you staying here with no door.”
Chaucey thought about it for a second. “Thanks. I’ll do that.”
“And don’t worry—I won’t bother you.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “I know.” She put her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
It was the first time he’d ever felt that she fully understood how much he cared for her.
**********
It was nearly 4:00 AM on Monday morning, and they were thirty miles from Marshall. Larry had taken Highway 59 all the way from Sugar Land.
Good, he thought. There was enough nighttime remaining for the reenactment. The memories were so clear.
Cynthia was on the sideline in her cheerleader suit, jumping around with the other girls on the red gravel running track. Her little skirt flipped up every time she jumped. Her legs and arms glistened with sweet perspiration in the bright lights.
Longview’s defense foolishly ignored Larry, allowing him to run right past them. He was wide open, in the center of the end zone. The home crowd held their breath as the quarterback released the ball just before being tackled. And, in a moment of glory that would be remembered by Marshallites forever, Lawrence Igby Luzor caught the pass and won the game!
The bleachers erupted in cheers, whistles, and screams. The mass of people flowed out onto the field like hot lava. Larry was surrounded by his new fans.
It was an amazing night. And it had been perfect—almost. Now he would replay that night with his own alternate ending.
As soon as he made the winning catch, everybody in the stands would cheer, but stay in their places. Cynthia would run out to him with a big smile on her face and jump into his arms. He would throw off his helmet and give her a long, wet kiss. Then she would lie down on the grass, flip up her skirt and wink at him.
The 9,000 people in attendance would continue to whistle and cheer as he and Cynthia rocked and rolled all over the field. Then Cynthia would jump up and proclaim him the greatest lover in the world.
He had now accepted the reality that he could never make Cynthia love him. But he could make her pretend to love him at least once. At least tonight.
Chapter27
Cynthia changed clothes in the car while Larry stood a few yards away. She was surprised he hadn’t insisted on watching.
He pointed one of the heavy duty flashlights toward her as she got out of the Jaguar.
“Very nice,” he said.
“What are we doing here, Larry?”
“We’re going to relive the night of the game.”
Yes, thegame, she thought. It was the onlymemorable football game for Larry
.
He led her down the running track to the ten-yard line.
“Okay, you’ll be right here doing your cheers.” Larry dug the back end of the heavy duty flashlight into the ground until the beam was directed at her.
“It’s been 12 years since high school. I don’t remember any of the cheers.”
“I don’t believe you, but I figured you’d say that. So, I brought this.”
He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and unfolded it. “Here you go.”
She read over the two cheers.
Cheer No. 1:
Okay, let’s go. (clap hands & stomp feet)
Okay, let’s go. (clap hands & stomp feet)
We are the Mavericks
We’re in control. (clap hands & stomp feet)
Okay, let’s go. (clap hands & stomp feet)
Okay, let’s go. (clap hands & stomp feet)
The mighty Marshall Mavericks
Will put on a show. (clap hands & stomp feet)
Gooooooooooooo Mavs! (stomp feet like crazy)
Cheer No. 2:
We’re gonna crank you,
We’re gonna spank you.
Look out now, (clap, clap)
Look out now. (clap, clap)
We’re gonna flip you,
We’re gonna rip you.
Look out now, (clap, clap)
Look out now. (clap, clap)
(clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)
When your head is getting’ starry
You’ll be thinkin’ that you’re sorry
That you e- (clap) ven (clap) came. (clap, clap, clap)
You’ll be runnin’ home to mommie,
Go to bed in your pajamies to forget (clap) this (clap) game.
(clap, clap, clap)
“We never did this second one,” she said.
“I wrote that one myself. So, I’ll be on the field, and after you’ve done the two cheers I will reenact the famous catch that won the game.”
He’s completely lost it, thought Cynthia.
“Then my fans will go crazy in the stands. And you’ll run out on the field and jump into my arms and kiss me. Then you’ll get down on the ground and invite me to have sex with you.”
“What? No, I won’t.”
“And we’ll do it over and over again—until I’m worn out.”
“I’m not doing that.”
Larry reached into his pocket and pulled out the watch bomb remote. “When the time comes, I’m sure you’ll do the right thing.”
Cynthia started doing the first cheer. Greg, where are you? Please come save me. But nobody could possibly figure out that Larry would bring her to Marshall, to Mav Stadium at 4:30 in the morning. There would be no one to save her. She was on her own.
She could either keep her left hand intact by having sex with him or she could try to escape and probably lose her hand. Could she run fast enough to get away from him? She was a very good runner, so she doubted he could catch her. But if he pushed that little red button and blew off her hand she might bleed to death.
What would she do when the moment of truth would arrived? She decided she’d rather give up her body to the angel of death than to let Larry have it.
**********
Greg and company had stopped by the LaQuinta in The Woodlands to pick up Sandy’s car. They had traveled to Marshall at high speed, making only one quick pit stop.
When Greg turned north onto Maverick Drive, he got the jitters. What if they had been wrong, and Larry and Cynthia were still back in The Woodlands? But then he turned into the stadium parking lot and saw the Jaguar.
He killed his headlights and Sandy followed suit. Greg prayed Larry wouldn’t hear their cars—they needed to make a surprise attack. There was almost no moonlight, but Greg figured the street lights would allow them to see well enough to slip up on Larry.
Greg walked to Sandy’s door and whispered as he pointed, “Why don’t y’all go around that way and I’ll go this way.”
They nodded in agreement.
When Greg turned the corner and saw Cynthia, his heart began to pound. She was near his end of the field, standing in the beam of a propped up flashlight. But why was she wearing that outfit? He saw Larry striding toward her, carrying a flashlight. Greg tiptoed toward them, confident he was hidden in the darkness.
“I told you what you were supposed to do,” said Larry. “This is the part where you run out and kiss me!”
“And I told you—I’m not going to do it,” she said.
Larry pulled out the remote and held it up. “I believe you are.” He dropped his flashlight and grabbed her.
She pushed him away.
“You’re ruining everything,” said Larry.
He lunged at her.
She swiped at the remote, and it flew into the air.
“Oh, you’re gonna regret that.”
Larry turned around, picked up the flashlight and began to search the grass for the remote. Then he thought he heard an animal and raised his flashlight. But it was no animal—it was a man—running straight at him.
Before he could react, Greg tackled him.
“Greg.” Cynthia could not believe her prayers had been answered. “Be careful—he’s dangerous.”
Greg hopped on top of him. He knew nothing about fighting, but that didn’t stop him from delivering three quick punches. But then Larry popped him in the jaw, pushed him off, and jumped to his feet.
Greg hopped up and ran at Larry again.
Larry turned and ran away from him. But then he saw Sandy coming from the other direction. He considered running across the field, but then he saw Rebecca coming toward him. And she looked like she wanted to rip his head off. He was cornered.
So, he ran to the stands, jumped up on the ledge, and climbed over the railing. Greg and Sandy were close behind. He started to go for the exit, but Sandy had it blocked. So, he ran up the stands.
Rebecca stayed with Cynthia. They held the two flashlights, pointing them at Larry.
“You might as well give up,” said Sandy. “There’s nowhere to go.”
Larry ran to the very top and climbed up on the railing.
“That’s gotta be at least a thirty foot drop,” said Sandy.
“Yeah,” said Greg, “don’t be stupid.” Although, Greg kinda wished Larry would be stupid.
Larry climbed over to the back side of the railing. “See you around, Chumps.” He jumped off.
Greg and Sandy ran to the top and looked down.
“Can you see anything?” said Greg.
“Nope. But he’s got to be dead. Or at least have a lot of broken bones.”
Greg yelled down to him. “Hey, are you alive?”
No reply.
They hurried down the stands.
“Did he jump?” said Rebecca.
“Yeah,” said Sandy. “Throw me your flashlight.”
Greg and Sandy took the exit and went behind the stands to investigate the grisly scene.
“No,” said Greg. “Don’t tell me.”
There was a commercial garbage bin sitting directly under where Larry had jumped from. And the lid was open.
“He couldn’t have known it was here,” said Greg. “We knowhe couldn’t see it from up there.”
Cynthia and Rebecca ran around to meet them and found the two men standing in front of the garbage bin, shaking their heads.
“Is he dead?” said Rebecca.
“No,” said Sandy.
They heard an engine start.
“There he goes,” said Greg.
“You’re kidding me,” said Rebecca.
“He really islucky,” said Cynthia.
“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go after him,” said Rebecca.
“You and Sandy can, if you want,” said Greg. He looked at Cynthia.
They ran to each others’ arms.
After a long kiss, Greg said, “Are you okay, Baby?”
“I am now.”
Sandy looked at Rebecca. “What d
o you think? You want to chase him?”
“I guess not. He’s got too much lead time anyway. But, Cynthia, you need to go file a police report.”
“We will,” said Greg. “And let’s go do it right now so we can get out of here—‘cause we’re late for our honeymoon. That is, if you’re still up for it.”
Cynthia had been through quite an ordeal. And if it had been any other kind of trip, she would have cancelled it. But this was their honeymoon, and doggone it, she was not going to let Larry destroy it. “Sure. All I need is a good meal and a shower.” Then she remembered she was still wearing the ridiculous cheer leader outfit. “And a change of clothes.” And a little sleep would be nice, she thought. “Oh—and I need help with this.” She held up her wrist.
Rebecca pointed the flashlight at it. “You need help with your watch?”
“It’s got a bomb in it. At least that’s what Larry said. That thing I knocked out of his hand was the detonator. He told me if he pushed the red button on that remote, or if I tried to take off the watch, my hand would get blown off.”
Rebecca looked more closely. “Probably a fake.”
“I know—but I didn’t want to chance it.”
**********
As Larry drove out of town, he felt invigorated. Things had gone terribly wrong, yet his luck had saved him again. He had truly taken a leap of faith this time, and in doing so, through his belief in the God of Luck, he had become…invincible.
Now, nothingcould stop him from getting what he wanted.
And what he still wanted more than anything…was Cynthia.
Chapter28
It was 6:45 AM when Rebecca’s cell phone rang. She and Sandy were on their way back to Dallas in his car. “Hello?”
“Hey, Rebecca, this is Cynthia.”
“Hi. I’ll put you on speaker so Sandy can hear too. How did it go at the police station?”
“Fine, I guess. The watch bomb was a fake.”
“Yeah, but still, I know you were glad to get that thing off your wrist.”
“Right. So, they took my statement. They didn’t look like they were going to do much about it, but I guess at least now the police will be on the lookout for him.”
Illusion of Luck Page 14