“How are your ears?” Kai asked.
“What’d you say?” Bean pretended to be deaf for a second. Then he jerked his head at Buzzy and Lucas. “They say anything?”
“Won’t even look at me,” Kai said.
Bean smirked. Then he closed one eye and squinted at Kai with the other as if he didn’t have the energy to use both eyes at the same time. “You look different.”
“No wet suit,” Kai said. “First time this summer. Bean, did you sleep last night?”
Bean nodded. “Big mistake.”
“Huh?”
“Went to bed around five thirty. Bad idea. If you’re only going to get two hours’ sleep, sometimes it’s better not to get any at all.”
“What were you doing until five thirty?” Kai asked.
“Just talking.” Before Kai could ask who’d he’d been talking to, Bean gestured at Everett on the beach with the tripod and camcorder. “We going to be in a movie?”
“I think it’s for Lucas and Buzzy,” Kai said.
“Whoa, serious preparation for Fairport.” Bean yawned. “Time to wake up.” A set was coming in and he spun his board around and paddled into it.
An hour of nearly nonstop surfing followed, before they once again found themselves floating together outside, waiting for waves.
“Unbelievable day!” Bean grinned.
“You awake now?” Kai asked.
Bean shook his head. “With surfing this good? No way, I must be dreaming.”
By nine thirty Kai had been in the water for only an hour and a half, but already had more rides than he often got in an entire morning. If every morning of his life could begin like this, things would be pretty good. He was so satisfied he almost didn’t mind going to work. Truth be told, if he’d had a real, honest job, he might not have minded at all.
Bean went in with him.
“You sure you’ve had enough?” Kai asked.
“Strange, huh?” Bean said. “Some days you’re out there in crap waves for six hours, just trying to put together a couple of good rides. Then you get a day like today with so many good rides so fast, you feel completely satisfied in an hour or two.” He covered his mouth with his hand and yawned. “Besides, I think I want to go back to sleep.”
They stopped by Everett and his camcorder.
“S’up?” Kai asked.
“Looks great out there,” Everett said.
“Yeah, how come you’re doing this?” Bean asked.
“Two reasons,” Everett said. “First, this is what I’m into. Second, I’m being paid.”
“No way,” Bean said.
“Buzzy wants Lucas to see what he’s doing and how he can improve, and I’m only too glad to oblige.”
“Well, I hope you get to catch a few waves before it blows out,” Kai said.
“Thanks, dude,” Everett said. “I’ll try.”
Bean and Kai continued up the beach. They stopped by Spazzy’s untouched wet suit and board, and gazed sadly down at them the way soldiers might look at the rifle of a wounded comrade.
“He would have loved it this morning,” Bean said.
“Yeah,” said Kai. “It’s too bad about his sister.”
“Hey,” Bean said, “you never know.”
Thirty-seven
That perfect day came and left, and the ocean went flat after that. Each morning Kai stood on the balcony, searching the liquid horizon for the darker-colored bands of sets, but saw nothing. The few weak waves that did manage to come in broke on the shore. So in the mornings Kai helped Teddy build boards. Gradually she was letting him do more and more work. Now, in addition to the rough planing, she was letting him do some of the laminating and glassing.
Kai spent the rest of each day and evening at T-licious, where Pat was still running the “Don’t see what you’re looking for? Just ask” scam.
“You look at the sketches I did?” Kai asked his father one afternoon when the store was empty.
The Alien Frog Beast looked up from his newspaper. “Not yet. I’ll let you know” He started to look back down, then raised his head as if he’d just remembered something. “Don’t make no plans for tomorrow. I’m gonna need you all day while Sean’s gone.”
“Where’s he going?” Kai asked.
“Don’t matter,” said Pat.
This was definitely strange. Kai wished he didn’t care what his father was up to, but it was impossible to ignore, especially since any new scam could have an unwanted effect on his life. So later, when Pat went out, Kai asked Sean what was going on.
“I don’t know,” Sean said.
“You taking the truck?” Kai asked.
“Yeah. Back to that same place in Brooklyn you and I went to. I guess he figures I don’t need you with me because I been there before.”
“So you’re picking up some stuff?” Kai asked.
Sean nodded. “A lot of stuff.”
This was weird for two reasons. First, there were still lots of shirts and sweatshirts on the racks in the store, and the back room was filled with boxes that had yet to be opened. Why in the world would his father be getting more merchandise now? And second, the Alien Frog Beast would never let Sean take the truck anywhere alone. Not unless something was going on that he really didn’t want Kai to know about.
That evening Kai received his customary five dollars for dinner and walked over to Pete’s Hubba Hubba for a chilicheese dog and fries. He’d just sat down at a table outside when Bean pulled up in the hearse. Bean got out and headed straight for Kai. “Guess who called?”
“Goldilocks?”
“You got it.”
“What’d he say?” Kai asked.
“Wants me to call him back.”
Kai patted the bench beside him. “Have a seat.”
Bean sat. “I don’t like this, Kai. I really don’t. This guy could do a reverse lookup on the Internet, get my name and address.”
“I didn’t think they could do reverse lookups on cell phone numbers,” Kai said.
“If he wants that info, I bet there are ways.”
“Then he’s probably thinking the same thing,” Kai said. “We could get his name and address.”
“Yeah, but we’re not going to do anything,” Bean said.
“We know that, but he doesn’t,” Kai said. “Why don’t we call him and see what’s up?”
“What if he’s got the mushrooms?” Bean asked.
“Let’s just call him and see,” Kai said. “When you get him on the phone, tell him I’m here too.”
Bean took out his cell phone and held it toward Kai. “I have an even better idea. Why don’t you call him?”
“It’s better if you do,” Kai said.
“Why?”
“Because then he can’t put you on the spot,” Kai said. “If he asks a tough question, you say, ‘Wait a minute. I have to ask my friend.’”
“Ah …” Bean nodded and smiled slightly. “Gotcha.” He dialed the cell phone and held it to his ear. “Hey. Yeah, one of the guys you met at the garbage dump. Uh-huh. Yeah. Oh. Well … Okay, hold on, let me tell my friend.” Bean turned to Kai. “He couldn’t get the mushrooms, but he says he can get pharmaceutical mescaline.”
Kai pretended to think about it. “No, I don’t think so.” At the same time he motioned to Bean not to hang up.
“Sorry, I guess we’re not interested,” Bean said. “Yeah, it’s cool. Uh, so …” He frowned at Kai, not knowing what to say next.
“Hey,” Kai said as if he just had an idea. He purposefully spoke loud enough so that Goldilocks could hear over the phone. “Remember in the garbage dump he said he could get all kinds of stuff? Like what did he mean?”
Bean listened to the answer. “Uh-huh, uh-huh. Okay, hold on.” He turned to Kai. “Electronics, sports equipment, stuff like that.”
“Not surfboards,” Kai said.
Bean pressed the phone to his ear. “Oh, really? No way.” He gave Kai a thumbs-up sign. “Hold on. I’ll tell him” He turned t
o Kai. “He’s got some really good used boards, but they’re practically collector’s items, so they’re not cheap.”
“I was looking for something cheap,” Kai said. “I don’t know. Maybe we should look at them anyway. What do you think?”
Bean pressed the phone to his ear. “You hear him? Tonight?” He looked at Kai, who shook his head. “Can’t do it, tonight.”
“Can we just give him a call when we can do it?” Kai asked.
Bean kept the phone to his ear. “Yeah. We’ll call you. Cool. Yeah. You hear about any shrooms, you give us a call, okay? Cool.” He snapped the cell phone closed, then pretended to slap his head. “Shrooms. I can’t believe it.”
“Isn’t it amazing?” Kai asked. “I mean, what do you know? He’s got a bunch of good used boards. Almost collectibles.”
“Yeah.” Bean smirked. “Incredible coincidence. So we tell the cops, right? I mean, that’s a no-brainer.”
Kai straightened up. Bean’s expression quickly changed to one of anguish. “No, Kai, don’t shake your head. Don’t do this to me. We found the guy Now it’s time for the police.”
Kai didn’t move a muscle. He was thinking.
“Listen, dude,” Bean said. “I am serious. This guy’s into drugs, stolen property, who knows what else. This is serious stuff. Let’s not mess around. We go to the police, tell them what we know, then back away, and let them take care of it.”
All Kai said was, “No.”
Thirty-eight
The next day the surf began to pick up, as if somehow it knew that the Fairport contest was only two days away. Sean was gone all day and Kai worked in T-licious. That evening he stopped at Ice Cream after dinner. He no longer had to stand in line. All he had to do was wave through the window at Shauna and wait. Sooner or later she would come out with a vanilla cone covered with Reese’s Pieces.
“I don’t know why I’m so nice to you,” she said as she handed him the cone.
“Neither do I,” Kai said.
Shauna let out a deep sigh. “Well, you should know.”
“Surf’s picking up,” Kai said. “Think you’ll go out in the morning?”
“If I can find Bean,” Shauna said. “My board’s in his car. I’ve been calling all day, but he hasn’t picked up.”
“That’s weird,” Kai said. “He’s always around.”
“I know,” Shauna said. “Usually I don’t even have to call. I just wait until I see the hearse pass the shop. I didn’t see it once today.”
“Maybe we should take a walk down to the funeral home,” Kai said.
“Sure, I could take my break now. Give me a second, okay?” Shauna went back into the shop to take off her apron.
“Hey, you,” someone said.
Kai turned. Jade was standing on the street, wearing a tight, black, low-cut sports top and shorts. Sweat dripped down her forehead. She was wearing running shoes and jogging in place.
“Didn’t know you were a runner,” Kai said.
“I’m just full of surprises.” Her forehead glistened and her cheeks were red. She licked a drop of sweat off her lips and kept bouncing in place. Kai had to concentrate to keep his eyes from wandering. “How about you? You know, it’s been a while. Life isn’t only about work and surf.”
“Sometimes I forget,” Kai said.
“You should come over one night,” Jade said. “I’d be glad to help you remember.”
“Remember what?” Shauna asked as she came out of the shop. She gave Kai and Jade a curious look.
“Uh, Shauna, this is Jade. Jade, Shauna,” Kai said. “Jade works behind the counter at Sun Haven Surf. Shauna works behind the counter at Ice Cream.”
“I guess we have something in common,” Jade said.
“Looks like we might have something else in common too,” Shauna said, staring at Kai.
“Well, uh, it was great to see you, Jade,” Kai said. “Catch you around town, okay?”
“Sure.” Jade darted forward and left a kiss on his cheek, then jogged off.
“So, ready to go to the funeral home?” Kai asked Shauna.
“Too bad it’s not her funeral,” Shauna grumbled.
They started to walk down the sidewalk. “You really have to wonder about her,” Shauna said. “I mean, if I were her I’d be going out with guys my own age or older.”
“Maybe she does,” Kai said.
Shauna gave him a look that said she knew better. A few moments later they got to the L. Balter & Son funeral home. Kai started around the back.
“Where are you going?” Shauna asked.
“His apartment’s back here,” said Kai.
“He lives here?” Shauna asked.
“Yeah, I know,” Kai said. “It’s weird, but he’s got a cool apartment and the rent’s free.”
“It better be,” Shauna said.
Behind the funeral home the space where Bean’s hearse was usually parked was empty. Kai rang the doorbell for Bean’s apartment and waited.
“Doesn’t sound like anyone’s there,” Shauna said.
They went back around to the front. Just as they reached the sidewalk, a tall woman wearing a black pantsuit came out and locked the front door. She had straight black hair. There was no doubt in Kai’s mind that she was Bean’s mother.
“Uh, excuse me?” Kai said.
The woman turned. “Yes?”
“We’re friends of Bean’s,” Kai said. “I’m Kai and this is Shauna.”
The woman smiled politely. It was clear to Kai that she had no idea who they were.
“Anyway, we usually see Bean around during the day,” Kai said. “He’s got Shauna’s surfboard in the back of his car and—”
“Oh, you’re surfing friends?” the woman said.
“Yes,” said Shauna.
The woman’s smile turned a little warmer. “He took the day off. I’m sure he’ll be back later.”
“Any idea where he went?” Kai asked, curious.
“You think he tells me? All he said was that he’d be spending the day with a friend.”
“Okay, thanks,” Kai said. He and Shauna started back down the sidewalk. It was time for both of them to get back to work.
“I wonder who that friend is?” Shauna said.
Kai kept his lips pressed together. The logical answer was that he was with Pauline, Shauna’s cousin, on another secret get-together.
“I guess the only thing I can do is leave another message on his cell that I’d love to get my board in the morning,” Shauna said.
Kai checked his watch. “Guess I better get back to work.”
They walked to the corner of Main and East Streets.
“Thanks for the ice cream,” Kai said.
“Anytime,” Shauna said. “At least I’m good for something in your life.”
Kai understood what she meant. “Listen, Shauna, a month or so from now, I’m probably gonna leave and go somewhere far away. I mean, that’s the way it’s been for the past two years. You understand?”
Shauna nodded sadly. “Well, see you in the morning if Bean shows up with my board.” She turned and walked away.
Kai went back to T-licious.
“Perfect timing, sonny boy,” his father said when he arrived. “Sean just pulled up in back. Help him unload the new stuff. Also, later tonight or tomorrow, if you see your buddy the motel man, tell him we’ll be leaving at the end of the week.”
“We’re moving again?” Kai asked.
“That’s right, sonny boy.”
Thirty-nine
The next morning the surf was up. Before dawn Kai carried his and Spazzy’s boards down to the beach. He was kneeling on the sand in the dim gray predawn light when he saw Bean come down the beach carrying old #43, the long board Shauna had been using. Bean’s eyes looked puffy from lack of sleep. His long black hair was pulled into a braid, but wisps of it fell out here and there and his clothes looked wrinkled.
“You okay?” Kai asked.
Bean yawned and put #43 down
. “Nothing a couple of days’ worth of sleep won’t fix.”
“Where’ve you been?”
“Pursuing the light at the end of the tunnel,” Bean said, a bit mysteriously. He stretched and gazed out at the waves. “Looks good.”
“Get your board.”
Bean shook his head. “No way. It’s bedtime for Beanzo. I just wanted to drop Shauna’s board off so she could use it this morning. So, should I ask about Fairport tomorrow?”
“If I decide to do it, any chance you could give me a ride?”
“Definitely. Just leave a message on my cell.” Bean started back up the beach, then stopped. “! I ran into Spazzy yesterday. He asked if I could pick up his board and wet suit.”
“Sure” Kai said. “How’s he doing?”
“Well, you know. Jillian really freaked when she found out he’s been surfing all these years.”
“But that’s just it,” Kai said. “Doesn’t it mean anything that he’s been doing it all this time and he’s never gotten hurt? And when he’s on a board all those weird twitches go away?”
“You’d think so, wouldn’t you?” Bean said. He picked up Spazzy’s board and wet suit. “So listen, leave that message if you need a ride, okay?”
“Will do,” Kai said. He finished waxing, put on his leash, and headed into the water.
He paddled out in the channel along the jetty. By the time he got outside and looked back at the beach, Lucas and Buzzy were waxing up and Shauna was crossing the boardwalk. A nice set was coming in. Kai picked off a good-size wave, did a bottom turn, headed back up, did a front side snap, and angled down. The wave sectioned ahead of him so Kai went back up, catching air off the lip.
On the beach Shauna raised both hands in fists as if to cheer. Buzzy and Lucas were already in the channel along the jetty, paddling. Kai paddled back outside. It was one of those days when the larger waves were breaking in sections, but the medium-size ones were peeling more steadily. He was waiting for his next wave when Buzzy and Lucas got out there. A set came through and Lucas gave Kai a questioning look. Kai nodded back as if to say, “Go ahead, take a wave.”
Lucas took off and started to slash and bash. Kai was lining up for the next wave in the set when Buzzy suddenly said, “That was a nice-looking ride before.”
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