Help Wanted

by David Bergantino

  "Probably a wrong number," Laura told her.

  They both hung up. No sooner had they hung up than it rang once more. Laura answered it in a flash. This time Shelby did not pick up the phone. And there was a caller.

  "Hey," Doug said somberly. "Did you hear about Chester?" Laura hadn't. "The police took him in for questioning about Allison's murder."

  Laura couldn't believe it. "They took him out of the hospital?"

  "That's the thing," Doug told her. "They released him earlier in the day. His tests all came out negative. And someone, they don't know who, tipped off the police that he and Allison had a big fight."

  "The breakup?" Laura realized. "They hadn't been going out long enough for it to be that big."

  "That's what I thought." Doug was speaking cautiously. "But I remembered what you told me about how he was acting. You didn't call the police about that, did you?"

  So there it was. Doug thought she had directed the police to Chester as a form of revenge. She was about to become angry. Then came a stronger feeling: regret. Regret that she hadn't done that.

  "You did call, didn't you?" Doug asked, jarring her out of her reverie. There was a note of panic in his voice. He had taken her silence as an admission of guilt. Laura jumped to dispel the notion.

  "No, Doug, I didn't. Believe me. I was just shocked that you even asked." She didn't want him to know what she was really thinking. That Chester deserved to squirm, even if he was innocent, which he probably was.

  "Oh, okay, you scared me for a second." It was clear to Laura that Doug didn't quite believe her yet, but was giving her the benefit of the doubt. Laura forgave him. Everyone was out of sorts because of the murder. "Listen, can we get together and talk?"

  Laura checked her watch. Time was marching on and she hadn't even picked up her majorette's baton yet. "Actually, Doug, Buck's coming to pick me up in a little while and I have to get ready. Can't we just talk right now?"

  "No, I need to see you in person." He could barely disguise his disappointment at not being able to meet with her. "We can do it another time," he added, deflated.

  "Are you all right?" Laura was concerned now. She had never heard him like this. "I could cancel."

  "No," he said quickly. The bit of cheer in his voice was entirely manufactured — and badly at that. "You have fun. We can get together tomorrow. Is that all right?"

  "Okay," she assured him. "Gotta get back to pounding the pavement tomorrow afternoon, I think. This not working is driving me crazy! I've got too much time on my hands, and my mind just revs and revs."

  "I know how that is," Doug commiserated. He was sounding more like himself again. "Something will come up for you, I'm sure." Then he hung up.

  Everyone was so certain she'd find a job, Laura thought glumly as she hung up the phone. Everyone but her.

  There as a knock on her bedroom door and it swung open. Shelby strode in with a frown on her face.

  "Buck here already?" Laura asked worriedly.

  Shelby's frown deepened. "Buck? Wasn't that him on the phone?"

  "Nope. That was Doug. Buck's picking me up."

  "Doug?" she asked. "Huh." Shelby went silent.

  "You okay?" Laura was concerned. Her sister was acting strangely.

  "Just feeling kinda crummy." Shelby shrugged blandly. "I think I've got a cold coming on." She smiled wanly. "I guess that's what too much partying will do for you."

  Laura laughed. "Yeah. You have to take it slower," she joked.

  "I'm gonna go lie down now. Have a nice night."

  "You, too." Laura watched as her sister shuffled out of the room. Poor kid, she thought. When she gets over this cold, she'll probably go back to her books and her collections. It was all a hell of a lot safer than being exposed to the world.

  Ask Allison Heath, she thought grimly.

  * * *

  Buck and Wilma, the car, arrived promptly at eight. Laura went straight to the door without keeping him waiting. Tonight was not a night for games.

  "Have you had dinner yet?" he asked, putting his hand on her shoulder.

  "No," Laura replied. "Nobody here felt much like preparing a meal."

  "How about going to Big Game Burger?" asked Buck.

  Laura nodded without giving it much thought. She was hungry and Buck was paying. Not much more thought was necessary.

  It was a short drive to Big Game Burger. Laura and Buck barely spoke.

  "Two Big Game Burger combos, both with spear fries and Diet Cokes," Buck told the plastic game hunter at the drive-through window. A garbled female voice repeated their order. At one point, she seemed to announce that their meals would be "spindried," which made Buck and Laura giggle. The only clear phrase during her whole recitation was "Please pay at the next window."

  Buck drove up and paid the cashier, who directed them to the next window to pick up their food. Two bags were thrust out at them — by Rayne Wilcox.

  Buck greeted Rayne enthusiastically. Laura managed a smile, but her greeting lacked Buck's authenticity.

  "Where are you two going tonight?" she asked, hungry for gossip as she handed a combo bag over to Buck.

  "Just to a movie," Buck answered as he passed the bag to Laura. He shrugged as he took the second bag from Rayne. He was playing it cool.

  Rayne turned her probing gaze on Laura. "Hunky for a skinny guy, isn't he?" Rayne winked at Laura as if the two were intimate friends.

  Taking her cue from Buck, Laura also played it cool. She glanced up and down at Buck, then turned back to Rayne and replied, "I guess so, if you like that type."

  A car horn sounded behind them. Leaning her head out of the drive-through window, Rayne shouted an obscenity at the impatient motorist, then turned back to Buck and Laura with a smile. "Guess I better get the line moving. Besides, when a Big Game Burger gets cold, it's pretty gross. Have a nice night, folks!"

  Laura and Buck waved quick good nights as they pulled away. Rayne winked at Laura as they left. Rayne apparently approved of her dating Buck (not that she was, she reminded herself). Dating Buck would keep Laura away from Doug. She remembered Doug's warning to stay out of the jealous girl's way.

  As Laura unwrapped her hamburger, she pondered Rayne's behavior. Her friendly act had clearly been a sham. And Rayne's choice words to the car behind them proved that when Rayne was angry, she didn't hold back.

  "She's kind of weird, huh?" Buck said suddenly.

  Laura paused, still holding up the hamburger, which she had not yet begun to eat, and turned to Buck.

  "I thought you two hit it off well the other night," she said.

  "Yeah," he said with his mouth full. "But she's kind of… intense."

  Laura laughed. "You ain't just whistlin' Dixie!" Hearing the phrase for the second time, Buck laughed as well.

  Laura opened her mouth, ready to bite into her burger. Then suddenly she spotted something brown and moving.

  Her laughter turned to screams.

  Chapter 8

  Buck pulled the Datsun over to the side of the road with a screech. The hamburger in Laura's hands had by then flown against the windshield, where it stuck briefly and slid down, leaving a slimy trail of grease. Laura thrust her head out of her open window, choking and gagging.

  "What happened?" Buck asked as the car recoiled from its sudden stop.

  "A roach," Laura choked out. "In my burger." Luckily, she had not eaten much all day and was only suffering from dry heaves.

  "A roach?" asked Buck, wide-eyed.

  "It was alive, too," Laura told him, her heart still racing, but starting to calm down. Then she chuckled bitterly. "I guess Rayne got me."

  "Rayne? You mean you think she put a roach in your burger?"

  "Of course. She blames me for her breakup with Doug. He told me to watch out for her." Sorting it out helped Laura's breathing return to normal. "She caught me off guard. Got me good, too." Suddenly she started laughing. Compared to all the truly serious things that had happened recently, a roach in a burger someh
ow seemed funny.

  Buck didn't think it funny at all. He pulled the car into traffic suddenly, tires screeching. Making a dangerous U-turn, he headed back toward the Big Game Burger.

  "What are you doing?"

  "We're going back to straighten out a certain person," Buck said, livid.

  "No. It's okay, Buck. It was just a little prank." Murder was in Buck's eyes. Laura didn't like it. And suddenly those eyes were on her.

  "So you're going to let yourself be bullied again?" His eyes narrowed to threatening slits.

  At first Laura didn't answer. Then she gathered herself and said calmly, "No, I'm not letting myself get bullied." It was all she could do to return Buck's stare. Luckily, he had to turn away to watch the road. "Not by Rayne and certainly not by you. Now, let's just get to the movie, okay? I'll deal with Rayne later."

  Buck turned back to her once more. He looked ready to argue, but for once, held his tongue.

  "Okay." But obviously he wasn't happy about turning the other cheek. At the next light, he made a legal U-turn and they continued on their way to the movie theater.

  "You have quite a temper, don't you?" Laura ventured timidly. Instead of roaring at her, Buck laughed.

  "You ain't whistlin' Dixie," he responded. "I'm like my dad. But you manage to keep me in line. Mom never could keep Dad in line like that."

  "Keep you in line?" Laura asked, raising an eyebrow. "Hardly."

  "Sure. Any other girl would have let me go back there and start trouble." He seemed to remember a particular instance. "Believe me, it's happened," he told her cryptically. "But not with you. That's another reason I like you. You shame me into behaving."

  Buck was all smiles now, and Laura returned his smile. Hers was a little forced, but Buck didn't seem to notice. Luckily. As Buck was speaking, Laura had come to a decision that she hoped she would never have to voice. She would never become serious with Buck. He was too volatile. And she didn't want to be the catalyst responsible for his transformation. He was nice and all, but it was too much responsibility. What if it didn't work, and he ended up worse off than he had been initially? He might even blame her for his failure to change.

  No. They could be friends, but nothing more. She hoped things would just turn out that way naturally.

  "Penny for your thoughts," Buck asked after she had been quiet for some time.

  "Just thinking about what movie I want to see," she replied casually.

  "Anything you want," he said as he pulled into the parking lot. "As long as it's not a major chick-flick."

  Laura was glad of this, at least. She didn't need a romantic movie, in light of the decision she had just made. Ultimately they decided on an action movie with a romantic subplot. It was all harmless, and a lot of fun, so that by the time the movie was over, Laura was relaxed again.

  "Every time I think they can't have more or bigger explosions during a movie," she giggled, "I see one with more and bigger."

  "I know," laughed Buck. "Pretty soon the only thing left to show will be the Big Bang."

  Laura found that comment so entertaining, she almost didn't notice when Buck casually slipped his arm around her shoulders on the way out of the theater. At his touch, she stiffened slightly and pulled away, hoping he would think she was just being playful. His hand slid down her arm. Soon his fingers were locked in hers, gently but firmly, and he would not let go. She stopped moving, their arms a bridge between them. Laura glanced down nervously at their joined hands, then up at Buck. He was looking intensely at her.

  "Buck, I…" she began falteringly, before he cut her off.

  "Look, I know you think I'm a dork right now," he said quietly. "But I like you a lot. And I think one day you're going to like me. I just have to do the right things."

  "Maybe, but…"

  "Let me finish," Buck insisted. "This is the last time you're going to hear this from me. The next time you hear these words, they'll be coming from your mouth, and you'll be talking to me." Laura found his tone creepy, but something about it held her transfixed. "I'm yours, if you want me. I'd do anything for you."

  Buck stared right into Laura's eyes. She stared back, nearly hypnotized. Then Buck broke the spell with a bright smile.

  "There," he said, releasing her hand. "I'm not going to be pushy about this. Next move is up to you. Until then — if ever — I'm your buddy. That okay with you?"

  Laura shook off the effect of his words. They were enthralling, but it still wasn't right. He was not for her. But for now, if he could keep to his word, a friendship might work between them.

  "It's a deal," she said, forcing a smile. Then she thrust out her hand. Buck shook it gladly. And when they were done, he let go, and side by side, they continued toward his car.

  About twenty paces away, Buck stopped short.

  "Oh no," he muttered under his breath, staring ahead.

  "What?"

  Without answering her, Buck sprinted ahead. When Laura caught up, he was circling Wilma, looking down. She saw what he was looking at and gasped.

  All four of his tires were flat.

  "Well, it looks like I'm finally being officially welcomed to town," Buck said bitterly as he kneeled beside his car. Laura knelt down beside him.

  "Have they been slashed?" she asked. Buck was probing the tires with his fingers.

  "Don't think so," he replied cheerlessly. "But we'll find out when Triple-A gets here." He rose and started to walk away. Just as he did, something shiny under the Datsun caught Laura's eye. When Laura saw what it was, she gasped. Quickly she grabbed the small object, shoved it into her pocket, and stood back. Buck was walking away determinedly and had not seen her. Laura ran to catch up with him.

  Buck was sullen, his hands thrust into his pockets, obviously trying to contain his anger. Laura felt for him. He had definitely been targeted. And based on the object Laura had just discovered, she knew who the culprit was. She toyed with the idea of telling Buck, but ultimately held back. She'd seen enough of Buck's temper to know that silence was the key for now.

  Buck called Triple-A, and by the time they arrived and had reinflated his tires, Buck and Laura could have seen another movie. Silence rode shotgun during the trip home. It wasn't until they pulled into Laura's driveway that Buck spoke.

  "I hope I don't find out who did that," he said quietly as he turned off the engine. "Whoever it is better hope not, too."

  "It wasn't that bad," Laura told him optimistically. "If they had been slashed, that would have been really bad."

  It was the wrong thing to say.

  "It's one thing for you to sit back and let people trash you," he practically roared at her. "But I'm not gonna take it. I'd fight your battles if you'd let me. But I'm not gonna run away from my battles for you."

  Laura was pressed against her door in fear. "Okay, okay," she said quickly. "I'm not telling you what to do."

  "Good," he said ominously. Then his eyes widened as if he had come to a sudden realization. He took a deep breath and got ahold of himself. "I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I'm really angry tonight. I didn't mean to snap at you."

  "It's okay," Laura said. She was lying, but they were the words that would get her into her house in one piece.

  With the crisis over, Laura thanked Buck for the fun evening. Thankfully, a good night kiss wasn't on Buck's agenda. He gave her a strained smile, and a wave as he backed Wilma out of her driveway.

  * * *

  It was now after midnight and the house was dead silent. Laura knew Shelby and her mom must both be asleep. Laura headed straight for the phone and dialed a number. It rang twice and was answered by a familiar voice.

  "It's me," she whispered into the receiver.

  "I thought you'd call sooner or later," boasted Chester on the other end of the line. She could just see his smug face. "So I got sooner. Good girl."

  "What's your problem!" she nearly yelled, infuriated. "You leave me alone."

  "You didn't tell him, did you?" he asked, already knowing the an
swer — and enjoying it immensely.

  "No," she said, now almost regretting that she hadn't shown Buck the class ring she found under his car. It was Chester's. She had recognized it instantly — it was the same one he had given to her when they had started going out. And the same one she had thrown into the deep end of the pool when she broke up with him.

  "You can keep it if you want," Chester said. "Then we'll be going steady and can live happily ever after. If you want Bucky boy to live at all."

  "What are you saying?" Laura asked, her voice quivering. She was beginning to wonder if the accident had caused Chester brain damage.

  "Let's just say," Chester postulated, "that next time, it may not be his tires that'll have the air let out of 'em."

  Laura couldn't take it anymore. "Why are you being like this?" she cried in full voice. "Do I mean that much to you? If I did, you'd let me be. Or are you just upset about Allison? I could understand that."

  Chester snorted derisively. "Allison? You and I both know she got what she deserved."

  Laura nearly dropped the phone in shock. "You need help, Chester."

  "Uh-uh. I only need what I want. It's you that I want and you that I need."

  Then the line went dead. Chester had hung up. Laura fled to her bedroom, making sure each window was latched shut and her door was locked. When she finally attempted sleep, it did not come easily. Every time her eyes fell shut, the echo of Chester's ominous words made them snap open again.

  What was happening with Chester? He sounded so… lethal. Laura remembered that the police questioned him regarding Allison's death. After tonight's conversation, Laura took no comfort in the fact that Chester had not been arrested or charged. She checked the door and every window latch again. All locked.

  But Laura still did not feel safe.

  Chapter 9

  The next morning, Laura awoke, surprised to find she had slept at all. Chester had frightened her, and she had still not shaken the menace of his words. Pulling on a robe, she went to Shelby's room and knocked on the door. Shelby was awake, sitting up in bed, reading.