by Mark Tufo
“Is this how we’re going to play?” Larry said, but began to do a jig as Michael joined in.
“You are both horrible. Leave the toys outside; we don’t want paint getting all over the walls, especially with all of the work I’ve done so far.” Susan handed the gun back to Larry. “It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from Michael, even some good things.”
Larry grabbed Michael by the arm before they went inside. “Please tell me she’s your girlfriend.”
Michael shook his head. “I just met her, and she is cool. But I don’t think she likes me like that.”
“Then please tell me she doesn’t have a boyfriend.”
“Why, will you ask her out?” Michael inquired.
Larry smiled sheepishly again. “Probably not.”
Chapter Eight
Trisha rummaged through the refrigerator for something to drink other than beer and spring water.
She chided her parents on being ‘hidden hippies’. Both of them had great jobs. Her dad was the administrator for the phone company and her mom was a vice principal at the local elementary school. They both dressed smartly in power suits, clean-cut hairdos and corporate smiles plastered on their faces. They wined and dined out in the better restaurants in and around Cove Springs, had season tickets to the nearby theatre and didn’t miss a play or event. For all appearances, they were the perfect husband and wife duo.
“Make me some coffee, baby,” Trisha’s mom whispered around the corner, dragging herself into the kitchen and dropping heavily into a chair. “Long night last night.”
“I bet.” Trisha had helped both of her parents back into the house from the pool at around midnight. They had been hosting a party with some of the neighbors until ten, but their real fun began once they were alone.
Her dad had fished out a few joints and some of the hard liquor they hid from the guests. Before long the two of them were skinny dipping, laughing and smoking and drinking.
Trisha had put her headphones on and tried unsuccessfully to fall asleep. Finally, she’d gone outside and scolded them into ending the party.
While the coffee brewed Trisha began making a ham and cheese omelet for the two of them. Most Saturday mornings she spent taking care of her hung-over parents, cooking for them, making endless pots of coffee, and cleaning up from the night before.
“Any plans for today, baby?” her mom asked. Her hands were shaking as she lit a cigarette.
“I think I’ll be going to the movies with Samantha and Alyssa.” Trisha gingerly took the lit cigarette from her mom’s mouth and tossed it into the dishwater in the sink. “Not in the house. You know the rules.”
“Who is the parent here?” her mom asked, staring at the still-brewing coffee.
“I am during the weekends. I think we need to talk again.” Trisha finished the omelets and made two plates and steaming mugs of coffee.
“We don’t need to talk. Nothing’s wrong with your dad and I. We can control our drinking, all of our partying.”
“Mom, you’re a functioning alcoholic and so is dad. Where does it end?”
Her mom sipped her black coffee. “We don’t do hard drugs, and we don’t drink except on Friday nights and an occasional Saturday. Sure, your dad might have a beer or two during the football season on a Sunday, but otherwise…”
“You live the lie.” Trisha had heard this argument before, too many times. At seventeen she was ready to move on and out but feared for her parents. I’m the only thing keeping them in check, she thought.
“How is the Reed’s son doing?”
Trisha allowed her mom to change the subject yet again. “Butch is doing well.”
“His mom said that you and Butch were an item.” Her mom picked at her food and finished the rest of the coffee in one gulp.
“He wishes.” Trisha laughed. “We’re just friends.”
“He comes from a nice family. His mother and I were planning on going shopping tomorrow at the mall. Maybe you and Butch could join us.”
“No thanks.” Trisha filled her mom’s cup again. “I don’t plan on dating this year. I need to focus to go away to school.”
Her mom sucked her teeth. “There are so many excellent schools in Florida we can send you to.”
“I have my heart set on FIT or another school in Manhattan,” Trisha said. She sat back down and finished her food in silence.
“I should make your dad some breakfast in case he wakes up earlier than usual.” Her mom rose and put her plate in the sink. “I’ll make him an omelet I guess.”
“I’ll make it when I hear him moving around upstairs.”
“Are you sure?” her mom asked, like she did every weekend.
“Sure.” Trisha went into the living room and pulled out her laptop. She wanted to check her Facebook and catch up with a few friends online. By the time she came back into the kitchen her mom had gone back upstairs, most likely back to bed.
She poured herself a cup of coffee and sighed. She was getting impatient about finishing school and getting to New York.
I wonder if there are accelerated classes available for me, she thought. She decided she would do some research before checking her page. She began surfing on Google.
A knock at the front door made Trisha shake her head. “It never fails.” Usually the interruption came from a religious group trying to get donations or worshippers. She wondered if anyone had paid the paperboy this week as well.
She opened the door and was surprised to see Jim Rutan standing on the porch, smiling.
“Is something the matter?” In all of the years she had known Jim, since second grade in fact, he had never stopped over unannounced. Up until this point, Trisha wasn’t even sure if he knew where she lived.
“Just seeing if you want to go back to the tool shed and hang out.”
“Now?” she looked past Jim to check if the rest of the gang was with him. Usually they just wandered over to the shed in groups of two or three each night. Jim was alone.
“I’m heading to the movies with the girls later on. I’m sure we’ll head out there tonight.”
“How about we go for a little bit? You can always meet up with them later.”
Something in Jim’s eyes spooked her. He was being too intense, especially for mellow Jim. “Are you alright?” she blurted.
“I’m fine.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked away. “I just have something important to show you.”
“What?”
“I have to show you. Come on,” he said. Jim was now glancing around and tapping his foot. “If we leave right now we can make it back in time, I promise.”
“You’re kinda freaking me out, Jim.” Trisha had never seen him like this, with anyone. “I’ll see you tonight.”
She went to close the door but Jim put his foot in the way and his hand was braced on the door. They locked eyes and Trisha shivered.
“You need to come with me.”
“Who is it, honey?” Trisha’s father called from the kitchen. “I paid the paperboy last week I think.”
Jim released the door and stomped away without another word.
Chapter Nine
“This is the best lasagna ever,” Larry said between mouthfuls. “Did you eat all of the garlic bread?”
“Actually, you did,” Susan said with a laugh. She divvied up the last of the lasagna and sat back down at the table. “This is nice, right?”
“Awesome. I just wish Michael didn’t still smell like dead cow.”
“I do not,” Michael said and sniffed his armpits again. “I took a shower.”
“In cow blood,” Susan said. “You need another one I think.”
“I think we all need another beer.” Larry grabbed three cold ones from the fridge and popped the tops off. “I wish you had made more lasagna, too.”
“Beggars can’t be choosers, buddy.” Susan checked her watch. “We’ll need to get hopping if we want to make this movie.”
“I’m not drun
k enough to enjoy a movie.” Larry downed his beer. “And I’m not driving.”
“I’ll drive,” Susan said. “You promised you’d let me drive your SUV.”
Michael laughed. “He’ll never let anyone drive his precious SUV, trust me. He’ll tell you that you can up until the time you ask for the keys.”
“That is a total lie,” Larry said.
Susan held out an outstretched palm. “Keys.”
Larry ignored her and went back to the fridge for another beer. “Michael can drive with his piece of crap car.”
“Told you.” Michael put his empty dish in the sink. “I’m going to hit the bathroom before we leave.” Michael wagged his finger. “I suggest everyone go before we leave, it’s a long ride and I’m not stopping for a potty break.”
“Yes, daddy,” Susan cooed.
Larry watched Michael walk down the hall before turning to Susan. “What are your intentions with my friend?”
Susan laughed. “What do you mean?”
“Let’s face it; Michael isn’t exactly a catch to most women. I think he’s awesome and he’s been my best friend forever, but I wouldn’t date him. I’m just curious what the attraction is for you. It seems like you two have become fast friends.”
“You’re afraid I possess an ulterior motive?”
“Something like that.”
“I think Michael is a great guy. Do you believe in auras?”
“Nope.” Larry finished his beer.
“Well, I do. Some people project feelings of warmth and love, and these are the people I gravitate toward. When Michael came into the library he had such a lovely aura, even my mother noticed it.”
“You didn’t answer the question.”
Susan smiled. “Michael is a sweet guy but I’ve done nothing to lead him on and he’s been a perfect gentleman. If I’ve stepped over the line with his friendship or given him the wrong idea you need to tell me.”
“Nope, I’m just worried about my boy getting hurt. I’m sure you can understand.” Larry went back to the fridge.
“I think you’ve had enough for one night,” Susan scolded Larry. “I’d like you to at least stay awake during the previews.”
“Lady, I’m a raging alcoholic. Didn’t Michael tell you?”
“Actually, he told me you were a lightweight like him.”
Michael came back into the room and clapped his hands. “I’m all ready.”
“Did you wash your hands?” Larry asked.
Michael shrugged his shoulders in mock supplication. “I’ll be ready in a minute.”
* * * * *
“I don’t know... Jim was creeping me out today.” Trisha and the twins stood in line at the movie theatre, waiting impatiently for their turn to buy tickets. The Cove Springs Theatre only showed four movies at a time and one box office took care of the traffic. Almost two hundred local kids and twenty-something’s milled about, either coming or going to a movie.
“We should have gone to Jax Beach to a real movie theatre, with cuter guys,” Alyssa said. “I hate the popcorn here.”
“We should save our money and go hang out with the guys again,” Samantha said. “I’m bored already.”
“We’re all bored. We’re teenagers. Didn’t either of you hear what I said about Jim?” Trisha shuffled up in line with everyone else. “He freaked me out today. I think I’ll skip the tool shed tonight.”
“Whatever.” Samantha shrugged.
“We could head over to Jax Beach after the movie and see who is hanging out at the pizza place.”
“Boring. All of the college dropouts hang out there now, and the pizza is like cardboard. Besides, I like the tool shed. It’s cozy if you ask me.” Alyssa smiled.
“My sister has a thing for Gary all of a sudden,” Samantha chimed in.
“Not all of a sudden! I’ve liked him for a while.”
“Whatever,” Samantha said. “I think Trisha here is into Jim and he spurned her advances.”
Trisha playfully punched her friend. “Not likely. I go for more sophisticated men.”
“Like?” Alyssa asked.
Trisha looked around and laughed. “Like that dude there.” She pointed to the large man Jim had given the finger to at the Zaun house. “That’s the new owner, right?”
The three girls stared at the man and his two companions standing in line several people behind them.
“That’s my neighbor Susan Watson with those two guys. You remember her? We used to hang out on the block when we were little. I wonder what she’s doing with them.” Trisha turned back in line as the people in front of her shuffled forward. “I’m not going to the tool shed tonight.”
“You always say that,” Alyssa said.
“And you always end up coming with us. What else would we do?” Samantha checked her makeup with a compact. “I still think Jim likes you.”
“Better than Butch,” Trisha said and the three girls shared a laugh.
They moved up in line again.
“I’m going home after the movie.” Trisha dropped the subject of Jim Rutan for the night. She hoped she was imagining things but didn’t think so. Something weird had gotten into Jim today and she didn’t like it. Better to ignore him for a few days until he lightens up, she thought.
Chapter Ten
Jim was shaking violently as he waited inside the tool shed. Where was Trisha? He needed her here before it was too late.
“Yo,” Gary said as he pushed inside the cramped tool shed. “I brought some beers.”
Jim ignored Gary and peeked outside. The cool night air was making him sick. I’m so close to extended freedom, he thought. He honed his human eyes on something moving in the sky above, a bat or perhaps a bird late in getting home. He envied the creature such freedom. He wanted to be like that animal, coming and going as he pleased. But he needed Trisha in order to make it happen.
Gary popped open a beer can lid behind Jim. “Drink up before the gang gets here. I only stole enough beers for us.”
“Have you seen Trisha?”
Gary shrugged. “I think the girls went to the movies tonight. I’m sure they’ll wander in around midnight and talk about the lame chick flick they saw.” Gary grinned. “Are you trying to bang Trisha now, too?”
Jim forced a smile. “Something like that. I need to get her alone, but you losers are always getting in my way and hanging out when I’m trying to talk to her.”
“Walk her home and make your move.”
Jim’s body began to shudder and he moved back into the tool shed and tried not to let Gary see him sweat. “I need one night alone here with her and I think I can seal the deal. Why don’t you split?”
“Fat chance. This is as much my spot as yours, dude. Besides, I need to finish these beers.” Gary sat down in the doorway to the tool shed. “Are you sick or something? You look like shit.”
“I’m not feeling all that great.” Jim sat down and ran his fingers through his soaking wet hair. His fevered skin was ablaze. How much longer do I have before this body gives up and dies? How much longer do I have to entertain this weakling and his incessant chatter as well?
Gary held out a beer. “This will cure you.”
“I don’t want a beer.” Dir was growing impatient again with Gary. “Maybe I’ll go home.” He hoped Gary would take the bait and leave.
“Sure, no problem. We can pound these brews on the walk to your house.” Gary downed half of his beer and smacked his lips. “You need to catch up or I’ll finish them all.”
“You go on ahead, I’ll be right there.” Jim tried to sound casual. His body shuddered again and an excruciating pain knifed through his abdomen. His skin was clammy and dripping with sweat.
“No chance I’m walking in these woods by myself. Besides, Butch should be coming soon. We can chill and drink some beers.” Gary offered Jim a beer again.
“I said I didn’t want it.” Jim slapped the beer from Gary’s hand, where the bottle shattered against the workbench.
“Fucking dickhead, that was a full beer!” Gary screamed. “You owe me a fucking beer.”
“I owe you nothing.” Dir was getting sick of the talking, sick of the macho bravado from Gary. You serve me no purpose, yet you stand before me and curse me. Why are you still alive?
“You’re an asshole, man. If you want to be left alone just say so.” Gary put his fists up, still clutching his own beer.
“I want to be left alone.”
Gary relaxed and finished his beer, then pulled a fresh one from the cardboard case. “You’re funny.”
“What do you mean?” Jim wiped oily sweat from his forehead.
“I mean you’re trying to be a dick so I’ll leave you and Trisha alone here. Fat chance. I’m guessing she’s into gangbangs and shit. That’s why she’s so quiet around us; she’s waiting to get it from both ends.” Gary finished another beer and threw the empty bottle out of the tool shed.
“Too bad you’ll never find out.” Jim moved as quickly as his failing body would allow.
“If I stay around tonight I’ll find out,” Gary said.
Jim punched Gary in the face but the blow was weak. Gary stumbled back, more in shock than pain.
“Dude, relax. I didn’t know you liked her so much.”
Without another word Jim threw his weight on Gary and drove him into the wooden floor, making sure he landed on Gary’s chest.
The wind knocked out of him, Gary couldn’t speak. When Jim drove his fingertips into his eyes Gary could only moan and buck to get away.
Despite the weakened state of the body, Dir was able to draw strength from the limbs and drive his fingers deep into the eye sockets, blood covering his hands and forearms. He gained a rush of adrenalin from the deed as well as vigor from the spilling blood.
It has been too long since I’ve felt such life force in my hands, covering the human skin with human blood, he thought, even though it had been less than a month since he’d last walked the Earth.
When Gary stopped struggling underneath him he relaxed. Dir savored the moment, watching the body underneath him truly die and let go.
Somewhere close by a cricket chirped its lonely song and the rush of small wings took flight in the trees overhead. The tool shed grew warm and inviting and Dir realized he was weeping, drops of hot salty tears dripping on the lifeless form below him. He became aware of a snake slithering in the crawlspace underneath the tool shed, and the approach of a human.