His mother looked past him and smiled. “Good morning, Luke.”
“Morning, Delia.” Luke strolled over and rested his palms on the edge of the open window. “It’s your last day, right? They throwing you a party or anything?”
“Yeah, all the burgers I can eat.”
“Sounds good to me.” Luke walked to the company truck parked in his driveway next door.
“Hey!” Livvy sprinted across the street from her house. “I’ll ride with you guys to the clubhouse.” She walked up to Manuel’s old car. “Be careful today, Ms. Starr.” She turned away fast and climbed into the back of the truck, squeezing in behind the tarp-covered bushes Luke and Socko would be planting around the pool.
Delia raised her penciled eyebrows. “You been talking to Livvy about today?”
“Yeah.” Socko jerked on the handle of the car’s back door—he’d forgotten it had been permanently locked by a sideswiping collision. “At least she listens.”
His mother put the car in reverse and backed out.
“Hey, wait!” He jogged along beside her.
“You worry too much. It’ll be fine,” she called. The car sped away.
Luke stuck his head out the truck window. “Ya coming, Socko?”
Socko stared after his mother until she made the turn and the car disappeared behind a house.
“Come on, man! It’s only gonna get hotter.”
Socko knew he should be sitting in Manuel’s old bomber beside his mother. Instead, he climbed into the back of the truck with Livvy. They sat facing each other, sharing the narrow space between the tailgate and the blue tarp.
“Worried about your mom?” Livvy asked.
“Yeah.”
“Me too,” she said.
They rode in silence for a minute. “Did I tell you my parents are throwing a big open house for real estate agents next week? They’re even filling the pool. So, no more private skate park.”
“It’s too hot for skating anyway.” Socko appreciated the fact that she was trying to distract him, but it wasn’t working. Something was going to go down today in the old neighborhood, something bad.
And when it did, he’d be planting bushes around a swimming pool.
Livvy gave Socko a last concerned look before disappearing into the clubhouse. Today she was helping her mother set up the new headquarters of Holmes Homes. Livvy’s parents had decided to locate their smaller office within the subdivision, and the office had to be ready for the open house.
“Sure would be better to plant these when the weather is cool,” said Luke, tossing back the tarp. “But according to Mrs. H. the area around the clubhouse has got to look good by next Sunday.” They hauled bushes out of the truck and set them down at the edge of the pool. Soaked with sweat, Socko wrestled the last bush out, then stopped to raise the tailgate. He turned and rested his back against the truck—by now his mom was pulling into the parking lot at the Phat.
Staring at the empty pool, he tried to imagine past this day. He was in the water swimming … his mom was on her new job … today had gone off without a hitch.
They just had to get from now to then.
“This is gonna be a neat trick,” said Luke as they dug closely spaced holes around the pool. It had been Socko’s idea to plant a hedge just past the concrete deck that edged the pool. With the hedge in place, a swimmer would see greenery, not the vast wasteland of scraped earth and piled tree trunks.
They planted the first row of bushes in silence.
Luke lifted his ball cap and wiped his forehead with the shoulder of his T-shirt. “Earth to Socko. You okay?”
Socko realized he was just standing there. “Yeah, I’m fine I guess.”
“Take a break. In this heat, you gotta pace yourself.” Luke snagged a bottle of water out of the cooler in the truck, then jumped into the shallow end of the empty pool and walked down the incline. He squatted in the shade of the wall at the deep end. Socko followed him and sat down, his back against the wall.
Luke took a swig out of the bottle and passed it to him.
As the icy water jolted down his throat, Socko tried to think of a way to bring up the situation with his mom. He needed to talk about it or bust. If Luke said to forget it, he’d relax a little. Maybe he did worry too much.
Taking the water bottle back, Luke gave him a sidelong glance. “Now, tell me what’s bugging you.”
Socko heaved a sigh of relief and told Luke about Rapp and Junebug and what might go down because it was his mother’s last day at the Phat. “She thinks she’s gonna bust up Rapp and Junebug and everything will be okay!”
Although he barely commented, Luke was definitely listening. When Socko finished, Luke looked worried too. It didn’t fix things, but Socko appreciated the company.
After the break, even though the temperature was climbing, Luke picked up the pace. At noon they wolfed the lunch Ceelie had packed, then went right back to work.
“What time does your mom get off?” Luke asked, tamping the last bush into the ground with the sole of his boot.
“Three.”
“Guess that cuts out the possibility of showers.”
Socko did a double take. “Are we going back to the neighborhood?”
“Yup. Soon as we rehydrate.” They’d chugged down all the water in the cooler, but Luke led Socko over to the hose that snaked from the wall of the clubhouse and twisted the tap. Water bubbled out the metal end of the hose as Luke passed it to him. Although it was warm and hose-flavored, it was the best water Socko had ever tasted. He was actually going to do something, and Luke was going to help.
“Chances are, everything’ll be fine.” Luke took the hose, the water splatting on the ground at his feet. “But we’ll be there if your mom needs backup.”
“You gonna get in trouble for using the truck?”
Luke swallowed half a dozen big gulps. “Nope. Mrs. H. has some stuff that needs to be dropped off in town.” He handed the hose to Socko and headed for the clubhouse. Luke held the door for Livvy, who was coming out.
As she walked toward him, Socko noticed the blue shirt Livvy was wearing. It made her eyes look bluer. “Hi, Socko,” she said.
“Hi.”
She held her hair back and drank out of the running hose in Socko’s hand. “You guys done for the day?”
“Pretty much.” Socko twisted the tap shut.
“Good. I’ll catch a ride.”
“Uh … we’re not going home,” he said.
She stared into his eyes until he looked away. “You’re going back to the old neighborhood again, aren’t you?”
He nodded once.
“I have to come with you!”
“I don’t think Luke’ll go for bringing the boss’s daughter along.”
“Then we won’t ask him.” She scrambled up onto the truck bed.
“Come on, Livvy. I don’t want to get him in trouble for helping me out.”
“He can’t get in trouble for something he doesn’t know about!” She covered herself with a tarp.
Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission, Socko thought.
The tarp had barely stopped moving when Luke came out of the clubhouse, looking over the address on the envelope in his hand. He tossed a bunch of garden tools into the back of the truck. Socko hoped Luke would figure out she was under there, but even though a shovel handle hit the tarp, Livvy kept still.
Socko knew he should tell. Luke was doing him a huge favor.
But he still hadn’t said anything when they passed Uncle Eddie’s guard booth, and by then it was too late.
34
JUNEBUG
Fear prickled Socko’s scalp. The Tarantulas were in the parking lot of the Phat. Rapp’s Trans Am was parked next to Delia’s old junker. Damien sat cross-legged on the hood of Delia’s car—nobody sat on Rapp’s classic. The others stood around, smoking. Rapp paced.
“I don’t think they noticed us,” said Luke, parking the truck so it was hi
dden by an oversized van. “And if we’re lucky they won’t recognize us walking in. What the—” Something in the rearview mirror had caught his eye.
When Socko turned around, Livvy was stepping over the tailgate onto the bumper. Her hair looked damp, her face hot. She walked up to Socko’s open window. “Sorry, Luke. It was my idea.”
Luke looked at Socko. “You knew about it?”
“Yeah, I knew.”
Luke shook his head. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“I just had to have one last Phat burger,” Livvy joked.
Socko grabbed her arm as she turned toward the Phat. “You can’t see them, but the gang is right over there, across the parking lot.”
“Ohmygosh!”
“If I had time I’d take you back, but I don’t,” Luke whispered. “So this is what you’re going to do, Livvy. You’re going to get in this truck and duck down behind the jump seat while Socko and I go inside. Keep the windows rolled and lock the doors.”
“I’ll die of heat stroke!”
Luke ignored her. “Socko, walking to the door we can use this van parked next to us for cover, then that Suburban’ll hide us some.” He reached back and lifted a big straw hat off the pile of tools that jammed the space behind the driver’s seat. He dropped it on Socko’s head right over Damien’s Superman lid. “They only saw me once, but they know you, so keep that hat pulled down. They may recognize us, they may not. Either way we’re gonna walk in like all we want is a burger and fries.”
“Let me walk with you on the side that faces the parking lot,” Livvy urged. Her voice was excited, like this was some kind of adventure. “Please? They’ve never seen me before.”
Socko didn’t like the idea.
He could tell by the way Luke dragged his hand down his face that he didn’t either, but it was a logical suggestion—and leaving Livvy in the truck wasn’t exactly a great plan.
“All right,” Luke said, “but we act casual and we don’t look at ’em. You got that, Livvy?”
“Got it.” She took Socko’s arm as he climbed out. “Pretend I’m your girlfriend,” she whispered. “They don’t expect you to have one, right?”
“That’s for sure,” he whispered back.
Casual, thought Socko, but being casual was hard under the circumstances—especially with Livvy hanging onto his arm.
He meant to go through the door without looking back—but at the last second he looked over his shoulder. A shock went through him. Despite the farm-boy hat and the fake girlfriend, Damien was watching him.
Livvy tugged him through the door and the smell of fryer grease engulfed him.
Luke strode up to the counter.
The paper hat sat on Delia’s head at a crazy angle. “Socko, Luke—Livvy!” As soon as Socko’s mother said her name, Livvy let go of his arm. “What’re you doing here?”
“We had a hankering for a Phat Burger,” said Luke.
“I want the three of you out of here right now.” Delia cocked her head toward the front windows. “We have a situation going on, and I got more than I can handle already.”
Luke leaned across the counter. “You clock out in twenty minutes. I walk you to your car. End of situation.”
“Not quite.” Delia pointed out Junebug huddled in the far corner of the back booth. “I got that girl in a mess of trouble and I have to get her out of here,” she whispered. “May I take your order?” she asked Luke more loudly. They were beginning to attract attention.
Socko hurried to the booth, Livvy right behind him. He had concentrated on convincing his mom to leave Junebug and Rapp alone, not on what would happen if she didn’t.
Collateral damage, he thought, scooting into the seat opposite his old babysitter. But not if I can help it, he added silently as Livvy slid in beside him. Junebug had saved him so many times, it had to be his turn to save her.
It should’ve been impossible, but Junebug had gotten thinner since he saw her last. The nurse’s watch hung loose on her arm. In front of her on the table was a super-sized milkshake. Socko tapped the back of her hand with his finger. “Hi, Junebug.”
“Yeah, hi.”
“This is Livvy.”
Junebug’s eyes settled on Livvy. “You his girlfriend?”
Livvy hesitated. “Maybe.”
Socko turned toward her fast.
“I said maybe.”
“Lucky you,” said Junebug. “He’s a good kid.”
Livvy drew a sudden sharp breath. “What happened to your arms?” Junebug checked out the bruises that braceleted her skinny wrists. “I tried to fight back and got dragged. Old news. That was last week.” Junebug swiped at an eye with her knuckles, then grimaced, seeing the smudges of blue eye shadow on them. “Oh great, now I’m melting.” Livvy stared at Junebug as if she were some exotic butterfly. “You’re still very beautiful.”
“Ugly would be better right about now, but thanks.” She gave Livvy a weak smile.
“What went down with Rapp?” Socko asked.
“I had him meet me here. Your mom’s idea. Delia said this was neutral territory.” Socko saw Livvy’s eyes dart to Junebug’s hands as she nervously tapped on the tabletop. “Rapp bought me a shake. I broke up with him. He stormed out. But I knew that was too easy. He was back in ten minutes—with his posse.”
Junebug’s straw made a nervous squeak against the cup’s plastic lid as she slid it up and down. “Are they still out front?”
“Uh-huh,” said Socko.
“So, what’re you doing just sitting here?” Livvy asked.
“Basically?” Junebug lifted her bony shoulders and let them drop. “Waiting to die.” A shadow fell across the table. She cringed and slid toward the wall.
Socko looked up. “It’s okay. This is my friend Luke.”
“Hey, Junebug.” Luke dropped to a squat. “I’m gonna get you out of here,” he said softly. The muscles in his neck looked tense. Socko could tell Luke didn’t like any of this.
Junebug bit her lip as she looked Luke over. “Thanks for the offer. You seem strong and all, but if you think I’m walking out those doors you better think again.”
“There’s a window in the ladies’ room,” Socko said.
Livvy gave him a funny look.
“I cleaned the restrooms a few times for money,” he told her, then turned back to Junebug. “If you go out that way they won’t see you.”
“You think you could climb out?” Luke asked.
Junebug looked at the restroom door, then back at Luke. “Guess I could fly if I had to. But that window’s real high.”
“I’ll boost you up,” said Socko.
“No.” Livvy took a deep breath. “I will. It’s the ladies’ room, Socko.” Junebug raised an eyebrow at Livvy. “You sure?”
Livvy nodded.
“Now hold on.” Luke puffed up his cheeks and blew out. Socko knew he was wondering how out of control things were going to get with the boss’s daughter.
Socko didn’t like the idea either, but there were several people in the booths facing the restroom doors, so it couldn’t be him. And they had to sneak Junebug out, period. “All right,” Socko said. “Livvy goes in with Junebug.”
“Okay, okay,” Luke whispered. “We’ll pull around back. Don’t climb out until you see us, you got that, girls?”
Junebug picked up her giant purse. Hugging it, she teetered toward the ladies’ room door on her high-heeled sandals like she was so scared, she had forgotten how to walk.
“Be careful,” Socko whispered as Livvy slipped out of the booth. Her hair flared as she turned to look back at him, then she quickly disappeared through the restroom door after Junebug.
Delia sent Socko and Luke out to the truck with two big bags of carryout. With his hat pulled down, Socko walked so Luke stayed between him and the gang. This time he watched the ground, but for a moment it felt like the easy mind link he and his old friend always had was back. Damien knew that one more person had gone in the door than had come
out. Would he report that fact to Rapp?
Out of sight behind the van, they climbed into the truck. Luke backed out. His straw hat jammed down, Socko stared straight ahead as they left the parking lot.
Luke drove several blocks before doubling back to make the turn on the street that went behind the Phat. “With any luck we’ll be there and gone in two minutes,” said Luke.
Socko gripped the seat. “What about my mom?”
“She’ll come off shift and walk out the door. Rapp’ll see she’s alone and go in after Junebug. By the time he figures it out, your mom will be long gone.”
Ahead on the left was the orange and brown box that was Phat Burger. Before the front parking lot was hidden by the building, Socko had a quick view of the gang. While all other eyes were watching the front of the restaurant, his friend’s were on the truck. To score major points with Rapp, all Damien had to do was tell him that a suspicious pickup had just pulled in behind the Phat.
Luke eased in next to the Dumpster and parked, but he kept the engine idling. He checked out the space behind the seats. “Only room for one,” he said. “Junebug’ll have to hide under the tarp like Livvy did.”
A frosted window on the back of the building lifted and a skinny arm slid out. The big black purse dangling from the hand whumped to the ground, spilling as it rolled onto its side. Next out was a foot with an ankle-buster sandal hanging off the toes.
Socko got out of the truck and ran toward the building. “Jump!” he whispered hoarsely. He kept glancing to his right, sure that at any second Rapp and his boys would surge around the corner. “Come on!”
When Junebug rolled out of the window, Socko caught her and stumbled back a couple of steps.
“Get her to the truck,” Livvy called softly from above.
He looked up for a fraction of a second. Livvy’s blonde hair hung down, sweeping the dingy cinder block wall, then he turned and staggered toward the truck. Behind him Livvy’s sneakers smacked the ground.
Luke was standing in the truck bed. “Hand her up,” he told Socko.
“My purse! My purse!” Junebug whispered frantically as they covered her with the tarp. “I got my books in it, my certificate—all my stuff!”
Summer on the Moon Page 20