“Neither was Marvin. But I used to like going. Sometimes, when he had to travel for work, I would go to the ballet or theater.”
“The ballet? Theater? I would’ve gone if you’d asked.”
“So, is it a date?”
Mrs. McClaskey was silent for a moment. “It’s a date!”
“I’ll get myself freshened up and I’ll come knock on your door.”
“I’ll see you in a little while, then.”
Jenna put the phone back and sighed. Then she went to the bathroom, splashed some cold water on her face, reapplied her makeup, smoothed the wrinkles in her skirt and headed into the kitchen. While a small amount of coffee brewed, she pulled the newspaper, found the ad and called for tickets. She poured her coffee, tossed a couple ice cubes in it to cool it, and slugged it back.
Jen looked in the mirror to check her makeup again.
“You look gorgeous, as always.” Marvin smiled.
“It may not be what I planned, but I haven’t been to a play in months. And she’s been so good to me.” She looked back into the apartment before she closed the door and said quietly, “Happy New Year, Marvin.”
“Well, okay then,” Marv said. “Happy New Year. I’ll see you later.” He walked through the door, crossed the hall, and popped his head through Mrs. McClaskey’s door as Jenna stood rapping on it. “Happy New Year, Mrs. McClaskey!”
But she didn’t answer him.
-17-
In the ten weeks Marv had known him, Tommy never displayed more seriousness than he did right now. “Can you see them, Marvin? The deadheads walking around?”
“Yeah, so?” Marvin moved the boat closer.
Panicked, Tommy reached out and grabbed Marvin and yanked his arm backward. “No. Don’t ever get closer than we are right now. I know it seems stupid dude, but I’m telling you. Those there are some really bad folks you don’t even want to get mixed up with.”
Mike peered into the haze that shrouded the island in Lake Superior. “The smog is horrible out here. Jeez-Louise.”
“It’s not smog.” Tommy pushed Marvin out of the way and took over the steerage position. He maneuvered the Starcraft another ten yards away from the edge of the rocky shore that jutted up out of the murky water.
Marv and Mike looked at him waiting for the full explanation.
“It’s the field that keeps them contained. They can’t see it,” Tommy explained, by they he meant the living.
“Where are we? I mean, are we still in the States?”
“I don’t think so, Brody. The lake is split between the States and Canada. I think we’re past the border.”
“Mike’s right. The lake isn’t evenly split, but the island is in Canada. See the pier down at the far end? Picnickers use that. The lighthouse and one outbuilding—those are the only structures. The island is safe for them during the day, but at night…”
“Well, it’s daytime, so why can’t we go ashore?”
“Marvin, listen dude! I said it’s safe for them—the live ones. For us, no. Once you get on, you can’t get back off. Or, at least that’s what I’ve heard anyway.”
Marvin began to think Tommy was just bullshitting since, after all, if moving through solid mass was possible, how could there be some invisible force keeping deadheads confined to one place. “So how bad can any of them be? Give me one example of who’s being held there. Someone I’d know about, or have heard of.”
“The worst of the worst, Marvin. The real dregs. We’re talking nasty, drag-your-soul-to-hell types. Not very nice. These aren’t bank robbers, burglars, and the like. These are not nice people.”
“Who, though, Tommy? Give us a couple names,” Mike prompted him.
“Um… Let’s see. Jeffrey Dahmer, of course. John Wayne Gacy, Gary Ridgway…”
“Who’s that,” Mike asked.
“Green River Killer. Killed over ninety women, mostly prostitutes,” Marvin answered.
Mike whistled. “Whoa, I remember the moniker but I didn’t know his real name. Who else?”
“Donald Henry Gaskins. He confessed to killing one hundred and ten people. Andrew Kehoe. He killed fifty-seven kids. Like I said Marvin, these are not nice people.”
“But if this is in Canada, how come all of our killers are here? Do they keep everyone here? Jesus H, wouldn’t they run out of room?”
“The U.S. shares this with Canada. There are places like this all over the world. I’m sure Hitler is in one someplace.”
“Yeah, probably. Probably somewhere in Europe, huh?” Marvin said seriously. Then he added, “Playing Gin Rummy with Mussolini or Vlad the Impaler,” and laughed.
“Marvin. This is no joke,” Tommy warned. “Mike, make him understand.”
“Look at it this way Brody, we didn’t make the trip all the way up here for nothing. And, look at Tommy, look at his face. I think he’s on the level.”
Tommy nodded solemnly.
Marv scowled. “I think you’re yanking our chains, Tommy. What, does some archangel come swooping down from the sky, grab them by the scruff of the neck and whisk them away, dropping their asses in the middle of that island?”
“Where did you learn this Tommy? Who told you about this place?”
“Dudes, I’ve been a deadhead for a long time,” Tommy said, falling easily into using Marvin’s word for the dearly departed. “People talk. I mean, why don’t you see any of these guys,” he jerked his thumb over his shoulder at the island, “anywhere around? Do you think they’ve suddenly changed, now that they’re dead they’ve mended their ways?”
“But you’re talking about serial killers, psychotics, child molesters.”
“Well, think what you want, Marvin. But, dude, I’m… I swear to you. Now, will you stop threatening to kill Jenna?”
Tommy stood and waited for Marvin to answer.
Marvin stood and stared out over the island.
Mike sat and tried to wait it out…and began to lose his composure. He started with a slight smile that broadened and turned into a chuckle. Within minutes his laugh grew louder until his whole body began to shake.
When Marvin turned to ask what was so funny, Tommy’s face split into a grin and he started laughing. “Aw, goddammit, Mike! We were doing so well…”
Marvin looked from one to the other, realized he’d been had, and broke into a smile — right after he smacked Tommy upside the head. “Ya schmuck! You brought me out to the middle of fuckin’ nowhere in the dead of frickin’ winter to bust my balls?”
In between peals of laughter, Mike and Tommy tried catching a breath. Each time they looked at one another, fits of giggles broke out again.
“You gotta admit, Brody, we were doing pretty good. Tommy had you starting to believe it.”
Marvin nodded and laughed. “We’re a good twelve hundred miles from home, on a stolen boat out in the middle of Lake Fuckin’ Superior on a Wednesday afternoon. Just so you two could pull this stunt?” Marvin looked over his shoulder at the island. “What is that place then?”
“Michipicoten Island. We’re in Ontario right now. The island is part of their park system,” Mike told him, as he began to get control of his laughter.
Marvin shook his head. “Jesus H. You two jokers are something else, you know that? Well, now what?”
Tommy and Mike shrugged.
“What time is it?” Tommy asked.
Marvin consulted his watch, “Four-thirty-three—if we’re still in the same time zone.”
“To be honest Brody, I don’t have a clue. It doesn’t matter what time zone we’re in because it doesn’t really matter what time it is. What else do we have to do? You got some where you need to be Tommy?”
“No, dude, just gettin’ hungry.”
“Well, let’s go to Sault Ste. Marie and see what we find,” Mike offered.
“Shouldn’t we take the boat back where we picked it up? I mean, you guys don’t want to end up on that island, do you?”
Mike rolled his eyes.
&nb
sp; “Okay, lame joke,” Marv admitted to them. “But, seriously, this is a pretty swanky water ride. Whoever owns this thing is gonna be mighty pissed that it’s gone.”
Tommy fired up the twin engines and headed due southeast. “They’ll get it back. They’ll find it. We’ll coast into the marina. It’ll be dark by the time we get there and we can even gas it up for them. How’s that? We got to use it, they get a nice little cruise taking it home. No harm, no foul.”
“Do you think we’ll be back home sometime tonight,” Marv asked.
“Dude, seriously, you need to learn to chill out, man.”
“Yeah, Brody. Come on, live a little! We can hop on any train we choose, any time we choose, and go anywhere we choose. Relax, have some fun. Jenna will be just fine without you.”
“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of.”
-18-
They walked out of the restaurant after having seen a Friday Night Fright-Fest of ’Salem’s Lot and, for complete contrast, Love at First Bite. “So, seriously, what happens to the bad guys?” Marvin asked.
“My God Marvin, are you still obsessing over that?” Tommy shook his head. “I thought you were over it three months ago, after we took you on that excursion.”
“Well, I can’t help it. Seeing a film like that, what with all the immortal beings, got me thinking about it again. I mean, they’re dead, right?”
“Brody, it’s a movie!”
“I know that, Mike. I’m just sayin’. Do you think maybe we don’t have souls, you know like the vampires in the film?”
“Marvin, look around. Do you see any of those guys we mentioned when we took you to the island? Do you ever hear anyone talking about them?”
“No. But I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about us—you, me, or any other deadhead who kills a live person.”
“Maybe it’s just one of those mysteries of life, Brody. Something we’ll never know about.”
“Mysteries of life.” Marvin looked at him in a deadpan. “We’re dead.”
Mike laughed. “You know what I meant.”
“Dude, why don’t you just stick with the usual stuff, like turning on lights and moving things, shit like that?”
“Well, I’ll admit it’s been fun messing with Crowley. I think I’ve succeeded in driving him nuts. Did I tell you, I think he’s actually started seeing a shrink?” Marvin laughed remembering how he’d moved files on his old boss’ computer, or stood pushing the power button to shut it down while the schmuck was in the middle of typing one of his egomaniacal memos to the staff.
Tommy leaned across the table. “So, that’s not enough for you? What about Jen, have you been messing with her?”
“Mmm… No, not really. I’ve thought about it.”
“Why not, man? Maybe it’ll cure your boredom.”
“Mike, it’s just that… Well, I don’t know.” Marv knew perfectly well why he didn’t screw with her. He didn’t want to frighten her. He wanted Jenna to think about him and miss him as much as he missed her, even though he could see her and hear her. It was the bantering back and forth that he missed. The fun they would have taunting one another, sometimes getting angry and then making up. The making up was always the best part for him. He missed all the time they spent together out on the balcony with glasses of wine, hand in hand; time they would just enjoying being near one another. But he didn’t feel he should admit such a thing to these two.
“You miss her, don’t you Brody,” Mike stated. “I kinda understand, but killing her isn’t gonna win you any favors, you know?”
“Why are you two always trying to talk me out of this?”
“Marvin. Dude, we’re not trying to talk you out of it. I’m mean, not really. Are we Mike?” Tommy nudged Mike to get some assistance.
“No, not at all. So, then what’s your plan Brody? What can we do to help?”
“I don’t know. I have to think about it. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Marvin said and jumped into the bus.
Tommy stood with his mouth open, staring at Mike.
“What?”
“What can we do to help? Dude, that was not the kind of help I was looking for there.”
“The guy’s hurting, Tommy. We should help him if we can.”
“And what happens if we succeed?”
Mike shrugged. “What do you mean, what happens? She joins us. Is that so terrible?”
“Oh, please, we do not need some chick tagging along. If we wanted that, there’re plenty of them here for us. But you know that’s not what I’m asking! I’ll help with silly stuff, things that can mess with her. But I will not get involved in anything that will get her killed. Because, dude, I’m telling you, there’re consequences.”
“Oh, come on, Tommy! You don’t know what happens any more than the next deadhead,” Mike said. They walked in silence for a block before he offered up a thought. “When I walked away from the plane after the crash, there was no line forming in front of a man with a long white beard in flowing robes to check us through pearly gates! There wasn’t any scary-looking dude with a sickle. I mean, really, what authorities do you see on this side? Do you see some sheriff riding around on a white steed; is there some Head Grim Reaper waiting to dole out some ultimate punishment? And if there is one we don’t know about — one we can’t see — as Marv said before, we’re dead, what’re they gonna do, kill us again?”
-19-
Marvin fidgeted on Mrs. McClaskey’s couch. “Here I was actually beginning to like you! Maybe I was all wrong to think you were an innocent old woman.”
“Well, Jenna dear, I’m not sure what more advice I can give. Can I freshen your tea a bit?”
“A little more would be nice — if I’m not keeping you from anything.”
“Now, now, you just relax. I know how difficult things have been for you since Marvin passed,” Mrs. McClaskey replied, topping off Jenna’s cup. “I have all the time in the world, and I’m always happy to help where I can, you know that.”
“Thanks. Thank you,” Jen corrected herself, knowing how Mrs. McClaskey could be about being proper, especially when it came to grammar.
“You’re quite welcome.”
“Anyway, it’s been almost six months. But I just don’t know what to do. I’m so torn. I mean, I loved Marvin — you know? But, this guy is kind of cute. He’s nice too. How long is sufficient, or appropriate before I start dating?”
Marvin shook a fist at Jenna. “I’ll tell you how long — never!”
“You’re a young woman, Jenna. You have a whole life ahead of you. I know times have changed. In my day a woman would have to wait at least a year before she could even think about entertaining a gentleman caller again. Why, any sooner and the neighbors would place a scarlet letter on your chest.” She giggled about the last part.
Jenna laughed, thought, Maybe Mrs. McClaskey owned a scarlet letter herself, however faded it may have become over the years, and turned serious again. “Part of me just thinks, it’s only dinner and I’m going to eat anyway. Then the other half of my brain tells me I shouldn’t, I can’t because… Well, because.”
“And my mouth is telling you, you better not.” Marv punched at the couch cushion for emphasis and his fist drove right through.
“Why, for goodness sake, you two weren’t married but you were living together as if you were. Of course you miss him, of course you loved him, but take a good look at me. Someday — and a lot sooner than you’d imagine — you’ll be old. So, I guess what I’m saying to you is this: You’re a beautiful young woman, don’t let life pass you by. If you want to see this new young man of yours, I say do it.”
“Don’t you dare. Don’t you dare,” Marvin stood and warned Jenna. Then he turned his glowering face to Mrs. McClaskey, “Here I thought you were a nice old lady.”
“Well, I’ve taken enough of your time. It’s getting late and I have to get up and go to work in the morning.” Jenna rose from the couch and leaned down for a hug, but the old woman rose from her
chair and enfolded her. “Thank you, Mrs. McClaskey. Sleep well. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jen said as she headed to the door.
“You too, dear.”
“She’ll sleep well all right. How does permanent sleep sound,” Marvin threatened. On his way through the door, he turned and pointed a finger at the old woman, “I’ll deal with you later!” and crossed the hallway behind Jen.
Marvin followed Jenna through the apartment and out onto the small balcony where she lit a cigarette, a habit she’d reacquired after Marvin died. She recalled the day she knew things were getting serious between them.
Marvin had gently pulled the half-smoked cigarette from her lips, stubbed it out in an ashtray and looked directly into her eyes. “I don’t want you to do that anymore.”
“Why Marv? I enjoy it.”
“Because it’ll take away from the time I have to spend with you. And I want all I can get,” he’d said and kissed her softly.
She held the lit cigarette up and inspected it. “You wanted all the time you could get with me. Yeah, well, that was short-lived wasn’t it you son-of-a-bitch,” Jenna said in level tone.
“No, no, go ahead. I changed my mind. Smoke up a storm.”
“Shit.” Jenna let out a long sigh. “Mrs. McClaskey is right, I might as well go for it. I mean, what the hell, you’re not coming back. I still have a life to live.”
“Not for long, you don’t,” Marv roared and ran at her. He rushed right through her, went over the brushed steel railing of the balcony and fell to the sidewalk below. He looked up to see Jenna standing there, looking out over the neighborhood as calm as ever. He pounded a fist to the concrete and an unintelligible frustration rushed out.
An instant later, Marvin yelped when a smiling young couple, arm in arm, with all the time and without a care in the world, walked right through him; the woman’s heel found pavement directly through his groin. She glanced over her shoulder as if she’d tripped on something.
[Marvin's] World of Deadheads Page 9