by ML Gardner
Aryl had grown accustomed to being leery of everyone, all the time. He’d learned to read people well. Jonathan was trying to paint this as a long overdue reunion but he smelled something else.
“Relax, Aryl.” Jonathan was trying not to tip his hand. He failed.
“I’m done.”
“No, Aryl, wait…come on, we haven’t even gotten started! Caleb’s not here.”
“Were you going to start drinking after he got here?” He looked pointedly at the puddle by Jonathan’s shoe.
“I just didn’t want to miss anything you said.”
Gotcha.
“I’m done.” He made a move toward the house and Jonathan bolted up.
“Wait, please.”
It wasn’t that Jonathan was lying to him. It wasn’t that he had a feeling Jonathan was up to something, or that Caleb was taking forever to join them. It was the monster rising up, waking from its slumber and demanding Aryl’s attention. The alcohol had delayed it only by minutes. Like drinking water when you’re starving. It only did so much.
“Aryl.” Jonathan grabbed his shirt.
Aryl shoved him, seeing him now as an obstacle standing between him and his bag. The last time someone stood between them…well, it wasn’t pretty. Bloody memories flashed through his mind and he nearly cried remembering what the monster made him do, needing to get to the medicine so it could take it all away.
“Move, Jon.”
“No, I want to talk.”
Aryl barreled through him, knocking him into the screen door. One hinge broke and Jonathan went sprawling in the dirt.
He stomped through the kitchen, into the living room and began to search.
Claire whirled around and clutched the baby closer with a look of terrified knowing.
“Where’s my bag,” he grumbled.
The chatter started to die down as one by one people noticed him.
“Where’s my bag!” he screamed and began pulling furniture out, looking in obscure places, throwing cushions, not thinking clearly in his desperation.
The room fell silent.
“Stop staring at me!”
Maura stepped away from the basket. She’d buried it deep enough; he wouldn’t see it walking by. It was part of the plan. To get him worked up to a state without the medicine and let him show his ass. Through the embarrassment, maybe he’d admit he had a problem. They had arrived at the embarrassing part.
It didn’t seem to be working as he raged about the room. Jonathan stumbled in, his leg and side dusted with dirt.
“Get out of the way,” he said to anyone that was listening as he moved closer to Aryl. The women grabbed their children and went scrambling toward the door. Only Kathleen stayed, maintaining a distance. Caleb stood up and Ian moved in to close the triangle, moving toward Aryl slowly. As if he were a wild animal they were trying to coral.
“Where’s my bag!” he screamed.
Kathleen watched with tears in her eyes. She glanced from him to the bag in the basket that was poisoning her boy. She’d been told, but she hadn’t wanted to believe it. And now she knew. There was something terrible about knowing. Still, she reached out to him.
“Son, just calm down,” she said as she moved closer. She made the mistake of touching his arm and the monster growled, pushing her away. She lost her balance and fell. Ian caught her before she hit the ground and that gave Aryl a moment. He darted to the basket and dumped it out. Jonathan tried to tackle him but Aryl slithered out of his grip and dashed for the bathroom. With a slam of the door, Jonathan realized not only had they failed, but it was worse than any of them had imagined.
Later, Ian took Aryl home. They made no further attempts to keep him from his bag and he didn’t bother to apologize. He couldn’t even look his mother in the eyes as he walked out. Embarrassed he was. Admitting he wasn’t. The rest of their household, Claire, Jac, Maura, Tarin and Scottie stayed at Jonathan’s.
“Give him the night to cool off,” Jonathan said. Though he would be the first to admit he had no idea what to do after that.
∞∞∞
Jonathan and Caleb sat on the bench behind the house. The sobering reality that their friend was in trouble was more effective than coffee and Caleb sat deep in thought.
“He’s here and yet he’s not.”
“He’s addicted, Caleb. He’s using it for more than medicine.”
Long pause. Deep sigh. Uncomfortable shifting.
Finally, Caleb said, “Remember when our parents used to take us out to the woodshed when we got in trouble?”
“Oh, yeah. Me and you, anyway. I don’t think Aryl’s parents did that. They just gave him a stern talking to.”
After a long silence Caleb slowly turned toward Jonathan. “Maybe we should take him to the woodshed.”
Jonathan grinned. “Who’s gonna beat his ass, me or you?”
“Okay, well maybe not the woodshed, but the woods. We could take him out like we’re camping and keep him there until he’s off the stuff.”
Jonathan nodded slowly. “Not a half bad idea. Might take awhile though. It only takes a few days for that junk to get out of your system but a lot longer for your mind to get away from it.”
“We’ll keep him out there for as long as we have to. We could take turns, even,” Caleb said. “I know the others would help out running supplies and sitting with him.”
“They would. Thing is, how are we going to keep him out there?”
Caleb thought for a moment. “We could tie him to a tree.”
Jonathan gave a lopsided grin. “Wouldn’t that piss him right off.”
“How else would we keep him?”
“That would be about the only way.”
“I don’t care if I have to stay out there the whole time myself, Jon. I couldn’t save him before. I won’t let that happen again. He needs to be here with us.” He gave a hard glance at the space between them on the bench. “And he’s not. He’s lost and we have to help him find his way back.”
Jonathan stared into the dark yard, thinking. The moon was nearly full, illuminating the clouds, casting the faintest of shadows. He liked Caleb’s idea. Besides admitting him into the asylum for feeble minds and lunatics, there wasn’t much else to do—and they couldn’t do that; people left there worse than when they walked in. If they left at all.
“It’s just crazy enough to work. We could tell him that we’re just going out on an overnight for old time’s sake. Like we used to when we were kids,” Jonathan suggested.
“But we’ll have to tell everyone else what we’re really doing.”
“Oh, absolutely.”
“I think Maura will like it.”
“She’ll love it. This sort of thing is right up her alley. I’m surprised she didn’t think of it. When should we do it?” Jonathan looked over at him, liking how he’d started to behave lately. A man of decision and action.
“The sooner the better,” Caleb said, sitting up straight, resting his palms on his knees. “How about tomorrow night?”
“Sounds good.”
Before Jonathan could stand, Caleb did, shoving his hands in his pockets, looking at the ground.
“I gotta be honest with you about something.”
“Oh?”
“Marvin never moved the stash.” Jonathan just stared at him. “I asked him to, he said he tried and couldn’t find another place. He offered to pay me a storage fee every month.” Caleb shrugged. “I don’t have to tell you how hard times are. I couldn’t turn down the money.”
“I just don’t want to see you get in trouble, Caleb.”
With a sarcastic smirk he looked up at the night sky. He wanted to tell him everything. The fact that Aryl stole from the barn and now he was up to his eyeballs in debt to Marvin, the jobs he’d had to do to begin to repay him, deliveries, handling, transporting; dealing with the ugliest side of society. His shoulders were so heavy as he stood, desperately wanting to lighten their burden. But he couldn’t. He could feel Jonathan’s disap
pointment in what little he’d already told him. Instead he said, “I’m the one that paid Ava’s hospital bill, Jon. I don’t want thanks.” He held his hands up to shield any gratitude that might come his way. “The only reason I’m telling you is so that you know that I’m trying to make some good come out of the whole situation. It’s true, I didn’t have the guts to run him and his stuff off my property and I don’t know if the money Marvin pays me is dirty. But it does good things once it crosses my hands.”
Jonathan took a moment. “You don’t want thanks, but I’ll thank you anyway. That was a huge burden lifted off us.”
Caleb shifted uncomfortably.
“You have a big heart, Caleb. But are you sure you—”
“I just needed to tell you the truth. So you’d know. I don’t have a big heart I’m just trying to get through like everyone else. I’d really like to go back to planning how we’re going to help Aryl now.” He sat back down. “Please.”
Jonathan opened his mouth to speak and Caleb sprang back up. “Dammit!” he yelled as he jumped to his feet.
Jonathan’s eyes widened. “What the hell, Caleb?”
“There’s more. Aryl knows it’s in the barn. Or was. Marvin hid it in the loft and he can’t get to it now. Doesn’t know where it is. Before that I know that some of the stuff he’s been on came from my barn.” He sat down again with a thud. “That’s all I’m saying.”
Jonathan leaned forward and sighed. “It’s still there?” he asked.
“That’s what I just said.”
“A lot of bad things have been happening lately revolving around that stuff. Like with Vincent.”
“I know.”
Jonathan opened his mouth to speak but stopped, turning is head toward Caleb. “Is that all you want to tell me?” he asked.
The debt he was in, the jobs he did for Marvin…those he had to keep to himself. That wasn’t information that would help Aryl.
Caleb nodded. “Yeah, that’s it.”
“Okay.” Jonathan paused, glancing at Caleb, just in case. “We’ll deal with getting that stuff out of your barn for good as soon as we can. For the time being, we need to help Aryl. And we can use that to our advantage.”
Caleb narrowed his eyes. “How so?”
∞∞∞
Maura, Ian, Claire and Ava listened intently as Jonathan explained the plan the next morning in his living room. They would show up that afternoon at Aryl’s for a spontaneous overnight trip. Caleb would be sure to mention that Marvin had just dropped off some gin, which would be too hard for Aryl to resist and they would stop by and pick some up before heading out into the woods behind the farm. After they left, Claire would gather up a few days worth of his clothes and have them ready when Caleb or Jonathan came to check in with her. Ian would go ahead of them and scout out a good area. He was to choose a good open spot with a solid tree. Jonathan handed him a length of rope to leave under some brush nearby. Maura was in charge of informing his parents and arranging who would bring what food and when. Her most important job was to make sure that no one ventured out there for the first three days. Only Ian would know where they were during that time. Caleb would run in for anything they needed and after that, Jonathan would schedule visitors. There would be no work for a few days, but after they got Aryl past the worst of it, Jonathan and Caleb would take turns going out with Ian.
Claire crossed her arms tightly, daring not to get too hopeful.
“Do you think it will work?”
Jonathan raised his shoulders. “I don’t know. But we have to try. We’ll be over at your place later this afternoon. Go home and act normal.” Jonathan held his hand up. “Don’t act too surprised to see us. If he smells anything isn’t right, he might not go.”
Maura gave an indignant huff. “Then we pick his arse up and carry him out there kickin’ and screamin’!”
Caleb shuffled with a muted snicker. “It’s important to act like last night didn’t even happen.”
“I will need your help, Maura. Later, after Caleb and I grow tired. Are you strong enough? Tell me honestly because this is going to be nothing short of an exorcism.”
She drew herself up tall. “Aye. I’m strong enough. You just let me know when I’m needed.”
∞∞∞
Ava watched from the doorway as Jonathan packed a bag.
“Can you afford to do this?”
“We don’t have a choice. Aryl will end up killing himself or someone else if we don’t.”
“You don’t think he had anything to do with Vincent, do you?”
“No,” Jonathan said quickly.
“When will you be back?”
“In a few days. Ian will be making the rounds to check on you and Arianna in the meantime and if you don’t want to be alone you could take the kids and go over there.”
She sat on the edge of the bed, looking lost.
“I’m sorry that I have to go.”
“We’ll be alright.”
“Will we?” Jonathan asked her with a pointed look. He stopped packing and waited for her to answer.
She looked away.
“I don’t like having to go away when things aren’t right with us.”
“What are you talking about, Jon, things are fine.” She picked at the fabric of her skirt.
“No, something’s happened. You haven’t been the same since the day Patrick left.” He sat down on the bed beside her.
“There’s nothing to tell.” She moved away. Just an inch, but he noticed.
“Look me in the eyes and say that.”
She stood up, growing angry. “I really wish you’d just drop it, Jon. This is all your imagination. There’s nothing wrong with me.” She tried to smile and laugh him off as silly.
He watched her walk out, picked up his bag and followed her.
“I have to go do this because things are getting out of control with Aryl. If it could wait, I’d put it off and stay here with you.”
“I know,” she said, facing away and trying to appear busy.
“But when I get back, we’re going to talk and I’m going to find out what’s wrong with you.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing he’d just leave it alone. “When you get back you’ll see that there is nothing wrong, Jon.” Her attempt to hide her irritation failed miserably. They were at an impasse.
“Can I get a kiss goodbye?”
She put on a smile and turned around. “Be safe,” she said and brushed her lips over his.
“That’s it?”
He leaned in for a real kiss, noticed how she stiffened, and stopped. He looked at her for a long moment. So long that she began to squirm. “I love you,” he said. “Don’t ever forget that.” She nodded and took a step back.
“We’ll talk when I get home, okay.”
She knew it was the only way to get him to stop so she said okay, and stepped aside allowing him room to leave.
∞∞∞
The sun had waned but not quite set. Aryl slung his bag over his shoulder. Inside it was a pillow, blanket, a change of clothes and enough elixir to get through the night.
“Just like when we were kids, huh?” Aryl asked.
“Yeah,” Jonathan said with a forced smile. “The good old days.”
“Just decided to take a camping trip on a Thursday?” He didn’t look suspicious. They caught him at a good moment. The monster had just been fed.
“Life is too short not to be spontaneous,” Caleb said. “I looked at Jonathan today and said, ‘Let’s go camping’ and here we are. Marvin dropped off some stuff,” he said casually. “We can stop and pick up a few bottles on our way out.”
Suddenly Aryl smiled and slapped him on the back. “Why the hell not. Let’s get going then.”
“Be careful,” Claire said, smoothing out the wrinkles in his shirt. He looked at her with distant, glassy eyes.
“We’re just going to build a fire and have some drinks. Sleep under the stars. What’s there to worry about?”
“Oh, snakes, spiders, that kind of thing.” She brushed off her comment with a shrug and put her hands on his shoulders. “I just want to make sure you come home to me, safe. Can you do that, Aryl?”
She couldn’t help it and her lip quivered. She gave him a quick hug, squeezing her eyes shut against the tears.
She watched from the window as Jonathan and Caleb led him away.
“Please come home, Aryl,” she whispered as they disappeared around the corner.
June 19th 1931
Aryl stirred at the base of the tree. Shreds of nut casings rained down on him as a pair of squirrels perched on a low branch worked studiously on their breakfast. He brushed them off his forehead clumsily and held it with a long moan. Slowly, he rolled to his side, letting his throbbing head rest on the cool ground.
“I think you drank too much,” Jonathan said, eyeing him from his squatting position near the campfire. He sniffed the percolator of fresh coffee and smiled, pouring himself a cup. Aryl’s eyes opened a crack; the light like razors to his eyes.
He grunted an unintelligible response and slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position, his back resting against the tree. With fine sweat appearing on his brow and the slightest green hue to his face, he waited with closed eyes for the nausea to pass.
“Coffee?” Jonathan asked invitingly, holding up a tin mug.
“No. Not now,” Aryl whispered. He could see every beat of his heart as a white throb behind his eyelids.
Jonathan laughed and it was a little too loud for Aryl’s liking.
“What’s so damn funny,” he grumbled. A few more shards of nut shells fell atop his head as the squirrels peered down curiously as they munched.
“You,” Jonathan said. Aryl could hear the smile in his voice and it irritated him. “You remind me of Caleb.”
“How’s that?” Aryl asked flatly.
“Well,” Jonathan let out a light grunt as he settled himself against a tree, opposite Aryl. “When you died—when we thought you died, it hit us all hard, but it really did a number on Caleb. It had to have been three solid months he drank himself to sleep in the barn. Either me or Arianna would wake him up damn near every morning with a bucket of cold water.”