“This is exciting! How much work has already been done?”
“Well, for starters, all 228 seats have been sent to an upholsterer. This theater holds fourteen rows of sixteen and four extra seats in the back. As I told you before, the old paint store will be the site for our new school. That’s the easy part. Everything there will be brand new. The restoration of our vintage theater is where the most important work is done.”
“I’m psyched! Hey, I see a familiar face under your desk.”
Muggins, who had been sleeping, wagged his tail and came out from under the desk to greet Larsen. He jumped on his hind legs, licked Larsen’s face, then Arielle’s, and went back underneath the desk.
“He’s so glad I hired you, Larsen. Being my assistant has been exhausting for the boy.”
Larsen laughed heartily. “Well, I promise you won’t find me sleeping under your desk. Or at mine.”
Arielle chuckled and pointed to a work area with a laptop. “You make me laugh, Larsen. I’m glad you’re here. Now, this is going to be your desk. Not an abundance of space, but we just need to stay organized.”
Larsen noticed a man sitting at a desk at the other end of the trailer. The man glanced at him briefly, then went back to studying the plans laid out before him.
Arielle motioned for Larsen to follow her and walked to the newcomer’s desk. “Gabe, this is Larsen Davis. He’s going to be my new part-time assistant. Larsen, this is Gabe Martelli. He’s a vintage restoration specialist. He’s going to be doing several projects in Mystekal after he finishes work here.”
Larsen reached out to shake Gabe’s hand. “You’re Avalon and Erik’s dad, right?”
“Yeah. Guess you met ‘em at the high school. My youngest is in middle school. Tough transition from Jersey City. Especially for my son.”
Larsen remembered how angry Erik was in science class when Henry Sledge asked him to introduce himself. “Uh, yeah. Nobody likes being the new kid.”
Gabe looked uneasy. “It’s a lot more than that.”
“Oh, sorry. Well, I’ll do everything I can to make him feel welcome.”
“Don’t try too hard. Better that way.” Gabe turned back to look at the plans on his desk, and Arielle nodded to leave him alone.
“Well, now that you’ve had the grand tour of the trailer, how about taking a look at the theater itself?”
Larsen’s face lit up. “Absolutely!”
As soon as Arielle walked back to the door and put her hand on it, Muggins came out from under the desk to join her.
Arielle laughed. “An apparent second wind. The Mugster follows me pretty much everywhere.”
As they stepped outside, Arielle and Larsen raised their arms to cover their eyes. The wind had picked up considerably. “Let’s make a run for it, Larsen. Sheesh, when I mentioned a second wind, I was talking about Muggins’ energy. Didn’t mean it literally. Oh well, it’ll die down. Eventually.”
Opening the back door to the theater, Arielle nodded for Larsen to enter. Muggins followed behind him, and she shut the door quickly.
“Whew! You didn’t get any sand in your eyes, did you?”
“No, I’m good, Mrs. D. But that’s some crazy wind.”
Arielle pointed to her left. This breezeway here will take you backstage.” She began to walk straight ahead as Larsen and Muggins followed. Right now, we’re going down this hallway and that door ahead will take us into the theater.
Arielle opened the door. “After you.”
Larsen walked through the door and was awed by the sight of 228 seat frames. “As you can see, Larsen, we have a whole lot of chairs without cushions.”
“Yeah, you mentioned they’re getting reupholstered.”
Take a look at the ornate ceiling. Isn’t it gorgeous? Years ago, it was the style to cover all of that up with drywall to modernize it. But we’re doing a vintage restoration and everything will be restored to its former glory.”
Larsen looked up. “I think the original is so much nicer. Wow, so Gabe’s crew is going to get up there and paint all of that? How do they get up that high? Do you have really big ladders and long paintbrushes?”
“Not exactly. They’ll be erecting scaffolding right before they’re ready to do the job.”
“Ha ha. I guess that sounded pretty stupid.”
Arielle chuckled. “Not at all. You should hear some of the questions that I asked in the beginning. On second thought, I think I’ll keep those a secret.”
“Oh, that’s not fair. So, how about that chandelier? Is that staying?”
“Absolutely. All of the brass will be buffed and we’ll be putting in new glass pieces. You wouldn’t believe how many antique light specialists I had to contact to find the right replacement pieces.”
“Wow. Even if you found the wrong ones, who would even notice?”
“We would notice. It’s got to be right, Lars. Let’s see. What else can I tell you? We’re going to be getting a new curtain for the stage and a brand-new PA system. All the doors are going to be sanded and revarnished. The floor of the stage will be redone as well. Gabe can tell you much more if you’re interested, but as you can see, we’ve got a whole lot of work to do. Having you here will free me up to do my job more quickly.”
“I’ll do my very best. Promise.”
“I have no doubts … ” Muggins ran up the steps to the stage, and began sniffing around the edge. “Muggins, come back here!”
“Where’s he going?”
“Probably to sniff out what the workmen had for lunch. They’ve been sitting on the stage to eat since the seat cushions were taken away. Yesterday Muggins found a piece of roast beef that had fallen out of a sandwich. But he looks like he’s expecting to find a whole lot more.”
As he watched Muggins aggressively sniffing, Larsen saw the shadow of a person linger behind a back curtain, then leave. “Hey, Mrs. D, I don’t think he’s looking for food.”
Arielle looked surprised. “Sure he is. What makes you think otherwise?”
“Uh … because I just saw the shadow of a guy move behind the curtain. So I figured maybe that’s who Muggins is sniffing out.”
“Did he have long hair pulled back in a ponytail? That’s Raphael, one of our workmen. He’s probably just taking last looks for the day. All the men here have kids and came in early so they could leave early to be with them on Halloween.”
“Does he drive a blue truck?”
“Sure does. Metallic blue. Just got it this year. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, nothing. Just saw it outside.”
Arielle clasped her hands together. “There you go. Mystery solved. C’mon, Muggins, you’re not being a very good tour guide. Get your furry butt over here.”
Arielle looked perplexed as Muggins, ignoring her, ran to the back of the stage.
“Muggins! Here! Now!”
“Woof! Woof!”
“What in the world are you barking at, boy?”
Muggins, now frantically sniffing, was walking back and forth along the edge of the curtain. “Woof!”
Quickly climbing the stairs to the left of the stage, Arielle went over to him, got down on her knees, and began playfully stroking his face. “What’s up with you, crazy dog? Since when do you bark at food?”
Muggins, who was usually overjoyed to receive her affection, was still preoccupied. Grabbing a leash from her back pocket, Arielle attached it to his harness and led Muggins away.
“Lars, I’m taking him back to the trailer. You can also exit this way, too. Just walk backstage and hang a left to the breezeway. You’ll end up at the back door.”
Still standing next to the stage, Larsen watched as Muggins kept turning his head toward the back curtain as Arielle led him away. He knew Muggins was not barking over a piece of roast beef. He had seen someone, too. Or maybe just smelled someone. But it couldn’t have been Raphael. Larsen had seen him drive off just when Arielle had first opened the door to the trailer.
Chapter 10
; “Thank you for keeping me company tonight, Larsen. It’s been years since I had anyone greet the trick-or-treaters with me.” Through the screen door, Kathryn watched the group of six children walk down her driveway. “Well, I think that was the last of them.” She closed the front door and walked over to the living room couch. “Have a seat.”
Larsen loved the big green plush sofa with the giant throw pillows and fell onto it, his face showing how much he enjoyed the comfort.
Kathryn took a seat on the same couch and sighed. “Happy Halloween, Larsen.”
“Believe it or not, this is my first one.”
Really? You’re nearly eighteen, and this is your first Halloween?”
“Yeah, back where I come from, people aren’t real chill about opening their doors to strangers wearing masks.”
“My apologies. I shouldn’t have said—”
“No problem. Some families were down with it. Not my mom, though. She didn’t want anyone coming to the house, and she sure didn’t want me dressing up and going out. No options there. I was really surprised to see so many older kids dressing up tonight.”
“Well, I think we had our fair share of teens tonight because it’s a Friday. Some of them are going to a party after they drop their kid brothers and sisters back home. I’m not an eavesdropper, but I do hear a lot behind that food counter.” Kathryn winked.
Larsen laughed. “Oh, that makes sense. Yeah, I bet you see a whole lot of everything, too. After all, that’s how we met, although I wish it hadn’t been under those circumstances.”
“It was what you call a blessing in disguise.” Kathryn turned away from Larsen, and he could tell she was upset.
“Are you okay? I said something wrong, didn’t I?”
Catching a tear with her index finger before it could tumble down her face, Kathryn managed a smile. “Of course not, Larsen. I was just thinking about this silly fantasy that I had … well, I hate to admit it, but it still haunts my brain.”
Larsen wasn’t sure how to respond. “Did you want to share it with me, or should I mind my own business? Because I’m real good with that.”
“I’d actually like to share. But I’m warning you, it might seem a bit crazy to you.”
“Negative, Kathryn. I’ve seen a whole lot of crazy in my life, and you don’t even make the waiting list.”
“I like that. Thank you, Larsen. When you mentioned the older kids coming around, that’s where my fantasy kicks in. I always dreamed that Peter never really died, but had to pretend he did for his safety and mine, even if it meant never seeing me again. For years after the acc … murder, and even sometimes now, when an older kid comes by, well, I think that maybe Peter is under that mask or makeup and has come home to surprise me. He’d be fifty-five now, and, I know, it’s very silly of me.”
“I don’t think that’s silly at all. I’ve had some really similar fantasies about my dad, like, that he faked his death to get away from my mother. If you knew my mom, that might not seem so unreal.”
Kathryn glanced toward the end table where several framed photos of Peter were. “Grief has a powerful effect on people, Larsen. I used to tell my best friend—she was the neighbor I told you about—that if most people saw their deceased loved ones walk into a room, they’d hug them with tears of joy. I don’t believe most people would scream, because in our hearts, we can never really accept that someone is gone. In a way, it’s not that surprising if we see them again.”
Larsen nodded enthusiastically. “You’re right, Kathryn. I mean, if I saw my dad, I’d just throw my arms around him and give him the biggest hug ever, like, one that would last for an hour. And then I’d ask a million questions.”
“Exactly. When my neighbor died unexpectedly, I always hoped to see her again, too. In fact, her death was one of the reasons I decided not to retire.”
Just as Kathryn had finished speaking, Larsen’s cell phone sounded, letting him know a text had come in. He looked uneasy as he pulled his phone from his back pants pocket. The look on his face confirmed his fears.
U been gone less than a wk and already forgot ur blood mama. Don’t U be dressin in no drag tonight or showing your Halloweenie to another gay. U don’t be shaming me boy. Hope ur new mama is paying 4 this phone b/c I ain’t doing it no more.
Kathryn watched as Larsen tensed up and dropped his phone into his lap. Seeing his hands shake, Kathryn took hold of them and squeezed his hands in hers. “I’m sorry, Larsen. I don’t know what she said, and I’m not asking. I’m just sorry, son. For whatever it is.”
Larsen choked back the tears and tried to make a joke of it as he mimicked a high-powered salesman he used to see on late-night TV shows. “Hey, can’t bully your child in person? Want to send that special dis to break your kid’s heart or kick him in the ass? No problem! Text bullying is the answer. No extra charges, folks! All included in a monthly package for the low rate of—”
“Oh, Larsen …”
Larsen’s heart sank. He watched as lines of anger etched into Kathryn’s beautiful face. “Please don’t worry about me, Kathryn. And please excuse the sarcasm. It’s just my way of … well, you know.”
Kathryn sighed, then massaged her temples, as if to ward off a headache. “Of course I worry. No child deserves to be bullied, especially by his or her parent. Not only does my heart ache for you, it hurts for Peter all over again.”
Alarmed, Larsen stood up. “Oh, no. I-I didn’t realize that living here would make your sad memories even more difficult. I’m so sorry, Kathryn. Maybe I should just go back … to her.”
Kathryn patted the seat cushion next to her. “Sit down, Larsen. Please. Absolutely not. You’ve been here only four days, and you have no idea of the joy and comfort you’ve brought to me. I am so much happier with you in my life. I hurt for Peter every day. I always have. After all of these years, I still look for his star, but I never find it. I’m seventy-five years old, and I never give up. But like I told you when we first met, I don’t fool myself, either. As much as I’d like to see it shining in the sky, I know that’s just a silly dream. Will you please sit down again? It would really make me happy.”
Larsen sat down beside her. “I just thought … well, I’m glad I’m here, too. My mom said something really ugly in the text. I’d be embarrassed to repeat it. She told me she wasn’t paying for my phone anymore, too, but I never expected her to do that. I have a job.”
“I can put you on my plan, Larsen.”
“But I’ll pay the bill, right?”
“You don’t have to, son. I want you to save for your future.”
“I need to pay for the phone, Kathryn. It’s just who I am.”
Kathryn grinned. “And that’s why I hold you in such high esteem. Because you are a proud man. And you never have to worry about giving me the details of any unpleasantness. Sometimes it helps to get everything out, but in other situations, it only makes things worse.”
“Is that why you don’t talk about how Peter died?”
“Exactly. The details no longer matter. I try to remember the things that made me happy. And I wouldn’t want to hurt …”
“Who wouldn’t you want to hurt?”
She paused. “I wouldn’t want to hurt anyone else by dragging them into the darkness with me. That’s all. Like I said, I try to focus on the good times.”
Larsen twisted his mouth. “I wish I had some happy memories to focus on. Well, I do, but they all involve my dad, and he’s long gone. But now that I’m living here with you and working with Mrs. D, I’m hoping life will get a whole lot better. I know it will.”
`*`*`*`
Holding books in one hand and a cell phone in another, Erik looked uncomfortable and angry. “You sure you’re feeling okay, baby? Hell, yeah, I miss you. Hang in there. Soon as I graduate, this desert life is history. We’ll be a family. Promise. Hey, you got that number I gave you? Don’t worry, I got the card in my wallet. Lemme get off this phone and find it. I’ll text it to you … yeah, me too.”
Jax, his first day back since being suspended, almost tripped on the fallen items that lay splayed on the floor. “What the fuck! Who the hell are you?”
On his knees, Erik scrambled to pick everything up, but Jax had already nabbed Erik’s driver’s license. “New fucking Joisey, huh? Ain’t that how youse guys talk back there?”
Erik stood up and put his hand out. “Not playin’ witchu, motherfucker; give me the license now.”
Now standing as well, Jax read the license aloud: “Erik Gabriel Martelli. From Kensington Avenue, Joisey City, New Joisey.”
Erik made a grab for his license, but Jax was faster and had turned his back as he continued to read. “What the hell? Says here you’re gonna be turning twenty on your next boithday. Coming up soon, too!” Jax roared with laughter. “So what, did you flunk a couple grades? You as dumb as you look?”
With strength Jax hadn’t given him credit for, Erik snatched his license out of Jax’s hand, stuck it in his back pocket, and with the same free hand shoved Jax against the nearest locker, dropped his books on the floor, then used both hands to push his head hard against the metal door. “Know what mixed martial arts are, motherfucker? ‘Cause I’m going to give your ass a demonstration.”
Larsen, who had nervously been watching the altercation between his least favorite classmates, edged up to Erik. “Hey, man. You don’t want to be doing this.”
Keeping his focus on Jax but talking to Larsen, Erik responded forcefully. “The fuck I don’t. Now, mind your own business, or you’re next. And as I told this douchebag, I don’t play.”
Speaking as quietly as he could, Larsen whispered in Erik’s ear, “I work at the theater with your dad, Gabe. That’s your old man, right?”
Desert Star Page 10