by Lyn Gardner
“Sorry, it took so long,” Robin said, reaching Judy’s side. “I was hoping to get all the paint out.”
“Turn around,” Judy said, setting down her mug. “Let me check.”
It was a simple request, and Robin did as asked, but even the simplest of things can cause unexpected results. With her back to Judy, Robin suddenly felt exposed, the visual examination more intimate than any doctor had ever performed, and when she felt Judy’s fingers in her hair, Robin closed her eyes and tried to breathe.
“I don’t see any blue. I think you’re good.”
Robin inhaled an uneven breath, and clearing her throat, she briefly glanced back at Judy. “So...you ready to go?”
“Sure,” Judy said, walking by. “Let’s head out.”
***
They walked in silence, their hands stuffed in their pockets and their breath steaming in the air. The soft light from the lampposts dotting the street illuminated their way, and other than the sound of their footsteps echoing in the night, the only interruption to the silence was the water lapping against the rock-covered beach off in the distance.
They rounded the turn, ambling past the library, closed for the day, and the Iroquois Hotel, closed for the season. They passed homes darkened with vacancy and the ferry dock, now barren of workers and carts, and Robin suddenly felt on edge. It was as if they were the only souls on the island, left to fend for themselves and to survive however they could until eventually they, too, would become ghosts.
Robin had been in town several times over the past two weeks, and each time she had, another store had closed for the winter. It seemed to her like an odd, creeping disease of abandonment as one by one, shop windows were covered with plywood and decorations adorning doors and awnings were removed, leaving nothing behind but boarded-up shells holding treasures that would remain unseen until spring.
“This is weird,” Robin whispered.
“What is?”
“It’s so quiet and...and so empty.”
Judy tugged Robin’s sleeve to get her attention. “Are you okay? You seem scared.”
“It’s just...um...it’s just that I haven’t gone out at night up here, and this is straight out of a horror movie. All we’re missing is the fog and the...and the—”
“Clowns?” Judy chirped.
Robin hung her head, and lifting her eyes to meet Judy’s, she said, “This is going to be a constant with you, isn’t it?”
“Maybe,” Judy said, tittering. “But I haven’t moved the doll yet, so that’s a plus.” Judy hooked her arm through Robin’s long enough to get the woman moving again. “Come on. I’ll protect you.”
Robin could have easily marched right into a clown convention at that moment, but as quickly as Judy had slipped her arm through Robin's, she removed it. Disconnected from the warmth and touch that had made her heart sing, the corners of Robin’s mouth drooped, but a few seconds later Robin found herself grinning. It’s hard not to when you see a bunch of bananas walking across the street.
Mackinac’s history, like that of Salem, Massachusetts, lends itself to the celebration of Halloween, for where better to observe All Hallows’ Eve than on an island rich with the spirits of the dead. It is one of the few holidays enjoyed by the residents without the intrusions of thousands of tourists, and it only took an instant for Robin to realize that the Mackinac locals did indeed like to dress up...and they also liked to party.
The bananas, hooked peel-in-peel, sauntered down the street, singing the Banana Boat song at the top of their lungs while in front of them, with plastic parrots perched upon their shoulders, a group of pirates raised their mugs in acknowledgment as Judy and Robin walked by.
The further into town they moved, the more people filled the streets, forcing Robin and Judy to zig and zag through throngs of ghosts, skeletons, and the entire cast of characters from the Wizard of Oz. Music streamed out from the restaurants and bars, and white-faced corpses of Indians, soldiers, and ladies and gentlemen of yesteryear draped in historical finery entered and exited, and Robin couldn’t contain her smile. She wasn’t a fan of Halloween, but the more she saw, the more she started to think about joining in on the festivities next year.
Without warning, Robin felt someone grab her arm and force her toward a dark alley between two stores. For a second, she fought against the direction, only to quickly give up the fight when she realized it was Judy doing the pulling. Robin had been led into darkened pathways before by women wanting to steal a kiss just because they could, but Robin was fairly certain that wasn’t Judy’s intent. Damn it.
“So...,” Robin whispered, surveying her surroundings before looking at back at Judy. “Any reason why we’re standing in an alley?”
Judy looked past Robin to the crowd on the street and then lifted her eyes to meet Robin’s. “Someone’s dressed up as a clown, and he appears to be trying to make his way over here.”
Robin’s shoulders fell. “Seriously?”
“Yeah, but the Pony is just past that cycle shop,” Judy said, pointing up the street. “Care to make a run for it?”
“You read my mind.”
***
For anyone visiting Mackinac, it’s rare that The Pink Pony isn’t on their list of things to see. Situated inside the Chippewa Hotel, the bar and grill is known for its laidback atmosphere, imaginative cocktails, and its location. Built on the water, its massive patio juts out over the Straits, giving those dining under the umbrellas of pink a photo opportunity that all took advantage of.
When Robin reached the front door of the Pony, she only had to wait a few seconds until Judy caught up to her, and with the safety of the bar and grill at hand, they walked inside without a care in the world. Judy made her way to the host’s podium, confirming the reservation she had made hours before, and within minutes, the two women were being led through the restaurant to a booth in the back.
Robin wasn’t surprised to see the restaurant stayed true to its name. A pale shade of pink appeared in the upholstery of the bar stools, while the ceiling tiles were almost fuchsia in tone, and ponies could be seen on the glassware as well as on the T-shirts of the wait staff. But as she looked around, Robin realized the primary theme was boating. On every wall were posters of yacht races held over the years, and oars and lifejackets hung near tables, their surfaces worn and tattered, proving their authenticity.
As they walked by the singer on the stage, Robin grinned as she noticed the mural of high-stepping pink ponies on the wall behind him. With the noise level rising and falling as conversations in the restaurant grew loud and then quiet, for a moment, she could clearly hear the lyrics of the Monster Mash and then just as quickly, it was swallowed up by the boisterousness of the party atmosphere.
When they reached the table, they slipped into the booth and shrugged out of their coats, and before too long they had ordered their drinks and then their dinner.
“This is quite a place,” Robin said, looking around. “You come here often?”
Judy giggled. “That sounds like a pick up line.”
“Oh, sorry,” Robin said, her cheeks instantly darkening one shade. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I know, and to answer your question, occasionally."
“And they close, too? I mean, for the season.”
“Yes,” Judy said, nodding. “There're only three that stay open all year round.”
“I’m glad I filled the freezers then.”
“You overfilled the freezers.”
“Say that when you run out of food and have to come begging to me for a handout.”
Judy smiled as she reached for her wine. “And speaking of hungry, Adele bookmarked a few breakfast casseroles in one of the cookbooks. I was thinking about trying a few of them out so we could get an idea of what works and what doesn’t before we’re open for business.”
“Technically, we could open for business tomorrow. White Birch is ready to go.”
“You really want to open, don’t you?”
Robin shrugged. “I just figured what’s the harm if we do? I know we probably won’t have anyone, but just in case...”
“All right, I’ll see about putting a sign up at the Tourism Bureau before they close for the year. Just don’t be disappointed when we don’t get anyone, and you’re left sampling all the recipes I’m going to try.”
“I doubt you could ever disappoint me,” Robin said quietly, and as she sipped her wine, she became lost in the gray-blue of the eyes gazing back at her.
“Happy Halloween!”
Robin and Judy both jumped at the clamorous greeting, and their heads turned in unison. Standing near their table were two people appearing as if they had just stepped out of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.
Staying true to the mirrored characters, the Tweedledee and Tweedledum grinning back at Judy and Robin were dressed identically. Their dark mustard stretch trousers were pulled up well past their waists, disappearing under short jackets the color of sangria, and on their heads, both wore striped caps, topped with propellers.
“Happy Halloween to you, too,” Judy said, gesturing toward Robin. “I’m not sure if you’ve met Robin yet. She’s Adele’s niece.”
“Haven’t had the pleasure,” Tweedledum said, sticking out his hand. “Name’s Tommy Conroy, and this is my lovely bride, Rose. It’s very nice to meet you.”
Robin’s eyes widened just a tad. With their height, weight, and shape almost as identical as their costumes, Robin had thought both the people were men. She did a quick double-take, and that’s when she noticed the subtle difference between the drape of Tommy’s jacket and that of his wife. “Nice to meet you, too,” Robin said, shaking Tommy’s hand. “Great costumes.”
“They’re not only great. They’re authentic,” Tweedledum stated as he inched closer. “When we design our costumes, they’re perfect down to the last detail.”
Robin found the man’s tone imperious, and with his rotund belly now resting on the edge of their table, she set her jaw. She quickly glanced at Judy, and when she saw the woman roll her eyes in response, Robin turned back to Tweedledum. “Is that so?”
“Yes, indeed it is,” Tweedledee said, and sashaying forward, the woman crossed her pudgy arms across her equally pudgy stomach. “We have a reputation to uphold. While some think store-bought costumes are good enough, Tommy and I know better. You can’t win these contests with masks and painted faces. You need to put your heart and soul into it if you want to call yourself a winner.”
Robin was at a loss as she looked back and forth between the two people, but thankfully, Judy came to her rescue.
“So, guys...are you hitting all the places tonight?” Judy asked.
“Of course!” Tweedledum bellowed. “We’re planning to make a clean sweep.” He turned to his wife and pointed toward the front of the restaurant. “Which reminds me, sugarplum, we really should be going. We still have a few more contests to enter before the night is over.”
“You’re absolutely right, dear,” Rose Conway said, hooking her arm through her husband’s. “We do hope you two enjoy your evening, and don’t forget to vote for us!”
“We’ll do that,” Judy said, forcing a smile. “Good luck.”
Robin looked over her shoulder, watching as the tubby twins waddled to the front door. “They’re quite a pair,” she said, turning back to Judy.
“That’s putting it nicely,” Judy said with a laugh.
“So, they were haughty then? It wasn’t just me.”
“Oh no. It wasn’t you,” Judy said, taking a sip of her wine. “Rose and Tommy are nice enough, but they’re also a little over-the-top.”
“Let me guess. They can trace their lineage back to the founding fathers of Mackinac, and they’re very proud of the fact?”
“No, actually they’re transplants.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope,” Judy said, placing her glass back on the table. “They used to just come to Mackinac for vacation, but about fifteen years ago they decided to move here. They opened up a place called Beads and Bangles, and they’ve lived here ever since.”
“So why so...um...so snobby?”
“That’s just who they are, and as you could see, they’re also very competitive. Other than anything requiring one ounce of athleticism, if there’s a contest on the island, Tommy and Rose will always be among the competitors.”
“And I’m assuming they win a lot.”
“Not as much as they’d like,” Judy said with a chuckle.
Again, Robin found herself held spellbound by Judy’s eyes. She had no idea how long she was staring, but when Robin went to take another taste of her wine, she found her glass empty. Feeling her cheeks begin to heat, Robin pushed herself out of the booth. “I think I’m going to visit the ladies’ room. Be right back.”
“Okay. It’s up there on the right.”
“Thanks.”
Judy watched as Robin made her way through the crowd, and after finishing what was left of her own Cabernet in one swallow, she placed both glasses at the edge of the table and rested back in the booth. Most of the bars were holding costume contests, so Judy wasn’t surprised that the liveliness of the restaurant had calmed a little. Like Tommy and Rose, many dressed for the holiday had made their way to the next stop leaving behind patrons more interested in food and drink, but a few costumed characters were still in view. Sitting at a nearby table was a trio of penguins enthusiastically rating the flights of beer in front of them, and at the bar stood a coven of witches holding brooms in one hand and drinks in the other. A lumberjack with a painted-on beard was standing near the restrooms, his arms draped over his colleagues’ shoulders as they posed for a selfie, but the last in costume was alone...and heading straight for Judy in all his jokester glory.
“I’ve been trying to catch up with you since I saw you walking down the street, Jude,” the carrot-topped clown said as he staggered up to the booth. “How ‘bout I buy you a drink?”
Judy’s shoulders sagged as she recognized the voice of the jester and one quick glance down at his greasy fingernails, confirmed Judy’s worst fears. Behind the white makeup and the smeared black grin was Bubba Burdett.
A former employee of The Wheelhouse, Bubba had been a constant in Judy’s life almost as long as Scott. Hired on part-time during his sophomore year in high school, Bubba had spent every free minute working at Scott’s father’s side, learning everything there was to know about bicycles. By the time Scott returned from college, Bubba was the best bike mechanic on the island, and he quickly became one of the reasons why The Wheelhouse was so successful. From antique Schwinns to streamlined racing bikes, there wasn’t one Bubba couldn’t fix or tweak...and the word spread.
From open to close, Bubba could be found at his bench in the shop. Located right outside the tiny office where Judy spent most of her time, she’d listen to him whistle and belch his way through the day, hardly giving him a moment’s notice while she placed orders for stock. There were times when she’d look up to find him staring at her, his penetrating gaze causing goosebumps to appear on her skin, but offering her a yellow-toothed smile, he’d get back to work without so much as another glance in Judy’s direction for the rest of the day.
On an island the size of Mackinac, it was inevitable that Bubba’s path would cross with Judy’s and Scott’s after The Wheelhouse had closed for the day. A bachelor who liked sports bars and beer, in the evening when many of the tourists had returned to the mainland, Bubba could be found at the Pony or the Mustang, sampling the finest Michigan had to offer, and if Scott and Judy walked in for dinner, they’d always invite him to join them. It was what friends did, and Judy always considered Bubba a friend, or at least she did until she discovered Bubba wanted more than friendship.
Before the ink was dry on her divorce decree, Bubba asked Judy out on a date, and as politely as she could, Judy turned him down. Her excuse was that it was too early, too soon after her marria
ge had ended to think of anyone else, but it wasn’t long before Judy was forced to tell Bubba the truth. She wasn’t interested in going out with him. She was polite and apologetic, hoping not to hurt the man’s feelings, but Bubba didn’t seem to grasp the concept. No matter where Judy worked, at some point during the day, she’d look up to see him watching her. No matter what restaurant she’d visit, he’d appear and then invite himself to join her, and no matter how many times Judy would say no, he’d ask again...just like he was doing right now.
“Thanks, Bubba, but I’m here with a friend,” Judy said, motioning toward the two wine glasses on the table.
“Well, then I’ll buy you both a drink,” he said, lurching into Judy’s personal space. “How ‘bout that?”
Judy recoiled as Bubba’s beer breath washed over her. “I don’t think so,” she said, moving farther into the booth. “She’ll be back in a minute, and we’ve already ordered dinner.”
“Come on, Jude,” Bubba said, and placing his plump, hairy hand on Judy’s shoulder, he gave it a squeeze. “Jus’ one little drink. What’s wrong with that?”
“Other than the fact she said no, you mean?”
Bubba stood straight, wobbling for a second before turning around. “And whaz it to you if she did?”
If Robin hadn’t just returned from the restroom, the need for one would have been forefront in her mind. Not only was she face-to-face with a ghoulish clown, this one smelled of stale beer and several apparently sloppy bathroom visits. Grimacing at the stench, Robin took a half-step backward before she managed to find her voice again.
“In case you haven’t heard, no means no,” Robin said, glaring into the clown’s bloodshot eyes. “And she just told you no. So, either you walk away, or I’m going to call the manager over.”
“I live on this goddamned rock,” Bubba said, puffing out his chest. “They know me here. They won’t kick me out.”
