“Yeah, but so do Paulie and his crew...” She looked out the blinds again and saw people starting to sit at the tables. Cadence and Brent were still walking around being good hosts. “Let’s go. Who knows? Maybe it will be good news.”
He slapped the small of her back, making her jump. “Maybe.”
“Worst case...” She slapped him back. “I’ll have one more night here. I can give them warning. And you’ll be doing me a really big favour.” She winked. “Because your little Cadence is going to go all stiff and wobbly the minute she sees you. Especially now that we’re going to be fashionably late.”
“You’re crazy. Come on, let’s go.”
“You think I am, but I know. She’s over there, right now, terrified you’re not going to make it. Because she does ‘so hope we can be friends’. As if her ghastly ass could steal you away from me. Come on. Let’s go find out what they know and confirm what I already do.”
David sighed, trying to keep from worrying as Juno opened the front door, took his hand and dragged him outside.
Richard hung up the phone in David and Juno’s old apartment and called off the search. If their place had looked any better before the Guatemalan thugs started tearing it apart, he couldn’t tell.
He picked up the phone and called Paul.
“Talk to me, Ricky,” Paul said. “Are they going to work with us?”
“I gave them the night to decide if they want us to come and get it. Worst case, if I don’t hear back from them, I’ll send muscle out there to pick it up and put them in the ground.”
“So they admit? They definitely have the tape?”
“Yeah. They got it. They understand the situation.”
“Fuckin’ rat bastard scum bags. What took so long?”
“Well, I had to call them so many times I just about gave up. They finally answered, though. Like I figured... And they’re being legit. They’re not going to try to burn us with the tape. I believe them. Still, I told them we want it back.”
“You’re God damned right,” Paul roared. “If we don’t have that tape, everything’s up in the air. I want it in my fuckin’ hands so I know Franky wasn’t feeding us a line to keep us confused until we get unceremoniously fucked in court. You got me?”
“Yeah, I got you, boss. I let them know, if they ran, their friends and neighbours would be giving them up, and giving up their lives in the process. As much as I hate those fuckin’ rats, I don’t think they’ll let it go that far. Can’t say for sure, though. All I can promise you is we’ll definitely know by tomorrow night.”
“All right. You get some sleep. Fix this mess. We’ll talk.”
“It’ll all be over soon,” Richard said, “and it’ll be over quick.”
“...This is not a fairy tale... And what the fuck are you doing?”
It’s standing alone now, taking a break from serving the other monkeys and hiding in the disgusting monkey’s wooden box, staring at the floor and grinding Its teeth with worry.
I ask It the same question again and It scurries off into Its room, locking the door behind It. It sees me growing in the corner near Its precious closet and It tries to shrink me as I continue to grow.
“What do you want?” It begs, like a pathetic animal. “You’re not always right.”
I tell It, though It’s correct in Its conclusion that I’m not always right, I usually am. And I was right the only time it ever actually mattered before now. And that puts me one up on It, so It should shut Its mouth, silence Its monkey mind and start listening to me again.
It tells me to leave It alone. Then It pleads with me to do the same and, in Its moment of weakness, I wrap myself around It. Cloaking It in a darkness Its monkey eyes can’t pierce and I drown It in monkey blood and monkey flesh as I listen to It cough and choke, transfixed.
“Isn’t this what you want?” I ask It. “Eat it. Maybe you’ll vomit something you can use this time. Drink it. Maybe it’s the blood of your Saviour. What you were born from. I thought you wanted to drown in that shit, you fucking confused little recreant.”
Then It relaxes inside me and runs Its monkey fingers through the blood and the flesh. Sucking Its fingertips and salivating. Shaking.
“Relax and do as I say for once,” I tell It, “and this will all be over soon. It’s what you want, right? To go back Home?”
It nods and waits as the red rain continues to wash over It.
When It’s relaxed enough to be receptive, I start to give It more visions. And the moment I do, It shifts to an alternate channel and howls at me. Fully Itself again. Monstrous, deadly, asexual. Its fur and Its wings shaking violently. All three sets of teeth cutting wide swaths through me and separating Its mind from my own just long enough to return to the monkey’s plane of existence, make Itself ugly for the other monkeys and cast me back into the corner from which I came. Making Itself what It considers presentable as It drains all the sickening monkey flesh and blood back into me to disappear.
“You’re wrong.” It chastises me, even as the feeble timbre of Its voice tells me It’s considering I might be right. And It leaves as I continue to call out after It:
“...This is not a fairy tale... And you’d better get your shit together quick. This window won’t stay open forever.”
Brent brushed sweat from his forehead as he turned the burgers on the grill. Hearing a bustle on the lawn, he looked up to see Juno and David walking across the green grass.
“Howdy, neighbours.” He waved to them. “We thought you might be too tired to come by. I made extra in case, though. You’re in for a treat. I fix a mean burger.” He pointed to the picnic table to his right. The three men Juno had seen from the window were sitting at it.
Juno looked over and noticed the women were seated at the circular tables. Three at the first one, and the third one set for two, with two empty chairs beside it. “Do I...?” She pointed to the empty table.
“I’m sorry.” Brent covered the grill. “My manners. I swear. Let me introduce you.” He stepped between Juno and David and put his arms around them, grabbing David’s shoulder and squeezing Juno’s waist, as he spoke in a loud voice. Cadence was nowhere in sight. “Ladies and gents.” He directed everyone’s attention to them, as David and Juno smiled and waved meekly. “Meet the latest additions to our community, Juno and David.”
The men and women all stood to exchange greetings. In the end, between all six of them, they counted seven handshakes and seven hand kisses. Everyone in town was incredibly old fashioned. And one of them was a little too happy to see new faces.
“Juno.” Brent pointed her toward the third circular table. “You’ll be sitting with Cadence, when she decides to come back outside. David, you’ll be sitting at the picnic table with the men.”
“Is everything okay?” David asked as Brent turned back to the grill. Juno bowed her head to the ladies, who politely snubbed her. She took her seat at the third table, looking over at David, her eyes begging for the night to end soon.
“How do you mean, buddy?”
“Sorry,” David said. “We’re from the city. We didn’t mean to be rude. Showing up late. I remember you said Cadence was very old fashioned. We didn’t upset her or anything, did we?”
“No, she’s fine.” Brent brought his voice to a whisper and pulled David closer. “To tell you the truth, she’s a little nervous. It’s been a while since we’ve had new guests. She was getting all agitated making sure everything was just so. Then, seven minutes ago, she became convinced you were just being polite and had no intention of showing up, and she went wandering off inside.” David grimaced, apologising with his body and face. “But don’t worry. She’ll be fine. I reminded her we told you two you didn’t have to come over. That the invitation was open ended. I mean, you just moved in. But she gets something in her head and...” Brent slapped himself on the temple with his open hand. “She’ll get over it. She’s going to feel foolish enough when she sees you’ve both come over. Just... let’s keep the history b
etween us. Cool?”
“Yeah,” David said, “no problem. Sorry if we got you in Dutch with the woman.”
“She’s not mine, but... Hey, no problem at all, David,” Brent said. “Do you prefer David? Or Dave? Davey?”
“Any of those work,” David said. “Juno’s friends call her Junie.”
“Well then, I’m just going to assume we’re friends and start calling you two Davey and Junie.” He winked, smiling.
“Sounds good.” David walked over to Juno.
“Where’s your new girlfriend?” Juno whispered and tried to keep the smile from her face. “I’m so going to win this bet.”
“She got a little worked up, expecting new guests. Then she thought we weren’t going to make it. It’s not a big deal.”
“Tell her that,” Juno said, beaming.
David turned around to walk back to the picnic table as Cadence came out the patio door. She closed it behind her and walked toward Juno’s table, her head facing down and her hands holding each other across her stomach. David glared back at Juno, who was trying not to laugh.
“Cadence.” David acted surprised as she reached the table. “It’s good to see you again.” She looked up slightly, her face pale and frozen with shock, but still soft and full. She extended her hand quickly. David moved to kiss it on the top and she yanked it back. “Sorry.” She looked down and away, her body growing more stiff and her hands trembling. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. Thank you for having us over. Are you comfortable in that outfit?”
“You’re most welcome.” She bowed her head as she looked at the heavy fabric of her clothing and spoke in a hushed tone. “It’s only right I greet new guests formally. In manner and in dress. I don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea. Do you not approve of it, David? Is it too revealing? I should have worn long sleeves. I’m terribly embarrassed.”
Feeling Juno kick him lightly in the ass, he replied, “Not at all, Cadence. You look amazing... I mean your dress is very tasteful. I’m the one who should be apologising.” Cadence’s head raised as she tried to smile, her cheeks turning sallow. She batted her lashes slowly and cupped his hand in hers, bowing slightly at the knees, putting him between herself and Juno. Sniffing him as her nostrils flared and her hands twitched.
Juno stood beside David and extended her hand. Cadence shook it, batting her lashes again. She had the super slow motion lash batting down to an art. “It’s so nice to see you again,” Juno said. “And, as the house idiot forgot to say, thank you so much for not giving up on us.”
Cadence shook Juno’s hand, sniffed, and looked back over in David’s direction, her eyes squinting and her cheeks turning pink as her body became rigid. “You’re both very welcome,” she said. “I’m pleased you made it. I was so hoping you would. I really do want us to be good friends.” She moved to take her seat.
As Cadence was pulling out her chair to sit, Juno whispered into David’s ear, “I own your ass tonight, Mr. Strange.”
David flushed with anger.
Juno couldn’t see it, but when Cadence looked up and noticed David’s face turning red, her eyes immediately locked with his. Her jaw loosening and her lips trembling apart. Saliva forming on her tongue. Losing herself in his gaze. And David could hear his name being called by a familiar and female voice, off in the distance. As if from under water. Then she quickly broke contact, shaking even harder, looking at the ground, trying to stifle a heavy sadness that washed across her face. By the time Juno turned around, Cadence had pulled herself together.
The rest of the evening went by quickly. The hamburgers were especially delicious, but Brent steadfastly refused to reveal his secret blend of spices and extra ingredients. Always had, everyone said. The women David and Juno met were all housewives, the same as Juno, essentially, was now. The men all worked various trades. Decent and well mannered. Plastic and a little uptight.
The conversation was bland, but it moved along quickly. Neither of them had to lie about what they were doing in town and how they’d come to live in their new home. No one asked them any questions that weren’t superficial in that regard and, mostly, they spoke among themselves about things that were happening around town.
By nine in the evening, the activity wound down. Brent invited David and Juno to stay for a while longer to have a beer or three and talk. Cadence didn’t appear to favour the idea, but Juno accepted the offer more quickly than she could reject it.
Cadence welcomed Juno inside the house after they left David and Brent out on the patio, where they sat enjoying a few beers and talking. The inside of the Strange household was much the same as the place she and David were hoping to call home, except it was slightly larger and much more elegantly furnished. The small hallways were adorned with framed black and white photographs of people who didn’t resemble Cadence, Brent or anyone they’d met that evening. The walls were done up to look like wood. It was obvious there was drywall underneath, but it still created a calming mood. Though it wasn’t a fancy house, it was a place the owners took good care of and were proud to live in.
Juno looked back out the patio window at David chatting with Brent, wishing she were out there with him. Just to know what they were saying. Hoping he was asking all the right questions. Desperately praying the men’s conversation didn’t end badly, and would result in an arrangement that allowed them to stay. This neighbourhood, although they’d been there less than a day, already felt more like home than any place else she’d ever been. Her heart ached as she imagined running again. Living in fear. Never settling down. Losing everything she didn’t think she wanted before they’d gotten away from the violence and seductive evil of their little part of the city.
“Please, sit.” Cadence took a seat on the living room’s mahogany couch. She patted the space next to her, her lashes batting even more slowly, as she looked up at Juno.
As Cadence watched her, waiting, Juno felt an inexplicable urge to turn around, open the front door, and run until she couldn’t stop. Just leave everything behind, though it was everything she ever wanted, and never look back. For reasons she couldn’t explain, in that moment, she felt she was being backed into a corner.
“Thank you.” She sat down. “Do you mind?” She pointed at her shoes and started to slip them off. Cadence nodded and began to voice her objection, but Juno wasn’t paying any attention and she let her shoes fall to the floor, draping her legs over the front of the couch as she reclined and held her hands in her lap. “So...” she said. Not knowing what to say, now that she was alone with one of the two people she and David might be putting in mortal danger very soon.
“Yes?” Cadence looked into Juno’s eyes. Her lashes seemed to bat more slowly as time progressed. But, Juno soothed herself, that was probably just the adrenaline flooding her system. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Juno let out a forced giggle. “It’s just. Well, it’s been a while since, you know?” But how could anyone else know? She wasn’t even sure what the hell she was talking about. “My stomach’s a little upset. The burgers, maybe? I’m too used to an all-peanut-butter diet.”
“No, you feel troubled.” Cadence reached over and brushed Juno’s hair to the side. Juno startled at her touch, and Cadence immediately withdrew her hand. “I’m terribly sorry.” She looked forward, then down. “I didn’t mean to presume. I apologise for my behaviour around David. He’s very familiar. It scares me. His eyes. And on the inside. Something about him. He makes me feel... He reminds me of when... I mean, he reminds me of the men on the television. The actors. I know he’s yours now. You both smell the same. I would never. You must think terribly of me.”
“No.” Juno tried to calm herself down. “Now? I mean, no. We’re not together anymore...” She put her hand on Cadence’s shoulder and felt it shrink away as she tried to soothe it. “We lived in a bad part of the city. It’s not your fault. I’m just...” Something about Cadence was throwing her off. Something she couldn’t describe. Something she could just feel. “No one. Wh
ere I used to live. No one was ever this kind. Not unless they wanted something from me. It was never anything good. I left because... I couldn’t live like that anymore.” She stopped for a moment, confused. “But I want you to know I get it. Davey thinks you’re... familiar? He feels that way about you too.”
Cadence began shaking again. Looking panicked at the mere thought of David recognising her.
“He can be a royal pain,” Juno continued, “And I guess I love him. He just got too fixated on me. Changing everything to make me happy. It got old. He did the same thing to some other girl he was crazy about when he was younger. That one had the common sense to run.” Cadence looked at the floor, shaking her head and rubbing her left temple. “But I get it. It’s cute you have a crush on him. He’s not all that attractive. He takes getting used to. Which works in my favour. But I’m sure you’re familiar with male attention. Davey thinks you’re gorgeous. He couldn’t stop talking about you.”
Cadence’s body locked up. “He’s very kind. So are you. But I never said I had a...” Cadence’s eyes drifted again, as her lips trembled.
“It’s okay. I’m not making any sense, am I? What am I talking about again?”
“It’s all right.” Cadence’s face shook and her skin turned more pale than anything Juno had ever seen before in her life. As if she were going to expire right then and there. “I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.” She looked back up into Juno’s eyes. “I feel terrible about confessing what I feel inside. About David. I’m not even sure I know him. You’re such a lovely woman. I could never compete with you, even if I were that sort of person. Please don’t say anything? Not to anybody? Not to David?” Juno agreed, trying to keep from smiling, and Cadence swallowed hard. “I get so confused sometimes.” Cadence’s eyes looked around the room, her hands fumbling with each other, trying to pacify herself. “I know what you mean, though.” Her nostrils flared quickly. “I can smell it. I know what you mean when you say you lived in a bad place.”
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