“Still want to go down the Cumbersome Stretch?” Jeanie asked.
“Yeah!” Seth answered. “I want to see how fast the Mustang can go.”
“Well, it’s no hot rod, but it’ll go,” Jeanie said. “Let’s get out of here.”
Jeanie wiped her mouth on a napkin while Rheanna used her shirt.
“Don’t you have any class?” Jeanie asked.
“Hey,” Rheanna said. “I’m not here to impress anyone. And why is everyone picking on me anyway?”
“Ah, Rhee, we really love you,” Jeanie said. “Here, let me prove it.” Jeanie wrapped her arms around Rheanna and planted a loud, forceful kiss on her cheek.
“Oh,” Rheanna gasped, wiping her face. “That’s disgusting. You slobbered on me!”
“You taste better than cherry jubilee,” Jeanie said, snickering.
They walked outside. Jeanie opened the passenger door for Rheanna, then moved to the driver’s side once everyone climbed in. Jeanie started the car and steered onto Main Street.
Stars winked in the clear, warm night. The air was still. The streetlamps and lights from shops on Main Street brought the center of town to life like a pinball machine. With Bon Jovi still on, they came to a stop at a streetlight. A red Nova pulled up alongside them. The music from the car drowned Bon Jovi, something by Rob Zombie. The Nova’s engine revved, challenging Jeanie to a race.
“The things people do to get a lady’s attention,” Jeanie said over the music, and shocked everyone in the car by pretending to pick her nose in dramatic fashion. It was the most un-lady-like thing Seth had ever seen, and it made him like her all the more. Jeanie presented it out the window for the boys in the red Nova.
“Jeanie!” Rheanna said, revolted.
“I didn’t really do it!” Jeanie said. “I picked my nose earlier. Got everything out.”
“Jeanie!” Rheanna said, the look on her face one of pure disgust.
Seth had never seen Jeanie act this way before. He wondered if she were doing it for his benefit. Masie laughed as well. The Nova shot off once the light turned green. Rheanna shook her head and rolled her eyes.
“Maybe we can find Lance and Amy,” Jeanie said.
“You wouldn’t!” Rheanna said, looking over at her.
Jeanie laughed and punched the gas, the Mustang rocketing through the intersection. Wind rushed through the open windows again, throwing their hair wildly in all directions. Other obnoxious, rebellious teens passed, trying to get their attention, but Jeanie wasn’t in the mood. She followed Main Street until Ellishome disappeared behind them. Soon, they were in the surrounding fields and meadows outside of town.
Don’t run, Seth heard in his mind, and shook his head. He’d imagined it, he told himself. For the second time that night, he tried not to think about the incident in the meadow.
The Cumbersome Stretch did not have a sign, and soon, the pavement ended. The road turned to dirt. Crickets chirped in the surrounding meadow. Jeanie pushed the pedal to the floor, and the Mustang picked up speed, the engine whining loudly to life. Dust clouds billowed, swirling behind them. Headlights cut through the dark.
The wind turned torrential as the car barreled down the dirt road. Rocks and pebbles clanked against the undercarriage of the Mustang.
Looking over Jeanie’s shoulder, Seth watched the speedometer climb past 80 mph.
“Yeee-haaaww!” Jeanie bellowed, holding the wheel tight in both hands. Her hair was a dancing vortex of brown and blonde highlights.
Rheanna held her hair out of her eyes with one hand, smiling wide. Masie grabbed Seth’s arm as if riding a roller coaster, grinning.
Seth looked at the speedometer. 90 mph. The Mustang hummed and vibrated.
What did you do this summer, Seth?
He imagined his teacher asking him this and couldn’t wait to answer:
Well, my sister has these two really pretty friends, and I hung out with them and had ice cream. They flirted with me the whole time, treated me like a king. Personally, I think God made Jeanie the prettiest girl in the universe. We might get married when I’m older. Then we went down the Cumbersome Stretch to see how fast the Mustang could go. That was pretty cool. It was like they didn’t want any boys around when I was with them. Made me feel like the luckiest kid in the world, yessir.
Did Jeanie kiss you, Seth?
A gentleman never tells.
He imagined the boys in his fifth grade class, staring at him with big, round eyes, mouths open. Everyone in town knew who Jeanie Masterson was. Seth would finally get the recognition he deserved. He was going to be the most popular boy in the fifth grade!
The speedometer climbed above 100 mph. Bon Jovi continued to thump from the speakers. An enormous dust cloud billowed behind them. Seth had never gone this fast in a car before, and he laughed at the joy of it!
When the speedometer finally reached 110 mph, Jeanie took her foot of the gas. Seth caught his breath.
“Hope no kitties was crossin’ the road,” Jeanie said.
“Wow,” Rheanna said, eyes wide. “That was fun.”
“We should do it again,” Seth said, hopping up and down in his seat. The rest of them laughed.
“We could go swimming,” Rheanna said. “Warton’s Pond is around here somewhere, isn’t it?”
“I didn’t bring my bathing suit,” Masie said.
“You don’t need a bathing suit,” Jeanie said. “You got your underwear on, don’tcha?”
A lump rose in Seth’s throat. He hadn’t brought his swimming trunks, either. He was wearing pants with his underwear underneath was all. Why hadn’t he left his shorts on from earlier?
“Rheanna,” Jeanie said. “I thought you were a conservative girl.”
“Oh,” Rheanna said. “We can go for an innocent dip. That’s harmless enough. Seth can tell all his friends he went swimming with the three most beautiful girls in Ellishome. Just don’t tell them one of them was your sister.”
“Hey!” Masie said. “You’re the one trying to corrupt him.”
“I think it’s a great idea,” Jeanie said. “It’s too damn hot in the car, anyway.”
The car slowed to a safe 40 mph.
“You want to go swimming, Seth?” Masie asked.
Seth was reluctant, but if he said no…
“Sure,” he said, imagining Jeanie with hardly any clothes on.
“Far out,” Jeanie said. “Cooling off in the summer evening. Going to Warton’s Pond. Gonna go skinny-dippin’.”
“Not in front of the boy,” Rheanna said. “Jeez. You’re torturing the poor kid.”
“It’s gonna be the best summer you ever had, Seth,” Jeanie said.
Seth had no doubt about that.
Jeanie hopped up and down in her seat, bobbing her head back in forth.
“Are you drunk?” Rheanna asked, looking over at her.
“Deliriously,” said Jeanie.
“Kind of wish I was,” Rheanna said, looking at the road again.
“The best kind of drunk is a happy drunk,” Jeanie said.
“Or no drunk at all,” Masie said.
“Amen,” Jeanie said, and dropped the subject.
When Seth was four, their father had beaten their mother rather badly while on one of his binges. Daniel had left a golf-ball sized welt on Masie’s head after Masie had tried to pull him off Samantha. It had been only weeks later when Daniel got in the car and never came home.
“How far is it?” Rheanna asked.
“Not much farther,” Masie told her.
They continued to drive, turning left on another dirt road, less improved than the first. Soon, the pond was visible, a big spill of ink across the ground, reflecting the moon and the stars.
Don’t run…
Maybe what chased him earlier was biding its time in the pond. Suddenly, Seth wasn’t so anxious for a late night swim—Jeanie Masterson’s naked body or not.
Jeanie parked the car, keeping the headlights on the water.
I
n the dark, Warton’s Pond looked small, but it was larger than its name suggested, a small lake producing small-mouthed bass and trout on occasion.
“Last one in’s a dirty armpit,” Jeanie announced, opening the door.
Seth didn’t know if he felt relief or disappointment when Jeanie kicked off her sandals and nothing else. She hollered with excitement and dove in, making a loud splash.
“Hey, no fair!” Rheanna said. “You got a head start!” She opened the door and followed.
“Oh, man! That feels goooood!” Jeanie cried from the water, hair plastered slick and wet.
Following, Masie and Seth climbed out of the car. Masie didn’t waste any time, either. After kicking off her sandals, she dove in, leaving Seth alone on the bank to fumble awkwardly with his shoes.
“Come on, handsome!” Jeanie called.
Seth’s heart hammered in his chest. Swimming in the dark with Jeanie Masterson! Did it get any better than this?
“Show off those muscles!” Jeanie cried.
Seth blushed, pulling his T-shirt over his head, and dropped it on the ground. Reluctantly, he peeled off his pants.
“Look at that body!” Jeanie cried. “You ain’t got nothin’ to be ashamed of, buttercup!”
It was embarrassing, but what did he care? How many other kids were doing something this taboo?
Deciding to play along, Seth pretended he was a bodybuilder, flexing his muscles, doing ridiculous poses, and making everyone laugh. Then he ran into the water, diving in headfirst. But he was inexperienced. Water gushed up his nose. He broke the surface, spluttering and coughing. He wiped water from his eyes, dogpaddling to stay afloat, and soon caught his breath. Rheanna, Jeanie, and Masie cheered, despite—what Seth thought—a failed attempt to look masculine.
“See, tiger!” Jeanie said. “We don’t bite.” She smiled and dove under the water. Her bottom skimmed the surface, went under, feet trailing after.
Someone grabbed his ankles and tugged him harmlessly under for a second. Seth looked around, thinking it was Jeanie, but Rheanna emerged a ways to his left.
“Scare ya?” she asked.
Seth smiled, shook his head, and continued to dogpaddle.
Jeanie emerged and dove into the water again. Her underwear grazed the surface, revealing a thin, exotic waist.
Masie did backstrokes, deeper into the dark. Rheanna dove under the water again, coming up several yards away, and swam after Masie. Rheanna shouted, “Shark! Shark!” while Masie screamed dramatically.
Jeanie came up several feet in front of Seth. She looked around to see where Rheanna and Masie had disappeared to. Noticing they were at the darker end of the pond, she swam closer. Her eyes were obsidian pools of ink. In that moment, Jeanie Masterson was, undoubtedly, the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen.
Seth continued to move his arms under the water, kicking his legs back and forth. Jeanie swam closer and planted her lips on his, making a loud ‘smack!’
Seth couldn’t believe it! His heart drummed, chest swelling with the current of electricity. Jeanie winked. “That’s for you, handsome,” she said. “Because you’re the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.”
Seth forgot he was in the water, forgot to paddle, forgot how to swim overall, and dipped below the surface.
Jeanie chuckled, grabbed him, and pulled him up. “Don’t get too carried away,” she said. “When you’re older, I’ll give you a real kiss.”
This thought made him forget how to swim again, and he dipped under, swallowing more water. Seth paddled his feet and waved his arms, trying to stay afloat. Jeanie laughed and held him up until he got his balance.
Again, Jeanie rose out of the water. Seth saw her nipples, wet against the tightness of her shirt. Had she meant to do that? He wanted to reach out, but suddenly, Masie and Rheanna were there. Jeanie dropped out of sight and under the water again.
“Hey, let’s keep it clean over there,” Masie said.
Jeanie broke the surface several yards to Seth’s right. He was afraid his sister had seen everything. When he looked and saw her smiling, however, his panic subsided. Even if she had, he doubted she’d care. Jeanie looked at Masie, then at Seth. She winked. If only this night could last forever…
He imagined his teacher asking him about his summer vacation again and what his answer would be:
You know, Jeanie Masterson, the prettiest girl in Ellishome? Well, she kissed me right on the lips at Warton’s Pond. Then she promised to kiss me even more when I got older. How’s that for the best summer vacation?
He smiled to himself, imagining every student in class—even the girls—with their mouths hanging open.
“You’re lying!” they’d shout. “Jeanie Masterson! Are you crazy! Why would Jeanie Masterson kiss you?”
“What’s with the big smile, Your Majesty?”
Seth forgot how to swim for the millionth time, his reveries shattered, and dipped below the surface. If he wasn’t careful, he was liable to drown.
It was Masie. She grabbed him and pulled him up.
Seth coughed, feeling stupid and embarrassed.
“Didn’t mean to distract you,” Masie said. “Are you all right?”
“I’m gonna get my clothes on,” Seth told her. “I’m too tired to swim anymore.”
“I’m with you, sport.”
Seth and Masie swam to the shore and climbed out of the water. Seth retrieved his shirt and pants, putting them on, then sat on the bank, watching Jeanie and Rheanna swim.
“Hey!” Jeanie said. “Are we leaving?”
“You keep swimming,” Masie told her. “We’re taking a breather.”
Jeanie swam to the shore and joined them anyway. She sat next to Masie, putting her arms on her knees. Seth noticed gooseflesh on her thighs and forearms. Jeanie shivered.
“You guys tired already?” Rheanna said. “Man! What a bunch of pansies! Except you, Seth.”
Rheanna was on the swim team at school. She plunged under roughly ten feet from the bank, then backstroked out again.
Masie leaned back and looked at the stars. Seth did the same, reminding him of that time in the meadow.
“That felt good,” Jeanie said, following Masie’s gaze.
Soon, Rheanna swam to the shore, dripping wet, retrieved her sandals, and sat beside them. “Maybe we can find someone to buy us some booze,” she said.
“And you think I corrupt the boy,” Jeanie said.
But Seth wasn’t paying attention.
“You guys want to cruise around town some more?” Jeanie asked.
“Sure,” Masie said, staring into the sky.
“Anyone got a cigarette?” Rheanna asked.
“Jeez,” Jeanie said, with exasperation. “You’re not setting a very good example.”
“Sorry, Seth,” Rheanna said. “I was only kidding.”
Seth wondered about the events in the meadow earlier, and everything that had happened since then.
Masie reached over and touched his nose with her forefinger.
“Meep meep,” he said, grinning.
I’m not a stranger…
vi
They drove through town for a while longer, but the evening’s excitement had drawn to a close. Near midnight, the streets of Ellishome turned dark, quiet, and inactive.
“Maybe we should call it a night, troops,” Rheanna suggested.
“We’ll do it again,” Masie said.
Soon, Jeanie steered onto Montgomery Avenue and pulled the Mustang into Seth and Masie’s driveway. Bon Jovi was done for the evening, replaced by a softer rock-and-roll station.
Rheanna opened the door and stepped out, pulling the seat forward so Masie and Seth could climb out. Jeanie put her finger to her lips when no one was looking, and Seth smiled. “Hope you had fun, tiger,” she said.
“I did,” he said. “Thanks.”
“He’s gonna brag to all his friends,” Rheanna said, not realizing Seth didn’t have any.
“Don’t change a thing,
handsome,” Jeanie told him. “And I won’t be the only one chasing you.”
Seth wanted to say something like, “You’re the only one I want chasing me, Jeanie,” but resisted.
“Bye, Mase,” Rheanna said. “Get some rest, Seth.” She ruffled his hair. “Summer’s not over yet.”
“Okay,” he said, awkwardly.
Rheanna got back in the car, and the girls waved, the Mustang reversing onto the street. Masie put her hands on Seth’s shoulders, the taillights leaving a red glow on the asphalt. Soon, the Mustang was out of sight. Seth felt a pang in his heart and sighed.
“Hey,” Masie said, sensing his thoughts. “We’ll get together again. It’s bad enough you’re already getting taller. Soon, I won’t be able to call you my little brother.”
Seth didn’t reply.
Crickets came to life, filling the night air.
“Thanks, Mase,” he said. “That was cool, one of the best times I’ve had in a while.”
Don’t run…
“No sweat. Jeanie and Rheanna are the best. And they like you.”
They were quiet for a moment, listening to the crickets.
“Wanna pop some popcorn and watch a movie before bed?” Masie asked.
Popcorn and a movie sounded perfect.
“Yeah,” he said.
They walked inside and shut the door. Their mother was already in bed.
Masie told Seth to pick out a movie, while she popped some popcorn in the microwave. He put in Spiderman 2—one of his favorites.
When the popcorn was done, Masie grabbed two Cokes from the fridge, and sat on the sofa next to Seth.
They curled up on the couch together, nibbling popcorn, and slurping sodas while Spiderman swung through town carrying an armload of pizzas.
Minutes later, Seth was already nodding off and snoring.
CHAPTER III
Sadie tossed and turned. The passing illness, at least for the moment, gripped him again. Pictures came to life in his mind: a black, impenetrable fortress made of shadow, a citadel built from the bones of dead children. Spiky shapes loomed across the walls and ceiling of his bedroom. Claws opened on the floor. A huge, hulking thing, something made of scales, slithered in front of the closet. A reptilian head rose and sniffed at him.
Snapdragon Book I: My Enemy Page 4
