by Jeff Vrolyks
“Serena the Slayer?”
“That’s what everyone is calling her on TV.”
“And she only killed one; the other is in critical condition.”
“Not anymore. She died this morning.”
“Lindsey died? Oh man, poor Lindsey.”
“So what happened the other night?”
“I don’t know where to begin. We’ll talk about it over pizza. Sound good?”
“Sure. Your place?”
“Yeah.”
“So you totaled your truck? What are you going to do? Do you have insurance?”
“Yes, but I’ll be lucky to get three grand.”
“You could dip into savings, add it to the three grand. Buy something fun.”
“I don’t know, we’ll see. It’s supposed to be for college, but I wouldn’t mind getting a Mustang.”
“Hell yeah, you should. I thought you were wanting another Toyota truck?”
“Yeah, I do. But it’s time for a change, you know? I’m starting a new chapter in my life. Four years of the Air Force is over. I don’t know, we’ll see. So what did everyone say at work today?”
“Man, everyone talked about you today. It’s not just the snowboarding accident and the fire, but you’re dating Kloss VonFuren’s sister and you were at the hospital during Serena the Slayer. Just dumb luck, but you’ve had plenty. You’re quite popular at the proverbial water cooler this morning.”
“Great.” I sighed. “At least I only have ten days left there.”
The rest of the evening Mike and I caught up on events over pizza and beer.
Chapter 31
It was my last day on quarters (medically excused time off) and even though Mike was kind enough to be my chauffeur, I wasn’t going to have him take me to and from work. I circled some vehicles in the classifieds and routed our day for when Mike showed up after work.
Mike gave me grief over the first couple stops being to look at Toyota trucks. He was hoping I would stick to my original idea of getting a Mustang. I let him know there was a Mustang in Fairfield that we would make our way to eventually. Rio Linda was the farthest town on my list so we started there.
After stopping for a burger we drove slowly down Hollister Avenue, pulled up behind a Toyota truck with a for-sale sign in the window. I immediately fell in love with it. It was almost identical to my old truck except it had a sunroof, was two years newer and had only sixty-thousand-miles on the odometer. I was ready to hand over the six thousand dollars before the owner even came out of his house.
“Howdy, guys. In the market for a Toyota four-by?”
“Yeah. It runs all right?”
“Like the day I drove it off the lot. You want to take it around the block?”
“That would be great. I’m Kevin by the way. This is Mike.”
He let us drive around the block without him. Normally I would be surprised by his degree of trust, but being that he was a Rio Lindan I couldn’t discount the notion that stealing it hadn’t occurred to him. Mike and I pulled away from the curb. It was like driving my truck, which comforted me. “I want it.”
“I’m sure you do,” Mike muttered.
“Does it bother you that I want another truck?”
“You wanted a change. What’s so new about this? When I met you, you were looking for a sports car. When you chanced by your truck you didn’t really want it but it was cheap, so you got it. I know you’re only getting this truck because you feel comfortable with it. You won’t get what you really want because it’s different and you’re not one for change. I was surprised when you mentioned getting a Mustang, but I should have known. Why are we stopping?”
I pointed and replied, “Because of that.” In a driveway was a light blue classic Mustang convertible. A for-sale sign was barely visible through the dirty window. It was on blocks, just as half the cars in town were, and caked with dirt and bird crap. But that didn’t matter to me. The moment I saw it, I knew it was mine. Just like Holly.
Mike was giddy. He ranted on about how he could help fix it up and he could see me driving it and how fun convertibles are. It’s easily worth the thirty-five-hundred asking price, Mike opined. He was trying to sell me on it but I had already bought it in my mind.
Nobody came outside to check on us, so I rang the doorbell and a middle aged woman answered.
“Ma’am, I’d like to buy your Mustang.”
“A man who knows what he wants. It runs all right, could use a tune up. I have the wheels for it in the backyard. My son took them off to change the brakes and hasn’t gotten around to changing them. You have thirty-five-hundred dollars, son?”
“Yes I do. I’m Kevin, by the way. This here is Cleavis. You aren’t prejudiced toward Mexicans, are you ma’am?”
Mike offered his hand and said, “I’m Cleavis McNipplecookie. Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
“I’m not prejudiced, no. What kind of name is that, Cleavis?”
“It’s Scandinavian, which is popular in Mexico.”
“Pleased to meet you. My name is Claire Blevins.”
“I’ll go to the bank and get a cashier’s check right away,” I said. “Sound good?”
Once we got back in the truck we laughed. I said, “McNipplecookie? You just opened a whole big can of worms, my friend. What happens in Rio Linda stays in Rio Linda; which means nothing, because Rio Lindans don’t understand that expression.”
I pulled into my apartment complex smitten with my ’66 Mustang. Mike parked his heap in a guest spot.
“How do you like it?”
“I love it! Mark my words, Mike, this will be the car I drive until the day I die.”
Chapter 32
Holly had just hung up the phone with Vacaville Ford when she got paged. She smiled at who it was. She picked the phone back up and dialed.
“Hi, Holly!”
“Hey, sweetie!”
“How are you? Long time no hear.”
“I’m sorry for neglecting you. The tour starts in a week and a half and all the arrangements that Alison and I made were wiped out with the fire. There wasn’t a backup. I’m playing catch up and I don’t have Alison to help me.”
“Understandable. I know your job is time consuming and demanding.”
“Thanks for being sweet about it, I’ll make it up to you. Hey, guess what? Alison is doing well, she might get to come home tomorrow!”
“Good for her! She’s recovering quickly!”
“When I stopped by to see her yesterday she was asleep. Doctor Lee said she slept just about the whole day. Did I tell you this already?”
“Just that she was awake for a short while. You said she was likely to sleep a lot over the next couple days.
“Right, well she’s been up for most of the day. I can’t believe how good she sounds! I wish I could go there but I’m really busy, which leads me to a favor I need to ask of you.”
“Sure, what can I do?”
“Doctor Lee said that if she continues to improve at the rate she’s improving, they’ll release her tomorrow if we adhere to a few stipulations. In-home care, basically. But that being said, I was hoping you would pick her up and bring her here tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’d love to.”
“That’s only half the favor, actually. Sorry.”
“It’s gonna cost you, dear.”
“And I’ll pay, anyway you want. You can’t see it, but I’m winking.”
“Can’t wait. Now what else can I do for you?”
“I need you to pick up a Mustang at Vacaville Ford. It was supposed to be dropped off at my house but you know how that turned out.”
“You bought another Mustang? Wait, you bought another Mustang before the fire?”
“It’s not mine, it’s a surprise for Ali.”
“You bought her a Mustang? Wow. What a sweetheart you are!”
“She has wanted one since I got mine. Took six weeks but it’s finally in. I figured since you are going to come over, maybe you could pick it up before you p
ick up Alison?”
“Okay, I can do that. I have to work tomorrow, but I’ll be able to pick her up around three if that’s ok.”
“That should be fine. I really appreciate this, Kevin. There’s another reason why I wanted you to pick her up in the Mustang. I want to mess with Alison.”
“How so?”
“Tell her it’s your car, make something up. When you get here we’ll let her know it’s hers. All right?”
“I guess I can do that. Are you sure you want to do that to Ali? After all she’s been through?”
“She did something similar to me a few years back—its time for revenge. Besides, we went through a lot, too. I think we deserve some fun. She’ll appreciate it more this way.”
“All right. How am I getting home after I drop her and her car off?”
“Damn.”
“Didn’t think that far ahead, I see.”
“No, I didn’t. I’ll drive you back tomorrow night if you don’t mind coming home late. Or you can stay the night. Did I tell you about the barbecue we’re having Saturday?”
“No.”
“Whoops. Kloss is throwing a barbecue Saturday. You’re one of the guests of honor. Pea Willy and Sue Ellen are going to be there as well. Invite Mike, if you want.”
“I’m glad you didn’t remember to tell me after the barbecue. Sounds fun, can’t wait. Do I need to do anything specific at the dealership?”
“They’ll be expecting you.”
“How about you? Did you get another car yet?
“Yes, yesterday.”
“Another Mustang, I presume.”
“You would presume wrong. It’s a Toyota Four Runner.”
“You bitch!”
Holly laughed and said, “I didn’t know you liked Toyota’s. That’s a coincidence, huh?”
“Yeah, how about that,” I said, with sour grapes in my mouth.
“I’ve always liked Four Runners, it’s not just because you had a white Toyota pickup truck that I got a white Four Runner.”
“Oh, it’s white too? That’s convenient. Is the interior charcoal grey?”
“Yes, that’s the only color they had it in.”
“Why don’t I think you’re being honest with me?”
“Because I’m not. See you tomorrow, hun. I miss you.” She gave me a phone kiss and hung up.
What a little rascal! I wouldn’t go and buy her car! Well, maybe we’re more alike than I thought.
Chapter 33
I transferred a kiss to the dashboard, feeling the warmth emanating from it. I was driving my recently washed ’66, with the wind blowing through my hair and the radio playing a song I normally didn’t care for, but today I had it blaring and I sang at the top of my lungs. Cars would pull up next to me giving me a buddy, they make drugs for that kind of look. I had just gotten off work and it was the start of the weekend. Tomorrow was the barbecue and though I had no idea what to expect, I assumed Kloss would go all out. My relationship with Holly still had that new car scent. And if things weren’t great enough, I was dropping my Mustang off at a classic car restoration shop, where a cab would drive me to Vacaville Ford, where I was going to drive a new Cobra Mustang to Sacramento to see Holly. Underneath it all, restrained in my mind’s dark basement, was the pessimistic voice of reality, hearkening me, reminding me that things were far from ideal, as Serena’s parents could attest to.
Upon dropping my car off, I had to wait fifteen minutes for the cab. But that’s all right, a late cabbie couldn’t piss in my Wheaties today. I tipped him handsomely and swaggered inside Vacaville Ford. For the first time in my life I felt big. At the front desk I said, “Hi, I’m here to pick up a special-order Cobra.” Then, my favorite part, “Last name is VonFuren.”
A mid twenties woman perked up. “What’s Kloss like in person?”
Before leaving the dealership four people would ask me about Kloss. It gave me a taste for what Holly has to go through with that last name. I couldn’t imagine how Kloss lives. It’s novel to dabble in The Biz, but I imagine its miserable and lonely when you reach the top.
I pulled into Serena the Slayer’s murdering grounds and parked a good deal away. Inside the hospital Alison sat in the waiting room. She smiled sweetly at me. I hadn’t noticed before now, but I could see what Mike saw in her. An attractive girl with a captivating smile. Sweet as candy. She could pass for Holly’s sister, if she had one.
She looked healthy. I couldn’t believe she was the same girl I wrote off as dead a few days ago. “Alison, you look great!” We hugged.
“Thanks, Kevin. You too. Though I would still rather see you in that pink robe.”
“It’s in the wash. I wear it every day. I put Senior Airman stripes on the sleeves. You ready to get out of here?”
“Yes, very. What I wouldn’t give for a hot bath.”
We were a few parking spaces away when she noticed it. Boy how she noticed it. She slowed her pace. I glanced back at her: she was slack jawed. Holly knew what she was doing, all right.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
“That’s not your car, is it?” she said doubtfully.
“Yeah. What’s the matter? Not going to be comfortable enough for you?”
I don’t think she heard a word. She slid her hand across the car’s hood, bedazzled by the unique ten-thousand-dollar paint job: bleeding-tangerine, which is metallic red, orange where the sun reflects. A total trip to look at in the sun, like a magic trick. She made a full lap around the car in just under three minutes flat.
“Oh my,” she finally said.
I was already feeling guilty. I had given myself at least a half hour before feeling like a jackass for lying to her, but I overestimated myself. What right did I have driving her car? She opened the passenger door and ogled the tan leather. She touched it as if it were a baby in an incubator. I opened the driver door, unlatched the convertible top and lowered it.
“Sexy. So sexy,” she whispered. “How much did you pay for this, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Around forty. My life savings.”
She slouched. A price out of the universe of her affordability. “Worth every dollar. Congratulations.” She carefully sat inside and inwardly said, “Someday.”
What I was doing was cruel and unusual punishment. Holly didn’t know me very well if she thought I could pull this off. I walked around the car and opened her door. “Get out of the car, please.”
Her eyes widened. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, I’m the one who’s doing something wrong. I need to tell you something, but you have to promise me something.”
“What?”
“And before we get to Kloss’s house we need to switch back to me driving and pretend—”
“I’m not driving your car! Are you crazy? I’d probably crash it. Thanks, but no thanks.”
“Alison, it’s your car. Holly bought this car for you. It’s a surprise and I just ruined it because I have a conscience.”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Are you serious, Kevin? Joking about something this serious…”
“I wouldn’t joke about this. I don’t have a sophisticated enough sense of humor. Here’s your key.” I dropped the key into her quivering hand. “Lets get going, Holly is expecting us. She has a surprise, I’m dying to see what it is.”
“Couldn’t top this. Nothing could top this.”
We made our way to the freeway. She drove way too slow for a car this nice. “You could drive the speed limit if you’d like.”
“Oh, sorry. I wasn’t paying attention. I was too busy looking at the bells and whistles.”
“It’s like an airplane, isn’t it? Almost as fast, too. Alison, may I talk to you about Monday night?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“It’s the night that comes after Sunday night, but that’s not important right now. Do you remember what happened before you passed out?”
She giggled. “Yeah, I guess it really is like Airplane, isn’t
it?”
“Do you remember anything?”
“Holly asked me the same thing. I saw yellow eyes in the backyard, which I now know were wolves. It gets fuzzy after that.” She grinned wryly and said, “Holly tells me that you love her.”
“It was an accident. I was referencing a dream I had.”
“Yosemite. She told me. You both had the same dream. Destiny, you two belong together. I’ve never seen her so gaga over a guy. Ever. She’s all yours, Kevin, treat her well. What am I saying, I know you will. You’re a sweetheart. Don’t tell her I said any of this. Shit, she would kill me.”
“I won’t. Thank you for telling me. It’s nice to know she feels the same way as I do. Holly told me some things about you, too. Linda Bollinger.” Alison laughed. “You’re an amazing friend, Ali. I cried when she told me that story. I think you’re my hero, really. And Holly adores you. You are the sister she never had.”
She mindlessly replied, “No, I’m no Anne. She was something else.” She winced at what she had just let out of the bag, and muttered, “Shit.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I can’t believe I just said that. Please,” she begged, “please don’t say anything to her. She doesn’t know that I know.”
“I won’t breathe a word.”
“Thank you. Really, thank you. For her sake as well as mine.”
“Tell me more. You can’t leave me hanging.”
“Kloss told me one time when we were drunk. Holly was passed out and Kloss was wasted. I doubt he remembers telling me. When she was eleven-years-old her twin sister Anne was attacked by a pit bull and died in Holly’s arms. Isn’t that the saddest thing you’ve ever heard?”
I had no response, I was speechless, agape.
“She will never bring it up, ever.” She looked over and saw how her revelation affected me and attempted to lighten the air. “Want to hear something interesting?”
Reflexively I nodded.
“I had x-rays taken of my head yesterday. I don’t have a fracture.”
“What do you mean you don’t have a fracture? The doctor said you did; I even heard it happen, heard bone breaking.”
