Emma laughed. “Nice try, Mike, but you can’t be that tired. You slept through the entire car ride today. It’s our first Saturday night here,” she pled. “You’re an even bigger loser than I thought if you don’t come out with us.”
The swing swayed beneath me. Tyler rumbled, as if he were holding back laughter.
I sent Emma a murderous look. “Believe me, I’m still tired. Riding in a car for three weeks and stopping at every national landmark from California to New York is exhausting. We saw everything from Old Faithful, Mt Rushmore, the Mall of America, to the Henry Ford Museum,” I grouched.
“Come on, Mike. Don’t be like that. You don’t want Emma to have all the fun while you stay here with your mom and Pop-Pop, do you?” Tyler shifted his gaze to where those two leisurely sat.
Finding an opening in the conversation to further her cause, my mom added, “It’ll give you a chance to meet some of the kids from school. You might like it here, if you made a friend or two.”
“Tyler and Austin have some real nice friends, from respectable families. Your mom’s right. You can’t just dip your toe in the water, you’ve got to jump in with both feet. Go and meet the boys’ friends. You won’t be disappointed, I think it’s nice of them to gather all of their friends together just so you can meet them.” My Aunt Carol smiled warmly at her sons.
I wasn’t looking to make friends here. My plan was just to get through this year and then move on. Also I was skeptical about how great Tyler’s friends really were despite what my aunt thought. I remembered seeing a few of them from a distance at Meema’s funeral, and I hadn’t been impressed. At the time they were wrestling and shouting in the parking lot of the funeral home, oblivious to where they were, until my dad gave them a verbal lashing. I quickly looked around at our small circle before deciding what to do. Curiously Pop-Pop was the only one who didn’t try to convince me to go out with my cousins. In the end, I was too tired to argue any further but I still had a hard time forming the next words out that make out of my mouth and hoped I wouldn’t later regret them. “I’ll go, as long as we’re not going to be out too late. I really am beat after three weeks in the car.”
“Excellent.” Tyler exchanged looks with Austin, making me further question what I had just agreed to. “Oh, I almost forgot to tell you, don’t wear anything too fancy.” He glanced at what Emma and I were wearing. “This isn’t California. What you both have on is perfect.”
I was wearing cut-off denim shorts and my favorite purple Hard Rock Cafe T-shirt that my dad bought for me on a trip to Hong Kong. I smiled. “Perfect. I wasn’t planning on changing.” I had no intention of trying to impress anyone anyway.
Emma, on the other hand, pouted. She loved to show off by wearing trendy and expensive clothes. She asked with disbelief, “Really, Tyler, this is what people wear when they hang out?” She pointed to her sweat shorts and T-shirt from the dance camp she’d attended last summer. We had been riding in the car all day, so she had on her most comfortable clothes.
Tyler nodded. “Yup, it’s perfect.”
Aunt Carol stood to leave. “Well, I sure am glad you made it here safely.”
“Thanks,” Mom replied.
“Why don’t you all come over for dinner tonight? We’re going to barbecue, and then the kids can take off after we eat.”
“That’s nice of you, Carol, but are you sure? You and Matthew have done enough for us already. We don’t want to impose on your dinner plans too.”
“Are you kidding? Of course, I’m sure.” She pointed into the house. “What exactly do you think you’ll find in there? Except for the refrigerator, I don’t think the kitchen gets much use.”
“Hey now, I pour myself cereal and open a can of sardines from time to time,” Pop-Pop confessed.
“It’s settled then. Come over at six o’clock. In the meantime, get unpacked and rest up a bit.”
“Okay, thanks.” Mom and Aunt Carol give each other another hug.
Chapter Two
Dooner
My stomach growled as I pulled into the driveway after lifting weights. I’d gone straight to the gym to work on my legs after football practice. I was in the best shape of my life right now. I couldn’t wait for our opening game against the Spartans. I’d been working toward my senior year of football since playing Pop Warner. This season meant everything to me because the scouts would be watching to see if I was good enough for college ball. I was going to prove to them that I was. My whole future was riding on this season. It was my ticket out of town.
As soon as I opened the back door, the scent of homemade cookies assailed me. My mom must have been in a good mood today, because she only baked when she was happy. Sure enough, a hot tray sat on the counter, while she stood up to her elbows in cookie dough. I didn’t ask her what’s up because I didn’t want to jinx it. Around my house, good moods tended to come and go quicker than you could say, “Touchdown!”
I grabbed a cookie and stuffed it in my mouth. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hi, Jimmy, how was football practice? You’re home later than I expected.”
“Practice was good. Since we only had one practice today, I went to the gym to lift.” I grabbed the milk out of the refrigerator and drank straight from the carton.
“James,” Mom scolded before handing me a cup. “Use a glass.”
I filled it to the top, draining the gallon. I smirked as I held up the empty milk container. “Looks like I didn’t need a glass after all.”
She smiled and shook her head, laughing. When she was in high spirits, I could see a glimpse of the girl she must’ve been before marrying my dad. She’d been crowned homecoming queen when she was a senior in high school. I got melancholy when I thought about how different her life could have been.
She noticed me looking at her oddly and a worried look came over her. “I hope you aren’t overdoing it. Today was your first day all week with only one practice and you go to the gym afterwards? Haven’t you worked out enough for one week? Your body needs rest, too.”
“Leave the boy alone, Martha.” My dad entered the kitchen, wearing jeans and a dirty white T-shirt. He looked like he was still on a bender from last night. “He needs to work hard if he wants to play pro ball. Hell, he’s the best football player this town’s ever had.” He opened the refrigerator and grabbed a beer, twisted off the top, and drained half the bottle in a single swig. “He’s even better than I was back in the day. And look at the size of him. He’s already four inches taller than me, and he’s not done growing yet.”
“He could still get hurt.”
“Bullshit! He’s the toughest tight end I’ve ever seen. Not only can he catch the ball and run like hell, he can throw a mean block too.”
Even though I hated how my parents talked as if I wasn’t in the room, I didn’t attempt to join in. I had learned it was better to remain quiet. Suddenly my dad belched loudly, signaling the conversation was over. Grabbing another beer, he walked out.
That was my cue to leave too. I grabbed another cookie on my way. “Mom, these cookies taste great.” I took a large bite and swallowed. “I’m going to shower and then head out. I gotta get gas for my truck. Do you need anything?”
“No. Go have fun with your friends.”
“Okay.” My response lacked enthusiasm. She, of all people, knew I didn’t have any real friends. I’d never had any of the guys from the team over to watch football, or simply hang out and talk about girls. I was more of a loner. I knew all the kids at school looked up to me because I was co-captain of the football team, and an A student. I used to get invited to parties all the time, but I rarely made an appearance, so eventually they stopped asking me. As soon as anyone tried to get close, I shut down. I never bothered to explain my standoffish behavior. Instead, I let everyone think what they wanted to.
Less than thirty minutes later, I pulled into the only gas station in town to fill up my truck, Old Faithful. She was a red 1990 Chevy Silverado 1500 series, with two doors and a large
bed for hauling shit around. For being rear-wheel drive she handled great, even in winter. I threw snow tires on her and added weight in the back to keep her balanced. I’d nicknamed her Old Faithful because she was dependable and never gave me any trouble. If only I could be so lucky to find a girl with those same qualities.
I was filling her up when I heard giggling from a loud group of girls. Looking over my shoulder, I groaned inwardly. It was Liz, the overly flirty bleached-blonde captain of the cheerleading squad, and several of her friends. I tried to ignore them, but Liz never could take a hint.
She bounced her way over to me, shaking her full and curvy hips more than necessary. “Hi, Dooner.” Dooner was short for Muldoon, which was my last name, and was what everyone at school called me. Only my family called me by my given name. “I haven’t seen you around all summer.” Liz ran her red-tipped fingernails down my arm. I held back a shiver. “Where’ve you been hiding out? I’ve missed you.”
“Been busy.” I shrugged my shoulders noncommittally. Regrettably I hooked up with Liz last year after a football game. We’d won in overtime that night, and I was feeling pumped. She was there and had been more than willing to help me celebrate, practically throwing herself at me. I wished I could have a do over for that night, because ever since then she’d been trying to get my attention. The truth was, she wasn’t my type and that was never going to change. She was too loud and aggressive.
“Well, if you’re not busy now, we could go for a ride together in your truck You know what kind of ride I’m talking about,” she added, pressing up against me and grinding her hips. This girl would stop at nothing to get what she wanted.
I had to make her understand once and for all that I wasn’t interested. “No, Liz, we can’t. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever.” I stated firmly, pushing her away. “Don’t you have a boyfriend? Tyler?” I reminded.
“Damn, Dooner, when’d you get so self-righteous?” She pouted, sticking out her bottom lip.
There was no way any of her little tricks were going to work on me ever again. “Your friends are waiting for you.” I motioned to where they stood. I returned my attention to screwing on the gas cap, dismissing her. She stomped away. Waiting until she left, I finally let out my breath. Liz could cause trouble that I didn’t need.
I paid for the gas and walked back to my truck just as Ray, a guy from the team, pulled in. Ray was a likeable dude, albeit a little slow to catch on to things.
“Hey Ray.”
“Hi Dooner. Hard practice today, huh?” We shook hands.
“Sure was, but you made it look easy.” You’re a great defensive lineman. No one’s getting through you to score on us this season.” I smiled and gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder. “You’ll stop them in their tracks.”
“Thanks, man. That means a lot coming from you.” His eyes brightened. “You’re the real superstar, though. We’re lucky to have you on our side. I didn’t see you miss a single catch today.” Ray spoke with a note of admiration. “I know they weren’t all good throws. I don’t know how you always know exactly where the ball’s going to be.”
I get uncomfortable when people give me compliments. I know I’m good and I want to be the best I can, but I get self-conscious, worrying I might let someone down when they put me up on a pedestal.
I switched the focus from me to the team. “I have a good feeling about this year.” I smiled, hoping for another undefeated season. We have a running tally of forty-nine straight wins, zero losses. “It would be great to hang another banner in the school gym to mark State Championship again this year. We have both an unstoppable defense and a great offensive.”
“You’re absolutely right.” Ray lifted his hand in the air and gave me a high-five. “We’re going to blow the competition out of the water!”
I noticed Ray wasn’t wearing his usual gym shorts and tank. Instead, he had on khaki shorts and a collared golf shirt. I wondered who he had a date with. “You look good, man.” I punched him on the arm again. “Who’s the lucky girl?”
“I wish,” Ray responded. “I’m meeting Tyler and some of the guys to celebrate surviving the first week of two-a-days.” His speech slowed with every word, as if he realized maybe he wasn’t supposed to mention it to me.
“So you guys are going out tonight, huh?”
“Um…yeah...well, I guess I thought Tyler already told you.” He looked down at the ground and shuffled his feet. “We...a bunch of the guys from the team…and some of the cheerleaders too, I think… are going out to Lacey Road to party. Tyler’s cousins from California finally arrived and he wants to introduce them to everyone.”
Tyler and I were co-captains of the football team, but off the field we didn’t mix much. Ray already looked uncomfortable. I didn’t want to make him feel worse, so I didn’t reveal that I hadn’t been invited. “Yeah, I think I heard Tyler mention it. He’s talked non-stop all week about his cousins moving here.”
“Yeah, he has.” Ray seemed relieved. “Maybe I’ll catch you later then.”
“Later,” I returned as I climbed into Old Faithful.
Chapter Three
Mike
We’d finished eating barbecue and all the accompanying side dishes at my aunt’s house, and now it was time to clean up. I grimaced as I carried in the leftover ears of corn and placed them on the counter.
“Mike, Emma, will you be dears and get towels out of the second drawer over there and dry the dishes please?” Aunt Carol directed. She was busy, transferring the leftovers into plastic containers, while Mom washed the dishes at the big farm sink.
“Sure,” Emma and I said in unison. I tossed my sister a towel, and after what seemed like an eternity, the dishes were all dried. I wondered why my aunt never owned a dishwasher. I was about to suggest she get one, when Tyler and Austin entered the kitchen.
“Perfect timing, huh, bro?” Tyler chuckled, looking around the now clean kitchen. “Hey Mike, Emma, are you ready? It’s time to go. I told everyone we’d meet them at nine.” Tyler looked at the clock on the wall. He grabbed his keys off the hook by the back door and tossed them from one hand to the other. “I don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”
I hated when guys thought just because they were guys they didn’t have to help around the house. My dad always helped out in the kitchen. Every weekend he made us a big breakfast: eggs over easy, with just the right amount of runny egg yolk, and maple flavored sausage, browned to perfection. Just thinking about it made me hungry again. I wished he was here to whip me up some right now.
Sad and frustrated, I took it out on the nearest target—Tyler. “We’d have been done sooner if you’d helped.”
“It’s okay,” he said. “It won’t take long to get there. We’re meeting everyone just around the corner.”
“I’m ready,” Emma responded cheerfully.
I was in a bad mood and we hadn’t even left the house yet. I tried to think of an excuse not to go, but I couldn’t come up with any. “I guess I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.” I ran my hands over my unruly hair. It didn’t matter how I looked, because I wasn’t interested in impressing anybody. “Let’s go get this over with.” My lack of enthusiasm reflected in my tone.
“Okay Mom, we’ll see you later,” Tyler said.
“Have a good time, honey. And please be careful. You know I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my boys.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll be careful. I’ll make sure to take good care of Mike and Emma, too.”
Emma gave our mother a hug. “Bye Mom.”
Ugh. Did she always have to be the perfect daughter? I swore she did this shit just to make me look bad. I simply waved goodbye and followed Tyler out the door.
“Shot gun, double barrel, no blitz,” Austin yelled, racing toward the passenger side door of the truck.
What the hell did that mean? Where I came from, we simply said, “shotgun.” Again, I was reminded of how different this place was. They spoke a completely different language.
Tyler and Austin exchanged looks again.
“Yeah, where are we going?” Emma repeated when the boys didn’t readily respond to my inquiry.
“We’re meeting a few of the guys from the team. You’ll like them. My girlfriend Liz and some of the other cheerleaders are tagging along too. We’re celebrating the fact that we all survived the first week of two-a-days.”
“That doesn’t answer the question. Where are we going?” I shouted, not bothering to hide I was getting pissed off. I had a premonition we were being led to the slaughter.
“You’ll see. We’re almost there.”
Uh-huh. I saw nothing but darkness and trees. We were even further out in the country than where Pop-Pop lived. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, Tyler turned at the next side road and suddenly the ride got a whole lot bumpier. What the fuck, a dirt road? This couldn’t be good. A posted sign read, “Road closed from Nov to Mar.” Too bad it was only the end of July. Though these guys would’ve probably ignored the sign anyway. I was beginning to think my cousins didn’t have a brain between them.
“This is where we’re going?” My voice filled with disbelief. “Is this another one of your sick jokes? Like when we were kids playing hide and go seek, and you pretended to be nice and showed me a great hiding place, except it was right next to a skunk’s home. I didn’t know that, of course, and got sprayed.”
“No, this isn’t like that.” Tyler laughed. “But that was funny.” He was enjoying himself a little too much. “I promise—no tricks tonight.” He made a big show of crossing his heart. “As a matter of fact, we’re here.” He did a U-turn and parked his truck on the side of the road, leaving the headlights on and turning up the radio.
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