Coulson's Crucible

by Anna J. McIntyre

  He didn’t know if the family was home, or perhaps at an afternoon church service. When he reached Tommy’s street he noticed a station wagon in the driveway. It looked like someone was home. After reaching the Chamberlain’s house, he dropped his bike in the driveway next to the car, rushed up to the front door, and rang the bell.

  “Hi, Russell,” Tommy greeted when he opened the door.

  “Hey, Tommy. The other day you said you’re going back to school tomorrow, so I wondered if you wanted to go to the park to play over-the-line.”

  “Do you have two other guys?” Tommy asked.

  “Yeah, Mike and Ryan, from our class.”

  “Sure, let me go ask my mom.” Tommy ran into the house, leaving the door open. Russell waited outside.

  Beth Chamberlain gave Tommy permission to ride into town with Russell. Standing on the front porch, she watched the two boys peddle away, Tommy on his battered red Stingray and Ryan on his shiny black one.

  They met Ryan Keller at the motel, then rode down to the nearby park. Tommy’s little brother, Jimmy, tagged along, riding his bike. An Indian summer afternoon, they played ball for about two hours. Mike was the first one to head home after the game. Tommy sat with Russell and Ryan on the grass while Jimmy climbed a nearby tree.

  “Glad my mom let me come. That was fun,” Tommy said.

  “You’re coming back to school tomorrow?” Ryan asked.

  “Yeah. I might as well go to school; they make me do the stupid homework anyway.”

  “I don’t like staying home,” Russell said.

  “Gee, why not. Your house looks neat. Like a haunted house,” Ryan said.

  Russell only shrugged.

  “Oh yeah, where is that?” Tommy asked.

  “He lives in the biggest house in Coulson. Bigger than our motel!” Ryan exclaimed.

  “No way. I’ve seen the biggest house in town, up on that hill with that long steep driveway.”

  “That’s it,” Ryan told him. Tommy turned to look at Russell.

  “Really?” Tommy asked. Russell shrugged again.

  “Yeah. But there is no one to hang out with. They never have any stick ball games on our street like over on Mike’s, and I can’t just walk to town, like from Ryan’s. My brothers are too old to hang out with. Garret is usually pretty cool, like when he drives me to school and tells Sonny to leave me alone. But it isn’t like we hang out or anything.”

  “Well, Ryan’s lucky to have a brother instead of two little sisters. They just want to play dolls and have stupid tea parties.”

  When Anthony pulled into the parking lot at the motel, he noticed four little boys on bicycles. He immediately recognized two of them; they were Keller’s kids. After he first moved in, he made friends with the boys, giving them each a candy bar. He explained that when he was at the motel he needed to sleep and that he was a really light sleeper. If they could keep far away from the door, he would reward them with candy.

  “Our dad really doesn’t like us to eat candy,” Jimmy had told him. Ryan had given his little brother a sock and told him one candy bar was no big deal.

  Anthony had laughed and said, “I like how this kid thinks. How about we keep this between us? Our secret. You boys keep away from my side of the motel, and I’ll make sure someone leaves two candy bars in the mailbox each morning.”

  Ryan loved the idea, and Jimmy had to agree, who could argue with free candy bars? Before they left for school each day, the brothers raced to the mailbox, grabbed their candy bars, and rode off to school. They thought Anthony Marino was a really cool guy, and they never went over to his side of the motel.

  “Hi boys, been playing ball?” Anthony greeted after he got out of his Lincoln Continental. He had noticed the ball and mitt in the basket of Ryan’s bike.

  “Hi, Mr. Marino!” Jimmy greeted. “They wouldn’t let me play, but I watched.”

  “Jimmy, before long they’ll be asking you to play.” Anthony gave him a little wink then glanced at the other two boys. There was something familiar about the blond one with the blue eyes. The boys were now walking their bikes.

  “So who are your friends?” he asked with a smile.

  “This is Tommy and Russell,” Jimmy explained. “They’re in Ryan’s class at school.”

  As he had been taught, Russell offered Anthony his hand. “Hi, I’m Russell Coulson.”

  “Coulson?” Anthony smiled, recognition dawned. “I know your parents.”

  “You do?”

  “Not well, but we’ve met. Have fun, boys.” Anthony lingered by his car while the boys walked their bikes toward the motel. He listened to their conversation.

  “I got to head home soon,” Tommy said.

  “Me too,” Russell said.

  “Can’t you come in?” Ryan asked. “We have cookies.”

  “I can stay for cookies,” Tommy said.

  “Yeah, me too, but I can’t stay long,” Russell agreed.

  They pushed their bikes to a patch of dirt by the motel and dropped them. Running into the motel office, Ryan led the way to the kitchen in the residential portion of the motel for a snack.

  “So how was the game?” Wally Keller asked.

  “It was fun,” Ryan told his father.

  “They wouldn’t let me play,” Jimmy said.

  “But they let you go along,” Wally gave his youngest son’s hair a quick ruffle. “Who were you boys talking to outside?”

  “Mr. Marino. He’s nice,” Jimmy said.

  “You boys know you aren’t supposed to bother the guests.”

  “We didn’t. He said hello first,” Ryan explained.

  “And remember, you are never to go to their rooms with them. If one even suggests, you are to come tell me, remember?”

  “Oh Mr. Marino likes us to stay away from his room,” Jimmy told his father. Ryan punched his arm when their father wasn’t looking. He didn’t want Jimmy to let it slip about the candy.

  “He told us he likes quiet, and asked us not to play over there,” Ryan added.

  “Well, that’s good I suppose.” Wally had to admit Anthony Marino was the model motel guest. He never complained, and he paid in advance. While he was friendly, he never hung out in the office wanting to chat. Wally wondered if Marino intended to move to Coulson fulltime when—or if—any of his business deals panned out.

  The three older boys took their snacks into Ryan and Jimmy’s bedroom and shut the door. Jimmy stayed in the living room with his father and watched cartoons.

  “What are you guys doing for Halloween?” Ryan asked as he hopped up on the top bunk and looked down at his friends.

  “Dad always takes us trick-or-treating while mom stays home and hands out candy. I really don’t want to go with them this year. My sisters always wear something apey, like princess costumes.”

  “Then come over here on Halloween. I heard some of the stores are handing out candy, and the guy at the bike shop is setting up a haunted house,” Ryan told him.

  “That sounds cool,” Russell said.

  “I was thinking of going as a pirate, but I think I’d rather be something scary,” Tommy said.

  “Me too. My brother’s going as a cowboy. I’d only be a cowboy if I was all bloody, like I was shot in a gunfight.”

  Tommy and Russell agreed; a bloody cowboy would be much cooler than what Jimmy wanted to wear.

  Back at his motel room, Anthony sat at a rickety desk. Earlier that day, he had stopped at the dime store and picked up some paper and envelopes. His plan was to write the princess a letter and put it in the mail. But this was even better; he would have her son deliver the letter.

  Putting pen to paper, Anthony began to write. When he was finished, he allowed the ink to dry before folding the piece of paper neatly in half and slipping it into an envelope. Sealing the envelope, he looked at it a moment and smiled.

  Leaving his motel room, he walked to the parking lot and leaned against his car, waiting for Russell Coulson. Anthony was still hanging out by hi
s car when Russell and Tommy picked up their bikes to go home. As they headed toward the street, Anthony walked from his parked car to Russell.

  “I was wondering if you could do me a favor,” Anthony asked. Russell looked up curiously.

  “I mentioned I know your parents. Actually, your mother is trying to arrange a surprise for your father. I think I know where she can get what she’s looking for, so I was hoping you could give her this note.”

  Russell looked at the envelope Anthony was handing him. Hesitantly, he took it; it was sealed. He looked up at the man.

  “But please, give it to your mother and don’t let anyone see it. No one. If you do, well, that might ruin your mother’s surprise. You wouldn’t want to do that, would you?”

  Holding the envelope, Russell thought of his mother. He was always trying to do little things to gain her favor, but nothing ever seemed to work. Smiling, Russell liked the idea of keeping his mother’s secret.

  “Sure,” Russell said brightly. “And I promise; I won’t let anyone else see it, not even my brother Garret.”

  “Good. I’m sure that will make your mother happy. And after you give it to her, if you feel funny about keeping a secret from your dad, make sure you ask your mother first if you can tell him or your grandpa or anyone about me and the letter. You wouldn’t want to do anything to upset your mom.”

  Russell again promised to keep the secret. Tucking the letter in his pocket, he rode off with Tommy and headed home.

  Vera Coulson sat alone in the library reading a magazine. After brunch, the two Harrisons and Randall went golfing. They still were not home.

  Setting the magazine on her lap, she thought of Anthony Marino. The man terrified her, but he also excited her. Men gave her compliments, but Anthony made her believe them. He didn’t see her as a middle-aged mother, but as a woman he couldn’t keep his hands off.

  Vera knew her father-in-law was a rich and powerful man. But Anthony Marino was willing to risk discovery—even to the extent of telling on himself—to be with her. Having someone want her so strongly was a powerful aphrodisiac. It had been that way with Fred. Unable to handle his desire for Vera, he had eventually taken his own life.

  She heard footsteps running down the hall and assumed Russell was home. Sighing, she picked up the magazine and began to read again.

  Russell dashed into the library, slightly out of breath. “Mom, I was looking for you!”

  Vera set her magazine down and looked at Russell. “Well, here I am; what do you want?”

  “Are you alone?” He looked around the room.

  “Of course I’m alone, can’t you see that?” she said impatiently.

  “Someone gave me a secret note for you, and I can’t tell anyone. Just you!” He dug into his pocket and pulled out the now crumpled envelope. He handed it to his mother.

  Wrinkling her nose, she accepted it. Absently opening the envelope she asked, “What is this?”

  Instead of answering, Russell let her read the letter.

  * * *

  We need to conclude our transaction. This morning you got a taste of what I am looking for. You know the meeting place. Be there noon tomorrow. Give my regards to your husband and father-in-law. I will be contacting them shortly to discuss your mole—unless you can convince me otherwise when we meet.

  * * *

  “Where did you get this?” Vera demanded. She sounded mad, which confused Russell.

  “A man gave it to me,” Russell explained. He hadn’t expected her to react this way. “Did I do something wrong?”

  “Where did you meet him?”

  “I was at Ryan Keller’s. His dad owns that motel near the hobby shop. The man is staying at the motel. Did I do something wrong?”

  “What did he say to you?” Vera was clearly agitated.

  “He said you were trying to surprise dad with something, and he knew where you might get what you needed. He said I was not to tell anyone about the note but you. Should I tell dad?”

  Vera reached out to Russell and clutched his hand. “No, dear,” she said quickly, forcing a smile. “You did the right thing. Yes… yes… the man was correct. I’m planning a surprise for your father. We mustn’t tell anyone. It will be our little secret.”

  Vera gathered Russell into her arms and gave him a hug.

  Chapter 11

  Garret left for school early on Monday morning. His first class didn’t start for almost an hour, but he had promised Russell he would give him a ride so the third grader didn’t have to take the bus.

  Walking toward the library, he noticed three upperclassmen on the side of the gym with Sheryl. Glancing over, it appeared she was trying to walk away, but the boys had formed a circle around her and wouldn’t let her leave.

  After their date on Friday night, he saw her again Saturday evening, when he stopped at Burger Shack to grab something to eat with friends. She was sitting in a car with a couple of guys from the football team so he didn’t talk to her. He figured she was a free agent and didn’t give her much thought. But now, she didn’t look happy. Changing route, he walked toward Sheryl and the boys. He recognized them. They were all seniors, members of the football team and a year older than him: Stu Parker, Craig Mason, and Richard Brown.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” Garret asked as he approached. Startled, the boys looked in his direction. They hadn’t seen him coming. Sheryl took the opportunity to rush to Garret’s side.

  “Please get me out of here,” she pleaded in a whisper. Garret studied her face, she had been crying.

  Now angry, Garret pushed Sheryl behind him, blocking her from the football players as he faced the three boys.

  “What the hell is going on?” Garret demanded.

  “No big deal,” Stu insisted. A bit uneasy with Garret’s sudden interest, Stu shifted nervously. Stu’s dad worked in the local Coulson factory, and his old man would kill him if he and his friends did something to Garret Coulson. While Stu didn’t think he could take Garret himself, he knew he could with his two friends.

  “We were just arranging a little fun with Sheryl. Everyone knows how she loves a good gang bang,” Richard said.

  “What did you say?” Garret seethed and moved closer, his hands balling into fists.

  “Oh, come on, Coulson, the whole school knows she’s just a slut. What’s the big deal? Even you’ve been getting some of it, so don’t act like you don’t know,” Craig said.

  Without hesitation, Garret lurched forward and punched Craig in the face. The boy fell to the ground. Richard and Stu did not rush to defend their friend but stood silently.

  “Leave her alone. If I hear you guys have been talking trash about her again—or if you lay a hand on her again—you will hear from me.”

  Rubbing his injured jaw, Craig stood up and mumbled something under his breath. The three boys made their hasty departure.

  Garret turned to Sheryl. Tears streamed down her face. He gathered her in his arms and held her for a moment, letting her cry. Finally the sobs subsided.

  “They’ll leave you alone now,” he promised.

  “They were right. I’m the joke around here.”

  Garret sighed and then released her, looking again into her face. With one hand, he wiped away her tears.

  “Sheryl, you’re a good person. Don’t let those assholes get to you. Hell, you aren’t doing anything they aren’t.”

  “But they’re guys.”

  “Yeah, I guess we can get away with more shit. You just need to avoid assholes like that. Pick guys who don’t treat you like crap.”

  “Like you?” she whispered, faintly hopeful.

  “I like you, Sheryl. And I promise I never talk shit behind your back. But I don’t want you to get the wrong impression. There will never be anything between us, aside from friendship and some fun. If you want more, then maybe we shouldn’t get together again. But even if we don’t, I want you to know I’ll still consider you my friend.”

  “Garret, when’s your next class?” S
he was no longer crying.

  He glanced at his watch. “Forty-five minutes, why?”

  “I thought we could get the hell out of here for a while, before your first class. That is, if you have any condoms in your truck.”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I know.” Sheryl smiled up at Garret. “But I want to.”

  The two walked out to his truck. After they climbed into the cab, he reached over and opened his glove compartment. It was empty.

  “Fuck,” Garret cursed. “I don’t have any.”

  “That’s okay,” Sheryl said, placing her hand on his thigh.

  “No, it’s not. My grandfather would kill me.”

  “I mean, there are other ways. Come on, I want to. What I have in mind, I can’t get pregnant.”

  Garret looked at her. He wondered if she meant what he thought. Sheryl smiled adoringly at Garret.

  “Please Garret. Let me do this for you. I want to show you how much I appreciate what you did back there.”

  Somewhere in the back of Garret’s mind was a small voice telling him it was wrong to take Sheryl up on her offer. She was vulnerable and would probably do whatever he asked. But the horny sixteen-year-old shut out the voice and put the key in the ignition.

  He drove to a nearby park and stopped in a desolate area. They didn’t even have to get out of the vehicle. It was over pretty quickly, and since Sheryl hadn’t removed any of her clothes, she didn’t need to redress. The girl had some pretty impressive oral skills, and she left no evidence of the deed on his clothes or the seat.

  Garret drove back to the high school with a smile on his face and a twinge of guilt tugging on his conscience.

  Beth Chamberlain sat at the back of the classroom watching her students work quietly at their desks. She had just finished grading the test papers from last Friday and she was very pleased, especially with Garret Coulson’s test.