by Skye, Mav
He glanced at Jenn, piercing her with his dark eyes and said in a weary voice. “We’ve got to get out of here.”
Jenn dropped her eyes to the white collar on the table. Suddenly, she was back in Fat Bastard’s mansion of horror. She stood in the kitchen, decked in her sexy getaway jeans and wonder bra. The white door was on the left, the black door on the right. The white door lead back to their old miserable existence, the black door offered a glimpse of their dreams, but it was only that. It was only a glimpse of a broken promise.
Father Wraith removing his clerical collar felt like when she had chosen the black door.
Jenn picked up the white collar and held it against her stomach. She whispered, “Father, what is it?”
He shook his head, walked over to Jenn and took both of her hands in his, the collar fell to the floor. He lifted her fingers to his face as if to kiss them. The physical affection startled Jenn, and she almost withdrew her hands. “Father?”
He held onto her fingers, and brought her wrists to his nose, where he breathed in deep.
When he opened his dark eyes, he gazed straight into her soul. “Forgive me, Jenn. I’ve been lost. I’ve made mistakes. But, my eyes are open now.”
She nodded, gulped hard. “What do you see, Father?”
His mouth lifted into a lopsided grin, and he brushed her hair away from her jaw. “I’m going to do what I should have done long ago.”
Jenn swallowed hard. “What’s that?”
He squeezed her hands and drew her in close, so their faces almost touched. Her lips parted just slightly, and her skin quivered with his nearness.
He said, “We’re getting out of here."
She said, "I don't understand. Why would someone want to hurt you? Or me? A priest can't just up and leave..." she struggled for the words. "Can he? Listen, I'll take the car. You call the police; we'll meet up when this is all sorted—"
The priest glanced at the kids and leaned into Jenn's ear. He said, "I've done some bad things, Jenn. They'll hurt the children."
They both turned to look at the kids on the couch. He said, "They'll more than hurt them."
"Oh," she said, glancing at pale-faced May.
He said, “We’re getting out of here. Together.”
They stood face to face, breathing deeply for several seconds.
Finally, Jenn said, “I gotta new ride. Wanna take it for a spin?”
Father Wraith shook his head. “Maybe we oughta stick to my rig.”
She laughed. “Are you saying your rig is better than the wolf man’s?”
He smiled faintly. “Up, up, and away!”
Jenn froze. The last time she heard those words, things hadn’t gone well.
Behind her, Tony started screaming. “It’s whistling. Whistling and whistling. Make it stop, Auntie Jenn.”
Jenn and the priest both turned to the boy.
Jenn looked at him questioningly. “Tony?”
She knelt and hugged him, trying to keep his fists away from his head. “Shhhh…”
Tony pushed her away. “Get away from me! Everyone just get away.” He pounded harder on his head.
Henrietta jumped from the couch. “What’s happening to him! What’s happening!”
Father Wraith swept the boy up in his arms. Tony flailed his body like a toddler in a fit, kicking and beating on the Father’s back. “Let me go! I won’t go with you. The whistling deer head said you’re a bad man. You’re a bad man!”
Jenn grabbed Henrietta’s hand and swooped all of their backpacks onto her arm. “Come on,” she said.
Henrietta tossed off Jenn’s hand and followed the priest out to the car.
As an afterthought, Jenn picked up the father’s worn Bible and stuffed it in her purse. She snatched up his duffel bag, grabbed a few pillows and blankets off the couch, and with full arms, carefully closed the rectory door behind her.
Father Wraith put a screaming Tony in the backseat as Henrietta got in through the other passenger door. Tony immediately flung himself across the seat into Henrietta’s arms. He kept crying, but silently.
Jenn stuffed all their bags and blankets into the hatchback, and jumped in beside the priest as he started the motor.
"Wait," Jenn said as he started pulling out.
He stepped on the break.
She said, "Maybe I should drive?" The whiskey on his breath was strong. Jenn wanted to make sure they made it out of town alive, let alone to the highway.
The priest blushed. "Right. Right."
They left Our Lady of Victory much the way the priest had left his collar, the way Jenn had turned from the white door in Fat Bastard’s mansion and entered the black door. The door where she’d discovered her dead mother’s face, where her sister and Fat Bastard had both been murdered, dreams and money left in smoke.
Tony’s silent weeping and the scent of burnt rubber filled the vehicle as they escaped into the stormy night.
16
Escape
“Could you scoot over a bit?” Henrietta twisted toward her window, away from Tony.
“Oh, okay.” Tony lifted his face off of Henrietta’s shoulder. Drool dripped down his chin, and he wiped it off quickly before Henrietta could see. He’d fallen asleep on Henrietta’s shoulder hours before, and now he had to pee.
His head had finally emptied of the horrible whistling. It had screeched at high pitches he didn’t know existed.
He knew whom the whistling belonged to though. The giant deer head in Aunt Jenn’s closet. Why did it whistle? And why was he the only one who could hear it? He’d have to ask Auntie Jenn, and soon before it started again. But for now, he relaxed and observed the countryside.
Jenn sat in front of him in the driver’s seat, steering with one hand, and holding a cup of coffee in the other. The steam rose from her cup as she sipped filling the whole car with the smell of roasted beans. The scent was comforting to him. She hummed a song, probably a David Bowie song. Tony wondered why she didn’t turn on the radio, but then realized she was keeping quiet while everyone rested.
The priest rested his head back against the seat, a soft snore escaping his lips. His dark brown hair was disheveled, his face unshaven, his clerical shirt unbuttoned down all the way exposing a white t-shirt underneath. For a moment, Tony thought the father looked like a normal man—a dad—instead of holy man of God. As far as Tony was concerned, priests might as well have been wizards, waving their fingers in the air over a Bible, trying to resurrect some redeemed guy’s disabled mother. Tony didn’t really get the whole Jesus and God deal. He knew that when something was funny or scary, people usually said, Oh my God. But, he thought that was kind of dumb, so he never said it.
He liked the idea of someone up in the sky, orchestrating the clouds and the waves, fluttering birds across the sky in a secret dance of art and beauty that only the feathered kind understood. But, the thought of a God also scared him. Anyone who had the power to make the sun rise and set, also had the power to hurt him. And Tony was tired of feeling hurt, and afraid.
The priest didn’t look like an evil man who kidnapped and sold kids, but Tony knew that looks meant squat. The thought invoked a brief memory from his past. It was at the bad house. A gentlemanly fellow took his hand and led him out of the room with the other children. Tony remembered turning back and looking at Tina. Her hands were tied in her lap, and she was leaning against a dirty wall, a Christopher Pike paperback lay on her lap. But, she hadn’t picked it up or read it. Her shirt was torn, and she had a faint bruise on her cheek. She hadn’t been able to move that day, and Tony didn’t know why.
Helpless, she watched him and the gentleman fellow walk to the door. Her eyes were huge and haunted. She was crying. He wanted to tell her that this time it would be different. The man was so nice, like a grandpa, and Tony would make sure he’d go back for Tina.
The memory faded, he didn’t remember much after that. The remnants of what was left of the memory held fear and disgust. It knotted up in his bel
ly, filling him with nausea. Whatever had happened, the man had not been a grandpa, he’d been a very, very bad man.
If Tony had had his wolf mask and Bowie or even better the Unicorn dagger, he’d have gutted the grandpa looking bad man. He’d have rescued Tina, and they would have escaped—like they were doing now.
The priest snored again and then fell into a gentle rhythm of breathing. By the expression on his face, it was as if he were praying.
Tony reconsidered his stance on the man. The facts were this: Father Wraith had rescued them from those coffins. And then, another thought struck Tony, the father was the reason they’d met Aunt Jenn. If they hadn’t met Auntie Jenn…
Tony closed his eyes. He simply couldn’t imagine life without her. He and Tina, uh, Rietta, had never felt more happy or loved.
Perhaps Father Wraith was a good man, after all.
Tormented by his thoughts and emotions, Tony scooted away from Tina to his side of the car and looked out the window.
The sun ascended over the horizon, pink and purple hues surged from the sun like laser beams, exploding their radiance across the incredibly blue sky.
It was warm, the weight of humidity pressed on his lungs, so he rolled his window down.
He noticed the landscape; the green of southwestern Colorado gave way to a dusty brown. Cactus with prickly pears sat between tumbleweeds. There were no hills, no mountains, and the desert seemed to stretch on for miles, possibly to forever.
His heart dropped with the familiarity of it.
He felt the car slow as they pulled off an exit and into a gas station. Jenn turned around. Glancing at a sleeping Henrietta and Wraith, she motioned to Tony to get out of the car.
Tony quietly lifted his door latch and stepped out, closing the door gently behind him.
She gave him a hug. “Morning, Sunshine. Gotta pee?”
He couldn’t help but smile. She’d read his mind. He nodded his head. “Yeah. And I’m thirsty.”
She gave him a light noogie, his hair sticking straight up, and he laughed and chased her into the gas station. As they entered, a loud bell chimed, making Tony almost jump.
He had never actually been inside a gas station before. He marveled at the nicely stacked hoard of goodies. Coolers bordered the walls, offering every kind of cold soda, juice, tea, water, or beer anyone could possibly ever want. Aisle after aisle held candy, gum, lifesavers, chips, pretzels, and donuts. “It’s like heaven.”
“Oh, thank heaven for 7-11,” Jenn sang.
She dragged him through heaven to the restrooms in the back. She said, “I’m gonna pop in the lady’s room, too. Wait for me if you get done before I do.”
He pushed open the door to the men’s bathroom as she disappeared into the ladies. As he did his business, he noticed all the names scratched into the tile. Phone numbers. Beside the phone numbers, someone had etched a giant cross. Someone else had written God is dead in permanent marker next to it.
“Hey, that’s what I said.”
Beside it, someone had sketched a naked woman with boobs the size of quarters. Tony blushed and looked away, then washed his hands like Aunt Jenn had taught him.
When he walked out, Jenn was by the coolers, so he wandered over there, once more enamored by the pretty colors of the bottles and cans.
She said, “Hey kiddo, pick out some juice for you and your sis. Maybe some donuts, too? We’ll get some breakfast in Texas. That is if New Mexico ever lets up.”
Tony had opened a cooler door and was enjoying the cold air on his face when he heard her say Texas then New Mexico. His heart dropped, and he felt the cooler door slide away from his hands.
Jenn frowned. “What’s wrong? You don’t want juice? It’s too early for a Slurpee, kiddo, but maybe we can get one later. Have you ever had a Slurpee? Let me tell you, the best thing everrrrrr.” She rolled the r like a kid might.
Tony had never seen Auntie Jenn so chipper. She sounded young and happy. Despite this, he said, “I hate Texas, Auntie Jenn. Bad things happen in Texas. And New Mexico.”
Jenn guffawed. “Hon, what movies were you watching. You ain’t never been to Texas, child. Well, I don’t think…” She trailed off, glancing at him, wonder in her eyes.
He and Rietta never talked about their past. At least, he hadn’t. Jenn understood that and had never asked.
“Have you ever heard the story of the Alamo? It’s incredible. I’ll tell you when your sister wakes up.”
Tony shrugged. He wasn’t thirsty anymore, but he picked out a juice for himself and Rietta anyway. Jenn picked up two coffees and a box of donuts and they headed to the register. There, she also added a small bottle of Advil.
The store, despite its wonderful promise of sugar and the smell of watermelon bubblegum, didn’t seem quite so heavenly anymore.
New Mexico. It’s where the tall man with the steel eyes lived. Tony would have to be brave. He’d have to keep the wolf mask close, and the dagger even closer.
17
Oh, Thank Heaven
As they walked out of the gas station to the car, the warm air brushed Jenn’s shoulders. She looked beside her, and there was May. She held a donut. And by the mischievous look on her face, Jenn knew exactly what she was thinking. Do you like cheap sugar, whore child?
Jenn raised the coffee cup in a toast and said, “As cheap as it gets, Twisted Sister.”
“Who are you talking to, Auntie Jenn?” Tony raised an eyebrow at her.
She pat him on the head. “No one, hon.”
Nobody? May pouted and took another bite.
“I mean, my sister.”
“Aunt May?”
She nodded. “Uh huh.”
“I want to meet her someday, Auntie Jenn.”
She smiled. “You will, hon.”
She paused when she saw Father Wraith step out of the car just as Tony jumped into it; they closed their doors at the same time.
Jenn’s head ached from the night before, but Advil had helped. Nothing could be done about the bruise, despite this she felt chipper. Genuinely happy.
Looking at Father Wraith, his hair all ruffled, she knew why.
He’d removed his clerical shirt, and his t-shirt fit his form quite nicely. She got a nice peep show as he stretched his arms in the air. Who knew he had those muscles under all that dark clothing.
Rawr, said May.
“He’s mine,” replied Jenn.
I’ve always wanted a naughty priest.
“You did not, whore child.”
Did, too. Did I ever tell you about the John who paid me to dress like a nun and—
“Hi.” The father caught her eye and gave Jenn a sleepy grin. “Were you talking to me? I didn’t catch that last bit.”
"Oh,” Jenn blushed. “Oh no, I was talking to.” She pointed at May.
May rolled her eyes and crammed the rest of the donut in her face, then she walked over to the gas pumps and looked out over the desert.
“To?”
“Um, my sister.”
“Oh…” Worry etched on his face.
She smiled at him, feeling a burst of radiance inside her, then she blushed and looked away. When she glanced back at him, he was still watching her, but the worry had faded.
He jutted his chin toward the gas station. “I think I’m going to go inside.”
“I gotcha some coffee already.”
He flashed a gorgeous smile. “Thanks, Beautiful.”
Surprised, Jenn smiled at him again, gushing, then turned away quickly.
He said, “I’ve got a phone call to make.”
She said, “About the bad guys?” His face grew sad after she said it.
He said, “Yeah, about the bad guys.”
She tried to think of something to cheer him up. “It’s the American way!” But it came out to bubbly and kind of stupid.
“Yes.” He nodded and gave her a have-you-gone-off-your-rocker? look. “Yes, it is.” Then, he turned and walked towards the storefront.
&nbs
p; She whispered to herself. “Stop that. Way too obvious.”
She felt a tap on her shoulder and turned. May was at her side, faint and beautiful as ever, the warm breeze blowing her blonde hair from her shoulders. She gave Jenn a wicked smile. The first Jenn had seen in a long time.
Jenn said, “Knock it off, whore child.”
“Huh?” asked Tony from the window.
“Uh, nothing, forget I said that. It’s kind of a joke.”
“It’s okay. You were talking to Aunt May again,” Tony said.
“Uh huh.” Jenn set the brew and donuts on top of the car and turned towards Tony. He was standing up out of the window watching her. She tried to flatten out the cowlicks that stood up on his head. She laughed when they wouldn’t go down.
Tony smiled at her, but he looked so sad.
She put the pump in the gas tank, and then lowered her voice to Tony. “The whistling gone now?”
He nodded his head. “I don’t want to talk about it, though.”
“It’s okay, Tony. You don’t have to.”
She put the thought aside, too. It was just a headache from the stress of the night. She was sure of it.
She and Father Wraith needed to talk alone at some point (her skin goose-pimpled at the thought of being alone with him) about what they were going to do and where they were going to go, but until then she was determined to think the best of things. She was on the road again. It reminded her of when she and May would escape to a new place, a new town, hoping the next place was better than the last. How many 7-11’s had she worked at? She couldn’t even remember.
“Open up your juice top out here, so you don’t wake your sister.”
“Okay.” Tony took the lid and foil off the top, handed the foil to Jenn, and slid back inside the car.
She replaced the gas pump, tossed the foil in the trash barrel, then took the coffee and donuts off of the roof of the SUV and walked around to the driver’s side.
