Island of Lost Girls - Jennifer McMahon [33]
Trudy was looking a little the worse for wear. There were whispers that it was Trudys own fault that Ernie was gone. What kind of mother left her six-year-old daughter alone in the car like that? Rhonda knew that Katys mom was providing some kind of pills for Trudy.Something for her nerves, Katy had whispered. But it seemed that Trudy was taking more and more of them, and by the time they searched the park, she was all but staggering and drooling. At one point, Shirley was leading a small group up a rocky hill and Trudy lost her footing, twisting an ankle. She lay in the leaf litter, sobbing. Pat called for Warren to come and take her back to base camp, which consisted of a few tables set up with coffee, sandwiches, and maps next to the ranger stationand, of course, camera crews. Warren was having trouble guiding Trudy by himself, and called for Rhonda to come help.
Trudys only protest was to narrow her eyes at Rhonda and say, You!
Im here to help, Rhonda said.
You want to help? Trudy gave a bitter laugh. You wouldnt even know where to begin.
Please, Miss Florucci, I
Mrs.Florucci, Trudy corrected in a drug-slurred voice. My husband, my husband, Sal, he lost his right arm in an accident just last year. He killed himself six months ago. He was a granite cutter, and his arm was crushed by a piece of rock.
For weeks after the accident Sal woke up in the night swearing he could still feel his arm:It feels tingly, like its asleep, hed tell me. Id turn on the light and hed stare at the stump like he couldnt believe his own eyes.
Rhonda nodded, didnt know what to say. Trudy leaned into her, hobbling on one foot, Warren at her right side.
At night, when I sleep, sometimes I dream none of this has happened, and Ernies right there beside me. I wake up and lie still, sure I can feel Ernie tucked safely under my arm, spooned up against me. I cansmell her, almost taste her. Trudy looked to Rhonda, her eyes full of rage once more. And then I turn on the light.
They were nearly back to base camp now, and television cameras were pointed at them.
Are you hurt, Trudy? one of the reporters called.
Have they found anything yet? another asked.
Trudy hung her head, and Warren stepped protectively in front of her. Give her some space, for Gods sake, he snapped.
You can dream all you want, Trudy whispered, her breath hot in Rhondas ear. But at some point, someones gonna turn on the goddamn light.
THE HILLSIDES WEREsearched all day and no sign of Ernie was found. Then, the next morning, a volunteer fireman discovered a pile of bones hidden in a cluster of rocks. The forensic team was called in and quickly identified the fragmented bones as animal: deer, most likely. The fireman had discovered the den of a coyote. The news cameras filmed a shaky Trudy with Pat clinging hard to her arm like she was keeping Trudy from floating away. The volunteers went home at the end of the day, everyone convinced that Ernie Florucci, wherever she may be, was not in the state forest.
RHONDA AND WARRENwent back to Pats to check if any new information had come in. The phones were being manned by a grouchy old Cecil, who had a bad hip and couldnt join the search team at the state park.
Not a damn thing. Phone didnt ring once. The most exciting part of my day was when that little Katy brought me these goddamn brownies. He gestured spitefully at the tray of goodies. I ate about half of themwhichIm not supposed to, with my sugar. Doc put me on pills, maybe Ill just take an extra tonight. He sighed, ruminating on his misfortune for a moment. Oh, and she dropped this off for you. He handed over a manila envelope withWARREN & RHONDA scrawled on the outside in pink marker.
Damn shame you