Island of Lost Girls - Jennifer McMahon [51]
Daniel felt sure he was onto something, an untapped market. Vermonters in particular would surely want to save money and maintain their dear departed loved ones dignity with a handmade, unpretentious casket. He made himself a sign, using a router and a slab of pineSHALE COFFINSand hung it on the shed. He put a few flyers up in town. He got two orders right away, one from a college student who wanted to use the coffin as a coffee table, another from an old widower who wanted to have things all prepared when he went. Daniel built coffins all spring and summer, stacking the finished ones in eerie rows on the cement floor of the shed. He waited for the rush of orders. He waited, and every afternoon, he diligently went out to the shed and got to work building more. This was where Peter and Rhonda found him that afternoonbent over the table saw, tool belt strapped to his waist, radio turned up loud to a classic rock station.
Hiya, Dad, Peter shouted.
Daniel looked up, smiled, flipped off the saw.
What brings you to the mad scientists lab this fine afternoon? Daniel asked.
We want to fly, Peter said.
Fly?
For the play, Peter explained. We want to be able to fly.
Daniel nodded. I could make you some wings, he said.
Peter grinned. Would it work?
Of course, Daniel said. He looked around the workshop. Ronnie, hand me one of those two-by-twos piled up there. And Peter, were gonna need that heavy-duty roll of plastic we bought to cover the windows in the winter. Go get it from the basement, would you?
Yes, sir, Peter said.
Wheres your sister? Daniel asked as Peter turned to go.
Peter shrugged. She and Tock took off on their bikes. She said figuring out a way to fly was impossible.
Daniel grinned. Well, well show her, wont we? Now go on and get that plastic.
DANIEL WORKED ONthe wings all afternoon, and just before dinner, they were finished. They looked a little like bat wings. Daniel had cut thin strips of wood for the frame and covered it in plastic, stapled on. They attached to Peters body with a crude harness made from an old belt of Daniels.
That should do it, Daniel said, slapping Peter on the back.
Im gonna go grab a beer. He turned and loped back toward the house, where they watched him head in through the cellar doorDaniel kept a second fridge in the basement, for the sole purpose of beer storage.
Its not going to work, whispered Lizzy who had just pulled up on her bike and stood watching, dressed, as usual, in her Captain Hook outfit. It seemed that Lizzy never changed out of it anymore. She even slept in the shirt with the puffy sleeves, the satin pants tied at the waist with a gold rope that had once held curtains open, her wire coat-hanger hook resting carefully on the bureau beside her. She was, she explained, living the life of a true pirate, getting deeper into her character every day. She swore and spat and refused to bathe or brush her teeth, claiming that pirates were notoriously filthy. Whenever they complained about her smell, there was Tock to back her up:Shes a pirate, for Christs sake! Shes supposed to stink!
Besides, continued Lizzy, Peter Pan doesnt have wingshe flies by magic.
These are real wings! Peter said. I bet theyll work just like a hang glider.
Lizzy laughed. You wish.
Dad said they would! Peter told her.
Well, Dad says lots of stuff, Lizzy said. She toed the ground with her scuffed black motorcycle boots. Then she cleared her throat and spat.
Come on, Rhonda said. Lets get back to the