Island of Lost Girls - Jennifer McMahon [53]
Aggie! Clem called. He had come running around the other side of the garage, which was weird, because it meant he must have come from Peter and Lizzys house. Put it down, Ag. Easy now, just put it down.
Aggie lowered the shovel but held on to it tightly.
She started to cry.
You fucking crazy bitch, Daniel muttered. Up went the shovel again, but Clem was too fast. He reached her before she had a chance to swing, and grabbed hold of the wooden handle, prying it from her fingers.
Then they all held their positions, none of them seeming to know what to do next: Rhonda in the driveway, palms red from digging her fingernails into them; Peter crouched on the edge of the garage, wings rising up behind him; Aggie sobbing, her face buried in Clems shirt; Clem holding the shovel high in the air, out of Aggies reach; Daniel, back pressed against the garage, a look of utter disbelief on his face; and Lizzy, who hadnt moved since her father started climbing the ladder, just stood with her hook raised in the air like a kid at school waiting to get called on, her eyes blank and glassy, matted hair sticking out at crazy angles from under her black pirate hat. Then she began to cry in soft sniffles. She covered her mouth with the hand that didnt hold the hook. It took Rhonda a minute to understand that the crying sound coming from Captain Hook wasnt crying at allLizzy was laughingand the more she tried to stop herself, the harder she cackled. All eyes were on her as she laughed so loud and hard, so hysterically, that she wet her pants there on the driveway and the realization of having done this only made her laugh harder still.
The time has come. He knew it would. Shes been telling people about him. Drawing pictures of their secret places. Carrying the stuffed bunny to school and showing him off at show-and-tell.
The rabbit isnt angry. Only sad.
He picks her up in his submarine for the last time. Touches her shoulder. Thinks there are some things gestures cannot convey.
He turns away from her. Grips the wheel. He knows what has to be done. He has a plan. And she trusts him so completely, it will be easy.
And when its over, theyll all live happily ever after, just like a real-life fairy tale.
JUNE 16, 2006
IT WAS TEN A.M.when Rhonda found herself underneath the parrot wind chimes once more, calling Laura Lees name. Behind her, a motorboat started on the lake. A loon calledits song a haunting vibrato. There was no response from Laura Lee.
Its Rhonda Farr! she yelled. You home?
She heard only a low moan, then the sound of breaking glass.
Im coming in! Rhonda shouted, pushing the unlatched screen door open.
The kitchen was even filthier than it had been during her last visit. Piles of moldy dishes sat undone in the sink. Flies buzzed. Rhonda moved through the kitchen and into the living room, where she saw Laura Lee sprawled out on the floor, bleeding from the hand. The remains of a shattered highball glass and its sticky pink contents were on the coffee table.
You okay? Rhonda asked, getting down on her knees.
Just a little tipsy, lovie. Nothing to worry over. I have low blood sugar, you know, Laura Lee said. Rhonda helped her to her feet.
Steady now, Rhonda said. Lets get you into the bathroom and clean up that cut.
Rhonda found some peroxide, a roll of gauze, and some surgical tape in the medicine cabinet. Laura Lee sat slumped on the toilet while Rhonda administered first aid. The cut wasnt very deep and Laura Lee seemed to be feeling no pain.
Wheres your boyfriend? Laura Lee asked.
Warren? Hes not really my boyfriend.
What are you waiting for, Ronnie? Youre not getting any goddamn younger. When a good one comes along, you hold on. Understand what Im saying?
Maybe you should lie down, Rhonda suggested.
A fine idea. First, let me refill my glass. Whatdid I do with my glass?
Lets get you another one, okay?
Rhonda settled Laura Lee in on the couch under the afghan, with a plastic tumbler full of sangria. Can I ask you something? Rhonda asked. You dont have