Island of Lost Girls - Jennifer McMahon [57]
Peter and Rhonda took their time riding home from Nickel Lake. When they pulled into his driveway, Lizzys bike was there, resting against the garage. The lights in the house were all off, which meant everyone was still in Rhondas backyard, their parents no doubt fully plastered by then.
I have something to show you, Peter said, heading toward the garage.
I bet, said Rhonda and stayed put. How pitiful did he think she was? He came back and took her hand, pulling her to the old garage Daniel used as his workshopthe one Peter had nearly jumped from in the homemade wings just days ago. His grip was firm and Rhonda had no choice but to follow.
Peter dragged Rhonda into the dark workshop and led her to the row of coffins in the back.
Were not supposed to be in here when your dad isnt, Rhonda said. If he catches us
See this one, Peter said, pointing to one of the coffins.
Check out the lid.
Rhonda bent down and focused on making out the carved letters in the dark. Initials: DLS. And an inscription:ITS BETTER TO BURN OUT THAN TO FADE AWAY
Whos it for? Rhonda asked.
My father. He built his own coffin.
Rhonda shivered. Creepy.
Yeah, but you know the creepiest part?
Rhonda was about to ask what the creepiest part was when Peter put a finger to his lips and hissed, Shhh!
Outside, they heard arguing. Two voices getting closer. Daniel and Clem.
Peter lifted the lid of one of the coffins.
Get in, he ordered.
Rhonda shook her head. No way was she getting in there.
You really want him to find us in here? Peter whispered. Now get in. Itll be fine. Trust me.
Trust me.How many times had he said those words to her? And how was she supposed to go on trusting him now? Hed kissed her, said she was his girl, then chosen Tock.
Rhonda remained silent and crawled into the coffin and lay down, arms at her sides, ever obedient. Peter set the lid down gently. Rhonda lay in the darkness, smelling pine, listening to Peter climb into the coffin beside herDaniels coffin. They were quiet for a while, lying there in the dark, playing at death.
She listened as Clem and Daniel argued outside the door then came into the workshop. The light went on and spilled through the crack around her coffin lid.
For Christs sakes, Daniel, its a lot of money! Rhonda heard her father say.
But youll get it all back tenfold. Its an investment. The coffins are gonna take off, Im telling you, Daniel was explaining.
Like the peanuts? Clem asked.
Fuck the peanuts! Daniel replied. This is bigger than that. This is the real thing.
Rhonda remembered the peanuts. The year before, Daniel decided to buy a peanut cart. At a buck a bag, he was going to get rich off tourists in Burlington, where vendors already sold chocolates, tacos, and jewelry (but, as yet, no peanuts) from carts. He ordered cases of peanuts, but the cart deal fell through. The peanuts sat in the garage for months, growing rancid, being invaded by mice, until Daniel finally loaded them into his pickup and took them to the town dump.
I dont get it, Clem said. You have all the tools you need. Youre doing fine with what you have.
But Im talkingproduction , Clem. I need better tools to up production, increase the profit margin.
Clem was silent for a moment, and then, flatly:
I dont believe you.
Well what the fuck do you believe?
I believe you need the money to pay Shane or Gordon or someone else you owe it to.
Fuck you! Daniel said. You dont have the slightest fucking idea what youre talking about.
I wont give you the money unless I know what its for.
A better table saw, a band saw, a drill press I already told you. I showed you the fucking brochures!
How much trouble are you in, Daniel? Is it really ten thousand? More? Less?
You know what? Forget it. I dont need your fucking help! Just consider yourself no longer a financial partner in Shale Coffins. When the money starts rolling in you get shit, my friend.
Daniel, look at yourself. You keep digging yourself into these holes. The