Island of Lost Girls - Jennifer McMahon [83]
Dont tell me you smoke, Lizzy said.
Once in a while, Rhonda admitted.
Once in a while wont hurt, Peter said. Me, I wish I could give the damn things up.
Youve always got a choice, said Rhonda, thinking back to how she used to obsess over the choices others had made. The choice to leave, which she thought Daniel and Lizzy had made. Now it turned out Daniel hadnt left after all. Hed been buried in the woods the whole timeright next to the bogeyman.
Peter, Im so sorry, Rhonda said once they were alone on the front steps, where a tangled hedge of rugosa roses was encroaching on the left side, scratching Rhondas leg on the way down. Once settled on the step, Rhonda looked upat the peak of the A-frame was a huge paper wasp nest, a startlingly large layer of gray combs buzzing with activity.
For what?
For thinking you could have had anything to do with what happened to Ernie.
Rhonda looked out into the yard, where, at the edge, Suzy and Kimberly were digging little holes, burying things.
You were just following the evidence, Ronnie. And its not like I was very forthcoming with you.
It was Lizzy and Kimberly you were with that day at the motel, wasnt it?
Peter nodded. I actually tracked her down just after Suzy was born. We talked a few times, then she moved again and we lost touch. She called me last year, totally out of the blue. I begged her to come home, meet Suzy, let me meet Kimberly. She finally broke down at the end of May, said she had some shows to play in New York and Boston, and that she and Kimmy would stop by after. She was really skittish about it and made me swear not to tell. She got in late Sunday night and left the next day before supper to catch her plane. We only went out once to get sandwiches and she made me drive clear down to Wells River for them. I never even got a chance to introduce her to Suzy.
But why didnt she want anyone else to know she was back?
Peter shrugged. I guess she needed to do things at her own pacetake baby steps. It had been such a long timeso much had happened. Coming home was overwhelming.
God, I was such an idiot! Rhonda exclaimed. I thought you two had kidnapped Ernie. And later, when I saw you with that rope
It was for moving furniture, Peter explained.
And the little red shoes?
Suzys. Shed been hanging out there with me most afternoons while I fixed the place up. She brought toys, clothes. Left her stuff all over. Ronnie, Im sorry, too. Sorry I wasnt honest. And sorry that things turned out the way they did. I dont know what was going on with you and Warren, but finding out he was involved, and everything that happened there in the garage that night it must have been tough.
Rhonda nodded. I trusted him, Peter. I thought he was the only honest person in my life these last weeks. I really cared about him. I havent felt that way about anyone since Rhonda hesitated. Since you.
Peter took a drag of his cigarette. Exhaled smoke. Are you gonna go visit him?
I just cant. Its not even so much what he did. I admit, it was horrible, but I dont see him as this evil criminal. Just a guy who made some lousy choices. Its that he lied. He lied for so long. And he seemed so genuine. Thats what hurts the most. And how can I ever trust someone like that again? Rhonda looked at Peter. It felt good to be talking to him, saying something honest. To be able to go to him with her problems, as she had when they were growing up.
Sometimes, Peter said, it doesnt seem like theres any choice but to lie.
Rhonda shook her head. He should have come forward, told everyone what happened. That it was an accident.
He kidnapped the girl, Ronnie. He wasnt going to get off scot-free. Even if it was all Pats plan.
Pat! I still cant believe that I never even suspected Pat, Rhonda said. It all makes perfect sense now, in some twisted way. Its all just sosad. So very sad.
Peter nodded.
Crowley came by as I was on my way out, Rhonda said.
So