Pet Sematary - Stephen King [135]
The old man was getting his daughter and granddaughter back; they were running home from Maine to Daddy. Courtesy of Delta and United, they were coming back to where they belonged, back to where Irwin Goldman wanted them. Now he could afford to be magnanimous. As far as old Irwin knew, he had won. So lets just forget that I took a swing at you over your dead sons body, Louis, or that I kicked you when you were down, or that I knocked his coffin off its bier and snapped the latch so you could see-or think you saw-that one last flash of your childs hand. Lets forget all of that. Let bygones be bygones.
Terrible as it may be, Irwin, you old prick, Id wish for you to drop dead right this second, if it wouldnt screw up my plans.
Thats all right, Mr. Goldman, he said evenly. It was. well an emotional day for all of us.
It was not all right, he persisted, and Louis realized- although he did not want to-that Goldman was not just being political, was not just saying that he was sorry he had been such a bastard now that he was getting his own way. The man was nearly weeping, and he was speaking with a slow and trembling urgency. It was a terrible day for all of us. Thanks to me.
Thanks to a stupid, bullheaded old man. I hurt my daughter when she needed my help I hurt you, and maybe you needed my help too, Louis. That you do this behave this way
after I behaved that way it makes me feel like garbage. And I think that is just the way I should feel.
Oh let him stop this, let him stop before 1 start to scream at him and blow the whole deal.
Rachels probably told you, Louis, we had another daughter-
Zelda, Louis said. Yes, she told me about Zelda.
It was difficult, Goldman said in that trembling voice. Difficult for all of us. Most difficult for Rachel, perhaps-Rachel was there when Zelda died-but difficult for Dory and me too. Dory almost had a breakdown-
What do you think Rachel had? Louis wanted to shout. Do you think a kid cant have a nervous breakdown? Twenty years later shes still jumping at deaths shadow. And now this happens. This miserable, awful thing. Its a minor miracle that she isnt in the fucking hospital, being fed through an I.V. tube. So dont talk to me about how difficult it was for you and your wife, you bastard.
Ever since Zelda died, we have I suppose we have clung to Rachel always wanting to protect her and to make it up to her. Make up for the problems she had with her her back for years afterward. Make up for not being there.
Yes, the old man was really crying. Why did he have to be crying? It made it harder for Louis to hold on to his clean, pure hate. More difficult, but not impossible. He deliberately called up the image of Goldman reaching into the pocket of his smoking jacket for his overflowing checkbook but he suddenly saw Zelda Goldman in the background, an unquiet ghost in a stinking bed, her cheesy face full of spite and agony, her hands pulled into claws. The Goldman ghost. Oz the Gweat and Tewwible.
Please, he said. Please, Mr. Goldman. Irwin. No more. Lets not make things any worse than they have to be, okay?
I believe now that you are a good man and that I misjudged you, Louis. Oh, listen, I know what you think. Am I that stupid? No. Stupid, but not that stupid. You think Im saying all of this because now I can, youre thinking oh yeah, hes getting what he wants and once he tried to buy me off, but but Louis, I swear
No more, Louis said gently. I cant I really cant take any more. Now his voice was trembling as well. Okay?
All right, Goldman said and sighed. Louis thought it was a sigh of relief. But let me say again that I apologize. You dont have to accept it. But that is what I called to say, Louis. I apologize.
All right, Louis said. He closed his eyes. His head was thudding. Thank you, Irwin. Your apology is accepted.
Thank you, Goldman said. And thank you for letting them come. Perhaps it is what they both need. Well wait for them at the airport.
Fine, Louis said, and an idea suddenly occurred to him. It was crazy and attractive in its very sanity.