Pet Sematary - Stephen King [143]
What? she said now to Ellies reflection in the mirror. Honey, what could be wrong with Daddy?
I dont know, Ellie said. It was the dream. Something about
Gage. Or maybe it was Church. I dont remember. I dont know.
Ellie, what was your dream?
I dreamed I was in the Pet Sematary, Ellie said. "Paxcow took me to the Pet Sematary and said Daddy was going to go there and something terrible was going to happen.
Paxcow? A bolt of terror both sharp and yet undefined struck her. What was that name, and why did it seem familiar? It seemed that she had heard that name-or one like it-but she could not for the life of her remember where. You dreamed someone named Paxcow took you to the Pet Sematary?
Yes, thats what he said his name was. And- Her eyes suddenly widened.
Do you remember something else?
He said that he was sent to warn but that he couldnt interfere. He said that he was I dont know that he was near Daddy because they were together when his soul was dis-dis-I cant remember! she wailed.
Honey, Rachel said, I think you dreamed about the Pet Sematary because youre still thinking about Gage. And Im sure Daddy is fine. Do you feel any better now?
No, Ellie whispered. Mommy, Im scared. Arent you scared?
Huh-uh, Rachel said, with a brisk little shake of her head and a smile-but she was, she was scared; and that name, Fax-cow, haunted her with its familiarity. She felt she had heard it in some dreadful context months or even years ago, and that nervy feeling would not leave her.
She felt something-something pregnant, swollen, and waiting to burst. Something terrible that needed to be averted. But what? What?
Im sure everything is fine, she told Ellie. Want to go back to Grandma and Grandda?
I guess so, Ellie said listlessly.
A Puerto Rican woman led her very young son into the ladies, scolding him. A large wet stain had spread on the crotch of the little boys Bermudas and Rachel found herself reminded of Gage with a kind of paralyzing poignancy. This fresh sorrow was like novocaine, smothering her jitters.
Come on, she said. Well call Daddy from Granddas house.
He was wearing shorts, Ellie said suddenly, looking back at the little boy.
Who was, honey?
Paxcow, Ellie said. He was wearing red shorts in my dream.
That brought the name momentarily into focus, and Rachel felt that knee-weakening fear again then it danced away.
They could not get close to the luggage carousel; Rachel could just see the top of her fathers hat, the one with the feather. Dory Goldman was holding two seats against the wall for them and waving. Rachel brought Ellie over.
Are you feeling any better, dear? Dory asked.
A little bit, Ellie said. Mommy-
She turned to Rachel and broke off. Rachel was sitting bolt upright, her hand clapped to her mouth, her face white. She had it. It had suddenly gone through with a terrible thud. Of course she should have known at once, but she had tried to put it out of her mind. Of course.
Mommy?
Rachel turned slowly to her daughter, and Ellie could hear the tendons in her neck creak. She took her hand away from her mouth.
Did the man in your dream tell you his first name, Eileen?
Mommy, are you all-
Did the man in your dream tell you his first name?
Dory was looking at her daughter and granddaughter as if they might have both gone crazy.
Yes, but I cant remember Mommy, youre hurrrrting me-
Rachel looked down and saw that her free hand was clamped around Ellies lower forearm like a manacle.
Was it Victor?
Ellie drew sharp breath. Yes, Victor! He said his name was Victor! Mommy, did you dream of him too?
Not Paxcow, Rachel said. Pascow.
Thats what I said. Paxcow.
Rachel, whats wrong? Dory said. She took Rachels free hand and winced at its chill. And whats wrong with Eileen?
Its not Eileen, Rachel said. Its Louis, I think. Something is
wrong with Louis. Or something is going to be wrong. Sit with Ellie, Mom. I want to call home.
She got up and crossed to the telephones, digging in her purse for a quarter. She made