Pet Sematary - Stephen King [148]
Delta Airlines, the voice on the other end said brightly. This is Kim, may I help you?
I hope so, Rachel said. Its extremely important that I get from Chicago to Bangor tonight. Its its a bit of an emergency, Im afraid. Can you check the connections for me?
Dubiously: Yes, maam, but this is very short notice.
Well, please check, Rachel said, her voice cracking a little. Ill take standby, anything.
All right, maam. Please hold. The line became smoothly silent.
Rachel closed her eyes, and after a moment she felt a cool hand on her arm. She opened her eyes and saw that Ellie had moved next to her. Irwin and Dory stood together, talking quietly and looking at them. The way you look at people you suspect of being lunatics, Rachel thought wearily. She mustered a smile for Ellie.
Dont let them stop you, Mommy, Ellie said in a low voice. Please.
No way, big sister, Rachel said and then winced-it was what they had called her ever since Gage had been born. But she was no ones big sister anymore, was she?
Thank you, Ellie said.
Its very important, isnt it?
Ellie nodded.
Honey, I believe that it is. But you could help me if you could tell me more. Is it just the dream?
No, Ellie said. Its its everything now. Its running all through me now. Cant you feel it, Mommy? Something like a-
Something like a wind.
Ellie sighed shakily.
But you dont know what it is? You dont remember anything more about your dream?
Ellie thought hard and then shook her head reluctantly. Daddy. Church. And Gage. Thats all I remember. But I dont remember how they go together, Mommy!
Rachel hugged her tightly. It will be all right, she said, but the weight on her heart did not lessen.
Hello, maam, the reservations clerk said.
Hello? Rachel tightened her grip on both Ellie and the phone.
I think I can get you to Bangor, maam-but youre going to be getting in very late.
That doesnt matter, Rachel said.
Do you have a pen? Its complicated.
Yes, right here, Rachel said, getting a stub of pencil out of the drawer. She found the back of an envelope to write on.
Rachel listened carefully, writing down everything. When the airline clerk finished, Rachel smiled a little and made an 0 with
her thumb and forefinger to show Ellie that it was going to work. Probably going to work, she amended. Some of the connections looked very, very tight especially in Boston.
Please book it all, Rachel said. And thank you.
Kim took Rachels name and credit card number. Rachel hung up at last, limp but relieved. She looked at her father. Daddy, will you drive me to the airport?
Maybe I ought to say no, Goldman said. I think I might have a responsibility to put a stop to this craziness.
Dont you dare! Ellie cried shrilly. Its not crazy! Its not! Goldman blinked and stepped back at this small but ferocious outburst.
Drive her, Irwin, Dory said quietly into the silence that followed. Ive begun to feel nervous too. Ill feel better if I know Louis is all right.
Goldman stared at his wife and at last turned to Rachel. Ill drive you, if it is what you want, he said. I Rachel, Ill come with you, if you want that.
Rachel shook her head. Thank you, Daddy, but I got all the last seats. Its as if Cod saved them for me.
Irwin Goldman sighed. At that moment he looked very old, and it suddenly occurred to Rachel that her father looked like Jud Crandall.
You have time to pack a bag, if you want, be said. We can be at the airport in forty minutes, if I drive the way I used to when your mother and I were first married. Find her your tote bag, Dory.
Mommy, Ellie said. Rachel turned toward her. Ellies face was now sheened with light sweat.
What, honey?
Be careful, Mommy, Ellie said.
49
The trees were only moving shapes against a cloudy sky backlit by the glow from the airport not too far distant. Louis parked the Honda on Mason Street. Mason bordered Pleasantview on its south side, and here the wind was almost strong enough to rip
the car door out of his