Pet Sematary - Stephen King [76]
He tried honestly to remember, but it already seemed far away, dim and distant, like the messy death of Victor Pascow on the floor of the infirmarys reception room. He could remember carriages of wind passing in the sky and the white glimmer of snow in the back field which rose to the woods. That was all.
Daddy? Ellie said in a low, subdued voice.
What, Ellie?
Church smells funny.
Does he? Louis asked, his voice carefully neutral.
Yes! Ellie said, distressed. Yes, he does! He never smelled funny before! He smells like he smells like ka-ka!
Well, maybe he rolled in something bad, honey, Louis said. Whatever that bad smell is, hell lose it.
I certainly hope so, Ellie said in a comical dowagers voice. She walked off.
Louis found the last fork, washed it, and pulled the plug. He stood at the sink, looking out into the night while the soapy water ran down the drain with a thick chuckling sound.
When the sound from the drain was gone he could hear the wind outside, thin and wild, coming from the north, bringing down winter, and he realized he was afraid, simply, stupidly afraid, the way you are afraid when a cloud suddenly sails across the sun and somewhere you hear a ticking sound you cant account for.
A hundred and three? Rachel asked. Jesus, Lou! Are you sure?
Its a virus, Louis said. He tried not to let Rachels voice, which seemed almost accusatory, grate on him. She was tired. It had been a long day for her; she had crossed half the country with her kids today. Here it was eleven oclock, and the day wasnt over yet. Ellie was deeply asleep in her room. Gage was on their bed in a state that could best be described as semiconscious.
Louis had started him on Liquiprin an hour ago. The aspirin will bring his fever down by morning, hon.
Arent you going to give him ampicfflin or anything?
Patiently, Louis said, If he had the flu or a strep infection, I would. He doesnt. Hes got a virus, and that stuff doesnt do doodly-squat for viruses. It would just give him the runs and dehydrate him more.
Are you sure its a virus?
Well, if you want a second opinion, Louis snapped, be my guest.
You dont have to shout at me! Rachel shouted.
I wasnt shouting! Louis shouted back.
You were, Rachel began, you were shuh-shuh-shouting- And then her mouth began to quiver and she put a hand up to her face. Louis saw there were deep gray-brown pockets under her eyes and felt badly ashamed of himself.
Im sorry, he said, and sat down beside her. Christ, I dont know whats the matter with me. I apologize, Rachel.
Never complain, never explain, she said, smiling wanly. Isnt that what you told me once? The trip was a bitch. And Ive been afraid youd hit the roof when you looked in Gages dresser drawers. I guess maybe I ought to tell you now, while youre feeling sorry for me.
Whats to hit the roof about?
She smiled wanly. My mother and father bought him ten new outfits. He was wearing one of them today.
I noticed he had on something new, he said shortly.
I noticed you noticing, she replied and pulled a comic scowl that made him laugh, although he didnt feel much like laughing. And six new dresses for Ellie.
Six dresses! he said, strangling the urge to yell. He was suddenly furious-sickly furious and hurt in a way he couldnt explain. Rachel, why? Why did you let him do that? We dont need we can buy
He ceased. His rage had made him inarticulate, and for a moment he saw himself carrying Ellies dead cat through the woods, shifting the plastic bag from one hand to the other and all the while Irwin Goldman, that dirty old fuck from Lake Forest, had been busy trying to buy his daughters affection by unlimbering the world-famous checkbook and the world-famous fountain pen.
For one moment he felt himself on the verge of shouting He bought her six dresses and I brought her goddam cat back from the dead, so who loves her more?
He clamped down on the words. He would never say anything