My Brother's Keeper (6 page)

Rudy made a left onto the path. It would take between thirty and forty five seconds for him to circle the house.

“He’s just like a little kid,” Jon said.

Ellis talked around his bite of sandwich. “A little kid in a forty-five year old man’s body.”

“That bothers you?”

Ellis took another bite. He realized he was hungrier than he thought. “No, but there are a lot of people it does bother. You’d be surprised how many are afraid of Rudy.”

Rudy disappeared behind the wood line and Ellis counted down.

“Why would they be afraid of him?”

“I don’t know. I guess because it’s weird to see a grown man act the way he does. Sometimes I think people believe Rudy’s mental disability is contagious.”

Jon snorted. “You can’t be serious.”

“You’d be surprised.” Rudy came out from behind the shed and headed down the driveway again. Ellis washed down the bite of his sandwich. “I used to take Rudy to the park in the afternoon when all the venders were open. One day these kids made fun of him. Called him all sorts of names. Rudy was confused and scared. I ran them off then a few minutes later their dad shows up screaming and cussing, accusing Rudy of assaulting his kids.”

“Damn.”

“Rudy took it pretty hard. When we got home, he asked if we could go to the park in the morning when there was no one there. He misses the venders, but he can still look at the Koi pond and throw pennies in the fountain. To be honest, I didn’t think he’d want to.” Ellis finished the tea. The ice cubes clinked in the glass when he set it down. “When I asked him if he was sure he wanted to go back he told me he had to.” Ellis thought of the pictures on Rudy’s wall. “You want to know something really weird?”

“What?”

“You know how Rudy likes to draw pictures.”

“Sure.”

“He used to draw pictures of him and me all the time and he’d stick them on his wall. The day after we met you, he showed me this picture he drew. There were three people in the drawing. He said one of them was you.”

“And that’s weird?”

“Considering he drew the picture almost a week before we met you, yeah.”

“It’s just a drawing.”

Ellis laughed. “You sound less convinced than me.”

Rudy shot out from behind the shed again and Ellis cupped his hands around his mouth. “Slow down.”

“He’s pretty good.”

“Yeah, too good. He’s made a few attempts to get to town. Normally he doesn’t get very far before George finds him. But last year he made it all the way to the square. I about had a heart attack. Abbot called me to let me know he was there at the shop.”

“That’s like what, five miles?”

“Six. The distance isn’t what scared me, it was the fact he had to ride through traffic.” Rudy came out from around the storage building. Ellis almost yelled at him again, but he slowed down.

Inside the house, the phone rang. Rudy was too far away to hear Ellis call him back.

“I’ll get it,” Jon said.

The screen door slapped shut behind Jon and Ellis forced himself to go back to watching Rudy.

Jon shut the front door. All the way to the phone, he prayed for good news.

“Hello?”

“Jon?” It was George.

“Yeah.”

“Where’s Ellis?”

“Out on the front porch, watching Rudy ride his bike. Do you need me to get him?”

“No, no. In fact, I’d rather talk to you.”

Jon closed his eyes and sat on the couch. “He made bail, didn’t he?”

“There was a mix up in the scheduling. The hearing date was changed.”

“To when?” Jon didn’t know if a few more days would be a blessing or a curse.

“No one informed me, Jon. I’m sorry.”

Ice cold claws ran down Jon’s back. “What do you mean, you’re sorry?”

“They released Lenny out on bail yesterday.”

Jon’s heart double tapped against his ribs. “I thought you said Judge Hammond wouldn’t go back on his decision.”

“A change in dates means a change in judges.”

“Fuck.” He clenched a fist in his hair. The pain did nothing for the anger building in his chest.

“I’m sorry. If I had known I would have called you sooner.”

“Yeah. I know. I just…”

“I don’t have to tell you to be careful.”

“Why is it all the sons of bitches in this world get away with everything?”

“Lenny isn’t invincible.”

“Apparently he doesn’t have to be.”

Jon walked over to the back door. Almost two weeks ago, he and Ellis had made love on the picnic table. They’d been at peace then. Wrapped in a false sense of security where they thought they were safe. “I heard some people talking about Lenny’s family the other day. If half of what they said was true, I can see why people are afraid of him. Tell me, how many people have they hurt? Or better yet killed?” George’s silence was the only answer Jon needed.

“If it’s any consolation, he’s scheduled for trial in less than two months.”

Jon rested his head against the window. “Great, so that means we only have to try and survive for eight weeks instead of forever.” Only that wasn’t true. What if Lenny wound up doing no time at all?

“I wish I had better news.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“I don’t have to tell you to watch your back.”

“That’s a given.”

“Tell Ellis I’m sorry. And if he needs me, he can call. Oh, and Jon?”

“Yeah?”

“If you have a gun, keep it handy.”

Jon’s throat tightened. “I’ll do that. Thanks.” He left the phone on the cradle and went back to the front door. When he opened it, Rudy stopped talking to Ellis and waved at Jon.

“Hi Jon. I rode my bike. I went around, and around, and around. I didn’t go near the road. I’m not allowed near the road because Ellis told me not to three times. That’s how I know he means it. Three times.” He held up four fingers.

Jon met Ellis’s gaze. The color drained from his cheeks and a tremor started in his hands. To Rudy Ellis said, “Go put the bike up.”

“But—”

“It’s almost time for lunch and you need to wash your hands.”

Rudy rolled the bike to the shed. “Can we have ice cream?”

“I’ll think about it.” Ellis stood and pulled open the screen door. “He got out, didn’t he?”

“Yesterday.” Jon told him what happened.

Rudy came up the steps. Sweat made his bangs cling to his forehead and his eyes were unusually bright. “Hi Jon.”

“Hey.”

Ellis pushed Rudy toward the door. “Go on inside and get a shower.”

“But it’s early.”

“If you want to go to the Carnival you need to take a shower now. We won’t get home till late.”

“Can I have cotton candy?”

“Maybe.”

“What about hotdogs?”

“Rudy, go take a shower so you can eat your lunch, or we can’t go.”

Jon stepped out of the way and Rudy went in. To Ellis, Jon said, “You’re still going to the carnival even though he’s out?”

“I’m not trying to be brave, if that’s what you think.”

It kind of was.

“If I let Lenny scare me into hiding then he wins. And it’s not just me who loses, it’s Rudy and it’s you. I won’t allow that.”

No, Ellis wasn’t brave. He was much more.

It wasn’t dark when they arrived, but the carnival was already in full swing.

Rides towered over game booths. Balloons marked concession stands. Bright lights blinked to scratchy music, piped in from speakers on the carousel. People crowded every bit of open space, moving like worker ants from one end of the field to the other.

Rudy climbed out of the back seat of Jon’s car. Ellis took Rudy by his arm and made his brother face him. Rudy craned his head back. Ellis held his face. Now they were eye to eye.

“What are the rules?” A burst of balloons was followed by cheering. “Rudy. Pay attention. What are the rules?”

Rudy squished his face up. “Don’t talk to anyone. Don’t wander off. Don’t touch.”

Ellis patted him on the cheek. “Good job.”

“Can I go in the bouncy house?”

“You know you can’t.”

“Why not?”

“You’re too big.”

“I’m the same size as you.”

“And I’m too big.”

“But it looks fun.”

“I know it looks fun, but they won’t let you in.”

Jon joined them.

Rudy looked at Jon and said, “You can’t go in the bouncy house because you’re too big.”

“Why would I want to go in there when I could play darts or do the duck hunt and win a nice big bear?”

Ellis grinned at the wide-eyed look on Rudy’s face. “I want to go play the duck hunt.” He started off and Ellis grabbed his arm.

“Stay close or you’ll get lost.”

“Can we have cotton candy?”

“We’ll see.”

“What about hotdogs?”

“You just ate a few hours ago.”

“I’m hungry.”

“You’re always hungry.”

“No, I’m not. Sometimes I’m sleepy and then I’m not hungry.”

Jon hit the ticket booth and came back with what looked like the entire roll.

Ellis said, “How many rides are you going to go on?”

“I needed enough for you and Rudy.”

“Oh no.” Ellis held up a hand. “We’re not getting on any rides.”

“I like rides,” Rudy said.

“You’ve never been on any of the rides, except for the carousel.”

“I like the fast rides.”

“No, you don’t.” What if Rudy fell out? Or worse, got scared and panicked?

Jon put his hand on Ellis’s lower back and herded him toward the entrance. “Let him get on the rides.”

“He’ll get hurt.”

“They have seat belts.”

“What if he pukes?”

“Don’t let him eat anything before we go.”

Rudy grinned. “I like rides.”

“Stop saying that. You’ve never been on any of them.”

“If I did ever go, I would like them.”

Jon burst out laughing.

“Don’t encourage him.”

“C’mon, let him go.” Jon bumped Ellis with his elbow. “If you’re that worried, ride with us.”

“Uh, no.”

“Scared?”

“I’m not scared, I just don’t like the idea of getting flipped upside down or put in a little box and spun in circles until I throw up.”

“You’re not going to throw up.”

“I might.”

Jon pulled Ellis in the direction of the rides. “Try at least one. We’ll go on the Ferris wheel first. No spinning or turning upside down.”

“I like turning upside down,” Rudy said.

There was no winning this argument, not with two on one. Ellis let Jon drag him over to the Ferris wheel. The closer Ellis walked to the monstrosity the harder his heart pounded, and the tighter his lungs squeezed.

“Just breathe. It won’t be that bad, I promise.”

Rudy repeated what Jon said.

To Rudy Ellis said, “What is with you today?”

“I’m with you and Jon.”

“No, I mean the whole repeating what people say.”

“You’re smart and Jon is smart. I want to sound smart too. Then I can be smart and gay.”

A few people in front of them turned around. A wave of heat flooded Ellis’s cheeks.

“Why is your face red?” Rudy said.

“Hush and turn around.”

At least, Jon had the decency to hide his grin behind his hand.

The line went forward and Ellis pushed Rudy ahead of him to close the gap.

Jon handed over the right number of tickets and a skinny kid with pimples led them to one of the benches. He raised the bar.

Ellis eyed the seat. “That’s gonna be a tight fit for all three of us.”

“Would you rather ride in one alone?” Jon said.

“No.” To the attendant Ellis said, “You sure that will hold all three of us?”

The kid leaned closer. “The Penuckle sisters rode it yesterday and they’ve gotta be five hundred pounds each.”

Everyone probably looked to be five hundred pounds to the skinny kid.

It would still be a tight fit for all three of them, but if it could hold two extra large women and not go crashing down, Ellis was pretty sure they’d live through this.

“I guess that means we get in,” Ellis said.

He sat in between Rudy and Jon. The bar lowered and a fine sheen of sweat broke out over Ellis’s skin. The ride shuddered to life and every bolt and hinge clattered. The vibration ran up Ellis’s body until his teeth knocked together.

Then the Ferris wheel went quiet.

“Wow,” Rudy said.

Lots of words went through Ellis’s head, but ‘wow’ was not one of them.

Jon put his hand over Ellis’s. “You don’t have to hold the bar so tight.”

“I’m not.”

“Your knuckles are white.”

“I’m not letting go of the bar.”

“Then at least open your eyes.”

As soon as he did, Ellis wished he hadn’t. The Ferris wheel had lifted them into the stratosphere. Below them, the carnival turned into circles and squares surrounded by moving dots.

And they just kept getting smaller.

Jon put his arm over the back of the seat. “Relax.”

“I’m relaxed,” Ellis said.

Rudy swung his legs, making the seat rock. “I told you I liked rides. Look Ellis, you can see the whole world.”

While Rudy chattered about rides and hotdogs, Ellis glared at Jon because all he did was grin. Jon said, “You know, you’re really cute when you’re scared.”

“Shut up.”

Jon leaned over close enough that his lips brushed Ellis’s ear. “I’m going to show you just how cute when we get home.”

Ellis looked at Jon. Their faces were so close, their noses almost touched, and only a few inches separated their mouths. And oh the incredible things that perfect mouth could do.

Jon’s lips curled, giving him a nefarious expression. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to embarrass myself.”

“That’s your own fault. You shouldn’t say things like that.”

“Why not? I mean it.”

Jon was right. The rides weren’t that bad. If Ellis was honest, they were actually kind of fun. Rudy seemed to enjoy them. All he did was describe every loop and turn as they headed toward the game booths.

Jon draped his arm over Ellis’s shoulder. “So what do you like to play?”

“Uh, I don’t.”

“Nothing?”

“Okay, I’ve tried, but I, apparently, lack the hand-eye coordination that it takes to get those little hoops over the bottle necks.” Ellis nodded at Rudy, who stared at the inflatable castle where a dozen or more kids currently bounced around on the air filled floor. “He likes the baseball throw.”