They Come by Night (17 page)

Dad groaned. “I wouldn’t be surprised. Marian Andrews and an oven are distant acquaintances. Before you meet Jimmy tomorrow, would you mind stopping at the store and picking up something for her? We’ll have to get her something in return.”

“Not a problem, Dad. We could have given her the cannoli.”

“Unfortunately, there were none left.”

“Yeah. What do you think? A box of Russell Stover?”

“Sounds good. I’ll give you the money for it.”

“No, I’ve got this one. But you can bring it to her.”

“All right. As the dad, I’ll do this.”

A
ND SO the next morning I stopped at the local Walgreens and found a big box of Russell Stover chocolates on clearance.

“I’m off to meet Jimmy,” I told Dad as I handed him the box.

“Hold on a second, Tyrell,” he said before I could walk out of the door. “I think you’ll need this.”

“Thanks, Dad.” It was a key to the house. “I’ll give it back to you before I go home.”

“No, I want you to hold on to it. If you ever need to come home and I’m not here, well, you’ll be able to let yourself in.”

“Thank you,” I said again. I couldn’t tell him this house was no longer my home and when I came back to Clewiston it would only be for a visit when he was here, but I wasn’t going to object to him giving it to me. “I’ll see you later.”

“Enjoy the movie!”

“Enjoy your visit with Mrs. Andrews!” I winked at him.

“Scamp!”

I hooked the key to my key ring, gave a wave, and headed down the steps and out to my car, which I’d left parked at the curb.

I met Jimmy at his house, and he took one look at my car and fell into instant lust, giving a long, low whistle.

“Nice wheels!” He walked around the car, examining her closely.

“I like her.”

“Man, you’re so lucky your father could afford to get you something like this!”

“Let’s go, okay?” I wasn’t going to say anything about who had actually given Lucretia MacEvil to me.

“You mind if we stop at Burger King for a snack? We’ve got time.”

“Sure, no problem.” The food court of the mall shouldn’t be too mobbed, and we had a couple of hours to kill anyway.

“So what’s it like living on your own? Have any hot chicks over? Throw any wild parties?”

“No and no. I’m still learning my way around the area, and I haven’t had time—”

“And what made you choose Pritchert of all places? I mean, talk about being out in the boonies!”

“It’s not
that
far from everywhere.”

“Tell that to the man who drove around it six times because he couldn’t find your place!”

“Dad couldn’t find it, either. Next time give me a call when you get to Pritchert and I’ll drive in to get you.”

“Thanks heaps.”

“You’re welcome,” I said cheerily, pretending I hadn’t picked up on his sarcasm. “It’s the least I can do for my best bud.”

We arrived at Nathan Hale Mall just then, and the task of finding a parking spot—he kept bemoaning the fact all the decent ones were taken—distracted him from the fact I hadn’t answered his question as to why I’d chosen that little town.

Again I wound up parking at the tail end of the lot, and while we walked toward the part of the mall that had the food court, I realized all I’d have to do was tell him I was going to school there. Case closed. I blew out a relieved breath.

It wasn’t long before we were at the Burger King counter putting in our orders. I was just having a Whopper sans the cheese, small fries, and a Coke, but Jimmy’s “snack” consisted of a Triple Whopper with bacon and cheese, large fries, and a large chocolate shake.

He wove in and out of the tables, finally finding one that suited him, and we sat down. As we munched on our burgers, he started commenting about all the girls passing by—their legs, their butts, their tits.

“Have a little more respect for them, James.”

“You know I don’t mean anything, Ty.” He sighed. “I miss Sheila. Don’t any of these girls ring your chimes?”

I added more salt to my fries and pretended I hadn’t heard him.

“What, are you gay or something?”

My gaze shot up to his, and he turned red.

“You
are
gay!”

I scowled at him. “Why don’t you get a bullhorn and announce it to the whole damn mall while you’re at it?”

“Jesus, Small, why didn’t you ever say anything?” He scowled back at me. “I’m your best friend! You can’t think I’d care a rat’s ass!”

“Yes…. No…. Look, can we not talk about it?”

“Is that—geez, Ty, is that why you left home? Did your dad throw you out?”

“No, that isn’t why I left home. I’m going to Pritchert University in January, and it’s easier to drive there from where I am now. And no, Dad didn’t throw me out! You know him. He’d never do anything that assholeryish.”

“Is that even a word?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care. Don’t you start spreading bullshit like that about him, or you can start looking for a new best friend!”

Jimmy stared at me with something like awe in his eyes. “Wow! I’ve never seen you get so worked up before!”

“Yeah, well. I’m sorry. Just….”

“Okay, I got it: don’t say anything bad about your father.” He took a bite of his Whopper, his jaws stretching so wide I was afraid he was going to dislocate them. “So… uh….” He spoke around that mouthful, not a pretty sight, but he was my friend, so I cut him some slack. “Have you, y’know,
done
anything?”

It was my turn to blush.

“You
did
! You dog! What was it like?”

I knew Jimmy wouldn’t let it go, and admitting I was always going to be a virgin wasn’t something I intended to share with anyone, so I mumbled, “It was the best I’ve ever had.” He didn’t need to know it was the
only
I’d ever had.

“That’s so cool! And you got over your thing about being touched?” He reached for my arm and I pulled it away.

“No. That’s why we broke up.” Geez, for someone who didn’t lie, I was going at it with a vengeance.

“Ah, man, I’m sorry!” He slurped up the last of his shake.

“No, it’s okay. Hey, look at the time. We’d better get going if we want to catch the previews!”

And the topic of my sexuality was dropped.

“W
ELL
,
THAT sucked,” I groused.

“Yeah. The 3-D previews had better special effects than the freaking movie! All these glasses did was make the movie look darker.” Jimmy wasn’t any happier than I was.

“I kept taking the glasses off just to check it out, and I couldn’t see much difference.”

“Maybe the 3-D part was when you took ’em off?”

“Maybe. But it was still a waste.”

“I really hate that they socked us for the glasses.” There’d been an additional charge of three dollars and fifty cents on top of the cost of the movie ticket.

“And then they had the nerve to say they wanted them recycled.” I dropped my pair into the container outside the theater.

“Might as well. We’ll still have to pay the three fifty the next time we go to a 3-D movie, even if we keep them.”

“Screw ’em.”

“Yeah, but we’ll still go the next time. Listen, Ty. Let’s stop at Pizza Hut.” There was one in the food court.

“Have you got a tape worm? You not only had that ‘snack’ at BK, but a large popcorn, a Snickers,
and
half my box of Raisinets!”

“What can I tell you? I’m a growing boy.”

I shook my head. “Okay—” My cell phone started vibrating in my pocket. “Hold on a second.” I took it out and checked the screen. “It’s my dad.”

“New phone, Ty?” Jimmy looked as if he was about to start drooling over it.

“Uh… yeah.” It was the one Adam had given me, and now, as well as his number, I’d transferred all the important phone numbers into it. “Hi, Dad. What’s up? You need me to pick up something at the Stop & Shop?”

“No, I just wanted to let you know I’m at Francesco’s Steak House with Barb.”

“Okay.” I knew he’d been looking forward to seeing her. “Enjoy yourselves. Jimmy and I are going to hit Pizza Hut, so you don’t need to worry about me setting the kitchen on fire making dinner.”

“Actually, I was hoping you would join us. I’d like you two to meet.”

“Oh. Uh… sure thing. Hold on a second, okay?” I covered the microphone. “Dad wants me to have dinner with him. I’ll have to skip the Pizza Hut.”

“Sure, buddy. Don’t worry about it.”

“I owe you one.” I spoke into the phone. “Dad, I’ll be there as soon as I drop Jimmy off.”

“Thanks, son.”

“No prob. See you in a bit.” I disconnected the call. “Sorry, Jimmy.”

“That’s okay. There should be some leftovers at home. And anyway, your dad’s a cool guy.”

“Thanks. I think so too. He’s seeing someone he wants me to meet.”

“That’s great! He’s been alone for a long time.”

“I know. I tried to talk him into dating, but he kept making excuses. I guess me moving out has given him the push to jump into the dating pool.”

We stepped out of the mall into the fading light of the winter afternoon. He looked around.

“Hey, I hope you remember where you parked!”

“You doubt me? I’m cut to the quick!”

He gave a snort, but once again I followed my nose, and just like the last time, I found my car.

D
AD
’
S SEAT at the table had him facing the front of the restaurant, and when he saw me, he said something to Mrs. Wilder. She turned and smiled at me as I approached, and Dad rose to his feet.

“Ty. Barb, this is my son.”

“Hi, Dad. Mrs. Wilder.”

“Hello, Tyrell. You’re very like your father, you know. If he hadn’t introduced you, I still would have recognized you right away. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”

“Same here.”

“I want to thank you for the books. Those are three of my favorite authors, and I’m looking forward to losing myself in their worlds.”

“You’re welcome. I’m glad you like them.”

“I hope you’ll like this.” She handed me a slim, rectangular present.

I tore off the paper and opened the box to find a soft, black leather bifold wallet that had an ID flap and a silver chain with a lobster-claw clasp that would fasten to a belt loop. “Thank you.” I put the cover back on the box and slid it into my jacket pocket. “Thank you very much.” I waited to see if she’d settle for shaking my hand, or if she’d try to push things by hugging me.

“I already told Barb you don’t like to be touched.”

“It’s not you,” I assured her. If Dad really liked her, the last thing I wanted to do was throw a monkey wrench in the works. “It’s not anyone. Even
Dad
doesn’t touch me.”

“Hmm.” She just looked interested. “How long have you felt this way?”

I shrugged. I wasn’t going to tell her that on my tenth birthday I’d woken with an aversion to physical contact. As good as she might be for Dad, what went on with me wasn’t something we discussed with anyone—sometimes not even ourselves. “Did you have a nice visit with your family?”

“Yes, although it would have been even better if Mitchell could have joined us. My parents and sisters haven’t seen him in….” She sighed, her expression sad. “It’s been almost four years.”

“I saw him a couple of weeks ago. It’s too bad he wasn’t able to come down.”

“Yes. Unfortunately, he had work.”

But he’d told me Not Just Books would be closed for Christmas. I bit my tongue. It was none of my business.

“Sit down, Ty. Barb and I were waiting for you before we ordered.”

“You didn’t have to do that, Dad. And you could have ordered for me. You know I always get the same thing.” I was pretty much a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy, and I’d have a steak, medium rare, and a baked potato with tons of butter.

He just grinned at me. “You’re an adult now.”

“Does that mean I can order a beer?”

“You’re not that much of an adult! Especially since you’ll be driving home.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll have a Coke, please.”

A
FTER THE pleasant dinner, Mrs. Wilder excused herself to use the ladies’ room. Dad put his hand over the check. “I’m getting this. I invited you.”

“Okay, but I’m getting the tip.” I took a couple of twenties from my wallet. “Want me to make myself scarce, Dad? I can go to Jimmy’s for a few hours. Or even overnight.”

“No. Barb and I haven’t taken our friendship to that point. But thank you for the offer.”

“Anything for my dad.”

“Scamp. Go on home. We’ll meet you there. Make sure you drive carefully.”

“You too, Dad.”

I
T HAD been a good evening, I thought as I got ready for bed.

Once home, Harker let me know he
really
needed to go, so I’d taken him out for a quick walk. We were both shivering when we returned to the house, and I’d hurried into the living room and turned on the gas fireplace. Then I’d hung up my coat, put a bag of popcorn in the microwave, and simmered milk for the hot chocolate. That was one of our Christmas traditions.

And when Dad and Mrs. Wilder had arrived shortly afterward, we’d gotten comfortable in the living room, including Harker, who fell asleep across Dad’s feet, and we’d watched
A Christmas Story
.

Now, Dad was driving her home. Studiously, I kept my eyes from my bedside clock. I knew what he’d told me about their friendship, but Mrs. Wilder seemed like a really nice woman and he was a normal man.

Grinning, I got into bed and pulled the covers over my shoulders.

Maybe I’d go home tomorrow. I knew Dad wouldn’t have any objections to me staying longer, but he could use his privacy. And I was getting restless.

Yeah, I’d go home tomorrow.

I
WAS almost home.

It had been a long drive, two and a half hours, and traffic had been heinous. Where were people going on December 28? It was a Sunday, for Pete’s sake!

On top of that, I’d had to drive with the brights on for the past twenty minutes. The streetlights were few and far between on the strip of road leading to my little bungalow.