THE GLORY BUS 4 страница

Chapter Seven

Norman nearly always locked his car before leaving it. This time he decided not to bother.

Norman climbed out, shut the door without locking it, and stepped to the gasoline pump marked REGULAR UNLEADED. After filling his tank, he walked no more than fifty feet to the gas-station office. No waiting. Stepped right up to the counter, gave his pump number, handed over a twenty-dollar bill, accepted his change and headed for the door.
In and out, just like that.

Away from the car for two minutes, maybe less.

But on his way out of the office, Norman thought about the container of teriyaki beef jerky that he’d noticed on the counter while paying for the gas.

The label on the tall plastic jar had caught his eye: ‘Wolfbane – you’ll howl for more. ’

He loved teriyaki jerky.

He’d never heard of Wolfbane.

All the best jerky was the kind you’d never heard of, the kind you found in out-of-the-way places like gas stations in small towns you were passing through on your way home from college.

Only a stride from the door, Norman halted. Screw my diet, he thought. One or two jerkies aren’t going to make any big difference in the great scheme of things. So he returned to the counter.

Ahead of him was a woman buying a pack of cigarettes. It didn’t take her very long. When she left, Norman stepped up to the counter. ‘Guess I’ll have some of this jerky, ’ he said.

‘Help yourself, ’ the clerk told him.

Norman opened the clear plastic jar and took six strips of Wolfbane teriyaki beef jerky. The clerk held out a paper sack and Norman slid them in. Then he screwed the lid back on to the container.

He paid.

More than twelve dollars, but when did good jerky ever come cheap? Finally, he walked out the door.

When he looked at his car, he thought he’d made a mistake. This couldn’t be his red Jeep Cherokee. It was a popular model and color. Another one must’ve pulled in.

One with a man in the passenger seat. Norman looked for his.

There wasn’t another Cherokee on the gas station’s lot. There wasn’t any other car. Besides, this one was stopped at the pump where he’d filled up. And it had his license-plate number.

He suddenly felt cold and crawly in his bowels. It’s mine, all right.

He should’ve locked up. He always locked up. But this was a nice little town on the Oregon coast, where you’d have to be paranoid to lock your car when you were just leaving it for two minutes to pay for your gas.

Would’ve only been two minutes, he reminded himself, except you had to have the jerky. Just had to have it.

One or two jerkies won’t make any big difference in the great scheme of things.

Right.

Just if some jerk climbs in your car while you’re buying the damn things.

Now what? he wondered.

He took a deep breath, let it out slowly, and walked toward his car. The guy in the passenger seat smiled and waved at him. Norman decided not to approach the passenger door. He went to the driver’s door instead. Breathing hard, shaking, angry and scared, he swung the door open. He ducked slightly and peered in at the stranger.

At least he hasn’t got a gun, Norman thought. Thank God for that, anyway.

The man didn’t have any visible weapon at all.

He turned toward Norman, gave him a smirk and a nod, then lifted an elbow and rested it on the back of the seat.

Though he couldn’t have been much older than twenty-one, he looked as if he’d stepped out of the 1950s. Like he thought he was The Wild One or James Dean or Charlie Starkweather or Elvis or something. His blond, greasy hair was swept high. His blue eyes had a movie-tough-guy nonchalance. His sideburns stretched down to his earlobes. He wore a white T-shirt that hugged his muscles, and faded blue jeans. Below the cuffs of the jeans, Norman could see a pair of black motorcycle boots, complete with side buckles.

‘Hello, ’ Norman said, trying to sound calm.

The guy winked at him. ‘Hello, good buddy. ’

‘Uh. . . you’re in my car. ’

‘And a very fine vehicle it is. My name’s Duke. ’ With that, he swung his right shoulder forward and extended his hand past the steering wheel.

Norman kept his own hands at his sides. ‘I think. . . maybe you’d better get out. ’

‘Figured you’d give me a lift. ’

‘Well. . . I don’t think so. ’

‘Why not? ’

‘Because. ’

‘Because why? ’

‘Please, ’ Norman said, ‘just get out. I’m not going anywhere till you get out, okay? I’m sure you can find somebody else to ride with. ’

Duke seemed somewhat amused. ‘But I want to ride with you, big fella. ’

‘Come on. Get out. Please. ’

‘What am I hurting? Just let me ride. . . ’

‘Look, you don’t want to make me do something, do you? Do you want to make me go back in the office and have them call someone? ’

‘Like the cops? ’

‘I guess so. I don’t want to get you in any trouble, but you’re in my car. What am I supposed to do? I can’t go driving off down the road with a complete stranger in my car. ’

‘Told you, I’m Duke. ’

‘But I don’t know you. For all I know, you might be some sort of a. . . a criminal, or something. ’

Duke smirked. ‘Do I look like a criminal to you? ’

Damn right you do, Norman thought. But he didn’t dare say it. ‘I don’t know. Are you on your way to audition for Grease or something? ’

Duke let out a quick laugh. ‘Hey! That’s a good one! Grease. I seen that movie. The Olivia! The Newton! The John! What a babe! Is she a babe, or what? ’

‘Yeah, ’ Norman muttered. ‘She’s a babe. ’

‘But you’re not saying I look like her. You’re saying I look like the guy. Travolta. ’

‘I’m not saying that. I’m just saying I wish you’d. . . It’s not even my car. It’s my father’s car, and he’s really strict about not giving rides to strangers. ’

‘You do everything your daddy tells you? ’

‘Look. . . ’

‘How old are you, anyhow? Wait, let me guess. Sixteen? ’

‘Very funny. Get out, okay? ’

‘You’re a college boy, right? Going home for spring break. ’

‘So what? ’

‘Ah, I’m right. I’m always right. How come you aren’t on your way to Palm Springs for the big spring bash? ’

‘I don’t go in for that kind of stuff. ’

‘Surprise, surprise. Bet you live off your old man. He pays for everything, right? You drive his car. You do whatever he says. Him or mama. You never worked a day in your life, and you’ve never gotten in a single little bit of trouble. ’

Screw you, Norman thought.

‘Haven’t gotten into much fun, either, I bet. ’

Norman glanced toward the office, but a gas pump blocked his view. Great. They can’t even see what’s going on. Won’t even see if I get a switchblade in my guts. . . if he’s got a switchblade, that is. But with his looks he’s bound to have one. Maybe slipped down the side of one of those motorcycle boots. He thought for a moment, then an idea cheered him. Another car’s bound to come along pretty soon, he told himself. Then Duke might just sidle away.

‘Got a girlfriend? ’ Duke asked.

‘None of your business. ’

‘Didn’t think so. ’

‘Get out of my car, okay? Please? ’

‘You could learn a lot from a guy like me. Course, you already know that, don’t you? That’s how come you’re so scared. ’

‘I’m not scared. ’

‘You’re scared of everything. ’

‘I am not. ’

‘That’s your main problem. ’

‘You don’t even know me. ’

‘Don’t kid yourself. What’s your name? ’

‘That’s my business. ’

‘See that? You’re scared to even tell me your name. What do you think, I’ll look you up sometime? Drop in on you? ’

‘I don’t have to tell you anything. ’

‘It’s probably some sort of sissy name. What is it? Melvin? ’

‘No! ’

‘Elroy? ’

‘None of your business. ’

‘Susie? ’

‘It’s Max! ’

Duke smiled. ‘Max. As in M

axwell. Knew it. ’

‘As in Mad Max, ’ Norman said. He wished he hadn’t just blurted out the first name he thought of that didn’t sound geeky.

‘Okay, Max. Here’s the deal. I’ve got your registration in my pocket. ’

Norman opened his mouth. He didn’t know what to say.

After a moment, he said, ‘No, you haven’t. ’

‘Oh yes, I have. ’ Duke patted a front pocket of his jeans. ‘Is your old man called Kenneth? ’

Norman moaned. He heard himself murmur, ‘God. ’

‘No, your dad ain’t God. Sorry to disappoint you on that score, Maxwell. ’

‘Give it back, ’ Norman said.

‘If I give it back, how will I be able to look you up and drop in on you? ’

‘Hey. Please. ’ Tears suddenly came. They made Norman’s eyes feel hot and blurred his vision.

‘Aw, don’ cwy. ’

‘You’d better give it to me! ’

‘What’oh baby dooo? ’

‘I’m gonna get the cops on you! I swear! If you don’t hand it over by the time I count to three, I’m gonna call the cops. ’

Duke smiled, nodded.

Norman wiped his eyes, but more tears came. He could feel his chin jumping up and down.

Don’t start bawling!

‘One, ’ he said.

‘Two, ’ said Duke.

‘Two and a half, ’ Norman said.

‘Two and three-quarters. ’

‘You’d better give it back! I’m warning you! ’

‘We’re just a wee bit nervous about saying “three, ” aren’t we? ’

‘Am not! ’

‘Cool your jets, pal. You can have it back. All I want’s a ride, know what I mean? I don’t want you throwing fits. ’

‘I’m not throwing fits! ’ Norman sniffled, then wiped his eyes again.

Duke jammed his right hand down inside the pocket of his jeans. He plucked out the registration slip. ‘This what you want? ’

Norman nodded. Duke reached past the steering wheel, the paper pinched between his thumb and forefinger.

He won’t really let me have it, Norman thought. When I go for it, he’ll jerk it away.

Norman went for it fast. Grabbed it and tugged. It came free.

Yes!

Quickly, he tucked it into a rear pocket of his shorts.

‘What do you say? ’ Duke asked.

‘Thanks, ’ Norman muttered. He took a deep breath. His lungs seemed to tremble as he inhaled.

‘I’m not such a bad guy, ’ Duke told him. ‘How about that ride? ’

Norman shook his head. ‘Just get out now, okay? I’m not asking again. If you don’t get out right now, I’m gonna—’

‘Wait. ’

‘No more waiting. Out! ’

‘3219 Avenida del Sol, Tiburon. ’

Norman shriveled inside.

‘I got it right? ’ Duke asked.

Norman stared at him.

‘What about the cops, Maxwell? You suppose they’ve got some sorta technique that’ll wipe that address out of my mind? ’Cause if they don’t, I might just end up dropping in. Know what I mean? ’

Norman just kept staring at him. He didn’t know what to do.

‘Get in the car, Maxwell. Let’s blow this one-horse town. ’ Duke grinned. ‘It’ll be fine. I’m not gonna hurt you. Give me a ride where I wanna go, I’ll climb out, and that’ll be the end of it. No midnight visits to 3219 Avenida del Sol, Tiburon. ’

‘Promise? ’ Norman asked. He had a feeling that someone else was asking the question but he knew it came from him.

‘In. ’ Duke patted the driver’s seat. Norman obeyed. He pulled the door shut, set the paper sack of jerky on his lap, fastened his seat belt and slid the key into the ignition. He twisted it and the engine kicked into life.

‘Where do you want to go? ’ he asked, his voice distant and hardly familiar.

‘The coast highway’s fine by me. You were heading south, weren’t you? ’

‘Yeah. ’

‘South’s fine by me. ’

Norman drove away from the gas station. Soon he’d left the town behind. Duke found a country music station on the radio and turned the volume high. That was good, because Norman didn’t want to talk to him. He wanted to get rid of him, but he felt trapped. He wished that he had never stopped at that gas station. That wasn’t the mistake, he realized. You can’t exactly avoid stopping for gasoline. The mistake was leaving the car unlocked so the bastard could climb in and make himself at home and get his paws on the registration. That was mistake number one. Mistake number two was buying the jerky. Norman thought about how nice it would be to go back in time and try again.

Do it the right way. But he had done it the wrong way and ruined everything. At least I’ve got the jerky, he thought. Steering with his left hand, he reached down with his right and opened the paper sack. He pulled out a long, dark strip. Duke looked at him.

‘Want one? ’ Norman asked.

Duke reached out and took it from his hand. ‘You’re a bud. ’

Norman drew another strip out of the sack. He clamped it between his teeth and ripped the end off it. The slab in his mouth felt very firm. But not hard and dry, like some jerky. As he chewed, the meat softened. His teeth squeezed out rich, sweet juices. He moaned with pleasure.

‘This ain’t bad, ’ Duke said.

Norman moaned again. This was, by far, the best teryaki jerky that he’d ever tasted.

‘What’s this stuff called? ’ Duke asked.

‘Wolfbane teriyaki beef jerky. ’

‘Wolfbane? ’

‘You’ll howl for more. ’

Duke tossed back his head and howled.

Norman smiled.

Maybe this guy isn’t so bad, he thought. Hell, can’t be all bad if he goes and howls like that over my jerky. He probably is a cool guy if you get to know him.

Are you nuts! Norman asked himself. This guy as good as kidnapped you!

Yeah, but he hasn’t done anything. So far, so good. And the jerky is incredible.

‘You can have some more when you’re done, ’ Norman told him.

‘Don’t mind if I do. You’re okay, Max. You know that? You’re an okay guy. ’

‘Thanks. ’

‘I think we’re gonna get along real good. ’ Duke reached out and gave Norman’s thigh a couple of solid, friendly slaps.

‘It’s Norman, actually. ’

‘What’s Norman? ’

‘My name. It isn’t Maxwell, it’s Norman. I sort of lied about it before. ’

‘Why’d you wanna do that, Norman? ’

‘I guess I was afraid you’d make fun of it. ’

‘Norman ain’t a bad name. ’

‘Thanks. ’

Chapter Eight

Norman drove past the girl who was walking backward along the side of the road, her thumb out.

‘You gotta be kidding me, ’ Duke said.

‘What? ’

‘Passing up a babe like that? You some kind of a fag? ’

‘No! ’

‘Pull over! ’

‘I don’t pick up hitchhikers. ’

‘This one you do. What are you, nuts? Didn’t you look at her? ’

‘Yeah, but—’

‘Don’t be a loser all your life. ’

‘It’s stupid and dangerous to pick up hitchhikers, ’ Norman blurted.

‘Don’t worry, I won’t let her hurt you. ’

‘Very funny. ’

‘Pull over. ’

The southbound side of the road had no breakdown lane and its hard shoulder was narrow. It was bordered by a low steel guardrail to keep cars from flying off the coastline cliffs.

‘There isn’t anyplace to pull over, ’ Norman said. He glanced at the rearview mirror. ‘And I can’t just stop. There’s a truck behind us. ’

‘U it. ’

‘I can’t just U it. ’

‘Why not? Nothing coming. Do it. ’

‘Are you nuts? ’

�

� � Show some hair, Norman! ’

Norman wasn’t sure what that meant, but he liked the sound of it. He checked the traffic. Then he hit the brakes. As his speed fell, the truck bore down on his rear. Its horn blasted. He whipped the steering wheel over and cut hard to the left. The Jeep swung toward the middle line. Crossed it. Skidded. Found traction again in the northbound lanes and kept turning. Though the right-side tires went off on the gravel, he knew he had control. He’d made it!

‘Way to go, ’ Duke said.

‘Thanks. ’ Norman started to steer back onto the pavement.

‘This is good enough. Just stop here and we’ll wait for her. ’

That sounded fine to Norman. He pulled the rest of the way off the road and shut off the engine. He felt happy with himself for doing the U-turn so well.

‘There she is, ’ Duke said.

Norman spotted her. She was quite a distance away.

‘Nobody better pick her up before she gets here, ’ Duke said.

The girl swaggered along the road as if she owned it. A big denim bag, suspended from her shoulder by a strap, swung beside her hip.

Cars, trucks and a couple of big recreational vehicles drove past her, and all of them had to swing wide. Norman wondered if he, like the other drivers, had veered to go around her. He couldn’t remember doing it. His mind must’ve been on something else.

‘That babe’s got balls, ’ Duke said.

‘I doubt it, ’ Norman said.

Duke laughed. ‘Hope you’re right, Normy! What a waste that’d be, huh? ’Cause it sure looks like the rest of her’s top-drawer. ’

‘Yeah, ’ Norman said.

‘You don’t think so? ’ Duke asked.

‘She looks fine. ’

‘What a babe. Give the horn a toot. ’

Norman beeped the horn. The girl didn’t break stride, but her head turned. Duke waved. She gave a quick nod, then stopped and faced the highway and watched for a break in the traffic.

Norman didn’t like the looks of her. Even from this distance, he could see her eye makeup and flashy lipstick. Though she appeared to be no older than eighteen, her hair was white. A bleach job, Norman figured. And he didn’t like the way it was cut so short. That pixie style was meant for slim, delicate girls. Not someone like this.

She had a wide face with blunt features. Her shoulders and hips were very broad. Her arms and legs were thick – not quite fat, but so heavy and solid that it seemed crude of her to show them off by wearing such skimpy clothes.

Her tank top exposed her arms entirely and left her shoulders bare except for narrow straps. It was so tight that it hugged every curve and bulge. It didn’t reach down far enough to meet the waistband of her jeans, so Norman could see her skin there – and her belly button.

She wore the blue jeans low on her hips. They were faded almost white. The legs were cut off at the crotch, and the side that wasn’t blocked from sight by the denim bag had a slit going halfway up. Norman supposed she must have a matching slit on the other side though he couldn’t see.

He wondered if the slits were meant to be sexy. Maybe they were just there to make room for her thighs.

Her stocky legs were bare to mid-calf. That was where the boots began. Dirty white cowgirl boots with high heels and pointy toes.

Hasn’t she ever looked in a mirror?

If she’s ‘top-drawer, ’ Norman thought, I’d hate to see what’s in the bottom.

An RV the size of a railroad boxcar came roaring down from the north. It angled across the centerline to give the girl some space. She vanished. The wind of the passing RV shook Norman’s Jeep. When he could see again, the girl was running across the highway.

A very controlled, measured run. As if she felt that running was required, but wanted to show that she was in no great hurry.

One hand, bunched in a loose fist, swung forward and back. The other clutched the shoulder strap of the denim bag that lurched and swayed at her hip. Her breasts seemed small for someone with such wide shoulders and full hips. She looked as if she had a couple of oranges trapped inside her tank top. They leaped around quite a lot.

‘Look at ’em go, ’ Duke said.

‘What? ’

‘What do you think? Man, I wouldn’t mind sucking on one of those. ’

Before quite reaching their side of the road, the girl stopped running. A couple of casual strides and she stepped off the pavement. She turned and walked straight toward them. Smirking, swaggering, swinging her hips.

‘What a piece of work, ’ Duke muttered.

‘A piece of work, all right. ’

‘You’re a fag, all right. ’

‘Am not. And look, don’t do anything. . . weird. Just leave her alone, okay? ’

‘Oh, yeah. Right. Want her for yourself, huh? ’

‘I’m a fag, remember? ’

‘Yeah, we both know better than that. Tell you what. ’ Instead of telling Norman anything, Duke swung open his door and climbed out.

‘Howdy! ’ he called to the girl.

‘Howdy right back at you, guy. ’

‘Your chariot awaits. ’ He patted the top of the Jeep. ‘We’ll let you sit up front. Give me your bag, there. ’

‘Thanks. ’ She lifted the strap off her shoulder and swung the bag toward Duke.

He caught it. Climbing into the front seat, the girl smiled at Norman.

Her stare was fixed on him, so he couldn’t check her out the way he wanted to.

‘Hey, ’ she said.

‘Hi. ’

She smelled fresh and clean in a way that made Norman think of a breeze coming in off the ocean. Duke shut her door. He opened the back door, then flung himself in and set her bag on the floor.

‘Thanks for stopping, ’ she said to Norman.

‘Glad to help. ’

Duke’s face appeared between the seat-backs. ‘They call me Duke, ’ he said.

The girl turned her head, and her nose almost touched his. ‘That’s a dog’s name, ain’t it? ’ she asked.

Duke let out a howl.

She laughed and mussed his hair. Then she pushed his head out of the way. ‘Now, who are you? ’ she asked, turning to Norman.

‘Norman. ’

She repeated his name and slipped her hand up the short sleeve of his shirt. Her fingers curled under, nails lightly scraping his upper arm. Goose bumps scurried over him. He squirmed.

He gave her a nervous smile. ‘What’s your name? ’ he asked.

‘Boots. ’

‘Boots? ’ Duke said. ‘What kind of a name is that? ’

‘You’re someone to talk, aren’t you? Duke. ’

‘I guess we oughta get going, ’ Norman said, and started to check the traffic. When an opening came, he swung out, made a tight U-turn, and stepped on the gas.

Duke leaned forward. ‘Where you going, Boots? ’ he asked.

‘No place much. ’

‘You must be going somewhere, ’ Norman said.

‘Nope. I just follow my boots. Get it? ’

‘I guess. ’

She raised her right leg and crossed it over her left knee.

She was looking at her foot, not at Norman. So he stared at the raised side of her thigh. It looked pale and very smooth. He wondered what she would do if he reached out and put his hand on it.

Not about to find out. No way!

She wiggled her boot. ‘See how it’s pointing? Down the road. That’s where I’m going now. With you guys. ’

Norman glanced again at her thigh, then forced himself to look through the windshield. ‘Don’t you have some kind of a destination in mind? ’ he asked.

‘What for? ’

‘I mean, aren’t you trying to get someplace? ’

‘Anywhere I am, that’s fine with me. ’

Norman smiled at her. She smiled back.

Her eyes give me the creeps. And it’s not just the makeup, he told himself. Something was wrong with the eyes themselves. In a way, they looked like perfectly normal brown eyes. They had no physical defect that he could see. But they seemed to have an emptiness.

Cow eyes, Norman thought. Cow eyes and a pig face.

Cut it out. She’s not so bad. Maybe she’s just dim-witted or something.

He returned his gaze to the road, but his mind stayed on Boots.

Why on earth, he wondered, does she want to use all that makeup?

Maybe to hide the emptiness. Instead of hiding it, though, the gaudy makeup seemed to highlight it. Like an elaborate frame around a blank canvas.

Bull. She’s some sort of low-life white trash. Probably thinks gobbing her eyes with that stuff makes her look glamorous. Bet I could screw her.

Who’d want to! She’s creepy, repulsive, and probably diseased.

I oughta try and get rid of her, Norman told himself. Her and Duke. What am I doing with these creeps in my car? Get rid of them both. And soon, before they pull something.

‘I’ve got an idea, ’ he said. ‘Since we aren’t in a big hurry to get anywhere, why don’t we stop for a while next time we come to a decent stretch of beach? ’

Duke clapped him on the shoulder. ‘Good thinking. Let’s do it. ’

‘Can we have a picnic? ’ Boots asked. She sounded as if she’d always wanted a picnic. But had never had one.

‘Sure, ’ Norman said. ‘We’ll have a picnic on the beach. ’

‘Let’s stop and pick up some stuff, ’ Duke said. ‘We’ll have us a real party – beer, the whole nine yards. ’

Boots clapped her hands. ‘This’ll be wild. Oh, you guys are the greatest! ’

Her enthusiasm made Norman feel a little sad. The whole point of the picnic was to get her and Duke out on the beach so that he could lose them. But here she was, acting like a waif who’d been cheated out of every picnic ever promised.

Probably never had a Christmas, either.

She’ll get her picnic on the beach, Norman told himself. I won’t ruin that for her. Snacks, a few beers. Then Duke’ll probably start putting some moves on her. . . and then it’ll be so long, been good to know ya.

The gas station where they stopped for their picnic supplies had a full-size convenience store. Instead of pulling up to a pump, Norman swung into a parking place near the front door.

With any luck, he might miss out on the picnic after all. He shut off the engine, then reached into his back pocket and took out his wallet. He removed a twenty-dollar bill. He held it toward Boots.

She plucked it free. ‘Twenty buckaroos! ’

‘Why

don’t you go in and pick out whatever you want? ’ Norman looked over his shoulder. ‘What sort of beer should she get? ’

Frowning, Duke scratched at one of his sideburns. ‘Can’t go wrong with Bud. ’

‘Maybe you should go in with her. ’ To Boots, he said, ‘You aren’t twenty-one, are you? ’

‘I’ve got a license says I am. ’

‘You can help her pick something, Duke. ’

Duke reached between the seats and squeezed Boots’s shoulder. ‘You got something you want me to pick, darling? ’

Grinning, she tilted back her head. ‘Wanna pick my nose? ’

God, Norman thought. She’s a regular Dorothy Parker.

Boots and Duke both seemed to find the exchange hilarious. Norman shook his head. He had to smile, but only because they were being so moronic.

After they’d settled down, Norman said to Duke, ‘While you’re in there, why don’t you see if they have any of that Wolfbane jerky?

‘You’ll howl for more! ’ Duke blurted, and then howled hysterically. Boots joined in with a shrill howl of her own.

These two are meant for each other, Norman thought.

But then Duke said, ‘Let’s all go in. ’

‘Yeah! ’ Boots cried out. ‘That way, we can all pick what we want. ’ She waved Norman’s twenty-dollar bill. ‘I’m buying! ’

As Norman entered the store with his laughing companions, he supposed that it was just as well he hadn’t been left in the Jeep. He would’ve sped off – and he’d have missed out on the picnic.

In a way, he was looking forward it.

He looked forward to it even more when Boots stopped in front of a sunblock display.

‘Let’s get some of this, ’ she said.

‘Okay. ’

‘I like the oily kind, ’ she explained.

Norman and Duke looked at each other.

With their help, she picked out a coconut oil that promised ‘a full, rich tropical tan’ but not much protection against the sun.

Roaming the aisles, they came upon a section with beach gear: plastic buckets and shovels, beach balls, goggles and snorkels, and a small assortment of towels and swimsuits.

‘Do you have. . . something to wear? ’ Norman asked. Boots nudged him with her elbow.

‘I got me a fabulous little bikini. Just you wait! ’ She winked at Duke, and he winked back at her.

Oh, man, Norman thought.

Turning to Duke, he asked, ‘Need anything? ’

‘You mean like trunks? You kidding me? ’

‘Maybe we should get some beach towels, ’ Norman said. ‘Even if nobody goes in the water, we can use them to sit on. ’

‘And lie on, ’ Duke added, glancing at Boots. They each chose a towel.

After wandering through the rest of the store and picking out what they wanted, they went to the counter.

That was where the jerky was. While they waited in line, Norman studied the labels on the containers. He couldn’t find any Wolfbane so he decided against buying jerky here.

They bought the towels and suntan oil, two cold six-packs of Budweiser, packets of pre-sliced hard Italian salami and sharp cheddar cheese, a box of Ritz crackers, sacks of Cheetos and onion-flavored potato chips, and a package of chocolate-covered Oreo cookies.

When Boots saw the total price, she made a face and waved the twenty-dollar bill at Norman. ‘I don’t think this’ll do it, ’ she said.

‘Not even close, ’ Norman admitted. As he slipped his MasterCard out of his wallet, Boots shrugged and stuffed the twenty down a front pocket of her cutoffs. He raised his eyebrows.

‘I’ll keep it warm for you, ’ she said.

Chapter Nine

Norman drove slowly past a sign that read BEACH PARKING. He steered onto the unpaved lot. Except for a couple of cars, a van and a small RV, the lot was deserted. He could see several people scattered about on the long stretch of beach. The sky was almost cloudless. The Pacific looked deep blue, the curling ridges of the incoming combers as white as snow.

‘Ooo, ’ Boots said. ‘This is so fabulous. I just can’t hardly wait to sprawl out in the sun. Now you guys run along and set up the picnic, and I’ll just change in the back seat and catch up to you in a little bit. ’

‘We better stay and guard you, ’ Duke said, smirking.

‘Yeah, ’ Norman said. ‘It might not be safe. ’

‘You guys. ’ She shook her head. ‘Shame on the both of you. You’re just angling for a peek. ’

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