At Witt's End (17 page)

"Do what?” Sadie waved at another group of guests passing by. The guest's dog bounded toward the porch and Belly uttered a half-hearted growl before laying his head back on his paws.

"Find another coach, so Aanders doesn't have to do it."

"In case you didn't notice,” Sadie said, “there isn't a Death Coaches-R-Us store in Pinecone Landing. I can't pull one off the shelf."

Aanders kept his gaze on his feet as he walked up to the porch and took both steps in a single stride. When Tim didn't follow, Aanders shot a quick glance at Sadie before hopping back down to assist Tim up the stairs. “He's weaker today."

"You've got to remember what we talked about,” Sadie said. “It's crucial the two of you concentrate on Tim's task.” Sadie watched Aanders put his arm around Tim's shoulder and guide him into the cabin.

A young couple walked past the porch and waved at the trio. “How you doing?” Sadie shouted.

The young man paused, dabbed at his face with the bottom of his T-shirt and said, “I'm really hot."

Nodding as she tapped her lip with her finger, Sadie said, “That's a bit vain. But if it works for you I'm okay with it."

Curtains of confusion fell over the faces of the young couple before the man began to laugh. As they walked away, the young man put his arm around his girlfriend. “That's the lady I've been telling you about."

The crossers gathered for their round table session. Rodney propped his feet on an adjacent chair and leaned against the table. Tim and Aanders sat opposite Rodney.

"Lora,” Sadie called out, “we can't get started until you join us."

Rodney pointed the remote control at the television and selected a rock video channel. He thumbed the volume button until the others cringed from the noise. Heavy bass rattled the windows.

Sadie grabbed at the remote, but Rodney raised it above his head. As Sadie jumped to reach the remote, Theo snatched it from Rodney's grasp. He pointed it at him and clicked furiously.

Rodney stomped toward the inner room and kicked his foot against the wooden door. “Let the cry baby stay in her room. She's been bawling all day. She cried at the nursing home and then we had to listen to her all the way home. I'm sick of it.” Rodney slammed his fist against the door. “You should be glad you're rid of that little prick."

A gasping sob came from behind the inner room door. Sadie opened it and reached for Lora. “You need to join us so we can make sense of what happened.” Sadie eased Lora from the room and guided her to a chair. “You've still got a decision to make."

"She already decided to go with her old man,” Rodney said. “She told me that when we got back. Let her go. Maybe he can set her straight."

Sadie ran her hand up and down Lora's back. She asked her to explain the exact circumstances that led to her son passing through to the other side. Lora relived the afternoon's events through heavy weeping.

"Why didn't you go through the tunnel at the same time?” Aanders said.

"Because I knew he wanted to go to the parallel world. I tried to get him to come back. At first he tried, but then it looked like he gave up,” Lora said.

"I don't think he gave up. He wanted to go to the parallel world. He was afraid you'd make him change his mind.” Sadie waited while Lora tried to regain her composure. She also waited for the denial.

Tipping her head back Lora burst into tears again. “My husband is going to be so angry. He always said I was a terrible mother.” She placed her fists on the table. “He'll never forgive me."

Curiosity flickered in Aanders’ eyes as he looked at Sadie. “Why didn't she go to her husband the same time Michael went to the parallel world?"

"I'm glad you're asking questions. It's the best way to learn."

Sadie pulled her chair closer to the table. “Crosssers can't step into the tunnel unless they've made their declaration. It's the same as if they never found someone on the brink. It results in death without purpose. But if someone who has already made their declaration steps in ahead of them, that person determines the final path.” Sadie reached for Lora's hand. “I think Lora remembered that whoever steps into the tunnel first makes the decision. She knew Michael wanted to go to the parallel world."

"I begged him to come back. He tried, but the power of the tunnel was too strong.” Lora buried her face in the crook of her elbow.

"Lora you know that's not what happened. Michael made a conscious decision. It was a sound decision. He didn't want to live in fear any more and knew what had to be done. You should be proud of him."

Theo looked at Aanders. “If you're going to help your crossers, you'd better listen to everything Sadie tells you."

Raising her brows in astonishment, Sadie bit her tongue to keep from commenting on Theo's observation. Theo wanted Aanders to pay attention, yet Theo refused to listen. The bitterness and penchant for revenge Theo displayed during the afternoon had frustrated her, but Sadie had no intention of letting the others in on their confidential conversation.

"Lora, you've got to rethink your decision. Michael needs you. It would be in your best interest to join your son. Your self-esteem is so eroded you can't think straight.” Sadie leaned toward Lora. “Choosing to go to your husband is the worst decision you could make. He's not going to change."

"Why does he need to change?” Rodney said. “Why can't she change? She needs to do what he says instead of moping around all the time. You're making him out to be the bad guy."

Theo scooted his chair over until his arm pushed against Rodney. He leaned within two inches of Rodney's face. “You are going to close that mouth and keep it closed until I tell you to open it. Is there any part of what I said that requires clarification?"

"Shit,” Rodney mumbled in two syllables as he leaned away from Theo. “Just cuz you're a judge doesn't mean you can boss me around."

Theo put his hand on the back of Rodney's chair and whispered in his ear. “Yes, it does."

Jane opened the screen door and let Belly in. The dog checked his empty dish before ambling over to Theo and placing his jowls on the man's black slacks.

"Would you please remove your dog from my leg?"

"He's not my dog."

"Do you realize how idiotic that sounds?"

Sadie put her hands on her waist and jutted her left hip. “The truth is never idiotic. But those who can't interpret it may be."

Dismissing her comment with a look of disgust, Theo stood and opened a cabinet door. He pulled a box of dog treats from the shelf and placed several in Belly's dish.

"Don't do that. He's too fat already,” Sadie said. “And besides, he's got gas from Jane's cooking."

"You might as well add vulgarity to your ever-growing list of shortcomings,” Theo said. “I'd be willing to loan you a second sheet of paper. Or maybe you need a third."

"Bite me,” Sadie said. “You're not perfect either."

"Were any of you successful in zeroing in on someone close to death?” Sadie listened to Theo and Tim discuss the pending death of two nursing home residents. Aanders added commentary when Tim left things out. She encouraged Aanders to be mindful of all the crossers, not just Tim.

"I have a question,” Rodney interrupted, waving a fist full of mail at Sadie. “Why is your mail addressed to Fifilomine instead of Sadie?"

"Why were you going through my mail?"

"I was looking for money."

Sadie grabbed the mail and shoved it in a drawer. “My real name is Fifilomine. Actually both Jane and I have the same first name. Fifilomine. My mother chose that name to get even with the man who got her pregnant. He refused to marry her. It's that classic story of the man forgetting to mention he already had a wife."

Gesturing, she put her index finger on her chest. “My real name is Fifilomine Sadie and Jane's is Fifilomine Jane. It just so happens the man's wife was also named Fifilomine. Does that answer your question?"

"Now I know where you get your personality quirks,” Theo said. “From your mother."

Puzzled, Tim and Aanders looked at one another. “What was your dad's name?” Aanders said.

"That doesn't matter. Actually our mother refused to tell us who our father was. All that mattered was that she got revenge."

"Was your mom the death coach who trained you?” The group strained to hear Tim's question.

"My coach was the man who took my mother in when her parents disowned her. Years ago it was a bad thing to have a child out of wedlock.” Sadie looked at the boys. “That means you didn't have a husband."

"The man befriended my mother and offered her a job at his resort. Back then Witt's End was called Swanson's Resort. When that man died, she got the resort and renamed it Witt's End."

As memories washed over her, Sadie crossed her arms over her chest and leaned into the back of her chair. “I found out I was a death coach when I was twenty-four-years old. It was quite a shock. I had the same urge to deny it as Aanders has, but Mr. Swanson was patient. He taught me everything he knew. When I saw a rainbow at midnight, I became responsible for my own crossers."

"Do you think I could wait till I'm that old to do it?"

"No. That's not possible. You've got years of training ahead of you. You could become an official coach at any time, but the training goes on for a life time. I still learn new things every day."

As she sensed Aanders’ disappointment, she noticed a look of concern cross Tim's face. Tim slumped lower in his chair. Sadie put her arms under Tim's arms and pulled him up. “What is it, Tim?"

"You tell her,” Tim said, looking at his friend.

The group turned toward Aanders.

Aanders joined Tim and sat on the edge of his chair. “Tim's upset because you won't believe his dad was murdered. He even knows who did it. He wants you to tell the cops."

"What?” Theo and Sadie exclaimed simultaneously.

"We've already talked about this, Tim.” Looking at the others Sadie said, “It's natural to think murder could be an option. It's another way of justifying what he doesn't want to accept."

"No, I'm positive. I saw the rifle.” Tim coughed, struggling to catch his breath.

"I bet things happened so fast, your brain didn't have time to register,” Sadie said.

"No. I saw him. I saw the gun. And then after everything got quiet, I heard a motor start up. It sounded like it was on the other side of the woods."

Theo withdrew his arm from the back of Rodney's chair and leaned on the table. “Do you know who the man was?"

"Yes. It's the same man who was here the other day with the deputy. It's my dad's business partner."

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"Miss Witt. Excuse me, Miss Witt,” a resort guest shouted as she ran to catch up with Sadie and Belly.

"Excuse me. Excuse me.” Rodney mocked. He was still angry that Sadie had chastised him in front of the other crossers. Rancid breath billowing, he slipped behind Sadie and leaned close to her neck. “You'll get yours, you witch."

Belly's ears flattened and he lunged toward Rodney. The crosser dodged the attack.

"The next time that dog growls at me will be his last,” Rodney snarled.

Sadie pulled Belly to her side as she greeted the guest. The dog dropped to his haunches and raised his leg to scratch at the orange neckerchief. He leaned against Sadie's leg and tapped his foot in rhythm with the tempo of her fingers as she helped him locate the itch.

"Could you give us directions to the hospital? My daughter called this morning to tell me my aunt is hospitalized in Pinecone Landing. We'd like to stop and visit her.” The woman held a pen over a small tablet, waiting for Sadie to begin.

Sadie pushed her orange-rimmed sun glasses up into her gelled spikes. With several grand gestures, she issued directions. “You can't miss it. It's one of the biggest buildings in that area.” Sadie accompanied her guest as she walked back to her car. “I hope your aunt will be all right."

"I'm sure she will.” The woman paused, keeping her gaze on Belly. “Why is your dog growling at me?"

"He's not growling at you.” Sadie's eyes grew wide as she watched Rodney jump into the back seat of the woman's car. The woman's husband climbed in behind the steering wheel and put the key in the ignition.

Sadie hugged her arms over her orange polka-dot top, watching the car disappear down the drive.

Rodney let out a satisfied breath and snuggled against the soft blue upholstery. This fancy car had more to offer than that old van Sadie made him ride in every day. He wiggled his fingers at Sadie. Then he saluted.

Sliding sideways and leaning against the window, Rodney propped his feet up on the back of the driver's headrest.

"Home, James,” he said issuing directions to the driver. “I'll take a beer. Make sure it's cold. On second thought, make it a whole case."

Rodney looked at the man's wife. “What's that? You have a daughter who thinks I'm a stud? That doesn't surprise me.” He tapped the woman on the shoulder. “How about you? You want to do me the big favor, too?"

He watched the greenery fly by as the car headed down the highway. Rodney's elbow brushed against the electric controls on the armrest and he placed his fingers on the panel. He toyed with the silver buttons.

"What are you doing? It's too hot to roll the windows down,” the woman said.

"I'm not doing anything."

"You must be. The window in the back seat keeps going up and down.” She craned her neck toward the back seat. “Now they're both going up and down."

The man pulled the car over and shoved the lever into park. “Maybe it's a short in the wiring.” He got out and opened the back door on the driver's side. His wife got out and opened the back door on the passenger's side. They both began pushing buttons along the armrests trying to get the windows to close.

"Are you sure you didn't lean your elbow on the front panel?"

"Of course I'm sure,” he said. “I told you it must be a short in the wiring. Let's take the car back to the rental place. I'm not going to put up with this for a whole week. It's too hot."

They climbed back into the car. Rodney leaned into the front seat and cranked the radio's volume on high. He pointed toward the woman.