Weekend (8 page)

Sol was being polite. He hadn't forgotten; none of them had. From the moment she had drunk the poison, Dove had already been a goner.

Fluffing up her pillow, Shani wondered if she would have insomnia, as she often did when she didn't sleep in her own bed. The plan had been for their class to crash on the beach in sleeping bags, but since less than the square root of their class was present, Lena had offered them all individual rooms in the Carlton Castle. Bert had refused the offer, saying he'd take the sand and stars any day. Looking out of her third-storey window, Shani could see him smoothing himself a bed not far from the outstretching fingers of the remains of the largest waves. When the tide came up, Bert would have one hell of a wet dream.

Which reminded Shani: who, besides herself, would be sleeping alone tonight? Kerry and Bert, surely, though Park would probably try to slip in a quickie with Angie before hurrying back to his own room lest Harvard Admissions or his mother catch wind of the sin. On the other hand, he might make do with a cold shower with Robin resting a few doors down. Lena would not be worried about Kerry's proximity.

Tomorrow, Sol would be lucky if he could stand up on his board.

And Flynn… The fantasy started in third gear as Shani turned off the light and hit the pillow, pretending he was there beside her, his left hand caressing her lower back - they already had their clothes off - her right hand stroking his silkly brown curls, their free hands absorbed in unspeakable acts. He was kissing her deeply, whispering between moist mouthfuls that what they were doing was wrong but that he couldn't help himself. And she was sighing with pleasure, crooning sweetly that she was glad that it was wrong. He began to—

The phone on the stand beside her bed rang. Shani sat up and turned on the lamp, putting Flynn on hold.

It rang again. She hesitated, then picked up the receiver. The instant she did so, before she had time to raise the phone all the way up to her ear, she heard Lena say, "Hello?"

"Lena, this is Ellen."

"Hi, Nursey. Catch your plane?"

"Yes, I'm in Seattle now at my sister's house. And don't call me that."

"I am certainly sorry,Miss Porter. Whatmay I do for you this fine evening?"

"You're impossible. I wanted to… Is there someone else on this line?"

"No. Anyone there? No one's there. Why should there be? What's up?"

Shani did not know why she had not already replaced the receiver. Since she had not done so immediately, she was, in a sense, caught. However, perhaps half-formed fears were guiding her instincts.

Lena was too meticulous to have "accidentally" placed the wrong date on the party invitations. Anything she said in private might be useful.

"How did the dialysis go?" Nurse Porter asked.

"Fine."

"How is Robin feeling?"

"The same."

"Good. I spoke with your mother. She said that she had talked with you earlier."

"Your information is correct. Checking up on us?"

"Don't get paranoid. No one's threatening your independence. It's natural that I should call and ask about Robin. But that's not the main reason we're talking." Miss Porter paused. "That boyfriend Shani had with her, how well do you know him?"

"For one thing, he's not Shani's boyfriend. He's not even interested in her."

The words cut like an icy scalpel. Shani almost yelled, What the hell do you know, bitch? But Lena might very well know, that was the problem. Oh, God, how her heart hurt. And after he had read the lines under her annual picture, and everything…

"Have you spoken to him alone for any length of time?"

"I haven't slept with him, if that's what you're asking. I know he's from England, moves like James Bond, and doesn't like to talk about himself. What's all this about?"

"Does he seem especially interested in Robin?"

"Yes. He waited on her hand and foot this evening."

"Keep him away from her! Don't leave them alone together."

"Why?"

"He… might have… bad motives."

"Show me a guy that doesn't."

"That's not what I meant. Sleep with him yourself, if it helps keep him away from Robin. Listen, Lena, I would tell you more but your father has strictly forbidden me to do so. If he knew I was making this call, he would be furious. We only have suspicions, nothing concrete. He's making some checks."

Lena was shrewd. "If there was a one-in-a-million chance of Flynn being dangerous, Daddy would already have a carload of men here with guns. Are you sure you're not suffering from severe jet lag?"

Apparently Nurse Porter was used to this kind of talk. "Youmust take me seriously. Flynn may not be who he pretends to be. That's why I asked about his passport. I wanted to see it. You saw how he evaded me. And if he has taken a false name, his motives cannot be honest."

Lena knew how to play her cards. "Tell me your suspicions, and I will decide how seriously to take your advice. Otherwise, my man will be here in a minute and I must get a few things in place, if you know what I mean. Be concise."

"We're worried about… who has sent him. That's all I can tell you. It won't kill you to keep an eye on him, and I know you will with what I've already told you. Tomorrow we'll know more, and I'll call you then."

Suddenly, Lena sounded uneasy. "Tomorrow's no good. Tell me now."

"No."

"Yes!"

"I told you, our information's incomplete."

"But there will be a ton of kids here tomorrow. You said this was private… Look, I'll call you. Do not call me. Give me your sister's number."

Nurse Porter told her the number.

"Got it. Now you've got me curious, damn you. I think I'll have a peek at his passport. He must have brought it if he was planning on re-entering the States."

"Don't! God only knows what he'd do if he caught you fooling with his things."

"Okay," Lena said, but she wasn't convincing.

"You're sure Robin's fine?"

"If she wasn't, she would have told me. Oh… a brown, hulky babe just slid in my door. Got to go."

"Take care, dear."

After they had hung up, Shani unplugged her phone before replacing the receiver, afraid a jingle in Lena's room would betray the eavesdropping. She turned off the light, hugging the blankets to her chin. Flynn was no longer caressing her sweaty limbs, and she was no longer nibbling on his salty ears. If he had knocked on her door this instant, she wouldn't have invited him in. She would have screamed.

If she was searching for a suspect with intentions towards Robin, she would have scrutinized everyone in the housebut Flynn, for he was the only one who hadn't been at the party when Robin had had her accident. At least, no one had seen him there.

Odd how the rest of them were all here, and no others. Odder still how none of them - after almost a year — ever referred to Robin's misfortune as anything but an accident.

Of course, they all knew that it had been no accident.

"One drink, it won't kill you."

Sure.

If only she could forget, or clearly remember, it could be put to rest. This "in-between" gave her no peace.

Shani closed her eyes, listening to her heartbeat. A cool breeze stirred her curtains. Far away, over the black sea, a bird cried. Even as the darkness outside merged inside, she knew she would dream of poison.

FIVE: LAST NOVEMBER

Shani wondered if she was drunk. She was pretty sure she wasn't sober. To a stomach accustomed to carrot juice and watermelon, three-and-a-half beers must be the equivalent of downing a keg. At least she did not feel like vomiting - not yet. But her bladder was another story. She wished whoever was in the bathroom would hurry up. Next time Angie threw a party, she would tell her to rent an outhouse.

Shani glanced around for someone to help her out of her chair. It was late, past midnight, and people —

many, total strangers — had been coming and going for the last two hours. There weren't many left, too few to help clean up the half-eaten pizzas and spilled chip bowls. What a mess.

"Listen here," Park was saying to Sol in reference to 'Good Vibrations' spinning on the stereo. "This melody structure is one of the most sophisticated ever created by the human mind." Park shook his head in dumbfounded awe. He was plastered. "Brian Wilson was the genius of the sixties, the king of the century! Love the colourful clothes he wears…"

"Grego trash," Sol scowled, using his half-finished beer as an ash tray. Kerry tugged at his arm, trying to get him off the floor.

"Let's go home, Sol. I've got to work tomorrow morning."

"Yeah, sure, babe, just another minute," Sol said, beginning to search through Angie's albums, littering them over the already cluttered floor. Shani wondered what Kerry was talking about. She had come in her dad's car; she didn't need a ride. Poor girl, she didn't know yet that she was spoiled goods.

Thankfully, Lena had taken Angie's suggestion that she not put in an appearance. Probably because her sister had not come, Robin had also bowed out; a shame. Shani had been looking forward to seeing her.

Robin didn't drink either, usually.

"Beethoven incarnate," Park swore, belching loudly. Having no respect for the melody structure or the vinyl, Sol picked up the needle at a lousy angle, scratching it badly. "Hey!" Park protested.

"Surfing crap gives me a headache," Sol muttered, putting on Michael Jackson and twisting the volume dial.

"You surf!" Park said loudly.

"I've got to get up early," Kerry whined.

"I don't sing about it," Sol said. "Listen to this; it's got a beat." The booming bass vibrated the lamp on the glass table beside her. "It makes you want to move." He stood and started to dance. Half his grey matter was anaesthetized but his style, nevertheless, was as fluid as that of the artist on the record. Now if only he could find a place for his beer and cigarettes, he would really be in business. He poked Kerry in the stomach. "Shake your ass, babe. What have you got to go home to?"

Kerry went from angry to pleased in a moment. She kicked off her shoes, and joined Sol. She was clumsy as Chevy Chase, tripping over empty cans. They would have to organize a repair crew, or Angie's parents would have a fit when they came home tomorrow. Damn whoever was in the bathroom!

Shani closed her eyes, concentrating on her bursting bladder. Someone walked by, brushing her leg.

"Anyone want chocolate chip cookies?" Angie shouted over the music.

"I'll take one," Park said, his slurry voice nearby. Shani was too tired to open her eyes to be sure, but he seemed to be sitting on the floor by her chair. He must have moved. Angie appeared to plop beside him.

"I baked these this afternoon," Angie said.

"Best I've ever tasted!" Park said.

Angie laughed. "Are you stoned?"

Park giggled. "I'm bouldered! What is this music that Sol's put on? It's such a loud record."

"Michael Jackson. Want another cookie?"

"Yeah! Ate my first one, I did. Give me that big one. Thank you very much. You're a fantastic hostess.

You ought to have a party ever week, every blessed week."

"Park?"

"Huh?"

"Robin didn't come."

"Right! Where is she?"

"She didn't come. Did you invite her?"

"I did, but Kerry hates Lena and I hate Sol. He scratched my record, scratched it without permission…

God, I'm so wasted. What time is it?"

"It's not too late. Do you want to go swimming?"

"Don't got my board."

"We can swim in the pool. It's heated; just the two of us."

"Don't like chlorine. Goes through your ears, rots your brain, pickles it, like too much beer."

"Come on, it'll be fun; just the two of us."

"Gimme another cookie."

"Take as many as you. want. Shani, do you want any? Shani?"

She was still conscious, but couldn't be bothered answering. She wondered, if she did fall asleep, if she would pee in her pants. Interesting how Angie was trying to get Park alone…

"She's bombed out," Park said. "Too much grain in her syrup." He was proud of that one, laughing his fool face off.

"You really like her, don't you?" Angie asked.

"Love Shani. We're like twin brothers. Did I tell you how in kindergarten she stunk up her pants?

Wasted them! Are you wasted?"

"Sure am," Angie said. Shani had not seen her drink more than a can of beer all night. Angie continued:

"I meant, Robin. How do you feel about her?"

"Wonderful! We're like mother and wife."

"She's more like a friend?"

"Good friend, great friend. Sol's face should lower down those drums, there. Hurt my ears."

"I thought so. Have you ever, you know, done it?"

Park giggled. "You mean, have we ever hadsex?"

"Shhh. Yeah, have you?"

"Yeah! No… I don't know. Kind of, I think. Not really."

"It's none of my business. I was just wondering. So, let's go swimming."

"Sure! Wait! I don't have my trunks."

"So what? I won't wear my bikini. We can go skinny dipping."

"You mean,naked?"

"Sure, why not?"

"I dunno." He sounded interested. Shani was wide awake now, listening closely. Was this the real Angie, Robin's good friend? "Are you drunk, did you say?" Park asked.

"Yeah! But let's go. The others are dancing. We'll leave the pool light off. We'll have fun."

"But if you're drunk, you might say in the morning: 'I hate myself.' You might say that."

"You're not afraid of a naked girl, are you, Park?"

He giggled. He was doing a lot of that. "Noooo."

"So, let's go now. We can go out of the front door like we're going for a walk, and circle around to the back."

"Will you tell Robin?"

Angie didn't like the question. "No, but what would it matter if I did? I like you, Park. Don't you like me?"

"Oh, sure. But Robin, she…"

"What about her?"

Park couldn't remember, it seemed. "Nothing. Let's do it, yeah."

Shani kept her eyes closed while they skipped off for their erotic aqua sports. But she had to smile when they opened the front door.