Fear prickled Socko’s scalp. The Tarantulas were in the parking lot of the Phat. Rapp’s Trans Am was parked next to Delia’s old junker. Damien sat cross-legged on the hood of Delia’s car—nobody sat on Rapp’s classic. The others stood around, smoking. Rapp paced.
“I don’t think they noticed us,” said Luke, parking the truck so it was hidden by an oversized van. “And if we’re lucky they won’t recognize us walking in. What the—” Something in the rearview mirror had caught his eye.
When Socko turned around, Livvy was stepping over the tailgate onto the bumper. Her hair looked damp, her face hot. She walked up to Socko’s open window. “Sorry, Luke. It was my idea.”
Luke looked at Socko. “You knew about it?”
“Yeah, I knew.”
Luke shook his head. “We’ll talk about this later.”
“I just had to have one last Phat burger,” Livvy joked.
Socko grabbed her arm as she turned toward the Phat. “You can’t see them, but the gang is right over there, across the parking lot.”
“Ohmygosh!”
“If I had time I’d take you back, but I don’t,” Luke whispered. “So this is what you’re going to do, Livvy. You’re going to get in this truck and duck down behind the jump seat while Socko and I go inside. Keep the windows rolled and lock the doors.”
“I’ll die of heat stroke!”
Luke ignored her. “Socko, walking to the door we can use this van parked next to us for cover, then that Suburban’ll hide us some.” He reached back and lifted a big straw hat off the pile of tools that jammed the space behind the driver’s seat. He dropped it on Socko’s head right over Damien’s Superman lid. “They only saw me once, but they know you, so keep that hat pulled down. They may recognize us, they may not. Either way we’re gonna walk in like all we want is a burger and fries.”
“Let me walk with you on the side that faces the parking lot,” Livvy urged. Her voice was excited, like this was some kind of adventure. “Please? They’ve never seen me before.”
Socko didn’t like the idea.
He could tell by the way Luke dragged his hand down his face that he didn’t either, but it was a logical suggestion—and leaving Livvy in the truck wasn’t exactly a great plan.
“All right,” Luke said, “but we act casual and we don’t look at ’em. You got that, Livvy?”
“Got it.” She took Socko’s arm as he climbed out. “Pretend I’m your girlfriend,” she whispered. “They don’t expect you to have one, right?”
“That’s for sure,” he whispered back.
Casual, thought Socko, but being casual was hard under the circumstances—especially with Livvy hanging onto his arm.
He meant to go through the door without looking back—but at the last second he looked over his shoulder. A shock went through him. Despite the farm-boy hat and the fake girlfriend, Damien was watching him.
Livvy tugged him through the door and the smell of fryer grease engulfed him.
Luke strode up to the counter.
The paper hat sat on Delia’s head at a crazy angle. “Socko, Luke—Livvy!” As soon as Socko’s mother said her name, Livvy let go of his arm. “What’re you doing here?”
“We had a hankering for a Phat Burger,” said Luke.
“I want the three of you out of here right now.” Delia cocked her head toward the front windows. “We have a situation going on, and I got more than I can handle already.”
Luke leaned across the counter. “You clock out in twenty minutes. I walk you to your car. End of situation.”
“Not quite.” Delia pointed out Junebug huddled in the far corner of the back booth. “I got that girl in a mess of trouble and I have to get her out of here,” she whispered. “May I take your order?” she asked Luke more loudly. They were beginning to attract attention.
Socko hurried to the booth, Livvy right behind him. He had concentrated on convincing his mom to leave Junebug and Rapp alone, not on what would happen if she didn’t.
Collateral damage, he thought, scooting into the seat opposite his old babysitter. But not if I can help it, he added silently as Livvy slid in beside him. Junebug had saved him so many times, it had to be his turn to save her.
It should’ve been impossible, but Junebug had gotten thinner since he saw her last. The nurse’s watch hung loose on her arm. In front of her on the table was a super-sized milkshake. Socko tapped the back of her hand with his finger. “Hi, Junebug.”
“Yeah, hi.”
“This is Livvy.”
Junebug’s eyes settled on Livvy. “You his girlfriend?”
Livvy hesitated. “Maybe.”
Socko turned toward her fast.
“I said maybe.”
“Lucky you,” said Junebug. “He’s a good kid.”
Livvy drew a sudden sharp breath. “What happened to your arms?” Junebug checked out the bruises that braceleted her skinny wrists. “I tried to fight back and got dragged. Old news. That was last week.” Junebug swiped at an eye with her knuckles, then grimaced, seeing the smudges of blue eye shadow on them. “Oh great, now I’m melting.” Livvy stared at Junebug as if she were some exotic butterfly. “You’re still very beautiful.”
“Ugly would be better right about now, but thanks.” She gave Livvy a weak smile.
“What went down with Rapp?” Socko asked.
“I had him meet me here. Your mom’s idea. Delia said this was neutral territory.” Socko saw Livvy’s eyes dart to Junebug’s hands as she nervously tapped on the tabletop. “Rapp bought me a shake. I broke up with him. He stormed out. But I knew that was too easy. He was back in ten minutes—with his posse.”
Junebug’s straw made a nervous squeak against the cup’s plastic lid as she slid it up and down. “Are they still out front?”
“Uh-huh,” said Socko.
“So, what’re you doing just sitting here?” Livvy asked.
“Basically?” Junebug lifted her bony shoulders and let them drop. “Waiting to die.” A shadow fell across the table. She cringed and slid toward the wall.
Socko looked up. “It’s okay. This is my friend Luke.”
“Hey, Junebug.” Luke dropped to a squat. “I’m gonna get you out of here,” he said softly. The muscles in his neck looked tense. Socko could tell Luke didn’t like any of this.
Junebug bit her lip as she looked Luke over. “Thanks for the offer. You seem strong and all, but if you think I’m walking out those doors you better think again.”
“There’s a window in the ladies’ room,” Socko said.
Livvy gave him a funny look.
“I cleaned the restrooms a few times for money,” he told her, then turned back to Junebug. “If you go out that way they won’t see you.”
“You think you could climb out?” Luke asked.
Junebug looked at the restroom door, then back at Luke. “Guess I could fly if I had to. But that window’s real high.”
“I’ll boost you up,” said Socko.
“No.” Livvy took a deep breath. “I will. It’s the ladies’ room, Socko.” Junebug raised an eyebrow at Livvy. “You sure?”
Livvy nodded.
“Now hold on.” Luke puffed up his cheeks and blew out. Socko knew he was wondering how out of control things were going to get with the boss’s daughter.
Socko didn’t like the idea either, but there were several people in the booths facing the restroom doors, so it couldn’t be him. And they had to sneak Junebug out, period. “All right,” Socko said. “Livvy goes in with Junebug.”
“Okay, okay,” Luke whispered. “We’ll pull around back. Don’t climb out until you see us, you got that, girls?”
Junebug picked up her giant purse. Hugging it, she teetered toward the ladies’ room door on her high-heeled sandals like she was so scared, she had forgotten how to walk.
“Be careful,” Socko whispered as Livvy slipped out of the booth. Her hair flared as she turned to look back at him, then she quickly disappeared through the restroom door after Junebug.
Delia sent Socko and Luke out to the truck with two big bags of carryout. With his hat pulled down, Socko walked so Luke stayed between him and the gang. This time he watched the ground, but for a moment it felt like the easy mind link he and his old friend always had was back. Damien knew that one more person had gone in the door than had come out. Would he report that fact to Rapp?
Out of sight behind the van, they climbed into the truck. Luke backed out. His straw hat jammed down, Socko stared straight ahead as they left the parking lot.
Luke drove several blocks before doubling back to make the turn on the street that went behind the Phat. “With any luck we’ll be there and gone in two minutes,” said Luke.
Socko gripped the seat. “What about my mom?”
“She’ll come off shift and walk out the door. Rapp’ll see she’s alone and go in after Junebug. By the time he figures it out, your mom will be long gone.”
Ahead on the left was the orange and brown box that was Phat Burger. Before the front parking lot was hidden by the building, Socko had a quick view of the gang. While all other eyes were watching the front of the restaurant, his friend’s were on the truck. To score major points with Rapp, all Damien had to do was tell him that a suspicious pickup had just pulled in behind the Phat.
Luke eased in next to the Dumpster and parked, but he kept the engine idling. He checked out the space behind the seats. “Only room for one,” he said. “Junebug’ll have to hide under the tarp like Livvy did.”
A frosted window on the back of the building lifted and a skinny arm slid out. The big black purse dangling from the hand whumped to the ground, spilling as it rolled onto its side. Next out was a foot with an ankle-buster sandal hanging off the toes.
Socko got out of the truck and ran toward the building. “Jump!” he whispered hoarsely. He kept glancing to his right, sure that at any second Rapp and his boys would surge around the corner. “Come on!”
When Junebug rolled out of the window, Socko caught her and stumbled back a couple of steps.
“Get her to the truck,” Livvy called softly from above.
He looked up for a fraction of a second. Livvy’s blonde hair hung down, sweeping the dingy cinder block wall, then he turned and staggered toward the truck. Behind him Livvy’s sneakers smacked the ground.
Luke was standing in the truck bed. “Hand her up,” he told Socko.
“My purse! My purse!” Junebug whispered frantically as they covered her with the tarp. “I got my books in it, my certificate—all my stuff!”
“I’ll get it.” Livvy sprinted back over to the fat pig of a purse. While she swept what had spilled back in, Luke dove into the driver’s seat. The purse in her arms, Livvy scrambled into the truck’s jump seat. “Come on, Socko, get in!” She reached over the seat in front of her and slapped it. “Now!”
Instead, Socko closed the passenger door behind her. What if Luke was wrong about the gang letting his mother leave? He stuck his head through the open window. “Get ’em outta here, Luke. I’ll ride with Mom.”
“No!” Although her lips were almost blue with fear, Livvy tried to push the seat forward so she could get out. “If you stay, I stay too!”
“That ain’t gonna happen.” Luke crossed his arms on his chest and blew out. “We’ll all sit here ‘til your mom pulls out in …” He checked his watch. “Three minutes.”
“No, Luke. I’m sure Damien spotted us,” Socko whispered.
“If he had, they’d be all over us by now. Or else he’s still your friend.” Luke leaned across the seat and pushed the door open. “Get in. As soon as Delia comes out, we roll.”
They sat, the engine still idling. Socko took off the straw hat and rolled up the brim in his hands. “How’re we going to know when she comes out?”
Luke pointed out the narrow strip of street visible beyond the edge of the building. Delia’s car would cross that street as she drove away.
“Assuming they let her get to her car,” Socko mumbled. Windows down, they listened for anything that might let them know Delia had walked out the front door of the building.
But all the sounds Socko had missed in the silence of Moon Ridge got in the way. The AC unit behind the Phat roared, and somewhere a street or two over some guys were arguing, a truck beeped as it backed up.
“So, this is where you’re from.” Despite all the noise, Livvy was whispering.
When he turned around, she was staring at the tarantula painted on the Dumpster. “Yeah,” he whispered back. “This is where I’m from.”
“Ten seconds.” Luke stared at his watch. “Now!”
Although the danger meter at the back of Socko’s neck was going crazy, nothing happened. Then a wall of sound surged over the building, a tidal wave of four-letter words and electronic bass that he could feel like a second heart throbbing in his chest.
Rapp had unleashed the power of the Trans Am’s mighty stereo. Rapp knew it was three o’clock too. Was he signifying that his patience had run out, or was he covering up something that was happening to Socko’s mom? Socko grabbed the handle and threw the door open.
A hand gripped his upper arm. “Wait!” Luke ordered.
The wait was no more than a minute, but during those sixty seconds Socko felt as if he would fly apart not knowing what was happening on the other side of the building.
“There she is,” said Luke.
Socko saw a turquoise car door flash by, then an orange one. Delia was at the wheel, staring straight ahead.
“Go!” said Livvy. “Go!” As Luke pulled across the street that ran up the side of the Phat, Socko felt the blast of the radio full force; the parked Trans Am seemed to pulsate. The Tarantulas were gone—they must have swarmed the Phat as soon as Delia left. Only Damien, the lookout, had stayed with the car.
Socko touched the S on the Superman lid. Maybe Damien saw him, maybe not. If he did, Socko hoped Damien would know he was saying thanks.
For once in his life Damien had kept his mouth shut.
“Nice little jaunt?” asked Uncle Eddie, raising the barrier arm.
“All in a day’s work,” said Luke as he pulled through the gate.
Socko glanced back at the wooden bar and the old man in the guard booth. Both would be a joke to Rapp if he wanted in, but first he’d have to figure out that Junebug was here, and to storm Moon Ridge he’d have to know Moon Ridge existed. If Damien hadn’t ratted him out when he was right there just feet away from the gang, why would he spill now?
Livvy knelt on the jump seat and slid the window behind it open. “Junebug? You can come out now.”
The plastic tarp stirred. Pushing it aside, Junebug sat up slowly. She watched the blank faces of brand-new houses stream by. Despite the heat, she kept the tarp wrapped around her like a blanket.
Socko wished he was riding in back with her. He’d tell her that this place was weird at first but that you get used to it. He’d explain that Moon Ridge was like one of those islands where birds evolved, losing the ability to fly because there were no major predators.
“Shoot,” said Luke as they pulled into Socko’s driveway. “Looks like I’m heading back to the city.” He snagged Mrs. Holmes’s envelope, which stuck up from between the seats.
“Sorry about that,” said Socko.
“You’re safe from him here,” Livvy assured Junebug through the open window.
But Socko was worried about a different “him” as he climbed out of the truck. He trotted up the driveway, leaving Livvy to bring Junebug inside.
“Delia Marie!” the General rasped as Socko opened the door. “This is completely unacceptable! We’ve already done our share. More than our share. We can’t save everybody!”
“What did you want us to do? Let her gangsta boyfriend kill her?” Socko’s mother yelled back, tossing her paper hat in the garbage.
“Who do I look like, Mother Teresa? There must be someplace else she can go.”
“If there was, do you think we would’ve brung her here?”
Socko watched Livvy help Junebug down out of the truck. “General, sir?”
“Don’t interrupt, young man. Your mother and I are having a difference of opinion!”
“Take a look.”
“At what?” But the old man rolled his chair over to the window. “Gonna break her fool neck,” he muttered, watching Junebug stand, swaying slightly in her too-tall heels.
“She’s kind of in shock,” Socko said. “Up ‘til a few minutes ago she thought she was going to die today.”
“Hang out with the wrong people and …” The words fizzled. “Skinny little thing, isn’t she? Wears way too much makeup.”
“But she’s a good girl,” Delia insisted. “She was just in over her head.”
The General sighed. “All I wanted out of our little arrangement was peace and quiet. No fuss. And what do I get? Homeless families, girls with crazy boyfriends … all kinds of mess. You knew there was going to be a problem—I heard you two whispering about it. Why didn’t you talk to me? We’re a family.”
Socko and Delia stared at each other over the old man’s head. When, amidst all the complaints and threats to “call my lawyer,” had they become a family?
But they had.
Delia put her hand on the General’s shoulder as the front door slowly opened and Livvy helped Junebug inside.
“Mother Teresa?” Delia said softly to the General. “I got someone I’d like you to meet.”