Chapter 20

 

 

 

The loot from Turowski’s provided another big feast that night; this time Sandy was there, and Debbie, and they let me eat with them. There was still plenty of beer, and I had my first can. It left me reeling and burping after, but it also helped calm me down a little.

After the dinner, CJ hooked up an extension cord and lugged a phonograph out to the patio. He put on Rolling Stones records and Sandy danced while everyone else cheered her on. Her dance turned into more of striptease; by the time it was over she was mostly naked, and the guys were playing with her like an oversized doll, each one kissing and fondling her before passing her on.

Watching left me both electrified and disgusted. Below the waist, I wanted to be Sandy; above, I thought she was nothing but a stupid girl who deserved whatever she got.

CJ and one other boy had their shirts off already, but they were all still drinking; when the first one fell back in the grass unconscious, I knew the rest would follow soon. Sandy was next, and CJ didn’t seem to care that she wasn’t awake; he fell on her and started grinding against her. But before he got anywhere, he rolled to the side and was out instantly.

In fifteen minutes they were all gone, snoring or quietly slumbering. This was my chance.

As I got the rolling pin out again, Mom whispered to me, “Joey, even if you get the keys…how will we leave? You said they shot at you…”

“It’s okay, Mom, I’ve got something else in mind.” I put the pin down, grabbed a canvas knapsack from the hallway closet and put together a bag of stuff I thought we might need: two flashlights, a canteen of water, a knife, Mom’s billfold with some money, and her checkbook.

“Do you think you’ll be able to walk?”

She nodded grimly.

“Okay. Be ready.”

She didn’t say anything else as I grabbed the rolling pin, slid past the door and out into the night.

I was less cautious this time, because I’d stopped caring if I had to hit anyone. All I wanted were the keys. They were my one shot at getting away from the desires that were starting to crowd into my head.

I found CJ near Sandy and knelt beside him. He was flat on his back, but Sandy was on his left, so I positioned myself on his right, knowing I’d have to reach over him. Keeping the rolling pin in my left hand, I extended my right, reaching, lowering, just resting on the pocket’s rim—

“Cute, sis—very cute.”

I flinched and drew back like I’d been burned. CJ was awake and looking at me, although he otherwise hadn’t moved yet. I saw the moonlight glint off his bared teeth. I didn’t say anything.

He laughed softly, then said, “C’mon, twerp, we both know you haven’t got it in you, at least not yet. You’re still just a kid.”

“CJ—you’re an idiot.”

Then I hit him.