Laverna drank her coffee, until her reverie was interrupted by Red Mabel, pushing her way into the house, holding a box of yellow cake mix.
“It’s my birthday,” said Red Mabel. “I share this day with Joan Van Ark and Geronimo.” Red Mabel pulled two unbroken eggs from her coat pocket, and gifted these as well.
“I’m not going to make you a cake,” said Laverna. “I’ve got shit to do.” She handed the eggs back to Red Mabel, who pitched them into the sink. Red Mabel left, and Laverna stared at the eggs, cracked and dripping all over the dirty dishes.
* * *
Krystal’s car was gone, as usual. Laverna craned her neck, but could not see Rachel’s yard, because of the fence. Ginger had told her that Rachel was gardening, of all things. Laverna could see the new siding, and for a split second, she was proud. She put on her mean face when she stepped up on Krystal’s porch.
Laverna resented women who took care of deadbeats, and she carried this resentment with her when the deadbeat answered the door. Word had traveled fast, and Laverna had no tolerance for child abusers.
“Bert,” she said.
“Laverna.”
“You owe me close to a hundred dollars,” she said.
“What?”
“Your tab,” she said. “Just because you got right with God, doesn’t mean you got right with my bookkeeper.”
“You keep the books,” pointed out Bert.
“Fact is, you never settled up. But seeing you now, I’m reminded how nice it’s been not having you around.” Laverna adjusted her scarf and gave him dead eyes.
“I’ll make things right,” said Bert. “I’ve been trying.”
“You let me take Jake for the day, and we’ll call it even. I need help reorganizing my closets. Due to my extensive collection of layers, it will be quite a job.”
“He’s qualified,” said Bert. “Jake!” He yelled down the long hallway of the trailer house.
She looked him in the eye and lowered her voice. The cigarette smoking added a scratchy tone, and she hoped she sounded like a mafioso. “You lay a finger on that boy again, I’ll rip your fucking nuts off.”
“I’m not that man anymore,” he said.
“Bullshit. Get a job, you goddamn lowlife.” She muttered this before Jake could hear.
She grabbed Jake, who appeared from the hallway already dressed, in gabardine slacks and a dress shirt the color of mustard. He didn’t protest as he was yanked out to Laverna’s car.
“Road trip,” she announced as she backed her Cadillac out in a hurry. Laverna turned out of the trailer court and headed toward the highway.
“You have a game today,” he said.
“I’m well aware of that,” she said. “You’re coming with. Watch for deer.” The town of Sullivan had their own scorekeeper, but Laverna was feeling magnanimous. Truthfully, she was sick and tired of riding with the other Flood Girls, listening to them bitch about boyfriends, split ends, Democrats.
Jake sat next to her in the Cadillac. Ten miles out of town, Laverna and Jake gossiped like old women. In addition to having the only hotel in the county, Sullivan was best known for being the birthplace of an actual serial killer, who murdered three homeless prostitutes in Spokane. Of course, they both had read the book, called The Murderer Who Came Down from the Mountains. Laverna was delighted that Jake shared her opinion that the serial killer could have tried harder. Three murders was a spree, not a serial killing.
At a McDonald’s drive-through, Laverna ordered an iced tea, nothing else. She could not understand why McDonald’s was considered such a treasure. The Dirty Shame was just as cheap and convenient, and had the added bonus of entertainment from the silver miners.
She handed Jake his cheeseburger. “My daughter hasn’t turned you into a vegetarian yet?”
“No,” said Jake. “I am the captain of my own ship.”
“It’s one weird ship,” said Laverna, and returned to the highway. She watched out of the corner of her eye, as he unfolded paper napkins across his lap and delicately peeled away the wrapper from the burger. “Can I ask you a question?”
“You may,” he said, and paused before taking the first bite. His manners were exquisite.
“How are things going with Bert?”
“I’d rather not talk about him,” Jake said, and chewed silently.
“Does he mind you spending so much time with my daughter?”
Jake swallowed. “He says she has a bad reputation.”
“He should talk,” said Laverna. “What does your mother see in him? She’s so pretty, I mean.”
“I’m just thankful the baby is my half sister,” said Jake. “If she grows up to look like Bert, I can get away with being half-concerned.”
“Your mother deserves better,” said Laverna.
“I agree,” said Jake. “But she got knocked up, and I think she wanted to see if she could get it right this time.”