Kiss Me, Curse Me - By Kate Shay Page 0,25
and that—things that had once belonged to this boy, some human, a remnant of the physical world.
Slowly the oneness became, and he merged into it all, into everything, every star and every molecule that ever was or ever was going to be.
“Psssssss.”
A click and Ahanu woke; the python wavered above him. “My son, you are one. You are whole with all.”
Ahanu felt sleepy, felt weak.
“Rest now my son, for soon you go back.”
Ahanu closed his eyes, wishing he was home with his mother.
***
“He’s dead.”
Patty lifted his weary head to look at the sheriff who’d just spoken those words. He’d sat for most of the day listening to the steady pace of the typewriter.
“Who?”
“Doug.” Doby’s face was somber. “I just heard. He didn’t make it.”
“Awww.” Patty couldn’t look up. He couldn’t speak. He felt ill, regretting some of his harsh words the day before with the young kid.
“I’m sorry. I know he was best friends with Hank.”
“Ah, Hank. I’ll tell him, okay?”
“He knows. He was there when we heard. A dam guy came out and found us while we were searching. Hank didn’t take it well, went home. We didn’t find much else in the search either. It’s official: murder investigation. Come on. You look like shit,” said Doby.
The sheriff drove at the pace he always did, like there was a crisis, except they were only hitting the diner. In they went. A small place, it was always packed and loud, the walls of sky blue, same as the tables, with a silver lining spread throughout and the booths in a lovely turquoise.
“We want coffee first.” Doby said to the old waitress, who scooted off in her little blue and white get-up.
“Ahanu. You heard of him?” said Patty, admiring the burger list pushing away the word murder.
“No. Why?”
Patty filled him in on Ed and the story, and the waitress came back with fresh, steamy coffee and took their orders.
“Odd, isn’t it?” said Doby.
“I don’t believe him. Do you know the guy?”
“Ed . . . I think it’s Ed Turner. He’s been in trouble a few times, nothing too serious, nothing to toss him in for. He’s not from these parts, east somewhere, Colorado if I remember right. One night he knocked a guy out, fighting over money or something. Oh . . . gambling—that’s what it was. I’ve to turn a blind eye you see, but I know what’s going on.”
“You don’t do anything? Why? I mean. What’s your angle?”
“They’ve got to have something to do. That dam money. Who cares?”
“I don’t gamble.”
“You shouldn’t, it’s addictive, seen a few go down from it,” said Doby, taking a bite of the big burger that just landed on the table.
Patty let out a grin.
“What? What you been up to? I’ve known you too long.”
“Pfffff. Nothing.”
Doby stared out the uneven window chewing on the meat, then winked. “I don’t know this Ahanu you speak of, doesn’t mean he doesn’t exist. They keep to themselves, you know.”
“She wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t.”
Doby said nothing, thinking a bit, “We can go out to the reservation here after we eat. It’s never too late to barge in. Don’t you think?”
Patty smiled, “Yeah.”
They downed their food and with bellies full took the long road out.
***
“She’s holding on, needs fluid in her. I can put a tube in her nose to her stomach.”
“Oh, do I have to watch?” Betty grimaced as Doc opened up his bag.
“I don’t have anything on hand for an IV. I’d need to go into the city for that. I’ve been unable to procure that new medicine,” said the old man.
“Maybe the dam clinic has some. It’s closer.”
“Yes, that is true. Didn’t think of that. I’ll go on down there.”
Coreen’s arm fell from the bed. They both jumped.
“Did she just move?” Betty said surprised.
“No, I don’t think so, she’s in a coma. She can’t move.”
“Just get the IV stuff, find that medicine. I mean how urgent is this?”
“She’ll last a bit longer. I don’t know. We need that med, that’s what we really need. Maybe they have some. I don’t know.”
“Well, try, I guess.” Betty went to the door and hollered for another one of her girls to come up. “Singapore!” Betty explained the sitting routine, the cloth routine, and went on her way to see the doctor to the bottom of the stairs.
“Tell my Ed if you see him down there working, I want him up here tonight.”
“I won’t see him. Have you been down there—to the dam?”
“No, never. I’m here. I don’t follow