Its a long story. Why dont you make a pot of coffee? Ill go and get your mother.
Youre going to tell Mom?
Yeah. I think Id better.
If youre afraid Ill snitch...
No, it isnt that. Ive gotta tell her whats going on.
He left the kitchen. Lane threw out the used filter, put a fresh one into the machines plastic basket, added coffee grounds and slipped the basket into place. She poured water into the top of the brewer. She thumbed the on switch. A red light came on. She gazed at it.
The times are out of joint.
Understatement of the fucking year, she thought.
Forty
He sat on the edge of the bed and shook Jean gently by the shoulder. Groaning, she rolled over. She squinted up at him. Huh? Whas...
You need to get up, Larry said.
Suddenly she looked alarmed and wide awake. Whats wrong?
Its not a fire or anything. Nobodys hurt. We just need to talk.
Oh, my God. What? Tell me!
Lanes waiting in the kitchen.
Is she all right?
Shes fine. This is about me. Ill explain everything in a few minutes.
Jean sat up. She had a strange look in her eyes. A look of pain and fear. She caught her lower lip between her teeth.
Dont get all upset, Larry said.
Are you leaving us?
No, no. God, no. A strap of her nightgown had slipped off, baring her shoulder and right breast. Larry curled his hand over the breast and kissed her mouth.
Pulling her head back, she stared into his eyes. Youre having an affair?
No. I love you, Jean. He lifted the strap onto her shoulder and kissed her again. Her arms went around him. She hugged him fiercely. Come on now. Lanes waiting. She released him.
Larry stood up. He waited while she climbed out of bed and put on her bathrobe. Then he took her hand and led her from the room. As he entered the kitchen he smelled the comfortable aroma of coffee.
Itll be ready in a couple of minutes, Lane said. She exchanged a rather sick-looking smile with Jean.
Do you know what this is all about? Jean asked.
Not really.
They both faced Larry. Go ahead and sit down, he said.
They sat at the table. Larry stood behind his chair and gripped its back. To Jean he said, Do you remember that body we found?
What about it?
He looked at Lane. When your mother and I were out exploring in the desert with Pete and Barbara, we found a body in an abandoned hotel in Sagebrush Flat. Thats a ghost town about fifty...
Thats where you found her?
Yeah.
Jean frowned. I thought we agreed not to tell Lane...
I didnt tell her. He felt a grimace twisting his face. Here goes, he thought. He took a deep breath. Lane saw it. Tonight. Its up in our garage attic.
Jean gaped at him. The color drained from her face. In a low voice she said, Youre kidding.
Pete and I went out and brought it back with us. While you two were in Los Angeles.
Youre kidding, she said again.
He isnt, Lane told her.
Larry turned away from the table. Coffee had stopped streaming into the pot. He opened a cupboard. Were doing a book about it. Imdoing the book.
A book, Jean muttered.
A vampire book, he said, taking down three mugs. Nonfiction. He started to fill the mugs. His hand shook, slopping coffee onto the counter.
Youre telling me... you and Pete tookthat hideous thingout from under the stairs and brought it homewith you, and its out in our garage?
Thats right. Im writing a book about it.
A vampire book, Lane murmured. She sounded as if she were talking to herself.
Larry brought the mugs to them. Lane seemed to be staring at the center of the table. Jean looked up at him as he set the mug in front of her. Youre out of your mind, she said.
I know. He sat down. I knew youd be upset...
Upset? Me? Why would I be upset? My husband brings a goddamn stiffhome and hides it in our garage.
Boy, Dad.
Im sorry. I know it was a stupid thing to do. But Pete and I figured...
Pete. Jeans eyes narrowed. Ill just bet it was his idea.
Well, it was. But I went along with it. Were talking about a major book. It could make us rich.
So would robbing a bank, Jean said. She put her hands on the table. She pushed her chair back. She got up and walked to the phone. Does Barbara know about this?
No. Whatre you doing? Larry asked.
She didnt answer. She jabbed buttons on the handset.
Oh, boy, Lane muttered.
Larry groaned. He wished he hadnt mentioned Pete. But it wasPetes idea.
Now well have two wives going apeshit.
It would be nice, though, to have Pete here for some moral support.
This is Jean. Her voice sounded calm. Id like to speak to Barbara... No, Im not kidding... Yes indeed, uh-oh... Hi, Barbara, Jean... Yes, Id say so. Something is quite wrong. Id like you and Pete to come over here right away... Lets just say our dear husbands pulled a certain stunt. Bring something sharp. We may want to kill them.
At least she hasnt lost her sense of humor, Larry thought.
Jean hung up. Theyll be right over, she said.
Wonderful.
She sat down, took a sip of coffee, put down the mug, scowled at Larry and said, What were you doing out there with it tonight?
The question made his heart lurch. He felt heat rush to his face. Nothing.
What do you mean, nothing? You were out there with it, werent you? She faced Lane. Wasnt he?
He walked in his sleep, Lane said. He didnt know what he was doing.
What washe doing?
Lane looked at him. She pressed her lips together.
Go ahead and tell, he said. Then well both know.
Dad was talking to... the body. I guess he was dreaming or something, and they were carrying on a conversation. She turned her eyes to Larry. I think she was trying to talk you into pulling out the stake.
Oh-for-godsake, Jean gasped.
Lanes head jerked toward her mother. He didnt do it, she said very fast. I mean, I didnt realize that thing was supposed to be a vampire, but... I woke him up before he could take the stake out.
And what were youdoing out there, young lady?
I was worried about him. I didnt think Dad should have to spend the whole night on the couch just because he had a couple of drinks too many. She gave Jean a frown. So after I finished my bath, I went to wake him up so he could go to bed, and he wasnt there. He was on his way to the garage. So I followed him. I was afraid hed get hurt. You could tell something was wrong. He was walking in his sleep. He didnt know whatthe hell was going on.
You followed your father into the attic and saw him talking to a corpse. She looked at Larry. I hope youre proud of yourself.
I couldnt help it, Jean. I was asleep.
He really was, Mom. You shouldve heard him scream when I woke him up.
The doorbell rang. Without saying a word, Jean got up from the table. She stepped closer to Lane. Shaking her head, she slid a hand gently down the girls hair. Then she hurried from the kitchen.
Im really sorry, Larry said.
Thats okay. Moms really pissed, isnt she?
Im afraid so. Its a big shock. For both of you.
Im just glad you didnt take that stake out.
So am I. I was going to do it, huh?
Yeah. You had your hand on it when I woke you up.
Jesus.
You dont really think it wouldve... She shook her head.
Come back to life? I dont know. Probably not. But Im still glad you stopped me. He managed a smile. And I also appreciate the way you stuck up for me.