Читать книгу Where Is Wonderland Anyway - Karen Mueller Bryson - Страница 5

Lewis woke me up at the crack of dawn and told me to get ready as we had a long day of driving ahead of us. He wanted to drive at least ten hours to see where it would take us. He guessed we’d probably make it to somewhere in central Georgia. I was happy to hear that we were finally on our way out of the state.

When we were about as far north as you can go and still be in Florida, the land didn't much look like anything I had seen before. It was hilly and there were lots of different kinds of trees. Not just the piney ones, there were plenty of leafy ones, too. That's when I noticed someone standing on the side of the road holding a sign. It said, "On the Road to Cali."

I pointed to the sign. "Lewis, will you look at that."

"Looks like someone else is going our way."

Lewis pulled over and the person holding the sign came running over to our car. I couldn't much tell at first if it was a man or woman, until she spoke, and I figured out it was a she. "Where you headed?" she asked when I rolled down my window.

"All the way to California," said Lewis.

"Can I hitch a ride with you guys?"

"Hop in," Lewis said.

She grabbed the backpack she had beside her, threw her sign into the bushes, and jumped into the back seat of the car. "I was really beginning to wonder if I was going to have to walk all the way to California."

I didn't surprise me when the young woman told us no one had offered her a ride. She was one of the strangest looking people I ever did lay eyes on. She was wearing black from head to toe and had what looked like a dog's collar around her neck. I also noticed a small metal hoop hanging from her nose.

"How long have you been on the road?" Lewis asked.

"Maybe a week. I've sorta lost track. Thanks for stopping. My feet are killing me."

"My pleasure."

"My name's Carol."

"I'm Lewis. And this is Alice."

"Most people call me Ally."

"That which we call a rose by any other name would still smell as sweet," said Lewis.

Carol said, "Quoting the Bard this early in the morning? What will he do for an encore?"

Lewis said, "Oh, was ever a woman in this humor woo'd?"

"If music be the food of love, play on."

"The man that hath no music in himself—"

"Nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils."

"Touché."

I didn’t have a notion what the two of them were talking about and I have to admit I was a little embarrassed not knowing. It was like they were speaking their own language, or they were part of a secret club that I didn't belong to. At times like that, I still had some anger toward my mama for not providing me with a proper education. But with the two of us always taking to the road, it was hard for me to keep up with the other kids, the times I did manage to get back to school.

"Where are you guys from?" Carol asked.

Lewis said, "I'm from Miami."

"I spent some time down there. What a blast. I heard some great music. The Crotch Rockets, Simon's Tattoo, Dick Hates Jane. Those bands were out of control. Ally, you're from Miami, too?"

"Can't say I've ever been to Miami. I was living outside of Brooksville."

"I guess I just assumed the two of you were together."

"We just met yesterday," Lewis said. "I picked up Alice right outside of Floral City."

"Damn. That was one scary little town. I didn't see a soul anywhere.”

“Neither did we,” Lewis said.

“Hey, this is a really nice ride," said Carol.

"I got this to add a little flair to my magic business."

"A magician, huh? Very unique. Bet you pick up lots of chicks."

I could see Lewis was embarrassed. His face turned bright red. “No, not really.”

Lewis told Carol all about his movie audition and why he was making his way to California. She asked me why I was on my way to California and I told her it wasn't so much where I was on my way to as where I was trying to get from. I think she understood. At least, she didn't ask me any more questions and I sure didn't bring it up again.

Carol told us about her family and why she left home. She was going to California to find her mama. She was raised by her daddy and grew up with three brothers, all younger. Her mama left them when Carol had just turned six years old. As hard as my life turned out to be, at least I had a mama. It sure must have been hard for Carol trying to become a woman with no female to show her the way. After all those years of living with men, I could understand why Carol wanted to find herself a female relation.

By the time we made it to Georgia, it was getting close to lunch-time. My stomach started making some pretty loud noises.

"I sure am glad to be out of Florida," I said. It was the first time in my life I had crossed the state line.

"And what is so bad about Florida?" Lewis asked.

"My mama always told me the past should stay put. No sense bringing it with you everywhere you go."

"Keeping secrets, already, huh?" he said.

"I guess there are some things that are best kept to myself."

"Suit yourself,” Lewis said. “What about you, Carol? Care to share some of your escapades hitchhiking your way across the USA?"

"Well, I don't mind bringing up the past. I'm actually a big advocate of over-indulgent wallowing in self-pity and grief. It's become sort of a trademark of our lost generation."

"And what's your sad tale of woe?"

"It all started when I was born. It was downhill from there."

Lewis chucked, "It couldn’t have been that bad."

"Wanna bet?"

"Sure, why not?"

"What's the wager?"

"How about a round of drinks for all of us if your tragic life really isn't all that bad?"

"And how will we determine just how bad 'all that bad' really is?"

"How about we let Alice decide?"

"Wait just a minute," I said. "Why do I have to decide?"

Lewis said, “You’re the impartial judge. Here’s how it works. Carol is going to give us her life story, the short version, please. Alice, you decide if her life really has been as bad as Carol thinks."

"I'll give it a listen," I said. "But I'm not sure what kind of judge I’ll make. I don't have too much experience in that area. Are you sure you want me to decide?"

"Of course," said Lewis. "I trust you implicitly."

I don’t know how Lewis got to trusting me so fast but I have to say I was starting to feel the same way about him.

"Okay, then," said Lewis. "It's settled. Alice will be our judge. Carol, whenever you're ready, start your story."

"Well, I'm the oldest of three kids. I have two younger brothers. Justin was born when I was three and Devon came along when I was five. You already know my mother split. Left my dad to raise the three of us on his own. We'd hear from her occasionally. She'd send a letter or postcard. Always from some exotic location. She told my dad she wanted to travel the world while she was still young enough to enjoy it. Maybe she should have thought of that before she popped out three kids. She never did call us. Not once. I don't even remember what her voice sounds like, I was so young the last time I heard it. The most recent postcard I received was mailed from LA. She said she was trying to make it in show business. That was a couple years ago. She obviously hasn’t made it big yet. I hope she's still there. Anyway - I'm going to California to try and find her."

"Why?" Lewis asked.

"Unfinished business. I want to confront all of those demons from the past that still haunt me almost twenty years later."

"And what happens if you do find her?" he said.

"I want to know why. And I don't mean why she left. That's a no brainer. Three kids by the time you're twenty-five. That's a heavy trip, man. I'll be twenty-six this year. I can’t imagine having three kids to take care of. I can hardly take care of myself. I guess I want to know why she never gave a shit. How could she not care about her own kids? You know what I mean?"

"That's it? That's your story?" asked Lewis.

"That's for Alice to decide." Carol said, "Mine is an incredibly sad tale. I think Alice will agree."

"I have to admit it didn't sound like too sad a story the way you just told it," I said. "But then again, I didn't have to grow up without a mama. I'm sure that was mighty hard, especially considering you're a female and all. Of course, I didn't grow up with a daddy. Truth be told, my mama never did tell me, who my daddy even was. At least you know who your mama is and where to find her."

"I hope I can find her but what about my story? Did I win the bet or what?"

"All I can say is that I think you turned out to be a mighty fine person, considering your past and all. At least from what I can tell so far. In my life time, I've seen a lot worse.”

"So you're saying I lost the bet?"

"I reckon that is what I'm saying."

"I guess the next watering hole we come upon, I'm buying a round."

After that, Carol sat back in her seat and kept to her own thoughts for a while. It didn't seem like she was too happy with my judging. But I had to tell the truth. Where I came from, it’s not that unusual for kids not to know one parent or the other. In fact, most didn’t. But I could feel the pain in my own heart that Carol felt in losing her mama.

The afternoon came to an end before anybody said another word. By that time, I was long past hungry into feeling like I could eat some dead animal off the side of the road. I was mighty glad when Lewis finally asked if we wanted to stop.

"There's a sign for Unadilla: Population 2772," said Carol. "Maybe we can find someplace to grab a bite to eat and I can pay off the bet at the same time. I could sure use a beer."

"It is getting late," said Lewis. "Maybe we should think about calling it a day."

We decided to make a stop at a tavern called Lucky Lou's that Lewis and Carol both liked the looks of. I have to say that I was a little afraid going into the likes of a place like that. It reminded me of the kinds of places Billy liked to spend his evenings. I never liked what the boozing did to Billy. It always seemed to make him meaner. And meaner was not something he ever needed to be.

Lucky Lou's was dark and the air was thick with the smoke of cigarettes. There was a large bar the length of the place and about eight tables that were all full. In the back of the tavern were two pool tables and a dartboard. Lewis motioned for us to sit with him at the last few open spots the end of the bar.

"The place is packed," he said. "Probably the only bar in town."

"What is that noise?" said Carol. "Geez, it sounds like a cat in heat."

"I believe it's music of the country and western genre," said Lewis.

"Well, save my virgin ears," she said covering them with her hands.

"You don't like this music?" I asked.

"Music? Is that what you call it?" she said.

"I don't mind it myself," I said.

"Look, a table just opened up. Let's grab it," said Lewis.

The three of us walked over to the empty table and sat down.

"Remind me again what I'm doing here?" said Carol. "Oh, right, I really want a beer."

"And to get us something to eat," I said.

"Can we make it quick? This place gives me the creeps," she said.

"You mean you don't want to experience the culture of rural Georgia?" Lewis asked.

"I think I can say without hesitation, absolutely not."

"How about you, Alice?" asked Lewis.

"This place isn't that much different from the ones old Billy would take me to every once in a while."

"Who's Billy?" asked Lewis.

"Oh, just a guy I used to know," I said. I had made a big mistake mentioning Billy by name but the question came out when I wasn't giving it too much thought.

"Don't you think it's strange that nobody has come by to ask us what we want?" said Carol.

“You know, the more I look around this place, the more creepy it seems,” said Lewis.

Carol said, “Maybe we should find someplace else to get some grub.”

Before any of us could get up from our seats, a big man, with long, greasy hair and a full beard, came over to our table. He was wearing a white t-shirt that didn’t quite cover his stomach and faded blue jeans.

“You folks are not from around here,” he said.

“We’re just passing through. Wanted to get a bite to eat. That’s all.” Lewis looked kind of nervous.

“We don’t take kindly to strangers,” the big man said.

“Actually, we were just about to leave,” said Lewis.

“Not so fast,” said the big man. “A couple of the boys over there were wondering what a man the likes of you is doing with two women.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked Carol.

“I mean what is this weird looking fella doing with you two pretty young things.”

“I think it’s time for us to go,” said Lewis.

“You all ain’t going nowhere until I get an answer.”

I could see the situation was getting squirrelly and I felt the need to do something before somebody got hurt. The big man didn’t seem to look all that much different from most of the men my mama made the acquaintance of, so it didn’t bother me too much to speak up to him.

“Now look here,” I said standing up. I got up real close to the big man in order to tell him a thing or two. “I don’t like the way you’ve been talking to my friends. We ain’t done nothing to you and your buddies. If you don’t like the fact of us being here we’ll be sure to go. We don’t want no trouble. We just came in here to get us some food. Since you seem to have a problem with that, we’ll be going.”

The big man stood there for a few seconds with his jaw dropped and eyes wide, surprised that a woman of my slight stature would have the gumption to stand up to him. A few months prior, I might not have had the nerve, but since I accidentally killed Billy, nothing seemed that scary anymore.

While the big man was still in his shocked state, I told Lewis and Carol we best get moving and fast. The three of us hightailed it out of Lucky Lou’s and just made it to the car by the skin of our teeth. As soon as we took off, I could hear the big man yelling “Get them” in the distance and what looked like an angry mob ran half way down that street after us.

Lewis drove out of town as fast as he could. When we were a safe distance away, Carol started laughing real hard. “I can’t believe what you said to that fat freak, Ally. You’re one tough cookie.”

“I never thought you’d be the one to protect me,” said Lewis. "O coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!"

"Cowards die many times before their deaths," said Carol.

"Do you really think that guy would have hurt us?" said Lewis.

“That man was nothing but talk,” I said. Of course, that’s what I told them, but there was still a nagging side of me that thought he could have beat us pretty bad if he had the mind to.

“I certainly think we need to show a little more discernment in where we choose to stop next time,” said Lewis.

“New rule. If they’re playing music that sounds like a cat in heat, we don’t stay,” said Carol.

“I vote for chain restaurants only,” said Lewis. “I’m sure there are enough McDonald’s and Pizza Huts on the way to California that we won't go hungry.”

“But don’t you want to experience the local culture as we make our way through the heartland of America?” said Carol.

“Not if the local culture includes getting assaulted by a big scary guy named Bubba,” said Lewis.

“How’d you know his name was Bubba?” I asked.

“It’s just an expression,” said Carol. “It’s what you call guys like the fat freak.”

I guess I sure did know a lot of men named Bubba in my lifetime.

That night, we ate at a Pizza Hut. Lewis and Carol felt it was a safe choice. I was so hungry by the time we got there I could have eaten a cow while it was still mooing. We stayed at a motel called The Deluxe Motor Inn. With a name that fancy, you would have thought it would have been a lot nicer than it was. Lewis said it would be best if the women shared a room and he stayed in a single. He said that way it wouldn't give anyone cause to talk and no one would give us any trouble. I didn't much mind one way or the other but Carol said, "Fuck them, I don't care what anyone else thinks." She seemed to warm up to the idea when Lewis said he'd pay for both of the rooms.

Before we went to sleep that night, Carol got to talking. Let me tell you, once she started flapping those jaws of hers, it was hard to get her to stop. "So, Ally what do you think of Lewis?"

"He seems to be a right decent fellow if you ask me."

"And he sure is a hottie, don't you think?"

"I suppose he is. Although he did tell me that I should think of him like a brother."

"Why did he say that?"

"It was that first night we stopped and the two of us had to sleep in a room together."

"Did you jump his bones?"

"Oh, no." I had a notion at what Carol was getting at and was a little embarrassed at the question.

"I would have if I had the chance."

"You would have jumped on his bones?"

"Not on his bones. Oh, you know what I mean. Get busy. Shag. Swap body fluids. The two of you in a hotel room by yourselves. What did you do for fun?"

"We were tired. We went to sleep."

"That's it? You went to sleep?"

"Well, he showed me one of his magic tricks. I told you Lewis said I should think of him like a brother."

"What a drag."

"He seems like a really nice guy."

"In my experience it's the nice ones that really know how to make a girl scream."

When Carol said that, I was rightly confused. She was saying it was a good thing for a man to make you scream but I knew what it felt like to get beaten up pretty bad and screaming usually made it worse.

"Well, if you don't want Lewis. I'm going after him."

I said, "Okay" but I wasn’t sure if I meant it.

"Then it's settled. Maybe tomorrow night, you can have the single."