Rodney taxed the limits of his imagination as he stared out the screen door and watched Belly's lone testicle sway as he followed Jane down the path.
"I wish I could get out of this dump,” Rodney muttered, dropping into the kitchen chair.
"What a benevolent fellow you are, Rodney. And so eloquent. I'll bet you went to Harvard,” Theo said.
"Where?"
"I'm sure everyone in this room would like to see you leave this dump. I hope you don't mind my quoting your ingenious use of the English language. If there truly is a Higher Power, and I'm beginning to doubt there is, maybe he'll accommodate us by granting your wish.” Theo tipped his head, staring at Rodney.
Rodney opened his mouth and then closed it. A confused expression pinched his features. “You better speak English so I can understand you."
"That was perfectly clear to me,” Sadie said.
Lora buried her lips in her son's hair, the corners of her mouth moving upward.
Rodney turned his chair so his back was against the table. He looked at Sadie. “Well? What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to bore us again?"
Theo tugged on Rodney's chair attempting to turn it around. Gritting his jaw as he grasped the wood, he said, “You are such a twit."
Rodney grabbed the edge of the table to thwart Theo's effort. He grasped Theo's hand and squeezed it. “Twit?” When Theo let go of his chair, Rodney repeated, “Twit? I'm insulted. Couldn't you come up with a better word?"
Rodney butted his chair against Theo's chair. Dropping back into the chair, he pushed hard against Theo's black-suited shoulder. “Now I suppose you're going to call your mommy so she can come and beat me up."
Without flinching at the intrusion of Rodney's nose three inches from his face, Theo said, “I wouldn't think of exposing my mother to the dregs of society."
"I don't blame you,” Rodney said. “She might ruin my reputation."
Theo looked at Rodney over the top of his glasses. “I'm sure she'd be quite distraught to hear that even though it made no sense whatsoever."
"Twits and dregs. I suppose you think that's a good description of my family."
"I have no doubt of its accuracy."
Sadie tried to interrupt the verbal volley by stepping toward Rodney.
"My parents are great people,” Rodney shouted, startling the others at the table. “My old man was the boss of our family and we listened to what he said."
"Surprise, surprise,” Theo said. “And I bet your mother's a quiet little church mouse who caters to his every need."
"Absolutely not. She's a large woman with great big tits and can open beer bottles with her teeth."
Theo spread his palms and scanned the others at the table. “Need I say more?"
"Are you criticizing my parents?"
"No. I don't need to. The image of your family portrait is repulsive enough."
"You worthless pig.” Rodney grabbed the briefcase handle and snatched the case from Theo's lap.
Theo's large hand clasped down on Rodney's fist before Rodney had a chance to flee. Holding the thief's gaze, Theo whispered, “Do you remember what happened the last time you took my briefcase?"
Rodney stared back and slowly let go of the handle. “You're a bunch of losers. Every one of you.” Punching his fist into the back of the chair, he stormed into the inner room and slammed the door. “I'll get even with you if it's the last thing I do."
Theo returned to his chair and placed the briefcase between his leg and the chair. He straightened his suit coat and smoothed his hand over his pants.
"I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't rile Rodney anymore.” Sadie nervously picked at her hair.
"Madam. You are mistaken. It wasn't me who started that altercation."
"You're right,” Sadie said. “Now that we've got some quiet, let's begin."
Michael came out from behind his mother and looked at her for reassurance. Lora took him in her arms and hugged him. “It's okay now. Rodney's in the inner room."
Theo, Lora, and Michael eagerly edged closer to the table. When Tim first joined the evening session, he had occupied the chair farthest from the table. He remained in the same chair, showing little enthusiasm.
When the crossers began to discuss their day's experiences, Sadie noticed a change in Tim. It was unusual for a crosser to experience a high level of fatigue before the second half of their thirty days. Why hadn't she noticed the change sooner?
"Tim? Did you make any progress finding someone on the brink?"
Tim looked at his lap. “No."
"I can't hear you, Tim. Can you speak louder so the group can hear you?"
Michael pushed a spoon along the table's surface with his index finger. “He played with Aanders all day at the nursing home.” Michael hid his face against his mother's shoulder and peeked out at Sadie.
"Is that true, Tim?” Sadie's glare sparked disapproval.
Tim looked up at Lora and Michael and then down at his feet.
"Michael knows better than to tattle on his friends, but because this is important, I think it's okay.” Lora looked at Tim and then back at Sadie. “The boys haven't been working on Tim's declaration."
"Tim. You've got to concentrate on your decision,” Sadie said.
"I already made it. I'm going back through the light to see Mom and Dad."
"Then you need to find someone on the brink. If you don't, you'll never find them again. But first, you need to determine why you were held back."
"I already know why,” Tim whispered.
"I doubt that,” Sadie said. “We haven't even discussed it yet."
"Aanders spent the day pushing him around in the wheelchair,” Michael said. “They thought it was funny because everyone asked why he was pushing an empty chair."
"I'm disappointed, Tim.” Sadie raised his chin with her finger. “You know better than that. So does Aanders. We let him sit in on our round table sessions so he can learn the rules. If he's going to be a credible death coach, he needs to either help you find someone on the brink or let you finish your business."
Sadie realized her original concerns were coming true. She resented the fact she had been sent an immature death coach. Aanders was no more ready to take on the responsibility of recommending death alternatives than she was ready to relinquish the deed to the resort to that no-good Carl Swanson.
Aanders had no interest in learning. He was more interested in cramming a lifetime into the short span he had left with his friend. Reality would soon set in. The death-coach-in-training was too young to comprehend the gravity of this new responsibility. Tim's loss would set him back even further.
With tears welling, Tim said, “Aanders doesn't want me to leave."
Hearing Tim's outburst, Michael buried his face against his mother's arm.
"I know he doesn't. But he doesn't have a choice. Neither do you.” Sadie tugged at Tim's chair, pulling it closer to the table. “I'm concerned about how weak you're getting. You need to concentrate, and Aanders is going to have to understand."
"But I don't want to go. He's my best friend and he'll be alone when I leave.” Tears dripped onto Tim's lap.
Michael laid his cheek against the table as he listened. “No he won't. He'll make new friends. Every time we moved, I made new friends. Dad made us move lots of times.” Michael continued with excitement, “When we moved, I walked up to a kid and asked him if he wanted to be my friend. Then we played."
Lora pulled Michael back onto her lap and smoothed his hair. “You're a wiggle worm. You've got to sit still.” Turning toward Tim, Lora said, “Michael and I made our declaration. We've chosen to go back through the light to find Michael's father."
Michael pulled away from his mother's grasp. “No, Mom. I don't want to.” A look of terror overtook him as he tugged on her blouse. “I want to go to that other place. Please Mom? Can't we go there instead?"