“Usually I don’t have an opinion, and we do what you want,” Jack said.
“Fair enough.” Ben smiled. “But isn’t it just better that way?”
“Maybe sometimes,” laughed Jack. “But this thing is cool. It’s like something from the movies.”
The door swung open and Jack sat up.
“What’s cool?” Stephen asked as he walked in. “Nothing up here, that’s for sure. It’s like an oven. I thought you said your dad made air-conditioning or something.”
Jack laughed and Ben replied — “You can forget about that. His dad won’t run the AC until the carpet melts.”
“True story,” added Jack.
Stephen laid down on the floor directly below the fan — “Ahhh, that’s the stuff. I feel like a million bucks now. So what’s going on?” He kicked the door most of the way shut again.
“Well, we still got sandwiches in our packs, Ben might have to leave, and you smell of ass,” said Jack.
“And the fan’s doing a great job of pushing around that fabulous smell,” said Ben.
Stephen propped himself up on his elbows and looked at Ben — “Where do you have to go?”
“I don’t know yet. I’m supposed to call my mom,” said Ben. “But I bet it has something to do with my dad.”
“Well I’ve got two more weeks until I have to be anywhere,” said Stephen. “What are you doing in August, Jack?”
“I’m supposed to see my grandparents,” said Jack. “They sent me a letter, but I haven’t answered it yet.”
“Yuck,” said Stephen.
“They’re actually pretty cool,” said Jack. “I’d just rather be in Maine than Massachusetts in August.”
“Hey, you can come visit me!” said Stephen.
“Wait, I thought you lived in New York City?” Jack asked.
“No way. I live in Boston,” Stephen replied.
“Didn’t you say you were from the ‘Big Apple’? That’s New York,” Jack stated.
“What? No way,” said Stephen. “I think it just means any city. You know, the ‘Big Apple’ like it’s a big place.”
“God, you’re such a retard,” Ben chimed in. “It’s New York.”
“Well what’s Boston then?” asked Stephen. “Are you sure you hicks know what you’re talking about?”
“Ummm, I think Boston is like ‘Bean Town’ or something,” said Jack.
“Bean town? That’s stupid,” said Stephen. “Jesus, who’s the retard now?”
“Hmmm, let me check.” Ben mimed typing on the computer. “Yup, still you.”
“Well that’s good to know,” said Stephen. They all laughed.
A light tap on the door quieted them. Jack’s mom pushed the door open. “You forgot your lunch,” she said. She entered with their bags in one hand and juice-boxes in the other. She set them on the floor next to Stephen.
“Thanks mom,” said Jack.
“Yeah, thanks Ms. Randolph,” said Stephen.
“After you eat, there’s a craft-fair down at the middle school,” she said. “You could show your friends around your old school, Jack.”
“Aw mom,” Jack moaned. “A craft fair?”
“Relax. Just a suggestion,” she said. “I’ll leave you to your important activities.” She backed out of the room and shut the door.
Stephen whispered to Jack — “How come your mom doesn’t work? What’s she doing here all the time?”
“She and my dad own the HVAC business,” said Jack. “She does all the office stuff, accounting, and all that stuff. So, she works here.”
“That must be a drag — always having her around,” said Stephen.
“Nah, it’s cool,” said Jack.
“I like your mom,” said Ben. “She’s nice.”
“Yeah, I guess,” said Jack.
“Well she’s better than that new girl my dad is seeing,” said Ben.
“What happened to Broyhill?” asked Stephen. “My god, she had big tits,” he added.
“That’s old news,” said Ben. “She’s been gone for a while. You know, now that I think of it, you two guys are the only guys I know whose parents are still together.” Ben said to Jack.
“Amazing, isn’t it?” said Jack.
“So if you don’t have to go, are you going to come back to the place with us?” Stephen asked Ben.
“You mean the hotel?” asked Ben in a loud tone.
Stephen looked away from Ben and rolled his eyes at how Ben was trying to sabotage their secret. He raised his hands and shoulders in question and looked at Jack.
“Douche-ism,” said Jack. “It is catching.”
“That explains it,” said Stephen.
“I don’t know,” said Ben. “I guess I’ll go back with you guys. But I have to call my mom first.”
“Well get to it, son,” said Stephen.
Ben rummaged around in his backpack and got out his cell phone.
“That won't work around here,” said Jack.
“Yeah, I know, but I don't have everyone's number memorized,” said Ben. He searched through his contacts as he left to go use the phone in the guest room.
Stephen picked up his own pack and handed the third over to Jack. They found their sandwiches and began eating. Stephen opened a juice box and tossed another one over next to Jack.
“I hope he doesn’t have to go,” said Jack.
“Well, either way,” said Stephen.
“Oh man, how can you say that?” asked Jack. “Ben’s the best.”
“He’s normally the best,” said Stephen. “About this, he’s only fair.” Stephen tilted his hand back and forth.
“I think he’ll come around,” said Jack.
“Hey — what’s this thing?” Stephen had picked up a cuttlefish bone from the shelf. Jack began to explain it’s origin. A few words in and Ben came back in the room.
“What happened?” asked Jack.
“No answer,” said Ben. “Can’t get my brother either. I left a voicemail for my dad though.”
“Sounds like we’re on for this afternoon,” Stephen said through a mouthful of ham and cheese.
“If so, we have to get around Smoker,” said Jack.
“We ought to stay off the path completely,” said Ben. He grabbed his bag and pulled out his sandwich.
“We should check the fishing line,” said Jack. They sat in the woods near the edge of the hotel’s clearing. It took a lot of effort and time to reach the hotel and stay away from the normal path.
“Go ahead,” said Stephen. “We’ll wait.”
“Okay.”
Jack crept off to their left and, keeping his head down, made his way up the gully. From the corner of the building, Jack began down the old path and then bent over to look at the ground. A second later he stood up and flashed an “Okay” sign to Ben and Stephen.
Ben grabbed the ladder and Stephen helped him lift it into position. They got it against the side of the porch and then heard a distant ringing. Ben dropped his end of the ladder and pulled out his phone.
“Huh,” said Jack, surprised the phone worked.
“Hey Dad,” said Ben, trying to sound normal. He listened for several moments. “She said that we have to…” he continued. “I just thought…” Throughout the call, Ben never finished a sentence. “What about…” Finally, Ben said “Ok, thanks,” and hung up.
“Was that your dad?” asked Stephen.
“Who else?” asked Ben. “He doesn’t know what my mom’s up to, but he thinks it’s no good.”
“How’s his trial going?”
“Good, I guess.”
“But you’re not going to see him?” asked Jack.
“Nope — I guess not. Must be something my mom wants me to do then,” he said.
“I hope you’re here on Thursday,” said Jack. “That’s when we’re supposed to get the new envelope.”
“Oh yeah,” said Stephen. “We’re going to have to think of a way to watch the place all day.”