Kiss Me Hard Before You Go (7 page)

The sound of a lone beating drum started the parade, and a short single file line of carnies traveled down Main Street, waving at the onlookers. Two carnies, wearing t-shirts and jeans, held onto a large white banner with the words “Kip Kierkin’s Carnival of Wonder” painted in red script. Kip personally added the “of wonder” part thinking it’d lure the townies into his carnival. A cigarette dangled from one of the carnie’s lips; the smoke funneled up, tickling his pruned face while he held onto the homemade banner.

Just behind the carnies who held the banner was Kip. He waved and gave a tight smile to the crowd, his thin slicked back hair even more greased down with Vitalis for the occasion. He chose to wear a plaid button-down shirt, and a pack of Menthol’s poked out from his shirt pocket. The older carnies trekked closely behind him. Some of them waved and even forced a smile, while others talked amongst themselves, ignoring the on-lookers who had stopped what they were doing to see the spectacle. It was like a bad traffic accident; you knew you shouldn’t stop to gawk but you just couldn’t help yourself.

The thumping of the drum filled the air. An older woman in a dull red satin unitard twirled a baton as she half-skipped to the sound of the beating drum. Her nylon stockings were two shades too dark. A tall, thin man named Dmitri wore blue striped pants and a long mauve velour jacket. He juggled bowling pins as he walked in small steps, amazing the younger audience with his ability to catch the pins while in constant motion. Doris fanned herself with a hand painted Japanese fan, her talcum powder applied even more liberally to her cherub face. She chose a brighter red lipstick to apply to her full lips.

Dressed in a sleeveless black unitard and exposing all of the rainbow of colors on his body, Friedrich flexed his muscles and smiled at the crowd, his long handlebar mustache curled up as he grinned. He loved the attention he received from the shocked faces who couldn’t stop staring at his vibrant array of tattoos. The crowd oohed and aahed, pointing at the various designs that covered his entire body. Mouse threw a colorful bouquet of confetti up in the air, and Finch tossed candy to children who watched with gaping mouths and twitching palms, hoping to get their tiny hands on a piece of the sweet stuff.

Finch hated throwing candy at people. He said it was like tossing fish to seals. And he couldn’t believe how excited everyone got over a few stupid Tootsie Rolls and Bazooka gum. “You can buy Tootsie Rolls anywhere, and they look like pieces of dog shit,” he’d complain. He was more of a Sugar Daddy guy.

He strutted down Main Street, wearing jeans that were ripped at the knees, pieces of thread dangled carelessly and a Kiss t-shirt that he had obviously cut the sleeves off of (his doing on a hot summer’s day). Everyone in the carnival poked fun of him for his love of the band. The older carnies couldn’t get past the costumes and make-up, which was ironic in his opinion, since they were all putting on “a show” for people.

The parade came and went, and the crowds started to disperse. Show time would start in a matter of hours. Finch caught up to Doris, Mouse, and Friedrich, who waited in front of The Diner. Haines wasn’t known for having businesses with imaginative names. If anyone scanned Main Street, they’d notice that that the beauty salon was aptly named, “The Salon,” and that other businesses, like the hardware store and grocery store, were named Bob’s Hardware and Lindy’s Grocery.

“Hey, Honey Lamb,” Doris said to Finch.

He shook the sweat out of his long dark hair and brushed the longer bangs away from his eyes.

“I can’t find Stoney,” he said, still scouring the area. He squinted his round dark eyes, as the sun beamed down on him.

“You know him. He probably forgot he was supposed to give us a lift back,” Doris said, laughing. “He’ll figure it out soon enough.”

Mouse checked his pocket watch and then peered up at them. “We got a couple of hours till we have to get back anyhow.”

“‘Sides, we’re hungry, and this place sure does smell good.” She inhaled. “You smell that bacon and maple syrup?”

Before Finch could answer, Evie passed by them as she came from inside of The Diner. She chose to spend her time there drinking an ice cold Coke instead of standing out in the stifling heat watching a dull parade. She carried her crumpled brown paper bag in her hand. Her brown leather purse strap kept falling off of her bony shoulder. She jerked her shoulder upright as her opposite hand pushed the strap back on it. She smiled at them, well, everyone except Finch, and said a quick “hello”—the kind that told them she was in a hurry and didn’t have time to stop and chat.

“Hey, hon,” Doris said as she passed by, and then smiled at Finch, who rolled his eyes at Doris and looked in the opposite direction.

Evie opened the truck door and set the bag down next to her. She put the key in the ignition and turned. The engine choked. She turned it again, but the truck wouldn’t start. She pounded her fists against the cracked dashboard, rattling the oscillating fan that Gray had installed the previous summer. She knew the truck sounded different when she started it up earlier that morning and reproached herself for driving it anyway.

She opened her door and jumped out of the truck, heading toward the hood. She lifted it and took a look underneath, not knowing exactly what she was even looking for. It was a maze of hose and wires.

“Your truck not cooperating?” Doris shouted, and Evie glanced in her direction.

She shook her head and yelled, “Damn thing died on me again!”

Doris ambled over to her, with Boris and Mouse in tow.

“We can give you a lift if you’d like,” Doris said. “Might be a while though. Our ride has gone off and forgotten about us.”

Evie’s lips curled up into an appreciative smile. “That’s real nice of you, but I’m sure if I wait around a little while it’ll work again.” She fumbled with some nuts and bolts, unaware of what she was touching.

“Your truck must be female,” Friedrich joked. “On her own time.”

Doris elbowed him playfully and then looked in Finch’s direction. “Finch!” she hollered.

He sighed.

She motioned with her hands. “Come on over here and help!”

“That’s okay,” Evie said. “I can manage.”

“Nonsense.” Doris waved her off. “If it’s broke, he can fix it,” she said. “Trust me.”

Finch strutted to Evie. Without saying a word, he moved to the hood and stood side-by-side with her. He looked at her, and Evie stared into his deep dark eyes, thinking that they were almost like black holes. The pupils disappeared into them.

He gestured with his hands for her to move, and she stood off to the side, watching him as he fiddled with the objects that were so foreign to her. She noticed a pinkish scar on his muscular upper arm. “Can you get inside and start her up?” he asked, breaking Evie from her stare.
Did he notice me gawking
, she wondered? He had, and he looked annoyed. With her. 

He drummed his fingers against the grill of the truck impatiently.

She moved to her front seat and started up the truck. The engine clicked again but there was no reaction inside the compartment.

“You can stop now!” he shouted.

She got out of the car and waited for him to tell her what was the matter.

“You need a new battery, that’s all,” he said it with exasperation, like it should have been obvious to her, and she was the dumbest person on the planet.

“So I just need to find someone with some jumper cables?” she asked him, ignoring his petulance.

“It won’t do you any good. That thing is shot.” He pointed to the battery. “And how will you start it once you’re home? It’ll just die on you again.”

Evie scrunched her face, and bit on her lip, thinking. “Okay,” she said.

“What are you gonna do, Honey Lamb?” Doris asked.

“I’m guess I’m going to Mike’s Garage. He’ll have a battery,” she said. She didn’t know how she was supposed to pay for a brand new battery. Her wallet was empty, and hopefully Mike would have the time to put the battery in her truck. “Thanks,” she finally said to Finch.

He shrugged indifference and shut the hood. He headed toward the front door of The Diner.

“Thank you,” Evie said to Doris.

“Didn’t do anything, Honey Lamb, but you’re welcome.” She flickered a wide grin. “We’ll walk with you to the garage and make sure you’re taken care of.”

“That’s okay. I’ll be fine,” Evie said.

“Nonsense.” Doris brushed her off and turned to face Finch. “You coming?”

“I’m hungry. Like she said, she’ll be fine,” he answered in a clipped tone.

She muttered something under her breath, giving him a dirty look.

Doris moved closer to him. “You should come.”

He shrugged again. “She’s a grown girl. She can take care of herself,” he said. “Besides, I’m hungry.”

Doris slapped him on the arm.

“Ow,” he grimaced. “What the hell was that for?”

“You know what it’s for. A gentleman doesn’t leave a girl stranded.”

“I’m not a gentleman, and she’s not stranded. Look.” He pointed to Main Street. “She’s in the middle of town, a town she’s lived in her entire life, and I’d be willing to bet half these townies would give her a lift if she needed it. No need for you all to walk with her. I’m sure she can figure this out on her own.” He opened the door and stepped inside.

She shook her head in disgust and walked toward Evie, Friedrich and Mouse. “Let’s go see about this battery,” she said with a plastered grin.

“Really, I’m fine,” Evie said. “You can go eat with him,” she said, enunciating “him” with a undertone of anger.

“He’s fine by himself,” Doris said. “‘Sides, if he doesn’t change his ways he’s going to spend the rest of his life that way so he might as well get used to it.”

They made their way down Main Street. Evie couldn’t help but notice anyone nearby would stop to gawk, point, and whisper as they passed. “I’m sorry,” she said to Doris.

“Ain’t nothing we hadn’t dealt with before.” Doris brushed it off. “That’s how we make our money, Honey Lamb – by being different.”

Mike’s Garage was the only auto shop in Haines. Mike, who was the owner, was a good friend of Gray’s. Mike’s father started the business many years before, and Mike inherited it when he retired. He didn’t suffer for business. Being the only auto mechanic within miles helped matters, but most people trusted him and wouldn’t dare go anywhere else.

They entered the garage. Mike lay underneath a raised yellow 1975 Pacer. Evie could see some of his faded gray striped uniform pants and his black work shoes peeking out.

“Mike,” Evie shouted over the 1950s doo-wop music that played on the radio. The volume was set high, and Mike sang along ineptly.

He rolled out from underneath the car and looked up at her. “Hey, Evie.” He smiled at her and then made a strange face at Doris, Mouse, and Friedrich. He slowly hoisted himself up, moaning as he did so. “Hey there,” he said to them with uncertainty.

“Mike, this is Doris, Mouse, and Friedrich. They work for the carnival,” she explained.

His head tilted to the side, studying the ink colored designs covering Friedrich’s body.

“I need a new battery for Daddy’s truck,” she said.

He brought his gaze back to her. “I won’t be able to put it in for a few hours. Gotta finish up on this here Pacer. I’m on a deadline,” he said. “Told your daddy he’d need a new one last time I jumped it for him.”

“How much is the battery going to cost?” she asked.

“Fifteen dollars.”

She inhaled a sharp breath. “I can’t pay you today. Is that okay?”

“Yes, of course, Evie,” he said, and she felt relieved. “It’s not like I don’t know where you live.” He chuckled. “Your daddy can pay me sometime this week or next week, or the week after.” He laughed again.

Evie gave him an appreciative smile. “Y’all can go on. I’ll wait here until he can put the battery in,” she said to Doris, Mouse, and Friedrich.

“I used to help my papa tinker with his car. I can put the battery in,” Mouse spoke up.

“Are you sure?” Evie asked him.

“Positive.” He smiled assuredly.

She looked at Mike, who was still staring at Mouse, Doris and Friedrich in wonder. “Ain’t never seen so many tattoos,” he said almost apologetically.

Friedrich smiled proudly. “You can look at them.” He moved closer to him, allowing Mike to inspect them more closely.

Mike ogled at the plethora of colors covering Friedrich. “I get so busy in this shop, I never get to go up to your daddy’s farm when the carnival’s in town. It’s a shame too. Did it hurt?”

“Some more than others,” Friedrich said. “Doris says that beauty is a pain sometimes.”

Mike glanced one last time and then made his way to a metal shelf, pulling a battery off of it and carrying it with him to the cash register. “This’ll do it,” he said to Evie.

She reached to grab the battery from him, but Friedrich took it from her hands before she could pull it off of the counter.

“I insist,” he said to her.

“I can carry it,” she said.

“Allow me,” he said.

“Oh just let him, Honey Lamb,” Doris said and then whispered loudly. “He’s from the old country.”

Evie didn’t argue and allowed Friedrich to continue holding it. “Thanks again, Mike. I’ll tell Daddy to pay you as soon as possible.”

“Ain’t no problem at all,” he said. “Bye, y’all.” He waved and headed back to the Pacer.

***

Mouse stood on top of Evie’s truck bumper, peering into the engine. His forehead was crinkled, and he wiped sweat off of his brow. His long sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He took off his fedora; his thinning hair was wet against his freckled scalp.

He used a crescent wrench from the toolbox in Evie’s truck to disconnect the battery terminal, turning slightly. Suddenly he yelped, and flew backwards, falling to the ground.