Ready to Fall by Marcella Pixley

Author:Marcella Pixley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

LADY J. AND THE AGE OF AQUARIUS

At home that night we eat frozen pizza on paper plates. We try to make conversation, but as usual we are too numb to be amusing. The tumor loves frozen pizza. He has enough enthusiasm for all of us. Whenever I take a bite he yodels like a cowboy, kicks his spurs against my eyelids, and shoots bullets into my brain with silver pistols. Yippee ti yi yay, screeches the tumor in a voice so shrill it breaks several windows in my hippocampus. I rub my left eyeball. I can feel him in there flexing his muscles.

There is a knock on the front door.

Dad and Grandma and I look at one another.

“Are you expecting someone?” says Dad.

“Who would I be expecting?” I say.

“Why don’t you get the door,” says Dad.

“Because it’s probably Lydie with another batch of cardboard cookies.”

“Ha,” says Dad. “I don’t think so.”

Someone knocks again. This time louder.

“What should I say if it’s for you?” says Dad.

“Say I’m not home.”

“Okay,” says Dad. “It’s a plan.”

Dad walks into the front hallway. He opens the door wide.

It’s Fish and The Monk and Ravi.

They’re all wearing strange winter hats. The Monk has a red-and-white-striped top hat. Ravi is wearing a squid, his red fro spilling out the sides. Fish has a furry white hood with ears. She spots me in the kitchen and waves to me.

“Hi Max,” calls Fish. “Want to come out with us?”

“He can’t,” says Dad, smiling. “He’s actually not here. That guy at the table over there is an apparition. A hologram. Weird, I know. But true.”

“I’m here,” I moan. I get up from the table and head into the front hall.

“I stand corrected,” says Dad. “He is here, it turns out.”

Dad invites them in and they tumble into the house with their hats and scarves. The Monk shakes Dad’s hand. “I’m David Moniker,” he says. “This pretty polar bear here is Felicia Santacroce.”

“We’ve met,” says Dad, smiling at Fish.

The Monk continues on blithely. “Well, you haven’t met this funky guy over here with the squid hat. He is the one and only Ravi Gunderman. We’re all in Hamlet with Max. We’re headed out for some pizza and we wanted to know if he was up for joining us.”

“Pizza?” says Dad. “What a fabulous idea. It just so happens that Max loves pizza. Ms. Santacroce, it’s so nice to see you again. Mr. Gunderman, nice to meet you. Go get your jacket, Max. These fine people want to feed you.”

“I’ve already had pizza tonight,” I say.

“It had freezer burn,” says Dad, “so it doesn’t count.”

“But it’s a school night,” I say.

“Live a little,” says Dad. “And bring back a house salad and some spaghetti and meatballs for Grandma.”

“Ooh,” says Grandma, rubbing her hands, “good idea.”

Fish peers into the kitchen and waves. “Hi Grandma,” she says.

Grandma smiles and waves back.

“Go ahead, Max,” says Dad. “Go have fun with your friends.”

“Are you sure?”

Dad hands me a twenty-dollar bill and his red plaid lumberjack jacket. “I’m sure,” he says.

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