Too Far by Rich Shapero

Author:Rich Shapero [Shapero, Rich]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Fantasy, Young Adult
ISBN: 9780971880139
Publisher: Rich Shapero
Published: 2009-12-31T13:00:00+00:00

8

The rest of that day, they spent in the Great Place, talking about the Cabin and the Hollow, and what it all meant. It was nearly time for dinner when Robbie got home.

Mom was in the kitchen.

"I'm back," he shouted, on his way to the bookcase. He pulled books out and thumbed the pages till he found what he wanted. Then, as he examined the photos, he stepped toward the kitchen.

Mom was fixing dinner as usual, but she looked strange. She was wearing a shiny blouse, and a necklace with a metal thing dangling in front. Her pants were so tight, you could see the shape of her legs. And she had makeup on—lipstick the color of Jim's plastic car, and stuff around her eyes that made them look hard and dark.

"Mom?" Robbie showed her the page.

She eyed him suspiciously. "That's a moose."

"Yep."

"Well? What?" She took soup bowls from the cupboard.

"Have you ever seen one without legs or a body?"

"A trophy, you mean?" She laughed.

"What's that?"

"People kill moose—"

"Do they burn them?" He regarded her uncertainly.

"Mostly they shoot them. Put your book down and take these to the table."

"Shoot them?"

"With rifles. Robbie—"

He was studying the photo. "Some of them catch on fire."

"Put the book down, wash your hands, and help me set the table." She smiled to herself and began dishing food onto platters.

Robbie nodded and did as he was told. But he didn't like the way Mom looked, and he didn't think Dad would either.

At the sound of his car in the drive, Mom hurried to the door, and when it opened, she hugged him and gave him laughing looks. Dad took in her costume and laughed back, but he was tired and Robbie saw the indifference in his eyes.

"I remember that pendant," Dad told her, being polite.

Mom hurried to finish putting food on the table, shouting directions to Robbie and apologizing to Dad. Robbie glanced at him. Dad shrugged. Neither could make any sense of it.

Mom saved the strangest thing for last. When they sat down, she struck a match and lit the two candles on the table.

Then she drew the curtains and turned off the lights.

There was a long silence.

"I can't see my food," Robbie said finally.

Dad laughed.

Mom's lips widened. In the dim light, her face was like a mask—etched with emotion, but frozen. Robbie couldn't tell if she was smiling or not.

"It's romantic," she said lowly.

"I think it's stupid." Robbie glanced at Dad.

"A nice idea," Dad said with a conciliatory nod.

"Please—" Mom sighed.

"Really, I mean it."

"You see?" Mom turned her mask toward Robbie. In the flicker, the painted lips grinned, clown-like. They twisted, vengeful, almost malevolent.

"Felicia—" Dad's voice had a sharp edge.

Mom was still staring at Robbie. "Go to your room."

"He didn't mean anything," Dad said, bristling.

Robbie felt a chill settle over the table, and he was suddenly fearful. Why couldn't he keep quiet?

Mom rose slowly. She stood for a moment, her head lost in darkness. Then she clasped one of the candles and flung it at Dad.

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