Goodbye Earl(7)

She could almost taste the metal of Roy’s sweat now. She wanted to die thinking about him getting on top of her mama smelling like that. Kasey heard them sometimes—the rhythmic thunking of the bed frame against their shared wall.

“I’m taking the truck until tomorrow night, so you’ll have to get another way to school,” he said after he was done filling up his cup and taking some gulps.

“Yeah…okay.”

“Did you put gas in it?”

“Nope.”

“So, you expect me to fill it up?”

Kasey turned the stove burner off and looked Roy right in the eyes for the first time since he walked in. She glanced at his red neck. He’s literally a redneck, she’d say to the girls.

“If you want to use it? Yep,” Kasey said, popping the p out in an annoying way. She was sweating now, and the cool air coming in through the window made the hair stand up on her arms.

Or was it the nasty look on Roy’s face?

“Well, if you can’t fill the truck up with gas, then you ain’t eating no dinner tonight,” he said. He snatched the spaghetti noodles off the stove and poured them down the sink, flicked the garbage disposal switch. It rumbled so hard the glass in the cabinets rattled and shook. He threw the sauce and meatballs down there too, cussing and growling about how hot everything was.

Kasey’s adrenaline tingled and spiked, then her blood went cool. She refused to cry in front of him, so she went to her bedroom to let the tears out. She allowed herself one big scream into her pillow, then she threw a change of clothes in her backpack with her books, left, and slammed the screen door behind her. She walked through the grass until she reached the edge of their property. She heard Roy start the truck engine in the driveway and peel out as she made her way along the path beside the lake, back toward town.



She didn’t have to say a word when she showed up on Ada’s porch crying.

“I’m making lasagna” was all Ada said, holding the screen door open for her. “It’s even better than last time. Now I do a mix of Italian sausage and ground beef. Also, fennel. Did I tell you I started adding fennel?” Ada now stood with her hands on her hips in her kitchen, wearing a ruffly yellow apron. There was a fingerprint of tomato sauce on her cheek; Kasey took her thumb and gently wiped it off. “Oh, and you’re staying here tonight,” Ada commanded. Kasey nodded her okay.

“What can I do? How can I help?” Kasey asked.

“You’re just in time for the layers, girlfriend. Start grating that mozzarella,” Ada said, pointing. “Taylor, set the table for one more. Kase is spending the night.” Kasey took her backpack off, set it by the kitchen door, and washed her hands.

*



The Plum table had a vase of red tulips in the middle of it. Kasey helped Ada make a simple garden salad, and she entertained Ada while she made lemon bars for dessert too. Ada said she wanted to make lemon bars because lemon bars made everyone happy and Ada was one of those girls who really did want everyone to be happy. Ada was easily the sunshine of RACK, and Kasey tried her best not to be the gloom. Even in the dark times, Kasey fought to keep a light inside herself, and it was that light and hope that would give her the wings to leave the darkness behind someday—she knew it. She could feel a faint, pulsing power deep in her heart, burning, revving up.



Holly Plum sat at the table pouring wine into her glass, praising her girls for the beautiful spread.

“Above and beyond, as always. I sure did raise y’all right,” she said as her husband took his seat at the head of the table.

“Does this mean we can get a puppy?” Taylor asked as Kasey dug into her food. She’d been hungry when she started dinner at the farmhouse, before Roy showed up and ruined everything again. She was so hungry now her head was throbbing. She took two big bites of Ada’s lasagna.

“Are you going to ask for a puppy every day until we say yes?” Mr. Plum smiled at his daughter as he picked up his fork.

“Yes” was Taylor’s reply.

“Then my answer is…maybe,” he said, winking.

Ada’s parents started jokingly arguing about whether or not there’d be a new puppy in their house anytime soon, and Kasey loved being witness to normal domesticity. The Plums had two older twin boys who’d be home from their second year of college soon. She couldn’t help but be a bit jealous that Ada had such a big family and could make dinner in peace. That the Plums had homemade lemon bars and a long table in a fancy dining room. A chandelier that spilled little rainbows down the walls. Crystal doorknobs and tulips in a vase. Kasey daydreamed it was her daddy sitting where Mr. Plum was sitting. That it was her mama drinking wine from a fancy glass, laughing about getting a puppy.

And Roy? Oh, Roy was dead dead dead and Kasey could go spit on his grave.

“It’s so good, right? Best lasagna you’ve ever had?” Ada asked Kasey, snapping her out of the daydream. “Tell the truth. Don’t you dare lie, ’cause I’ll know if you’re lying.”

“Yes. It’s the best lasagna I’ve ever had in my entire life, Ada Plum.”

“Told you,” Ada said, scrunching up her nose.

*



After dinner, Kasey texted her mom to let her know she was staying at the Plums’. She didn’t bother telling her what Roy had done with the food. She’d see it for herself once she got home; Kasey left the kitchen a mess.