Kiss Me Hard Before You Go (31 page)

Finch thought of the few kids that were in the carnival, and how they naturally latched themselves onto Olga. She was a kind woman and had a natural affinity to children.

“Olga asked if she could hold him, and they allowed her while they paid the bill. She held him, and her face lit up. It always does when she is around children. She even got him to laugh with her funny faces,” he said with a chuckle and then frowned. “That’s when we met Mr. McDaniels. He knew the young couple, and they introduced us to him. He seemed like a nice man and was very interested in our work here at the carnival.”

“Humph,” Finch said, and Friedrich rested his elbow on the chest of drawers as he leaned against it.

“The couple told us we should have a child since Olga was good with their baby. Ryan was his name,” he said, scratching at his chin in recollection. “That’s when Olga started to cry. She couldn’t help it, and the young couple had no idea what they had said or done, but Olga couldn’t hold Ryan anymore. It was just too painful for her.” He wiped at his eyes. “She excused herself to the restroom, and I apologized for her and told them that she was tired. It was a poor excuse for a lie, and I know they knew the real reason,” he said.

“How does McDaniels come into this?” Finch asked.

Dmitri fidgeted and breathed heavily. “He approached me the next day after one of my shows. He was so persuasive and told me he could give us a baby, our very own baby, if I caused problems around here.”

“And you just did it without question?” Finch said with irritation.

“Have you ever wanted anything you couldn’t have? Have you ever loved someone so much that their wants go above yours? Olga wants a child more than anything, and I cannot give her one,” he said.

“I’ve never wanted to hurt others to give someone I love what they want,” Finch said to him with a tinge of disgust.

“You have not loved strongly then,” Dmitri said. “I would do anything to make Olga happy, and what he promised me would give her that.”

“Did you cause the fire?” Friedrich asked.

Dmitri sighed and finally answered. “Yes.”

Finch stood upright and got in Dmitri’s face. “You son of a bitch! That fire could’ve killed Mouse. You know he still coughs? His lungs will probably never be the same.”

Friedrich placed his hand on Finch’s shoulder. “Finch,” he warned, and Finch backed away from Dmitri, still breathing heavily.

“I know, and I’m sorry for that,” Dmitri said.

“Not sorry enough. You could’ve killed someone with that accident,” Finch spat. “That little boy had broken bones!”

“I know. I know,” Dmitri cried. “And I’m sorry. That’s why I told Mr. McDaniels I won’t do anything else. I won’t. I won’t. Believe me, I won’t,” he pleaded.

“Once Kip hears this, your days here are done,” Finch said.

“I know,” Dmitri said remorsefully. “I understand.”

“You disgust me,” Finch snapped. “Your idea of love is screwed up. If you loved your wife, you would’ve thought of how this will hurt her once she discovers that you’re a crook, a man who’ll hurt anyone to give her what she wants. Any decent woman wouldn’t love a man like that.”

“She’ll forgive me. She’ll understand,” Dmitri cried.

“We need to talk to Kip,” Friedrich said, pulling Dmitri off of the cot. He didn’t fight him and followed along with his head held low.

Chapter 30

Kip’s response surprised Finch. “We’ll keep this quiet and move on,” Kip said. “If we turn you in, word will spread that we’ve got people like you in our carnival, and no one will trust us.”

“What about the fact that he broke the law? That he could’ve killed that kid? That he started a fire that could’ve killed people? Doris, Mouse, and Friedrich were in that tent,” Finch said.

“I’ll make sure he doesn’t get a job anywhere else, but Finch, if we keep reminding people of what happened, no one is gonna want us here or in any other town. It’s best if we let him go quietly,” he said.

“It’s all about money with you, isn’t it?” Finch spat. “Aren’t other people’s lives worth anything or is money just too important to you?”

“They weren’t seriously injured, Finch,” he said. “I’m a business owner, and this is a business. If we don’t make money, you don’t get paid.”

“Fuck the pay! This isn’t justice,” Finch said, shaking his head. “It’s wrong, Kip. You know it’s wrong. He should pay for what he’s done.”

“This is the way life works, Finch. Take it or leave it; it’s what I’ve decided,” Kip said without a hint of remorse. He narrowed his eyes to Dmitri. “It’s best if you and Olga pack up and leave immediately.”

Dmitri nodded solemnly and scooted out of the room. Kip turned to his assistant, who was known to most people as Gar but his real name was Garrett. “Better follow him and make sure there ain’t no trouble.”

Gar nodded and exited the tent.

Finch breathed heavily.

“Young people always look at the world through rose-colored glasses. Life ain’t flowers and bunny rabbits, Finch.” He opened his business ledger and peered down it. He picked up a pencil and made a note. “If there’s nothing else you need, I have work to do, and so do you.”

Finch stormed out with Friedrich in tow. “That rotten, good for nothing, son of a bitch!” Fitch spat. “It’s not right, Friedrich.”

Friedrich sighed through his nose. “No, it’s not, but there is nothing we can do about it. Dmitri will have to live with the shame, and once Olga discovers what he’s done, she will not forgive him.”

“It’s still not right, and Kip’s just trying to save his own ass,” he said.

“Kip has always been this way. He thinks with his wallet, not his heart,” Friedrich said. He touched Finch on the shoulder, and Finch flinched. “You need to calm that awful temper of yours and think about the bigger problem at hand.”

“Evie,” he sighed when he said it. “McDaniels is intent on messing things up for her, and I don’t know why.”

Friedrich turned his head in all directions. “Look around,” he said. “This is beautiful land.”

***

Evie fed the last of the heifers and locked the fence. Miles nudged her, chewing on the tail end of her tattered t-shirt. She was wearing one of Gray’s old t-shirts and figured if anyone saw her, they’d remark how much of a resemblance the two had. Her in her overalls, trucker hat, and Gray’s
Moonpies Aren’t Edible
t-shirt.

She cupped her hand over her eyes and scanned the property. All this time she wanted nothing to do with the work, and now it was all she could think about. She was intent on saving her father’s land – land that was now in her delicate hands. She was glad that her parents had officially divorced some years back, because if they hadn’t, she’d be in a war with her mother over that land, and she knew without a shadow of a doubt her mother would sell it to the highest bidder.

She trekked the property, allowing the warm breeze from the west to run through her hair. She stared up at the sun, and the rays bounced off her face.

Katie was inside making lunch. Evie laughed at the irony – Katie becoming domesticated, a better version of what Evie had tried to be for her father. And Evie was thankful, having someone to cook and clean for once in her life was a gift—a small but welcome gift.

She had tried one final time to persuade Katie to get on that bus. It had come and gone, but she told her she could come up with the funds after the heifers were sold. Katie wouldn’t hear of it. “No way am I leaving, so just drop it!”

Evie took the hint and let the subject drop. She’d bring it up again when the timing was right, if it ever was. It seemed to Evie that there was never such a thing – right timing. After losing Gray, she learned that in life there was no such thing as proper timing. Shit happened, and you had to do the things you wanted before it was too late.

It was near afternoon. Evie rolled up her pant legs. She was a sight – covered in dirt and grime and smelling like the outdoors. Her daddy would be proud, seeing her working her tail off. She relished the thought and looked up into the blue sky. “See Daddy, you taught me right,” she whispered and then brought her gaze back to the property.

She wrinkled her brow and cupped her hand over her eyes, watching a trail of cars coming toward her driveway. Tripod barked incessantly at them. Evie ran in haste toward her house as two police cruisers and Nate McDaniels’ obscene truck, as Evie often referred to it, parked in a single file line, blocking her driveway.

Sheriff Ford and a deputy got out of their cars, followed by Nate and one of his workers. Evie often referred to his workers as TinMan goons, because they did anything he said without question – like they didn’t have a heart.

“Whatcha need Sheriff?” she asked.

“Evelyn, you need to shut that carnival down!” Nate interrupted, charging toward them. He inched his way between the two of them and leaned over Evie.

“I can’t shut them down,” she said. “And I wouldn’t if I could anyway.”

He pursed his lips. “They’re a danger to this community!”

Evie refrained from rolling her eyes, trying to appear as mature as she could. “It was an accident. Accidents happen,” she said.

“That boy is in the hospital, and I’ve spoken to his parents. They’re thinking of pressing charges,” he snapped. “You’d be smart if you closed it. No one in this town is going to step within a mile of this dangerous property.”

“My property isn’t dangerous, and why are you meddling when it’s not your business? Why don’t you go back home and concern yourself with your own problems,” she said, moving away from him and stepping onto the porch. “If that’s all you’re wanting, then I think it’s best y’all get off my land now. I’ve got work to do.” She folded her arms against her chest and raised an eyebrow in defiance. She felt her father’s strength coming through her and let out a soft satisfied smile.

“We’ll be back with the whole damn town, then you’ll see. You’ve got yourself a liability, Evelyn,” he said, refusing to budge. Sheriff Ford tapped him on the arm, but he jerked it away from him and remained where he was.

The front door opened, and Katie walked out and stepped onto the porch, making her way down the steps. Evie looked at her with surprise and said with a concerned tone, “Katie.” But Katie ignored her and kept on moving toward her father.

“This is private property,” Katie said to her dad. “Go on home to Mom and leave us alone.”

“Katie,” he breathed. “I’ve been looking all over for you.” Nate looked down at her, and she covered the bump in her stomach protectively. His mood shifted, and he furrowed his brows. “You’re coming with me.” He grabbed her by the arm. Katie fought him, trying to break herself free.

Evie dashed down the steps and ran toward them. “Get your hands off of her!” she shouted. Nate had a strong hold of Katie and tried dragging her with him.

“Sheriff!” Evie screamed. “He can’t do this! She’s an adult!”

“She’s my daughter, and I can make her come with me if I want,” Nate said as Katie shouted at him to let go of her.

Sheriff Ford moved their way and lay his hands on an irate Nate. “Sorry Nate, but Evie’s right. Katie’s eighteen and can come and go as she pleases. In the eyes of the law, she’s an adult.”

Nate looked down at his upset daughter and a look of realization filled him. The sheriff unlatched Nate’s grip on Katie. She rubbed the red sore spot with her other hand and took a step back from him. She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head at her father. Tears fell from her eyes.

“She’s an adult, Nate. She can choose to live here if she wants,” Sheriff Ford said delicately. “You can’t make her go with you.”

Nate fixed his gaze on Katie’s. “You’re not coming with me?”

“No,” Katie said. “I’m protecting me and my child. From
you
.”

He clenched his hand into a fist and brought it to his forehead and frowned. “Your mother,” he said. It was his one last defense, and Katie could sense the manipulation behind it.

“If she wants to see me, she’s welcome here, but I’m not leaving,” she said and latched onto Evie’s free hand. “I’m staying right here where I belong. Go on home and don’t look back because I’m not coming home, you hear?”

“And she can stay here for as long as she wants,” Evie added. They stood side-by-side and locked their arms, squeezing each other’s hands.

“Thank you, friend,” Katie whispered to Evie.

“That carnival is done!” Nate shouted. “You’ll see. This town isn’t so forgiving.” He took one last look at Katie before he hopped into his truck and backed out of the driveway.

“He’s right about that carnival, Evie. It’s best if those folks packed up their bags and never came back here,” Sheriff Ford said.

“They didn’t do anything,” Evie defended. “They’re not to blame!”

The sheriff gave her a skeptical look. “It’s still best if their kind weren’t here no more.” He strutted to his car and left.

Katie collapsed onto the top step, with Evie still holding onto her hand. “You okay?” Evie asked.

“Yeah,” she breathed. “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

“Well... you’re fixin’ to have a kid, which will be even harder. I’d say this was good practice.”

“You don’t even like kids,” Katie said, wiping her tears.

“I’ll like yours,” Evie said. “If he’s anything like you, I’ll like him just fine.” Evie said with a reassuring smile.

***

It was late in the night, and Evie still hadn’t seen Finch. She paced the front porch, sat for a minute on the swing, then got up again just to pace.

Katie peered out the window and shouted, “Eves, quit being a worry wart and just walk on down there!”

“Fine!” she said with resolve. “I’ll be back,” Evie hollered and walked down the steps and toward the open field.

August was just around the corner, she could feel it. The air was stifling hot, and beads of sweat formed on her neck and forehead. August in the upstate was the worst of summer – hot and no reprieve in sight until fall decided to slowly inch its way in.

She tugged on her braid, fiddling with it, and tried to keep her fingers out of her mouth. Since Finch told her that biting her nails was equivalent to eating cockroaches, she’d all but given up the habit. “How is it like eating cockroaches?” she said to him.

“‘Cause your hands touch everything, and roaches crawl over everything,” he said to her, and that instantly made her see a cockroach anytime her fingernails were near her lips.

He was coming her way – she could see his silhouette – a build and shape she’d grown to know so well. He increased his pace to meet up with her, and the two of them held onto each other.

“Where’ve you been?” she asked him.

“Evie,” he murmured. He cupped her chin and brought her to him, kissing her on the lips.