At Witt's End

13

When crossers arrived at Cabin 14, they possessed a state of strength to help them through their thirty-day journey. It was to their benefit to make their declaration early, because their strength dwindled with each passing day. A crosser became a crosser lost if they were unable to cross back over through someone else's light. Crossers lost faded into oblivion. Rodney's lack of interest in his thirty-day time span concerned Sadie. He obviously had no intention of making a declaration.

As the crossers gathered around the kitchen table for their nightly round table session, Sadie noticed Rodney plop down on the recliner and grab the remote control. He aimed and clicked, paging from channel to channel with rapid progression.

"Wait. I wanted to hear what he had to say.” Mr. Bakke looked from the television screen to Sadie. “I've been waiting all day to see how it turned out."

Marching over to Rodney, Sadie grabbed the remote and handed it to Mr. Bakke. “Mr. Nasty did it. Not me."

"You stupid bitch,” Rodney shouted. “I wanted to watch Monster Garage."

"You're supposed to participate in the round table discussion. Not watch TV.” Sadie pointed at the table. “How many times do I have to tell you to quit calling me a bitch?"

Mr. Bakke summoned Jane. “Let's go for a walk. It sounds like Sadie's got her hands full."

Jane closed her magazine and placed it on top of the others in the stack. She ran her knuckles down the edge of the spines to align the magazines before taking Mr. Bakke's outstretched hand and following him out onto the porch.

The evening breeze lifted Mr. Bakke's hair into wisps that remained afloat as the elderly couple paused at the bottom of the stairs. He placed a gentle kiss on Jane's cheek. His new orthopedic shoes stood out prominently, with the thick black soles appearing to anchor him firmly to the ground. Two knobby knees peeked out below his plaid shorts. He tucked the back of his striped shirt into his elastic waistband.

With Jane sporting a crisp white blouse, khaki slacks, and brown sandals, the pair represented a walking contradiction.

Sadie swung the screen door open and shouted to her sister. “Take Belly with you. He just lifted his leg on Theo's briefcase.” She tugged at Belly's collar and pulled him over the threshold.

"Now maybe we can get going with our session.” Sadie looked at Rodney. “Get over here and join the group.” She pulled out the last empty chair and pointed at it.

"I can hear you from here. Besides you aren't going to say anything new anyway.” Rodney slumped lower in the recliner and bobbed his dangling leg up and down.

Sadie grabbed the remote he'd retrieved when she let the dog out and switched off the television. She tucked the remote in her waistband.

"What's wrong with your dog's balls?” Rodney said.

"Nothing. What's wrong with yours?” Sadie cocked her head and watched his puzzled expression.

"There ain't nothing wrong with my balls. At least I've got two. What did you do to that mutt?"

"The same thing I'm going to do to you if you don't follow the rules."

Rodney taxed the limits of his imagination as he stared out the screen door and watched Belly's lone testicle sway as he followed Jane down the path.

"I wish I could get out of this dump,” Rodney muttered, dropping into the kitchen chair.

"What a benevolent fellow you are, Rodney. And so eloquent. I'll bet you went to Harvard,” Theo said.

"Where?"

"I'm sure everyone in this room would like to see you leave this dump. I hope you don't mind my quoting your ingenious use of the English language. If there truly is a Higher Power, and I'm beginning to doubt there is, maybe he'll accommodate us by granting your wish.” Theo tipped his head, staring at Rodney.

Rodney opened his mouth and then closed it. A confused expression pinched his features. “You better speak English so I can understand you."

"That was perfectly clear to me,” Sadie said.

Lora buried her lips in her son's hair, the corners of her mouth moving upward.

Rodney turned his chair so his back was against the table. He looked at Sadie. “Well? What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to bore us again?"

Theo tugged on Rodney's chair attempting to turn it around. Gritting his jaw as he grasped the wood, he said, “You are such a twit."

Rodney grabbed the edge of the table to thwart Theo's effort. He grasped Theo's hand and squeezed it. “Twit?” When Theo let go of his chair, Rodney repeated, “Twit? I'm insulted. Couldn't you come up with a better word?"

Rodney butted his chair against Theo's chair. Dropping back into the chair, he pushed hard against Theo's black-suited shoulder. “Now I suppose you're going to call your mommy so she can come and beat me up."

Without flinching at the intrusion of Rodney's nose three inches from his face, Theo said, “I wouldn't think of exposing my mother to the dregs of society."

"I don't blame you,” Rodney said. “She might ruin my reputation."

Theo looked at Rodney over the top of his glasses. “I'm sure she'd be quite distraught to hear that even though it made no sense whatsoever."

"Twits and dregs. I suppose you think that's a good description of my family."

"I have no doubt of its accuracy."

Sadie tried to interrupt the verbal volley by stepping toward Rodney.

"My parents are great people,” Rodney shouted, startling the others at the table. “My old man was the boss of our family and we listened to what he said."

"Surprise, surprise,” Theo said. “And I bet your mother's a quiet little church mouse who caters to his every need."

"Absolutely not. She's a large woman with great big tits and can open beer bottles with her teeth."

Theo spread his palms and scanned the others at the table. “Need I say more?"

"Are you criticizing my parents?"

"No. I don't need to. The image of your family portrait is repulsive enough."

"You worthless pig.” Rodney grabbed the briefcase handle and snatched the case from Theo's lap.

Theo's large hand clasped down on Rodney's fist before Rodney had a chance to flee. Holding the thief's gaze, Theo whispered, “Do you remember what happened the last time you took my briefcase?"

Rodney stared back and slowly let go of the handle. “You're a bunch of losers. Every one of you.” Punching his fist into the back of the chair, he stormed into the inner room and slammed the door. “I'll get even with you if it's the last thing I do."

Theo returned to his chair and placed the briefcase between his leg and the chair. He straightened his suit coat and smoothed his hand over his pants.

"I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't rile Rodney anymore.” Sadie nervously picked at her hair.

"Madam. You are mistaken. It wasn't me who started that altercation."

"You're right,” Sadie said. “Now that we've got some quiet, let's begin."

Michael came out from behind his mother and looked at her for reassurance. Lora took him in her arms and hugged him. “It's okay now. Rodney's in the inner room."

Theo, Lora, and Michael eagerly edged closer to the table. When Tim first joined the evening session, he had occupied the chair farthest from the table. He remained in the same chair, showing little enthusiasm.

When the crossers began to discuss their day's experiences, Sadie noticed a change in Tim. It was unusual for a crosser to experience a high level of fatigue before the second half of their thirty days. Why hadn't she noticed the change sooner?

"Tim? Did you make any progress finding someone on the brink?"

Tim looked at his lap. “No."

"I can't hear you, Tim. Can you speak louder so the group can hear you?"

Michael pushed a spoon along the table's surface with his index finger. “He played with Aanders all day at the nursing home.” Michael hid his face against his mother's shoulder and peeked out at Sadie.

"Is that true, Tim?” Sadie's glare sparked disapproval.

Tim looked up at Lora and Michael and then down at his feet.

"Michael knows better than to tattle on his friends, but because this is important, I think it's okay.” Lora looked at Tim and then back at Sadie. “The boys haven't been working on Tim's declaration."

"Tim. You've got to concentrate on your decision,” Sadie said.

"I already made it. I'm going back through the light to see Mom and Dad."

"Then you need to find someone on the brink. If you don't, you'll never find them again. But first, you need to determine why you were held back."

"I already know why,” Tim whispered.

"I doubt that,” Sadie said. “We haven't even discussed it yet."

"Aanders spent the day pushing him around in the wheelchair,” Michael said. “They thought it was funny because everyone asked why he was pushing an empty chair."

"I'm disappointed, Tim.” Sadie raised his chin with her finger. “You know better than that. So does Aanders. We let him sit in on our round table sessions so he can learn the rules. If he's going to be a credible death coach, he needs to either help you find someone on the brink or let you finish your business."

Sadie realized her original concerns were coming true. She resented the fact she had been sent an immature death coach. Aanders was no more ready to take on the responsibility of recommending death alternatives than she was ready to relinquish the deed to the resort to that no-good Carl Swanson.

Aanders had no interest in learning. He was more interested in cramming a lifetime into the short span he had left with his friend. Reality would soon set in. The death-coach-in-training was too young to comprehend the gravity of this new responsibility. Tim's loss would set him back even further.

With tears welling, Tim said, “Aanders doesn't want me to leave."

Hearing Tim's outburst, Michael buried his face against his mother's arm.

"I know he doesn't. But he doesn't have a choice. Neither do you.” Sadie tugged at Tim's chair, pulling it closer to the table. “I'm concerned about how weak you're getting. You need to concentrate, and Aanders is going to have to understand."

"But I don't want to go. He's my best friend and he'll be alone when I leave.” Tears dripped onto Tim's lap.

Michael laid his cheek against the table as he listened. “No he won't. He'll make new friends. Every time we moved, I made new friends. Dad made us move lots of times.” Michael continued with excitement, “When we moved, I walked up to a kid and asked him if he wanted to be my friend. Then we played."

Lora pulled Michael back onto her lap and smoothed his hair. “You're a wiggle worm. You've got to sit still.” Turning toward Tim, Lora said, “Michael and I made our declaration. We've chosen to go back through the light to find Michael's father."

Michael pulled away from his mother's grasp. “No, Mom. I don't want to.” A look of terror overtook him as he tugged on her blouse. “I want to go to that other place. Please Mom? Can't we go there instead?"

"I can't believe you said that. We don't have a choice, Michael. We have to find Dad."

Thrusting his head back Michael cried, “Nooooo! Please can't we go to the other place?"

"He'll be mad if we don't find him.” Lora held her sobbing son. “He'll be glad to see us. I promise."

Sadie watched apprehension settle over Lora.

The inner room door banged open against a side table and rebounded toward Rodney as he bolted into the room. “That's all you do is whine, you stupid woman. I'm sick of it. Make a decision so you and that brat can get out of here."

Lora grabbed at Rodney's arm as the enraged man rushed toward her.

Rodney caught her arm in motion. “You try that again and I'll make sure you don't go anywhere."

As Theo opened his mouth, Sadie held up a finger. “Don't say a word. We don't need any more conflict."

Attempting to curtail her frustration, Sadie turned to Lora. “You really need to take Michael's opinion into consideration. This is his decision, too. Michael's got reasons for not wanting to find his father."

"Let the loser go,” Rodney said. “If she's that stupid, then that's what she deserves. Good riddance."

"Noooooo,” Michael moaned, clutching at his mother.

"He'll change. I know he can change.” Lora pleaded with Michael to stop crying. “It'll be different. I promise."

Sadie crouched by Lora's side “Don't make promises you can't keep. Michael deserves better than that."

"But he'll be mad if we don't join him."

"It's not his decision, Lora. It's yours and Michael's.” Sadie put her arms around the desperate woman and hugged her. “Why would you subject Michael to that when you have another option?"

"Because she's stupid. And so are you if you haven't figured that out yet,” Rodney said.

"I've had enough.” Sadie emphasized each word. “If you don't stop…"

"Go ahead and tell me what you're going to do,” Rodney said. “You can't hurt me. I'm already dead. If you think I'm going to leave peacefully before I go to the parallel world, you'd better think again."

"Just how big is the parallel world?” Theo asked.

"Will Rodney be there?” Michael's voice cracked as his lower lip curled upward.

"You don't need to worry about it, Michael,” Lora said. “We're not going to the parallel world."

"Oh yes you are,” Rodney said. “I'm taking you with me."

"That's enough,” Sadie said. “Go back in the inner room and quit wasting your energy. Instead of arguing, you should concentrate on finding someone on the brink."

"I have,” Rodney challenged. “I found you."

"You can't go through my light. I'm not dead."

Rodney held Sadie's gaze. “Not yet."