One Fine Day You’re Gonna Die

CHAPTER TEN

The music fades, and I flip on my microphone.

“My name is Charlie Dowhanuik, and this is ‘The World According to Charlie D.’ If you’ve been listening, you know that we have a situation here, so for a while, we’re just going to keep our focus on Gabe and Kali. You know what that means. No phone calls. No emails. No texting. No nothing-unless you’re sure you can help. So, Gabe, how’s it going?”

“Fine. Kali and I are playing Candy Land. Kali just drew a snowflake card. That means she’s earned a visit to Queen Frostine’s iceberg.”

I’m hoping if I keep it light, I can gain some traction.

“So for those of us who’ve never been to Queen Frostine’s iceberg, is that good or bad?” I ask.

Gabe laughs softly.

“Why don’t I let you talk to the expert? Kali, my friend Charlie wants to hear about how we play Candy Land. Can you help him out?”

“Sure.” Kali’s voice has the sweet fizz of soda pop. “Hi, Charlie,” she says. “So what do you want to know?”

“I need to know pretty much everything.” My words to Kali seem to form themselves. “I think tonight I need to find Candy Land again,” I say, and the raw yearning in my voice shakes me.

As she explains the game, Kali’s voice has the breathless cadences of the schoolyard.

“It’s a board game, and it’s kind of baby. It’s for kids who can’t read, and Gabe taught me to read when I was five. Anyway, it’s still fun. I’ll read you the box. It says that Candy Land is ‘a sweet little game for sweet little folks.’ Gabe and I each have a little gingerbread person, and we take our person down the rainbow path, through the Peppermint Stick forest. The first one of us who reaches the Candy Castle wins.”

Robin’s jaw is tight. Staying in control is taking its toll.

“Tell her to run.”

I shake my head and cover the mike with my hand.

“Gabe has the hypodermic, Robin.”

“Tell her…tell her I love her.” Behind Kali’s small voice we hear the bell again. “There’s that sound,” Robin says. “Where have I heard it?”

“Turn on your mike,” I say. “Keep Kali talking. If you hear the bell again, you might be able to identify it.”

“That sounds like fun, Kali,” I say.

“It is fun,” Kali says. “I’m caught in the Molasses Swamp now-you’re stuck in there until…”

“Until you draw the red card,” Robin says. She’s close to tears.

“I didn’t think you’d remember the rules,” Gabe says. He seems genuinely moved.

“I remember a lot, Gabe.” Robin’s voice is, as Gabe described it, full of music.

Through the talkback, Nova’s voice is tense but excited.

“Dr. Harris is doing exactly what she needs to do. Tell her to ramp it up. If she can make Gabe believe they have a future together, we can save Kali.”