Queen's Park

Thursday, August 17
CHAPTER 29

Ernie opened one eye. He was in his grandfather’s house.

The phone rang.

He opened the other eye.

The phone rang.

He lifted his feet out of tangled sheets, sat up and felt the cool touch of hardwood. His nose filled with the scent of fermenting wine.

The phone rang.

He stood and stumbled into the hallway, then lifted the phone.

“Ernie?”

“Hi Mom.”

“Did I get you out of bed?”

“Mmmhmmm.” He leaned his left arm against the wall and rested his head against his forearm.

“It’s 10:30, Ernie.”

“Mmmhmmmm.”

Scout stepped into the hallway, leaned on her front paws and stretched.

“You have to catch the 11:30 bus. Randy pulled some strings to get us an appointment. We can’t miss it.”

“I know.”

“You went to bed at nine last night.”

“I think so,” Ernie said.

“And you slept right through?”

“Yeah.”

“No… No dreams?”

“Nope.”

“I’ll see you at the doctor’s office at one? I’m not taking my lunch hour till then, so you can’t be late.”

“Mom? How am I supposed to tell a stranger what happened?” “We’ve been over this.”

“I don’t like it, Mom. What’s she going to think?”

“Look, we agreed last night it was best to talk to someone who can help you. Help both of us.”

“I don’t know.”

“Non me’ rompere i coglioni,” Beth said.

Ernie smiled at a memory of Nonno. Then, a flashback of his Uncle and the knife pushed all other thoughts away.