Richard Laymon - Fiends

Then they returned to the sand. They spread their towels again, lay down, and again Barbara fell asleep.

She awoke when Darren kissed her shoulder. ‘We’d best be on our way.’

Her stomach twisted, knotted itself into an icy clump.

‘Not yet.’

‘We don’t want to burn.’

‘We won’t. The sun block…’

‘Nevertheless. We should be getting back.’

‘It’s still early.’

He glanced at his wristwatch. ‘It’s after three.’

She nodded. She forced herself to smile.

Her smile became genuine as she pulled the shorts up her legs. ‘I know, let’s go to a movie!’

‘A movie?’

‘Sure. A matinee. It’ll be great!’

‘Well…’

‘Please?This is out last day together before… it’ll be off to work for you in the morning. We won’t have another chance to do anything till next weekend. Please?’

‘Sure. Why not?’

They returned to the car, drove to a parking structure near the Third Street Mall, then went to a cineplex. Of the six movies playing there, one was scheduled to begin in fifteen minutes. Darren bought tickets, and in they went.

Soon, the theater darkened. Too soon, the movie ended.

‘It sure will be great to get home and take a nice shower,’ Darren said as they walked through the lobby. He patted her rump. ‘Together.’

‘Why don’t we stay for another?’

‘Really, darling. I think one’s enough.’

‘Please? You know how I love movies.’

He smiled. ‘How’s this? We’ll drop by the video store on the way home and rent a couple for tonight.’

She sighed. She didn’t want to start anything. ‘All right. If you’d rather do that.’

So they drove to a video store.

Barbara studied the shelves of tapes, shaking her head, unwilling to make a choice. Over and over again, she found reasons not to accept videos Darren selected. She’d already seen this one, that one didn’t sound very good. ‘Don’t worry,’ she said several times. ‘We’ll find something. There must be something decent around here.’ And they kept on looking.

She managed to stretch out their search for more than an hour. Finally, Darren said, ‘Let’s just grab a couple. I’m starving.’ Barbara grabbed two that she’d noticed when they first came in.

Back in the car, she said, ‘Why don’t we have a bite to eat before we go home?’

‘Take-out?’

‘I’d rather eat in a restaurant. It’s so much more fun.’

‘Look how we’re dressed.’

‘We don’t have to go any place fancy. Jack-in-the-Box or Burger King. Whatever.’

Darren drove to Burger King. They ate at a table. While Barbara slowly consumed her meal, she tried to think of another way to delay their return home.

Give it up, she finally thought. I’ve stalled him as long as I can without making a fuss. We can’t stay away forever. Might as well get it over with.

So, when the meal was done, they climbed into the car and drove through the dusk, heading for home.

Where Joyce would be waiting.

Maybe we’ll be in luck, Barbara thought, and the house burnt down while we were out.

Fat chance.

They rounded a corner, and there it was. Still standing.

‘Did you have a good time?’ Darren asked as he swung into the driveway.

‘Wonderful. I really hate for it to end.’

‘Nothing’s ended, darling.’ He stopped the car, leaned toward Barbara and stroked the back of her head. ‘Our life together has only begun. We’ll have so many fine times.’

‘I suppose so.’

‘No supposing about it.’

She followed him into the house. Darren carried the sack of video tapes into the living room and set it down at Joyce’s feet.

‘She won’t have to watch the movies with us, will she?’ Barbara asked. ‘Couldn’t you… maybe put her in another room?’

‘I could. But the sooner you get used to her the better. Don’t you think?’

‘I don’t think I’ll ever get used to her.’

‘Oh, you will, you will. Give it time. Now, you go along and start your shower. I’ll be along in a minute.’ He winked. Then he crouched, slipped his arms under Joyce, and lifted her off the sofa.

Barbara’s heart slammed. ‘Where are you taking her?’

‘The guest room.’ He grinned. ‘Time to get her out of the daytime attire.’

She hurried ahead of them and shut herself into the bathroom. Trembling, she took off her clothes.

The daytime attire, she thought.

He’s stripping her. Then he’ll be waltzing in here and putting his hands on me.

That’s what he thinks.

She thumbed down the lock button, then went to the tub and turned on the shower.

He’ll just have to choose, she thought as she adjusted the faucets. Joyce or me. He can’t have it both ways.

What if he chooses her?

I can’t lose him. Not over a damned stiff!

Sighing, Barbara stepped to the door and unlocked it.

She climbed into the tub and slid the glass door shut. The hot spray felt wonderful splashing against head and face, sliding down her body.

His hands will be clean, she told herself. They’ll be all soapy when he rubs me. They won’t have Joyce on them.

But she’ll be waiting when we come out.

Dressed in her little see-through nightie.

God!

Standing around in her nightie and shades while we watch the movies. Then standing by the bed while we make love.

I can’t take much more of this.

Maybe I shouldn’t let him have me again till she’s out of the house.

No, he’d end up resenting me. I can’t do anything to make him get rid of her. He’d hold it against me forever. It has to be his decision.

If only she hadn’t been preserved so well. If she was rotten or stinky, he sure wouldn’t have kept her around.

What if I go to the market tomorrow while he’s at work, pick up some really stinky cheese, poke some into her mouth? Poke some into her everywhere ?

Yuck! I’d have to touch her.

There are always gloves for that.

Darren will think she’s going bad.

And get rid of her?

What if he probes around and finds the cheese?

Would it be worth the risk?

Barbara flinched, startled, as the shower door rumbled open. She turned. Joyce stared in at her, smiling. No silver shades, no nightie.

‘No!’ She staggered backward as Joyce rose, lifted high by Darren behind her. ‘Get her out of here!’ She slipped. Her rump smacked the bottom of the tub. ‘Ow!’

‘Darling! Are you all right?’

‘No! Get her out of here! What’s the matter with you?’

‘This’ll be a great way for you to get better acquainted. Really. Did you hurt yourself?’

‘I’ll live.’ Barbara scooted backward and drew her legs up to her chest as Darren stepped into the tub with Joyce. Holding the body against him with one arm across her belly, he slid the shower door shut.

The spray splattered off Joyce’s shoulders. Water spread down her body in shiny streamers.

‘Please!’ Barbara begged. ‘I don’t want to get better acquainted. Take her away!’

‘You’ll be fine once you’ve gotten to know her.’

‘The water’ll ruin her! You’d better…’

‘Oh, no, she’s quite durable. Stand up, now, darling.’

‘Darren!’

‘Is it really asking so much? Just stand up. Please.’

Trembling, breathless, Barbara struggled to her feet.

Darren smiled at her from behind Joyce’s shoulder. ‘Now, come a little closer. Be careful you don’t fall.’

She took a few small steps forward, and stopped.