Cemetery Club (37 page)

“Help!” he shouted, and then John was right there, grabbing his arm.

“Not… me. Marisol. Into the fountain,” Cory gasped. He took one of Marisol’s arms and started to pull her up. John did the same on her other side. She kicked and growled and whipped her body back and forth but they hung on and dragged her towards the water. Todd joined them, grabbing one of her legs and holding it off the ground.

At the edge of the fountain they didn’t hesitate. As one, they swung her forward and into the water, so the top half of her was submerged. Cory immediately climbed in and pinned her head below the surface.

“You’re killing her!” John cried.

“I have to.” Cory put all his weight into it, fighting against her struggles and the slimy cement of the fountain’s bottom. After a minute, her thrashing slowed and then stopped.

Still he held her under.

Then it came - flashes of white light burst from her eyes and mouth as the thing inside her succumbed to the Holy water.

Praying it wasn’t too late, Cory lifted her from the fountain and laid her on the sidewalk.

“Breathe dammit!” he said, giving her chest a strong push. He repeated the motion several more times and then paused just long enough to draw a lungful of air and exhale it into her mouth. Then he resumed CPR compressions.

“It’s not working,” Todd said.

It has to work. C’mon, Marisol, breathe!

On the fifth cycle, just when Cory thought he might pass out from his exertions, Marisol’s body jerked under his.

Cory tilted her head to one side.

There was a pause - the longest pause of his life.

Then she gasped and coughed out a mouthful of water.

Cory looked at his watch and stood up.

“Sorry fellas, I have to get going.”

Across the table, Todd gave him a big grin and nodded, and John’s lips twitched in his version of a smile.

“We’re still on for Friday, right?” Todd asked.

“Eight o’clock sharp at the bowling alley. I’ll see you then.” Cory grabbed his jacket and headed out to his car.

On the ride home, he was surprised to see a few of the leaves were already starting to change.

Fall’s coming early this year. Wonder if it’s because of the extra-hot summer we had.

As he opened the front door, he was greeted by the enticing combination of Marisol’s soft lips and the intoxicating odors of garlic bread, baked chicken and fresh string beans.

“Mmm, now that’s the kind of greeting a man likes when he comes home from work.”

“Work?” Marisol gave a sarcastic laugh. “You call bullshitting with Todd and John work?”

“Hey, that’s not all we did! I also finalized all the bank transfers for Todd. His mother’s estate is officially settled.”

“Well, as long as it was work...” she gave him a wink. “Why don’t you grab a glass of wine and relax. Dinner’ll be ready in about fifteen.”

“Sounds good.” As he headed into the dining room, he heard her say ‘Pour me one too.’

Opening the bottle of wine as he savored the lingering feel of her lips on his, Cory smiled to himself. Two months of living together and things were still wonderful. After everything they’d been through over the summer, it was like being in heaven. John and Todd had found work, he’d set up his practice in town, and Marisol had her job back. They’d even begun discussing marriage.

How could life get any better?

Wine glass in hand, he went into the living room and turned on the TV. Time enough to catch the last inning of the Mets.

Maybe things can get better. Maybe they’ll win for once.

In the kitchen, Marisol was stirring the sauce when movement by the back door caught her eye. She pulled the curtain aside, revealing a dark gray shape with fiery red eyes.

With a welcoming smile, she opened the door.

***The End***