Page 58 of Lucky Night

He picks up the wet towels and holds one out to each of them. They shake their heads.

We go now, Edvin insists.

We’re staying, Jenny tells him. You should stay, too.

Edvin stares at her. He tries to speak, but he’s lost his words again. He pulls her phone out of his pocket, types, then speaks. He turns the phone toward them.

Please come,the phone says.My English isn’t good. It’s too risky to go alone.

It’s too risky, period, Nick says. Which is why we’re not going.

Edvin throws his hands in the air. He taps the phone and speaks rapidly. He turns it to them, but nothing happens. Frustrated, he taps the screen hard and speaks louder.

Hey Edvin? Jenny steps toward him. Can I have my phone back?

No. He frowns at the screen. I keep.

But that’s…you can’t have my phone.

Edvin ignores her. She reaches for it. He holds it away from her.

Nick? Helpme.

Edvin, give her the phone, man. It’s not—

Edvin waves at them to hush as he speaks into the microphone. Then he holds it out to Nick, his round little eyes pleading.

Don’t you want your wife to be safe?the phone says.

Okay, enough. Enough of this erratic presence filling their room with his stress and his demands, ransacking their belongings and beshitting their toilet. If he’s leaving, he should leave.

My wife is perfectly safe at home, Nick says. But she’ll be touched by your concern.

Jenny sighs. For God’s sake, Nick.

Edvin needs a minute to puzzle it out. Then he draws back, looking scandalized.

Shame! His voice is low and righteous. Shame on you!

That’s right, Nick says agreeably. Shame on us. Thanks for stopping by, Edvin. Safe travels.

He opens the door.

Is that what does it—the wide swing of the door, the view of the hall? Hard to say, but something breaks the big man. His panic comes roaring back. He drops his supplies, charges forward.

Then he turns, grabs Jenny’s arm and yanks her through the door.

It’s so unexpected, so sudden and fast that Nick doesn’t react until she’s halfway out. That’s when he lunges, grabbing her other arm and hanging on, but the huge man is strong, so strong, they’re a confused tangle, three bodies half in the room half out, more than half, but he doesn’t have the key this time so he can’t let the door fall closed, they’ll be screwed.

He wedges a foot in the doorway, holding on to her, but she’s slipping away, her blouse is so goddamn slippery, but she can’t go, he’ll hang on, he has to…he’s shouting, thrashing, trying to beat the guy away with his free hand, trying to kick him, but he’s too far away, he can’t get at him properly. Her face is strained and white, they must be hurting her, she’s trying to pull her arm away from Edvin’s grip but she can’t fight him off properly because Nick’s got her other arm, but what can hedo?

What is happening, what is happening, what the fuck can hedo?

She’s struggling, flailing wildly but making no noise. He is, he’s shoutingStop! Stop! Leave her let her go fucking get off her you fuckinghollering at the monster, he’s not an idiot baby but a big bald menacing monster.

None of it’s working, though, and his grip is slipping. He can’t hold her. He’s losing her. He’s—

No!

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