Page 5 of Cookout Carnage
1
July 3 – Fairview, KY
Tucker Farm
12:45 a.m.
JONATHAN
Most people would peg me for a sunrise/sunset guy. But I’m a middle-of-the-night guy. I get anxious with all the noise and chatter around those other times.
When I was little, I’d sneak out here to the back lawn that’s a glorified field and find comfort in the night sky. There’s a stillness, only interrupted by a breeze or an occasional rustle through the crops, that I crave. In college, I’d lie on the fifty-yard line and talk to the stars about the upcoming game or test. And I’d always find a spot to stare at the sky when my ship would move from safe harbor to safe harbor during the night when I was in the Navy. They’re the only other constant in my life.
I wish on another shooting star. There’s been a bucketload tonight, and each wish is the same: ‘I wish I had stopped this sooner.’
* * *
I’m up farmer early,and my head is spinning. My best friend, Squeakers, is squealing for table scraps as I inhale my second cup of coffee. Squeakers and I met when I couldn’t send her to market and failed the 4H club fifteen years ago. I toss her the last of my veggie bacon and a biscuit.
JONATHAN: Anyone up?
SABRINA: Here. The woods are too loud to sleep. You, ok? Are you excited? I can’t believe it’s almost here.
TABI: Just headed to bed. Still going through with the charade?
JONATHAN: How do you know us all so well, Tab?
TABI: Shit, that was a total guess. You, ok?
SABRINA: WHAT? What is happening? I mean, I know what should happen but let me hear it. Give it to me. Do you need me to leave the woods and come there and help you with something? I would definitely leave the woods.
JONATHAN: No. I can handle it. But thanks, Bree.
TABI: It sounds like he’s thinking straight, finally.
JONATHAN: It will suck, but it’s not right. It’s all wrong. And remember that backed-up situation I have?
TABI: Your fucking Sahara of a sex life? Yes, we recall.
JONATHAN: Let’s just say she hasn’t had the same drought. The girl is apparently very thirsty and never waits long to drink. My brother is stationed near Syria and heard about her exploits.
SABRINA: SNAP! So, she’s, how do I put this? Um…
RORY: Wrong.
BEN: Slag.
TABI: Whore.
JONATHAN: That works. Yes. In addition to being all wrong for me, she demanded I stay faithful and chaste. I was too busy to care, really. I know that sounds fucked up, but I’ve been so focused on the farm it didn’t matter. The worst part is, I can’t stop thinking of Jules. I tried to fill out the missing pieces with cake, flowers, and all the ideas of sunshine and forever. I tried to love her.
BEN: You did, mate. But wrong is wrong.
TABI: And you used a lot of really sappy words. Did you think if you said them enough, you’d believe? It was tough to take at times. For me.
JONATHAN: Something like that. But a duck is a duck. Ain’t never gonna be nothing but a duck. And I’m done being played the fool.
SABRINA: That’s not a real saying.
