Aldo's Fantastical Movie Palace Read Free Page B

shots.”
    Chloe glanced at Quentin. “Q looks fine.”
    Grandpa nodded. “Ah, not Q, it was Grif. Yes, filled his buttocks with buckshot.”
    â€œYou what?”
    Grandpa pointed over his shoulder. “Can you see a motorcycle leaning against my trailer?
    â€œYeah … Wait, where did you get a motorcycle?”
    â€œThat! That is an excellent question. Grif or Q could answer this. They
acquired
it tonight, leaned it against my trailer, and hid in the high grass.”
    â€œWood tick city.”
    â€œOne can only hope, but let me tell you the story of how I came to hunt your brother. It was late, and Officer Yovich knocked on my door. He asked me if I had purchased a Harley. I told him what I suspected, that Q and Grif were up to no good. He left, and I decided it was a beautiful night for a walk.”
    â€œHey, we walked home too.”
    â€œSplendid! So as I walked I heard a coyote. He or she — I do not know the difference — howled very near. I walked on, and again the howl, very near. I think to myself, the situation is worse — it follows me. I sped my walk. The coyote quickened. It rustled at my heels, always out of sight.”
    Grandpa’s eyes grew big. “I broke into the clearing, nearly in a jog. I rounded my trailer, reached beneath the step, and grabbed the gun. Moments later, it rustled again and I shot. It screamed. I thought, this is not the scream of a coyote. It is the scream of a Grif.”
    â€œNo,” Chloe said.
    â€œYes. And slowly Q stood with his hands in the air.”
    Behind them, the ambulance lit up and eased away down the lane.
    â€œNow Grif lies on his stomach with lead filling his backside. I’m not pleased I shot your brother, but perhaps it will teach a lesson.”
    Mom ran up to Grandpa, grabbed his shoulders, and shook.
    â€œWhat am I supposed to do with you?” She swallowed hard and ran her hands through her hair. “You could have killed him. As it is he’ll be scarred —” She winced and stroked Chloe’s head. “Sorry, honey.”
    â€œPebble dots on the backside.” Grandpa cracked oversized knuckles. “This is true.”
    â€œDad, do you have any idea what happened or what you did or …” She dropped her gaze. “Anything?”
    Grandpa smiled. “Dear Dalia. Yes, I know. And I imagine the story you just heard from Q was convincing in its own creative way, but the night is beautiful, Grif will heal. All is well.”
    Mom peeked up and looked at Grandpa. Like she wanted to believe him. Like she wanted to think her family and her business were fine. But she shook herhead like she couldn’t believe it; not when her oldest son was shot by her father, her husband slept in the barn’s hayloft, and the only ticket she sold was to a blind boy from Hemming.
    Mom threw her hands in the air, spun, and shuffled toward the house. And Chloe’s heart sunk with each step.
    â€œGo be with her.” Grandpa’s hand gently pushed Chloe’s back. “Remember,
The Vapor
begins tomorrow and you will be needed. Badly needed. Good night, Chloe.”
    â€œGood night back!”
    Chloe scooped Streak up from the flowerbed and followed Mom into the kitchen. Her brother was leaned over, his head in the fridge.
    â€œQ!” Mom pounded on the picnic table.
    He jumped and smashed his head on the freezer door. “What did I do?”
    â€œ
Si sieda!
Now!”
    He rubbed his head and eased down onto the bench. “It wasn’t my idea. I’m telling you the truth.”
    â€œ
Now
you tell me the truth?”
    Chloe snuck by Mom’s angry words and out onto the back porch. She turned the swing, faced it toward the screen door, and plopped down. Through the mesh she could watch the event from a distance.Mom’s silhouette jabbed a finger and flailed a hand above her head. Her words came out loud and fast and slipped in and out of Italian,