Dominion Read online

  He held onto me until I was certain I could stand and scrubbed my ring of hair gently, careful not to touch the stitches where the doc had bored my skull open.

  I wanted to dress in clothes, but was afraid that I would jinx my chances to go home. So Dad put my PJs on me and grinned.

  “Makes you look like you’re twelve, Danny. I remember when you wore only flannel PJs.” I still wore flannel PJs, but wasn’t telling him that.

  “Now what?”

  “We’re waiting on the test results, Danny. Once we hear how your scans look, we go on from there.”

  Felice wasn’t there, Dad said she was in school; she had taken the week off to be with me, and now had to make up her classes. Towards noon, after lunch, both doctors came in and talked to Dad. They seemed optimistic; cautiously upbeat and explained what they found to me as well. My brain and the thing in it had shrunk back to the size of a pea and had a complex growth of spider-like veins coming out of it. Surgery couldn’t remove the pea without causing grave consequences to my motor skills, cognition and sight, so our options were to blast with radiation in the hopes of killing it, drugs to shrink it or leave it alone and see how it reacted. I had a sudden, stomach wrenching reaction to the first two. “Dad, leave it alone.”

  The doctors thought I had given up in despair and was refusing treatment. I was refusing treatment because I knew doing anything was more dangerous than not. “Well, we won’t force you to make a choice now, Senator, Danny. You can go home tomorrow.”

  “Best news I have heard today,” I said.

  “You can go out of your room, too, if you want. The nurse will take your IV out. We prefer if you rest some but I realize you’re a fourteen-year-old boy stuck in a room with nothing to do so you must be going crazy.”

  “Just about. What about the pills? Can I stop them?”

  Doctor K shook his head. “I’m keeping you on the steroids, Danny and I prefer you to stay on the Elavil so you don’t spike any blood pressures in your head.”

  “It makes me feel dopey,” I protested.

  “You’ll get used to it a few weeks; your body will adapt and level off. The nurse will be in to help with the paperwork.”

  I bounced around the room happy I was going home. Dad grabbed me by my collar, laughing as he settled me down. Both doctors said they’d see us later and left us to my elation. Dad called Ms. Penny and had her make arrangements for my return home. He even called and left a message for Felice. “Where is your cell phone?” He asked as he flipped his sat phone shut.

  “Book-bag.” I threw off my PJs and was in my jeans, shirt and vest in seconds. Dad handed me my socks and boots, raising an eyebrow at the shoes.

  “No sneakers?”

  “Dad, I never wear sneakers, they’re… juvenile. Besides, they hurt my feet.”

  “Like your Mom,” he said softly. “Her shoe allowance was the size of the National Debt.”

  I giggled and he looked sad. “You sounded just like Vange,” he murmured, and I leaned into him, giving and taking comfort from him.

  “Dad, I love you.”

  He nuzzled my head in his arms, and hugged me ferociously. “Love you too, Danny boy. I’m glad you not too tough and grown-up to say so.”

  “Never, Dad,” I vowed.

  He cleared his throat and let go patting me on the back, gesturing to the wheelchair in the corner. “You want to ride down to the cafeteria, gift shop, or just wander around and get out of this room?”

  “Sure. I think I can walk, no problem.”

  Dad called the nurse so they could take out my IVs and after that was done, Dad and I headed out for the elevators and the cafeteria. I didn’t look at the other kids; I kept my eyes down and concentrated on my feet. We shared the elevator with Jake, Dad’s Secret Service bodyguard. He was smiling and wished me welcome back.

  The other people in the elevator were quiet as they recognized my Dad. He was invariably polite to his constituents, and never failed to say hello or listen to their complaints. He really tried to do what they wanted and what was best for the state.

  Jake subtly steered them away from close contact with us and shepherded us out when the doors opened to the atrium. Cool. They had a fountain inside and lots of plants so it looked more like a jungle. Big skylights let in sunshine so we were either on the ground floor of one wing or in the Annex.

  I saw a used book cart and made a beeline for it, squatting to read the titles. I found a John Connolly I hadn’t read and a new Dean Koontz. I loved his Odd Thomas series and Christopher Snow.

  Dad said mildly, “don’t you have them on your NOOK?”

  “No. This Koontz is new, it’s nine ninety-nine in the store, and this one’s only fifty cents.”

  I held my hand out and he dug through his pockets for change. Gave me a dollar in quarters so I got both, and stuck the change in the wooden box. “Thanks, Dad.”

  Looking around, I spotted the cafeteria and hurried over to it when I felt myself receding from the room. My steps faltered, both Dad and Jake grabbed my arm and steered me towards the couch….

  *****

  Saw a mirror in a big bedroom with blue carpeting, four-poster bed made up with a white cover of hand knitted spread, big balls like popcorn and cables like on Felice’s sweaters. White lacy curtains tied back with gold tasseled ropes. The walls were painted green below with green stripes above. One whole wall was a green check separated by double doors painted white like the woodwork.

  A big yellow lab was staring into the mirror as his owner adjusted his tie. Purple with purple stripes.

  “I have to go to Vermont, later today, Jazz,” the man said. “To check on some old issues regarding the death of Evangeline De Rosier.”

  “Really? What brought that up?” A woman’s voice asked from behind what the dog knew was the bathroom door. Steam escaped from the cracked opening.

  “I reread the reports, it seems it might not have been a random drunk driving accident.”

  “She was murdered? Who would want to kill Evangeline? She was such a caring woman, she made you feel so good,” the voice sounded shocked.

  “You know the cops always check out the husband first. Well, they are re-investigating the Senator’s whereabouts that evening. Seems like a witness saw him in town when he swore he was in Vermont.”

  “I don’t believe it,” the woman said and came out with the dog and I could see. She was a brunette and naked. I dropped my eyes and the dog did, too. Looked back up in fascinated awe at the full boobs, nipples as thick as my finger, dark curls between her legs misted with steam. I felt the dog affected by my own lust, and was grossed out.

  She had dark hair and blue eyes; her face was pretty and flushed from the steam. She leaned up into the man kissing him, hungrily as he held her way from his clothes.

  “Oh baby,” he groaned. “I wish I could stay, but I have a seven thirty flight and I’ll miss it if I don’t leave in ten minutes.”

  She grabbed his crotch and even as I turned away, I wanted to watch, but being a peeping Tom was so not cool, even if no one would ever know. Especially if I saw the dude for real. I didn’t recognize either of them.

  He patted her on the butt cheek and squeezed, stroked the lab on the way out of the bedroom. The dog stayed in the room with the lady and she looked at us, sighed and said, “I’ll take you for a jog later, Sassy. We both need a diversion.” We woofed, trotted out of the room to get a leash and watched through the front window as the man got into a black Denali, backed down a short driveway into a circular cul-de-sac and out of our view.

  “Danny? Danny, are you here?” Dad’s voice broke into my awareness. I blinked and grabbed him, his worried face lightened up. Jake was kneeling in front of me.

  “How long, Dad?” I asked.

  “Not long. Less than five minutes. Your eyes were blank and you seemed to have trouble walking. Danny, about going home…”

  “Dad, don’t,” I pleaded. “It’s not my head doing this. I can control it. Pl
ease don’t tell the doctors. I want to go home. They’ll make me stay. If they do anything to that spot in my head, it’ll kill me. I know it, or worse, I’ll wind up like Uncle Townsley.” I started crying in my distress, and that made it worse. Plus, I felt like a big baby, but I couldn’t stop.

  “Danny, calm down, okay? Just relax. No one’s going to force you to do anything. I just want what’s best for you, for you to get over this.” He turned his head to Jake and murmured something I couldn’t hear, but the agent nodded and hurried off.

  “Where is he going, Dad?” I stood up. “You sent him to get the doctor, didn’t you? I’m not staying here, Dad. I’m not!”

  I bolted for the door and Dad shouted at me, for Jake and for someone to stop me. I dodged several people leaping over couches and muscled my way through the lines near the cafeteria, never slowing up. I could see the EXIT sign and pushed the doors open so hard, they flung around and smashed the ones next to them. Glass shivered and exploded inside.

  The sidewalks were busy with people coming in; two ambulances and firemen were offloading. They turned around as Dad screamed at me to stop. A line of people were following him. Pausing for one stride, I looked up, down the street and ran across into the big department store across four lanes of traffic to disappear into the Mall of the Americas.

  Chapter 11

  I didn’t spend much time wandering the mall; I knew Dad would have the cops, mall security and Jake searching for me. In truth, I hadn’t figured out what to do after I ran. The second I reached home, I’d be hauled off back to the hospital by the ear and grounded for life. I found the bathrooms and sneaked into the mechanical room, from there into the service hallways where deliveries were made out into the back alleys of the Mall. Made sure no CCTVs were watching, saw two and tried to calculate the angles where I was not in view.

  Swore when I’d wished again I’d brought my cell phone so I could call Felice. Bitched when I realized I’d lost my two new books and bet Dad hadn’t snagged them when I ran.

  I took my chances with the cameras hoping no one was watching the back live and walked casually through the darkened bays toward a high cyclone fence. Climbing over posed no problem, I dropped down onto city streets and within four blocks knew where I was. Trouble was, this part of the city didn’t have a subway, nor did I have bus tokens, subway fare or cash. I had no cell phone, the only one I could call was Felice, and although she probably wouldn’t rat me out to Dad, I couldn’t exactly hide in the White House.

  Same for Ms. Penny or any of the agents I knew. Had some close friends from school, but couldn’t call them without a phone. I kept walking; standing still in this neighborhood wasn’t a good idea. There were a few people on the streets, a lot of car traffic, but not the kind you’d want to ask for directions or a ride. Lots of bodegas and small shops, all with steel bars on the doors and windows. Two and three-story buildings with apartments over the first floor. I was on Eighth Street, turned left on Beaker and saw a Verizon shop that was still open next to a Dunkin Donuts and Pizza Hut. The door buzzed as I went inside and the dude behind the counter quit looking bored as he asked me what I needed help with.

  “Cell phone.”

  “What kind?”

  “Droid, pay-as-you-go. I want one charged and activated.”

  “You a fugitive?” He laughed.

  “No. I lost mine and I don’t want my Dad to know.”

  “Got lots of droids. How much you want to pay?”

  “Hey, dude, I forgot my wallet. Can I borrow yours?”

  “Pay phone outside, down the street,” he told me.

  “Got no cash, dude. I just need to call for a ride home.”

  “Local?”

  “Just the city,” I returned. “I can pay when my ride gets here.”

  “Okay,” he decided and handed me his own iPhone.

  I texted Felice, she was the only one I could call for help.

  Felice can u come get me.

  I ran. Dad and the SS R after me.

  I was coming home 2morrow.

  Now I’m not sure.

  Where R U?!!!

  U won’t tell D?

  Downtown, U need 2B where UR safe!

  Go back 2 hospital.

  No!!! I’m going home with or W/OU!!

  I was pissed and handed back the phone. Remembered to say thanks and stomped out the door. Came back in and apologized. “Can I make one more phone call?” I begged. He handed it back over. Dialed the nursing home, asked for Uncle Townsley and waited. The staff told me to hold on and she would get him, he was playing poker with the residents.

  “Make it snappy,” he said curtly, minutes later. “I’m holding a winning hand.”

  “Uncle Town? I need your help,” I said quickly.

  “Danny? Where are you?”

  “Verizon store on Mason and twelfth. Any way you can steal a car and come get me?”

  “Where’s Mike?”

  “I…ugh…we parted ways and he’s not exactly happy with me,” I said cautiously. “I don’t want to go home, either.”

  “You know I’m still in the nursing home, Danny? They don’t believe in my miraculous recovery. Still, I know my way around, and I can swipe some keys. How long you got before this place closes?”

  “Why?”

  “I can’t sneak out until lights out and bed check. After that, the lazy SOBs don’t check on me because I don’t piss the bed.”

  “They close at 8 PM,” I read off the sign.

  “Hey, man. You can’t loiter here that late,” the desk jockey blurted.

  Uncle Town heard that. “Okay, Danny boy. Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll call a taxi to come pick you up and bring you here to the Home. I’ll pay the fare and smuggle you into my room. You can stay the night. But you have to call Mike so I can tell him you’re safe.”

  “He’ll find me,” I protested. “Make me go back.”

  “Maybe so, Danny, but it’s not fair to make him worry about all kinds of horrors that could happen to you. Besides, maybe those head bangers can help you.”

  I shuddered. No thanks, I’d rather live on the streets than go back. “This dude’s letting me use his cell phone. I doubt he’ll extend the courtesies to a third call. Besides, he’ll tell Dad.”

  “Dude, are you running away from home? Cuz if you are, I ain’t helping you. I could be charged with kidnapping!” He snatched the phone from me and spoke into it, “hey, man, come get this kid or I’m calling 911.” He hit the END button and glared at me.

  “You’re a real Samaritan,” I said dryly, and left the store. I bet he was dialing before the door even shut behind me. I cut through a bunch of back streets coming out behind a Chinese takeout and found a dumpster that was relatively clean, squeezed between it and the corner of the building where the kitchen vented. It was warm and smelled of cabbage and soy sauce. It was quiet, secure and dark enough so that no one could see me. I was so nervous, I started up at every sound for the first two hours. The restaurant closed at ten and around twelve midnight, a mangy dog sneaked out and rooted around the garbage eating the leftovers. He smelled me, came to investigate and whined. I patted his head; his eyes were large, brown and fearful looking. He was a cross between a Shepherd and a Heeler, about 30 pounds. Blue and black with one blue eye, one brown. Like mine. He wormed his way in with me and I put my arm around his thin body. His heat warmed me, and with him on guard, I fell asleep.

  Chapter 12

  The clatter of garbage can lids woke us. The dog barked once and skittered away. I stayed where I was until I heard the hiss of air brakes and broke out of the corner with visions of being squashed against the wall and the dumpster as the garbage truck hoisted it overhead to dump into its bin.

  Startled the Asian who was emptying bags into metal garbage cans. He yelled in fright and jabbered at me. I followed the dog and he waited at the corner for me before heading for a row of abandoned warehouses that backed up to the river. The smell from the water was horrible.

/>   Most were surrounded by a chain-link fence, the dog trotted along until he found a section torn apart and pulled back. He ducked through, turned and looked to see if I was following and kept going, heading straight for what looked like an old junkyard. Only all these vehicles were old scows, barges and boats.

  “Hey,” I called. “I’m hungry. Any place around here where you can eat for free?”

  He disappeared down the row over towards rusty steel cabin cruisers, some missing entire hulls and others burnt to bare skeletons. At the end of the lane was a construction trailer and the lights were on. The dog trotted right up to the door, scratched and pushed it open. It stayed open and no one came to investigate so I crept closer. Peeked in the windows and used the dog’s eyes to see inside.

  Table with papers spread across it. Fluorescent lights overhead. A ratty couch covered with an old dog-haired blanket, a pillowcase of dirty yellow, which had once been white. Cigarettes on the floor in an ashtray, Burns in the weak, thin carpeting. The bathroom was disgusting. Piss on the floor, the toilet seat and a huge turd floating in the bowl.

  Iron stains in the toilet and on the tub. A ring that looked like it was eons old. I didn’t even like being inside as the dog. Nobody was in the one-room trailer. No kitchen, no fridge, not even a beer bottle on the floor but there was a phone hanging on the wall. I pushed the door open wider and climbed the four steps into the mean little trailer brushing against the dog. I picked up the phone and heard a dial tone. Called my house first. And someone picked it up on the first ring.

  “Danny?” I didn’t recognize the voice so hung up, redialed to make sure I had the right number.

  “Danny. Don’t hang up,” the man said. “This is Mitchell Gaines. We need you to tell us where you are.”

  “Where’s my Dad?” I asked, recognizing his voice. Before I thought what I was saying, I blurted out, “you’re the one said my Dad was lying about being in Vermont! He was! I called him there, I know he was! My Dad loved my Mom! He would never hurt her!”

  “Danny, we need you to come in and give us a statement so we can release him.”

  “You arrested him?” I was shocked. “He didn’t do anything!”

  “Where are you Danny? He’s terrified you’ll be hurt or worse, have another seizure, and no one will find you before it’s too late.”