The Snake and the Spider

  Faye looked hard at Jim as the car pulled out of the driveway. He looked young and carefree, about to begin the adventure of a lifetime. A week wasn’t long at all and then they would be back, sharing tall tales of their time in Florida. She raised her arm up once more, waving one final time.

  “Bye, Jim,” she said softly. “Love you.”

  And then she and her four remaining children stayed in the driveway waving to the boys until the red Chevy Nova with the shiny black top turned off Baldwin Road and disappeared from sight.

  CHAPTER 2

  The Eagles sounded loud and clear over Daryl’s new car stereo and the boys sang along as they drove south down the interstate.

  “I’ve got a peaceful, easy feeling, And I know she won’t let me down. ’Cause I’m already standing on the ground.”

  When the song ended, Jim reached into the backseat and grabbed a paper bag.

  “Sandwich time,” he said, tossing one to Daryl. “How long we been driving?”

  Daryl glanced at his watch. “Three hours. Still got a long way to go.”

  Jim and Daryl were halfway across Ohio when they finished the sandwiches. They had made them the night before in an effort to save time and money and so their only stops would be to buy gasoline for the Nova.

  Jim looked out the window and wondered what Jaime was doing. He wished that there had been some way she could have come on this trip, but he knew the idea had been impossible. Her parents would never have allowed her to spend a week’s vacation with him. They had been dating very seriously for the past four months, but in many ways their relationship was still more like a friendship than anything else. They kissed a lot and occasionally made out after a date. But she drew the line beyond that. Jim sighed out loud as he thought of her. She was a beautiful girl with a heart that seemed perfect for his own.

  Daryl glanced at his friend. “Oh, no. Thinking of Jaime already, aren’t you?”

  Jim laughed. “Okay, you caught me.”

  “Don’t worry, Jim. You’ll survive without seeing her for one week. I promise.”

  In fact, the trip to Daytona Beach had been Jaime’s idea. She and a girlfriend had driven to Daytona during spring break several months earlier. They had spent the week lying on the hot, white sand and splashing about in the clear, warm Atlantic Ocean. She had come home tan and bursting with enthusiasm.

  “It’s great,” she had said, her hands gesturing in excitement. “Beaches as far as you can see and everyone’s our age. Everyone. It’s like teenagers run the place. We must have met a hundred people. And there’s the boardwalk and the shops. You’ve got to go!”

  Jim had talked the idea over with Daryl, who had been to Florida once before with his parents, and in a matter of days the idea of a dream vacation had been conceived.

  Jim stared out the car window as they passed one farm after another. Yes, he could imagine marrying Jaime one day. She was that kind of girl. A sweet, family-oriented girl who didn’t mess around with her boyfriends the way some girls did. Jim smiled as he thought of her. It was probably just as well that she hadn’t pursued the idea of joining them on the Florida vacation. A week of staring at Jaime in a skimpy bikini would probably have given him heart failure. Besides, this week was going to be a special time for him and Daryl. Just like old times.

  “How’s it feel to be on vacation,” Jim asked, breaking the comfortable silence.

  Daryl shrugged and grinned. “Considering I’m pulling in a paycheck for spending a week in Florida, it feels pretty good.”

  Jim laughed and looked out the window again. He and Daryl didn’t have to spend a lot of time talking in order to enjoy each other’s company. They shared a love for the same kinds of music, they participated in similar activities, and they had grown up playing together on the same street. They were almost like brothers.

  The only problem was that for the past year, since Daryl had started working full-time as a machinist, they had spent much less time together. Once Jim had resigned himself to Daryl’s new schedule, he had gotten a job also, working as a part-time clerk at Kmart so that he could save up extra money for the trip to Florida. Even after he received his bowling prize money Jim did not consider quitting his job. The trip was going to be expensive and he wanted to make as much money as possible before the school year started.

  “Jim, why don’t you relax a little and enjoy this summer,” his mother had said. “You work all the time.”

  “I like to work,” Jim had insisted. “It makes me feel good to know I can make money and buy my own things. I’ve had enough summers where all I do is sit around. Besides, I want to save for the trip.”

  With their heavy work schedules, the summer had gone by quickly and then, suddenly, the trip was upon them. By that time Jim had saved an additional five hundred dollars, of which he kept four hundred in cash for the trip and put the rest in the bank with his prize money.

  The car was traveling at a steady speed and Jim casually felt his wallet to make sure he’d brought it. Then he remembered his traveler’s checks. Suddenly he couldn’t remember if he had taken them or not.

  “Oh, no,” he said. He rummaged through his duffel bag.

  Daryl watched his friend with a puzzled look on his face. “What’s up?”

  Jim felt the smooth plastic check holder tucked in the bottom of the bag and he released a deep sigh as he held up the traveler’s checks so Daryl could see them. “For a second there I thought I forgot these.”

  “Glad you didn’t,” Daryl said. He had resumed singing and was clearly enjoying the trip. He had several hundred dollars in cash with him but Jim’s parents had insisted that one of them take some money in traveler’s checks.

  “You never know, son,” his father had said. “You could lose your money or your wallet might get taken. Having traveler’s checks, you won’t have to worry about that. It’s a good idea.”

  Jim had agreed and now, two hundred miles from home, he was glad to know he hadn’t forgotten them.

  “Tell me again what you remember about Daytona Beach,” Jim said, turning sideways in his seat and reaching over and turning down the radio.

  Daryl laughed softly. Jim had never been away from home except for family vacations to visit grandparents or other relatives. Now he seemed excited just traveling through Ohio. Daryl could only imagine what he would think about Daytona Beach once they got there.

  “Well, I’ll tell you this much,” Daryl said. “There are definitely a lot of girls. And none of them are wearing much, if you know what I mean!”

  Jim laughed and felt his face flush with embarrassment. Jaime had warned him about the girls.

  “I know you’re on vacation,” she had said lightly, “But keep your hands to yourself, hear?”

  Jim had agreed completely. He wouldn’t mind sitting on a warm beach watching bikini-clad girls stroll by. But he wasn’t looking to get involved with any of them. Not with Jaime waiting back home.

  “What else?” he asked, anxious to change the subject.

  “Well, they have parties on the beach,” Daryl said. “You know, at the motels up and down the strip.”

  The idea of attending a beach party sounded wonderful to Jim. He had been to high school parties and get-togethers at friends’ houses in Metamora and nearby Lapeer. But he had never been to a party like he figured they would have at Daytona Beach.

  “And the water’s warm, right?” Jim continued.

  “You bet it is,” Daryl said, grinning at the memory of the warm Atlantic water. “Nothing like our lakes back home.”

  The boys slipped into an easygoing quiet and Daryl turned the radio up. Minutes later they were both singing as loud as they could, their windows open so that the warm breeze whirled throughout the car. They were on vacation and life felt so very, very good.

  Hours later they passed a sign that read, “Daytona Beach, seven miles.”

  • • •

  FAYE AND ROY BOUCHER HAD FIN
ISHED DINNER, DONE the dishes, and gotten the younger children in bed. Now, finally, they were alone at the kitchen table. They talked about Roy’s workday and Kristi’s latest accomplishments. Then, after a while, they slipped into making occasional small talk. But every few minutes Faye glanced up at the clock on the wall.

  Why haven’t they called, she asked herself. They should be there by now and they definitely should have called.

  Finally, Roy took her hand in his and smiled.

  “I know what you’re thinking, honey,” he said. “But it’s only ten fifteen. The boys are probably almost there and they’ll be calling us any minute.”

  Faye nodded slowly. “I know,” she said. She was quiet a moment as she sorted her thoughts. “I’m not really worried. It’s just that I wish I would have asked them to call sooner. Or maybe just to call at a specific time. That way we would be sure they would call at ten o’clock and we wouldn’t have to sit here worrying.”

  Roy raised an eyebrow. “Who’s worried? I thought you weren’t worried about a thing.”

  Faye laughed at her own contradiction and moved closer to her husband, setting her head on his shoulder.

  “Do you think they’re okay?” she asked softly.

  Roy stroked his wife’s hair. “Yes, sweetheart. I do. They’re big boys. They’re smart and they’re very responsible. They’ll do just fine.”

  Faye nodded absently. “It’s just that it’s so far away. Maybe they should have flown or something.”

  Roy laughed. “Honey, really. They’re going to be fine.”

  Glancing up at the clock again, Faye sighed. “I just wish they’d call, that’s all.”

  “Maybe you should pray about this, just so you won’t worry so much,” Roy said, seeing that his wife was still nervous.

  “You’re right. God doesn’t want us fretting like this.”

  The Bouchers were devout Christians whose children had learned more from watching their faith in action than from any of the hundreds of Sunday School lessons they’d received. The Bouchers lived their faith, believing that to be anything less than devoted to God and His son Jesus was to make a mockery of Christianity. As a result they did not merely participate in a religion. They shared a relationship with God and each of their children had grown to do the same thing.

  Fifteen minutes passed and Faye spent much of that time in prayer, begging God for the boys’ phone call. Still, when the telephone rang she released a sigh of relief as she jumped up to answer it.

  “Hello?”

  “Hey, Mom,” Jim said, his voice sounding as clear as if he were standing in the next room. Faye felt instant relief as she strained to hear Jim above the sound of traffic in the background. “We’re here. Made it safely.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Faye said. “How was the trip?”

  “Well, I have to tell you,” Jim said. “That’s one long drive.” Jim laughed. “But now that we’re here it’s great. The water is so warm, Mom, you wouldn’t believe it.”

  Roy had moved into the other room and was listening in on the extension. “You mean you’ve already been down to the beach?” he asked.

  “Oh, hi, Dad,” Jim said. “Yeah, just for a minute. We wanted to feel the water before we called you. And guess what?”

  At that instant, an operator interrupted the call.

  “I’m sorry, but you are out of time. Please hang up or deposit more money.”

  “Operator, can you reverse the charges?” Roy asked.

  “Yes, that’ll be fine. I’ll reverse them starting now.”

  “Thank you,” he said. “Jim, are you there?”

  “Yeah. Hey, thanks, Dad. I’m out of change. Anyway, guess what I found?”

  “We give up,” Faye said lightly, laughing as she enjoyed her son’s obvious excitement.

  “A crab! Can you believe it. Just walking along the beach. I saw it in the moonlight and caught it. So, you can tell John that I’ll be bringing him the crab I promised, okay?”

  Faye wrinkled her nose at the thought of having a sea crab in her house. But she didn’t want to dampen Jim’s enthusiasm. “I’ll tell him,” she said. “I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.”

  Roy laughed. He could just imagine little John asking Jim to bring him a live crab from Florida. “Son, tell us where you are.”

  “Okay, we just got into Daytona Beach,” Jim said, raising his voice above the sound of the heavy traffic. “We’re going to drive down the strip a ways and find a motel. And that’s about it for tonight.”

  “All right,” Roy said. “Well, be careful, son. And have a good time.”

  “And please call us,” Faye added.

  “I will. I’ll keep in touch and let you know how the trip’s going.”

  “We’d appreciate that,” Roy said. “Especially your mother. You know how she worries.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Jim tried to make light of his parents’ concerns. “Don’t worry about us, Mom. We’ll be fine. We’re having a great time already.”

  “Okay, honey. Well, good night then. I love you,” Faye said.

  “Love you, too. Good night, Dad.”

  “Good night, son. Talk to you soon.”

  Roy hung up the telephone and walked back into the kitchen and pulled Faye into a hug. She looked more relaxed than she had before.

  “You okay,” he asked.

  “I’m fine,” she answered, sounding almost surprised at herself. “I guess I was worried something would happen to them on the way there. You know, a car accident or car trouble. Something like that.”

  “Silly girl,” Roy said, tickling his wife playfully. “The boys are fine. You have nothing to worry about. Now, come on, let’s go to bed.”

  That night, in the moments before Faye fell asleep, she said a silent prayer of thanks. Roy was right. The boys were safely in Daytona Beach. There was absolutely nothing to worry about.

  CHAPTER 3

  After hanging up the phone and joining Daryl in the Chevy Nova, Jim suggested they find a motel before doing anything else. Daryl agreed and the boys looked south on Atlantic Boulevard at the dozens of places to choose from.

  “Let’s find something cheap,” Daryl said. He had brought less money than Jim and didn’t want to waste it on frivolous motel luxuries. “Just a place to sleep; sound good?”

  “Yeah, but let’s stay on the beach side,” Jim said.

  “Definitely.” Daryl laughed as he pulled the Nova back onto Atlantic. “Can’t stay at the beach unless you’re sleeping over sand. Besides, the parties are usually on the beach side of the strip from what I hear.”

  The teens drove several miles, realizing that what they had thought was the heart of Daytona Beach was really only the outskirts.

  “This place is huge,” Jim said, his eyes wide as he soaked in the beach atmosphere. I love it!”

  Daryl pointed toward a motel just a few hundred feet down the road. “There, that looks pretty good,” he said.

  “Thunderbird Motel. Sure, sounds good to me.”

  They pulled in, walked up to the front desk, and paid cash for a one-night stay in Room 109. The room had easy access from the motel parking lot. But more importantly it had a balcony which overlooked the beach and the famous boardwalk.

  “I can’t believe I’m really here,” Jim said as they hauled their suitcases into the room. When they had finished setting up their things, Jim turned to Daryl. “Now what?”

  Daryl smiled. “Let’s hit the beach.”

  Jim looked at his watch. “Isn’t it too late. I mean, the parties will already be going. Who’s going to be on the beach now?”

  Daryl shrugged. “Never know unless we go,” he said, casually dropping his car keys into his pocket and grinning. “The night is young. Come on!”

  Jim laughed and shrugged. Daryl was so carefree and fun to be with. Besides, it was only eleven o’clock and they were on vacation. Why not go down to the beach?

  The boys
took towels and walked down a flight of motel stairs to the beach below. The lights from the boardwalk flooded the sandy stretches on either side, and Jim and Daryl could see the silhouettes of several couples making out on beach blankets.

  “I think I’m missing Jaime,” Jim mumbled under his breath and Daryl laughed.

  Jim had never imagined such a place existed. The sand beneath his feet was still warm from a day of intense sunshine. He gazed upward at the star-filled sky overhead and listened to the sound of the gentle surf. This beach had to be one of the all-time great places to bring a girlfriend.

  Jim and Daryl spread their towels on the sand in a place where they could watch hundreds of teenagers riding the Ferris wheel and trying their luck at carnival games along the boardwalk.

  “Imagine, a full-fledged carnival built right over the ocean,” Jim said. “It’s amazing!”

  “Want to go up and join the fun?” Daryl asked, raising his eyebrows in anticipation. “That’s probably where we’ll meet people who can tell us where the parties are.”

  “Nah. We can go later. I just want to sit here and soak it all in. You know, get used to the place for a while.”

  “We won’t hear about any parties sitting down here,” Daryl warned again. “And it’s still pretty early.”

  “Well, let’s just sit here a little bit, all right? We just got here.”

  “Sure.” Daryl didn’t mind. There would be plenty of time for parties. Besides, he didn’t have to go to a party to have fun at Daytona Beach. It was fun just being there. He leaned back on his towel, watching the boardwalk and enjoying the warm breeze that washed over him. The Atlantic Ocean was wonderful, so much warmer than the Michigan lakes. Daryl decided he could stay right there on the beach with his best friend beside him forever if he had to.

  Suddenly a strange voice interrupted the moment.

  “Hey, man, what’s going on?”

  Jim and Daryl turned toward the voice and saw a young man in his late teens or early twenties approaching them.