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- - FOUL BALL - -
Chapter Four
The looming gray firmament roared with suspicious contempt, as if at any moment it would open up, and discharge malice and detestation upon the small Oregon city. The dreary clouds swelled with moisture, much like a drunk full of liquor, dripping its contents with dizzy-eyed pleasure. The beast in the skies bellowed out, but never hacked its long claw-like lightening. Never lit up the darkening skies with a bolt of fury and frustration.
The storm never ceased, the aura-like clouds looming overhead with whispers and tears. The occasional drizzle did happen, but was quickly silenced into harsh bitter winds, turning the gentle fall of rain into violent razors of pain.
Mattie and Gordie had been caught in three rainfalls so far, and finally giving up, scurried into the shelter of the convenient store. Mattie wondered what the guys were up to, quite confident they were dry and safe. She amused herself, walking the isles of the store in soggy shoes and dripping clothes. Gordie however, was perched at the window, watching leaves scuttle in the wind, and water pour from the heavens. Mattie distracted herself with the many different foods, her stomach moaning with hunger. A bag of chips called out to her, the candy bedside it wailing with delight. She ignored them best she could, wandering to a isle with sodas and drinks.
She noticed the fridge was still broken, and thought nothing of it. Though, upon further inspection to the fridges repairman, she saw it was none other than Eyeball Chambers. He was slouched over the part, a cigarette lay limply on his lips, his eyes narrowed with thought and consideration. Mattie shifted, looking up to see the stores owner, lazily watching the television. He obviously took to Chambers skill, for the boy was still there, working flawlessly upon a second machine, with as much stride and eagerness as last. Money had to of been his main concern, was there another reason to submerge himself into utter concentration? He was not friends with the shops owner, nor in debt. Mattie dismissed the buzzing thoughts, deciding she really didn't give a rats ass, and moved on - quite swiftly I might add. She may have escaped the looming danger of yet another brush off with Eyeball Chambers, hadn't he looked up to see her.
"Well look who it is. Little Miss Sunshine," he rapped sarcastically. Mattie slouched, turning around to smirk curtly at his sarcasm.
"Great, and I thought today may be a good one," she trailed off, crossing her arms over her chest and rolling her eyes. She really could care less if he thought of her as a bitch. That was her one goal in life, to make others think she was a bitch, and not take shit from anyone. Period.
"Well, you should of stayed in bed," he replied, busily sinking into his task. Mattie's eyes wandered over to Gordie, who still seemed emerged in the wonder of the storm - though he had a whole week to contemplate this. It'd been raining constantly.
"Maybe," she said with a acid sting of tartness. Eyeball looked up, his muffled voice caused by his smoldering nicotine. Mattie's lungs shrieked out, and she quickly hid that craving look in her face.
"What are you doing around here?" he asked, not really interested, but making small talk. He hadn't anything else to do, besides fix this damn thing, for a second time.
Mattie sighed, lifting off the soaked coat she was wearing, and tossing it over one of her arms. Her clothes stuck like paste to her skin, causing a shiver to wrack her lithe figure. "I really don't know," she said, half surprised she answered without contempt or derision. Eyeball noticed this, and looked up, eyeing her sodden figure from head to toe, and smirked - that came out in a leer like flicker. Mattie was unsettled, she hugged herself, flicking her gaze to the owner, who must have been watching sports, because he was swearing the thing out like no tomorrow.
"Sounds fun," he answered, following her gaze and adjusting his footing on the ground. He switched from one knee to the other, the first numb with temporary sleep.
"Oodles," she replied with a ghostly smile. Eyeball chuckled, once again focused on his mission. Gordie finally pulled himself away, and wandered on over to Mattie's side. Upon first glance, Gordies whole figure became gaunt. Mattie noticed, and quickly suggested something.
"He Gordo, why don't we go to the library or something," she said in a low tone. Eyeball didn't even seem to take notice. Gordie glanced at her, his encircled eyes seemed to not even waver. He shrugged the suggestion, and turned down another isle, inspecting the goods.
"You guys really know how to party," Eyeball said offhandedly, not even looking up. Mattie's lips twitched into a crooked smile.
"You know it," she replied flatly, scratching her chin and running a hand through her soggy black hair.
"Better than nothing," he shrugged, still not taking the conversation into a serious tone. Mattie nodded, considering this statement. There was nothing to around here, which always ended up in half-ass schemes and fits of trouble.
He may have something fun to do.
Oh go on and shut up.
Only trying to help.
Some help you are. Asshole.
Fine, but I know you enjoy his company.
I do not, I hate him with a passion.
Whatever you say. He's still fun.
Mattie fought mentally, and hadn't even heard whatever Eyeball had said. She looked up to see his waiting face, and all she could managed was a whispery, "Hm?" Eyeball sighed, finally taking a draw from his cigarette.
"Nothing," he said shaking his head. Mattie furrowed her brows, partly disappointed she hadn't heard what he'd said. Oh what does it matter anyways. She realized she was just standing there, and moved down the isle, pretending to be searching for something. "Ever play mailbox baseball?" he seemed to say with a lazy, iquiring tone. Mattie glanced over her shoulder, going over the inquiry, and quickly replying.
"No," she stated flatly, and he looked up, surprised, no, shocked.
"You really are pathetic Callaway," he replied, shaking his head and turning back to his work. Mattie cleared her throat, waiting for more of this games description, though it was pretty obvious what it was all about. "I'd show you, but unless you can handle a bat, you ain't got the swing to hit a broad side of a barn," he commented, smirking as he did so. Mattie seemed to laugh halfly, and reply with an eager look of amusement,.
"I've played baseball, if that's what you mean."
"Really? I thought you weren't a sports kinda girl."
"Fuck you. I played plenty of sports." Eyeball knew this for a nigh fact, but went on bantering with the girl, until she was ready to brawl right then and there on the floor of the store.
"Alright, after I'm done, we'll see exactly who is better, unless your of course, busy going to the library," he said, standing up and stretching his legs. Mattie was quickly reminded how much taller he was, and took a step back.
"What about Gordie?" she said, glancing over at her melancholy friend. She couldn't ditch him like that, hell no. Not for a case of beer and a million dollars. Okay. Maybe a million dollars. And a case of beer - but, that's beside the point.
Eyeball shrugged carelessly, glancing to the mesmerized boy at the window. He didn't understand what Lachance had to be upset about. He wasn't beaten, like Eyeball had been in his early years of youth, it wasn't like his parents left him on the street, or tried to kill him. He took a long drag and looked back to Mattie who was biting her lip in contemplation. It didn't take very long for him to realize, that signaled deep thought with her. She finally looked up, licking her lower lip and giving a single nod.
"Hey Gordo, you up for a game of mailbox baseball?" she said from, across the store. Gordon looked up, as if he was just ripped from a deep stupor. He looked at her for a long while, and finally answered in a murmured tone.
"Sure," he said, sounding as if he had a wad of gum in his mouth. Mattie shrugged and looked back at Eyeball. He nodded, and stooped back over his work. With that out of the way, Mattie decided that the money in her pocket was burning a hole, and she was going to spend it.
She glided through the isles, glimpsing from the shelf, her eyes wandering over different goods, each one as appealing and delicious as the last. After a few moments of deciding, she came to the final purchase of a soda, pack of gum and beef jerky. Gordie as well, had bought similar things, except a bag of chips instead of beef jerky.
Looking up from the counter, Mattie noticed it had stopped raining, and the brilliant rays of golden sun warmed the sodden streets. A smile swelled on her lips, and she looked back at Gordie, who had noticed this as well. She sighed inwardly, stepping away from the counter to approach the door. "Finally," she said, breathing against the glass, her breath hazing it slightly.
Gordie and Mattie decided, to meet up with the guys for a little while, then after a few games of poker, go batting with Eyeball. A productive day? - not so much - but Mattie didn't object, not in the least. The subject of a job was still the top on her list, though she was quite skeptic about it. She didn't want any old job. Waitresing, bullshit like that. Of course, she could always write another book, but as of late that was a chore it itself. Cynical as she was, Mattie faced the working force of Castle Rock with low expectations - for now she'd lay back with the guys.
Of course Teddy, Vern and Chris had been at the tree house the entire time - any thought otherwise was basically ludicrous. She was quite surprised however, to see that the place had been quite tumbled about in the storm. The guys said it was quite a ride too. The place was dripping wet on the outside, but warm on the inside, and smelled of cigarettes and bubble gum.
Now they sat around their table, exchanging glances as they played a slight deviation of their typically favored game. Today was poker. Five card draw, deuces were wild. Mattie was in the lead, winning all first three hands, now on the fourth, everyone was holding their breath. So far, the kitty was up to about a whole dollar, with an obvious bluff from Vern, and a convincing hand from Teddy and Mattie. Chris folded, looking down at his three of a kind with skepticism. Gordie quickly followed, with a small two of kind. Mattie, Vern and Teddy however, seemed quite confident. Vern sure they hadn't seen though his pathetic attempt to bluff them. Laying down, it came out that Teddy had won this round. A full house. Mattie was slightly surprised to see her straight had gone down the drain.
Teddy scooped up his wins with his mad laugh, Mattie smirking at his cackle. "Mattie just bit the dust," he said between his mad laugh and a triumphant smile. Mattie flicked her hand in a 'who cares' motion and leaned back, taking a long draw from her cigarette. Vern sighed, slamming down his small three of a kind with a frown. Gordie nodded, quite pleased with the fact he folded. Mattie wadded up a gum wrapper and hit Teddy square between the eyes with a smirk. He picked it up, chucking it at Vern who let out a squealed hey. Everyone laughed, softly churning them into dying chuckles.
"Good time," Vern said, reaching forward to shimmy a cigarette from its pack. Everyone nodded, slumping back in their seats, relaxed, content and all around careless. Sure, they all had marks on their heads, Ace and his gang probably plotting right about now. Mattie contemplated this, chilled with images of them dragging her out of her own house by her hair. She shifted, glancing to her watch. Sitting up, she nearly pelted Teddy (who was sitting directly beside her) with hot embers.
"Shit," she whispered, relizing she and Gordie were supposed to be meeting Eyeball right now.
"Goddamnit," Teddy said, standing up to brush the hot coals from his shoulder, "What the fuck Callaway?" he said coarsely, muffling his words with his loose cigarette. Mattie explained she was late for something, and when they asked what, she told them it was none of their business. Gordie realized what she meant, and quickly followed her down the ladder, avoiding the burning gazes of his friends.
Once outside the seemingly increased crowded tree house, Mattie sighed thankfully, shooting Gordie a glance. Gordie jumped off the last step, a ring of dirt circling them both. Mattie waved a hand, and gestured he followed. The two quickly made their way down the rise by the large oak tree, reaching out to grip small trees for stability, a few being tugged out by their soggy roots. The bottom was in sight, and Mattie seemed quite dazzled by the invitation to go batting with Eyeball, though she regarded him pessimistically. Gordie had no opinion for the matter, not liking the prospects of this little game, nor the way Eyeball looked at his dear friend. He knew if he voiced his concern, Mattie would merely push him down with a well-executed insult or laugh. Either one was very disconcerting.
Now at the foot of the incline, Mattie slid on the slippery walk, reaching out to steady her body by Gordies shoulder. She gasped, nearly falling flat on her ass. Gordie smirked, and quickly it dissipated, the convenient store in short distance. Mattie took off, tugging him slightly along. She shivered slightly as she passed though the oncoming updrafts, her shirt still quite damp. She slipped her sweater over her lissome arms, lifting it over her shoulders to plop warmly over her shuddering body. Adjusting the collar, she quickly dodged a car, shouting a half swear at the woman driving. Gordie followed suit reluctantly, his dull eyes following her trotting figure grimly. He recoiled, watching the screeching car come to an abrupt stop, not surprised when Mattie offered a vulgar hiss of scorn. He followed quickly, stepping around the bumper to catch up to his sprinting comrade. She stopped, and he barreled into her, but she was planted firmly, and he slammed into her, bouncing right back off, sprawled out onto the sidewalk. Mattie whisked around, offering a soft hand, and Gordie accepted, craning himself to his feet. He dusted off the seat of his jeans, noticing his legs went numb during his downfall. Before he could mumble a thanks, Mattie had wrapped her hand over his mouth, and jerked him into the shadows.
"What the hell?" he breathed, pushing her hand off. He faced Mattie, demanding an explanation with sullen eyes and twisted lips. Mattie brought a finger to her lips, whispering shhh. Gordie glanced over his shoulder, bracing himself against the brick wall and peering around the corner at the convenient store. There stood the Cobras, two in Ace's car, while three others went inside to get some alcohol. Mattie felt her breathing start to shallow, and leaned on the wall, closing her eyes, and praying they hadn't seen her. There were very few things she was afraid of, and one thing she was officially terrified of, was Ace. She'd seen the look in his eyes, the one that declared he wasn't afraid to slice her up and dump her into the river. Mattie couldn't bring herself to admit it. Ace was stronger. Not in anything else, but strength. As much as she detested the fact she was weaker, and as a matter of fact, part of the female gender, she was. He could easily overpower her, just as Eyeball had in attempt to save her.
Shit. Her eyes glazed over, mouth open in a drop of sudden remembrance. Eyeball. Shit. Shit. Shit. They were getting him. She was not only terrified at the fact that she may be next, but was terrified she even cared. I don't. I don't. I don't. But as much as she wanted to say it, in all truth she was. How? Elementary dear Watson. He saved her, and as much as she hated the fact, she was in debt, and quite taken he risked his life, for her shitty one. God Eyeball, why did you have to waste it on me? She sagged against the wall, gulping at the sound of Ace's laugh - except it didn't sound like a laugh - it was more like a death trumpet. An instrument, announcing the foredooming death. Mattie's imaginative silence was broken by the relived sigh of Gordie. He glanced at her paling face, first with worry, then with intense fret. "They're gone. Mattie, you look sick, you okay?" he whispered, not realizing there really wasn't a reason anymore. Mattie nodded, slumping on the hot brick wall. Gone? "They left," he said, nodding. Mattie let out a pent-up breath, her throat gurgling as she stepped forward and braced herself on a wall. Gordie noticed this, and helped her over a fallen garbage can.
"Did they take Eyeball?" she asked, sounding too worried. Gordie shook his head, and a sudden relief washed over her. Mattie closed her eye, uttering an inward smile and hallelujah. "Do you see him?" she said, following him from the shadows. Gordie shrugged, not seeing a single Chambers in sight.
"See who?" The two friends spun around, waiting to see the face of their murderer, and sudden death. Relaxed, they only saw Eyeball Chambers, standing awkwardly, hands in his pockets. Mattie wanted to kill that es-oh-be, but was surprisingly delighted to see her new found friend. Gordie however, was less than depressed.
"We thought they we're gonna kill you," she said in a hoarse whisper. Eyeball scoffed, dismissing the possibility with a drag from his ever-present cigarette. Gordie swallowed, and glanced over his shoulder, waiting any moment to see someone grabbing him, and swallowing him into a dark abyss.
"Come on," Eyeball said tersely, and led the way to his car. The same one Mattie mistook for heaven, the one she smeared with blood after he saved her life from a ogre they called Ace Merrill. Mattie followed unsurely, curving around to take a seat in the passengers side, Gordie hopping in the back. In his head, that small voice said: Get out. Don't go. Get out. But nonetheless, he insisted on accompanying his friend, despite the lingering hate he had fro Eyeball and his former gang.
He felt his teeth click as the car jerked to life, and for a moment, he swore he heard Denny saying: "Don't be an idiot Gordie."
It wasn't long before they were driving down East Side Rd. watching mailboxes whiz by, nearly as fast as the yellow lines on the road. Gordie sat soundly in the back, glancing between the conversing Eyeball and Mattie with silence. "So, those are the rules?" Mattie's voice came, as she held loosely onto a Louisville slugger. Eyeball nodded.
"That's it," he said, glancing over at Mattie with a nod. Mattie shrugged, and braced the bat tighter. Gordie hadn't heard much, only the bit about wooden boxes, and not to get your hand clipped off. Which led their "coach" to say, he nearly broke his arm once, because Ace wandered to close to the side. However, Gordie was thoroughly confident, Matte would do superbly, like she always did with anything she regarded as interesting and put her mind to.
Scooting close to the door, Mattie stood up best she could, wielding her weapon like a samurai. She gripped the handle tightly, twisting her hands, the wood firmly between steady fingers. Mattie narrowed her sage eyes, quite certain this game would pose no challenge to her naturally sportsman like enthuse. The first mailbox bobbed into view, and Mattie squeezed the bat tightly, her breath held in her chest as she watched her target with unwavering eyes. Eyeball glanced over, waiting to see her fall out the door, or fuck herself up with a well aimed smack. But she didn't flinch, she didn't gasp, nor twicth as the mailbox strode into batting range. She brought her arms back, the bat lingering behind her head, and swung forward with expertise, smashing the aluminum letter-holder in the side. Not only did it fly off the wood post, and nearly six feet in the air, but it was dented to shit. Eyeball, slightly amazed that a girl could wield so much power, waited for the second. Gordie however, smirked knowingly in the back, musing.
Mattie came up on another, repeating her first stroke, but lighter, but with a smoother swing. The mailbox unfurled into the blue sky, and landed behind them, similar to road kill. She skipped a wooden one, and repeated her streak, until she finally struck out - her arms starting to weaken after a good fifteen minutes. Anyone living up East Side Road, and down New Harlow Street, would awaken tomorrow, to no mailbox.
Sitting back triumphantly, Mattie wiped her arm over her forehead, wholly tired out. Eyeball was smiling as if he'd received a medal, and saw a ghost both in the same day.
"I think we have a new record," he said, slipping the bat from her hands and setting it against the seat. Mattie shouldered the seat, sighing with relief. She didn't admit her hands were beating red, and quite sore, but she did say, it was hell of a lot better than any library. A soft breeze ruffled her silky black hair, and she was quickly aware that rain clouds were wholly gone now. Her emerald eyes gazed up at the cloudless sky, admiring the bright blue, flawless sky wheeled out before her. Leaning far back into the seat, she crossed her arms over her stomach. Gordie shifted, his own thoughts mingling deep within the blackness of his mind. He was praying relentlessly, maybe even briskly that Mattie didn't get swept up in this whole thing. That she remained his dearest friend and only girl he ever found himself admiring in a way that wasn't affection. She was a different, matchless girl, that he was happy to of befriended. Now, watching her fall into a net wove by someone like Eyeball chambers, was like watching his own mother drink poison - and even then - he was determined the friendship the two had made, would certainly lead to no good.
"Your up Gordo," Mattie broke the silence, hitting Gordon like a train. He started for a moment, but quickly recovered, watching the ominous gaze of both in the front seat. He shook his head, "Come on Gordie," she said, rolling her eyes and handing him the bat. Gordie took it unenthusiastically, looking down at it like it were some grotesque object, in which if he held it much longer, he'd die a long, suffering death. Then Denny's voice came again, this time a bit more persistent. He shook his head again, mustering up whatever words stirred in his throat.
"Na, I'm okay, you win…I guess," he said in his usual dank voice. Mattie saw the clenched look in his eyes, and knew she shouldn't press the matter, for his sake. He set it down, looking in the mirror at Eyeballs seemingly careless expression, as if he were in mid-thought on something. Mattie nodded, and gave a warm smile, turning around to droop back in the seat.
"So, have anything else for us to do?" she asked, looking back up at the rolling sky. Eyeball half-shrugged, toying with his thoughts for a moment, as if reminiscing on some distant memory. Mattie watched his reaction with a parted mouth and expectant eyes. Musing, she lay back, looking back up to her endless meadow of cerulean, digging around to slip out her Winstons.
"Ya, I think so," he said with a nod, glancing over at her slightly laying position. Gordie wasn't enthusiastic, at all. Mattie however looked up with hopeful pools of jade. "How 'bout baseball?"
"What?" she said, leaning forward. Mattie was confused, didn't they just play baseball? "But we-"
"I mean the real thing," he said, turning the wheel and watching an adjacent street. Mattie mused the idea, and looked back at Gordie. "Well?" he said, quirking a brow."Why not?" she shrugged, taking a draw from her nicotine, and glancing back to her comrade. "Ya, sure, we can get the guys," she said, with a nod. Good idea. Eyeball nodded, and forgot about who'd play. He knew a couple of guys that wouldn't mind playing a few games, but playing with a girl, they might object to. But, he was convinced in the fact she'd make them eat their words, that or start a really ugly fight.
Gordie was relived, finally, they could do something that interested him. He really didn't understand why he hadn't stayed with the guys. But he knew he only went to watch her back, still positive Eyeball was going to be the end of her. He was still furious at Eyeball, for taking Denny's Yankee cap, and in no way stopping Ace from that. He as mad at the way they talked about Denny, mad about how they teased him. His hate for the Cobras would never falter, never waver. It was a venerable, boiling contempt that was true to its colors. He would never forgive them.
Mattie had knack for violating his beloved silence, "Whatya think Gordo?" she said, her lips shadowing an inviting smile, the kind he always liked to see. Gordie nodded, giving his own slight smile.
"Good," Eyeball said, acting as if he really gave a fuck what Gordie thought. He looked away as they entered the town again, fully aware Eyeball was looking at him through that mirror. His tenuous smirk making Gordon twitch with sinister abhorrence. If he only had that gun again, he'd shoot the guy cheerfully, without remorse, without hesitance. Because Gordie seemed to know one thing Eyeball didn't, and that was Mattie would never ditch Gordie, never let him down. And if that fucked up Chambers jerk didn't get it, then he was just as dense as everyone thought - even thought Gordie knew Eyeball was well past stupid and verging on the line of bright.
The car stopped just off the hill by the tree house, and Mattie climbed out. "Stay here guys, I'll get the others," she said, and took off up the hill. She left the two in car, despite that nagging voice that said it was a bad idea.
Eyeball looked at Gordie, Gordie looked at Eyeball, a glare as bright as any sun, reciprocating equally between the two. Eyeball sighed inwardly, and decided it was time to find out what the little homos problem was. "What's you problem?" he said in a venomous tone, though it wasn't as nearly as mean as it sounded. Gordie looked up, glaring directly into his eyes through the mirror.
"You are," he trailed off, not sounding at all like the Gordon Lachance everyone knew.
Eyeball smirked, "I'm bothering you?" he asked, amused by Gordies look, which resembled a very distraught badger. Like he came between Gordie and his stockpile of food in the dead of winter, whilst he slept. Which was fucking disturbing. But Gordie didn't answer, only kept glaring, making a minnow of anxiousness swim around in the hollow of his stomach. Not fear, not fear of Gordie, but like excitement, like something fun and all enjoyable was coming.
"Just stay away from Mattie you asshole," Gordie retorted, his eyes seeming to swell with an unimaginable blackness. Eyeball was amused, and his throat bubbled with it. Gordie's brow darkened, and he was trying to make it crystal clear, he was serious. "She has enough problems," he trailed off, finally looking away and up the hill. Eyeball considered this, and narrowed his eyes, wondering exactly what Gordie meant, but trying to act as if it didn't matter to him.