Chapter 24
It was around fifteen minutes to midnight, and Marie had been sleeping peacefully in her bed for around an hour. Being completely immersed in her dreams, Marie had not realized her two sisters had faked sleep and quietly climbed out of the bed.
The two girls were currently downstairs in the living room, discussing their plan once again.
"Alright May, now when I grab her, you're gonna have to help me get her down here." said Lee. "I'll get the chains that are holdin' the trailer down and you're gonna use them to tie her up. I doubt anyone's gonna try to steal this piece of shit, so theres no harm that they'll be off for while. While I'm out there, you get the duct tape and something to shove in her big mouth."
"Okay." said May rather reluctantly.
"It's time to end this once and for all." said Lee snickering as she walked toward the back door.
May stood contemplating her actions. She felt horribly wrong for betraying her sister, and honestly wanted nothing to do with this whole sting operation that Lee had cooked up. May was not the most intelligent person when it came to academics, or even common sense; but she did have a big heart and knew she had to help her sister; she thought as hard as she could to come up with a way to do it.
A few months ago, Rod came over, unhooked the trailer and used his truck to move it out of the way for utility workers to access a broken pipe. From watching her father unhook the chains, she knew that it would take Lee at least 10 minutes to unhook and pull the whole length of the heavy iron chain, possibly longer as she didn't have as much strength to lift it. She knew she would have enough time to act.
The blonde Kanker sister reached into the kitchen drawer and pulled out a pen. She quickly grabbed a piece of paper from the kitchen counter and proceeded to write a note, attempting to disguise her handwriting:
'Marie, I had a good time tonight, I would really like to see you again real soon. Let's meet up by the creek so we can talk again. I think we should meet around mid night tonight. I can't wait to see u again.
- Edd .
Although the gesture came from a kind heart, May's command of language in general was nowhere near Double Dees to make the note seems convincing. She could only hope that this would at least work long enough to help Marie.
May glanced out the kitchen window to make sure that Lee was preoccupied. Sure enough, Lee was underneath the trailer, cursing up a storm as she struggled to unlock the padlock that held the chains together.
May ran up the stairs and into the bedroom proceeding to run over to the bed and shake Marie violently.
"Marie, Marie!" yelled May, Marie roused up and looked up at May.
"What are ya doin May, it's freakin' fifteen minutes to midnight." said Marie
"You gotta get outta here Marie!" said May, "Lee knows about you and Double Dee."
"WHAT!" yelled Marie, now completely alert, "But how?"
"She met up with Eddy in detention and apparently Eddy saw you two in Double Dees room last night through the window." said May.
"Oh shit!" said Marie
"Lee and Eddy are working together. You gotta get out of here and warn Double Dee. Lee is out back under the trailer taking the chains off and she's gonna use them to tie you up in a chair. Eddy is doing the same to Double Dee" said May.
"To hell she is!" said Marie as she jumped out of bed angered.
"Go!" yelled May as she pushed Marie toward the stairs.
Marie, in her pajamas and in bare feet quickly slipped into a pair of bedroom slippers and began walking towards the door. She turned around and hugged May tightly for a split second.
"Thanks May" said Marie.
"Don't worry about me, just go get Double Dee and tell him." said May.
As the two girls stood near each other for a few seconds, Lee's voice filled the air.
"May, get out here and pull this chain while I work on the other one." She yelled.
With that, Marie ran downstairs and out the front door. May quickly placed the letter that she had in the pocket of Marie's jeans that were laying on the floor, in such a way that it was partially visible. She then ran back downstairs and joined Lee outside underneath the trailer.
Marie ran as quickly as she could through the construction site and bolted down the cross street to Double Dees house. She crossed the Rathink Avenue cul-de-sac, and ran into Double Dees alley. When she reached the backyard, she didn't hesitate to climb the drain pipe and enter his bedroom window. She ran over to his bed.
"Double Dee, Double Dee!" she yelled while shaking him.
Double Dee roused, and looked up at Marie.
"Marie, what a surprise." said a groggy Double Dee, who had now began to think that it couldn't be further from the truth when Marie said he had to expect the unexpected from her.
"Double Dee, they all know about us!" said Marie in a serious tone.
"I beg your pardon?" asked Double Dee as he rose out of bed.
"Eddy saw us the other night in here through the window and told Lee. They have this whole plan where they were gonna bring us together by tying us up and taking us to the junkyard." said Marie.
"Wait, Eddy is working in conjunction with Lee?" said a surprised Double Dee.
"Yes, I don't know how, all's I know is what May told me." said Marie.
"Oh no, we're exposed!" said Double Dee as he put his face into his palms.
"Calm down Oven Mitt." said Marie rather calmly.
"Marie, they are sure to cause trouble, I don't see Eddy taking this with a grain of salt." said Double Dee panicking.
"I don't see Lee accepting this either, Double Dee," said Marie, "But being with you is more important to me than her acceptance."
Marie put her hand on Double Dees shoulder, Double Dee smiled at her
. "It's going to have to be the other way around," said Marie, "They're just gonna have to get used to us seeing other." "
"I agree, Marie." said Double Dee, Marie smiled whole heartedly at his face.
"Your friends will be here to get you in a few minutes, and Lee is bound to discover I'm gone and throw a hissy fit." said Marie.
"What do we do now?" asked Double Dee.
"We do the only thing we can do." said Marie, "Go out there and tell the truth."
Double Dee was speechless.
"We'll just go out there, tell them we like each other, and do not plan on ending our relationship. They'll just have to deal with it." said Marie, she looked at Double Dee and grinned.
"Marie, are you sure that's the best course of action?" asked Double Dee.
Marie stood up in front of Double Dee who was sitting on the edge of his bed. She sat down on his lap and draped both of her arms around his neck staring up into his eyes. She leaned in closely to his ear.
"They were bound to find out sometime cutie." said Marie in a whisper, "I think it's time we stop hiding and go public."
Double Dee was not ashamed of being with Marie, his reason for not going public was due to how his friends would react. Marie's statement hit home with him; what did he care if his friends accepted the relationship or not. He liked Marie, because HE did, and didn't care what anyone thought about it.
"I concur Marie," said Double Dee, "It's time."
Marie smiled and kissed her boyfriend for what would be the last time in private. Interestingly, the clock was about to strike midnight Friday morning; their relationship was due to officially go public exactly one week from the date that Marie and Double Dee had begun it, although it would be around another 22 or so hours before the actual time they official declared themselves an item.
"Come on sweetie, let's go find them." Said Marie as she grabbed the nervous Double Dee and led him down the stairs to the front door, she turned around to smile at him again.
"No more drainpipe." she said snickering, Double Dee bounced a quick smile at her. Marie opened the front door and grabbed Double Dees hand in a laced finger hold before leading him down the path through his lawn.
"Double Dee, doesn't it feel good being able to hold hands while walking down the street?" asked Marie.
Double Dee hesitated before he turned and smiled at Marie once again.
"Yes, Marie, it feels like heaven." He said, as Marie stared dreamily into his eyes.
Meanwhile, back in the Park n' Flush trailer park, Lee and May had successfully yanked the large and heavy chain that was intended to tie down the trailer into the kitchen. The girls dropped it on the kitchen floor producing a loud audible clanking sound.
"Alright, it's almost time." said Lee as she grabbed a kitchen chair. "This chair will do."
May could only hope that Marie had come up with a better plan that might ease this situation in some way as Lee motioned her up the stairs.
"Let's go wake our dear sweet sister up." said Lee as she snickered sarcastically, May followed her up the stairs. The girls reached the top of the stairs and walked up to the bedroom door. Lee motioned for May to be quiet as she pushed the door open and flicked the switch for the lights.
To Lee's dismay, Marie was not in the bed where she had just seen her around a half hour ago. She was furious.
"Where the hell is she!" yelled Lee.
"She was just here 20 minutes ago!" yelled May, attempting to act surprised.
With a quick glance around the room, Lee's eyes made contact with the phony letter that May had planted in Marie's jeans.
"Hmm what have we here?" said Lee as she picked the letter up, which had the word Ed written on the front of it.
"It looks like some kind of note from Double Dee." said May, attempting to play into Lee's game. What she failed to realize is that Lee had already discovered that it was May who wrote the letter. May had written Ed with a single D on the front of the letter, forgetting that the letter was for Marie, and letting her own crush on her 'Big Ed' confuse her thoughts. Nevertheless Lee read the note, after which she crumbled it up and threw it at the wall.
"Nice try May." said Lee calmly. "But I don't think that Double Dee is having an affair with Big Ed." she said jokingly and angrily.
"Where is she!" Lee suddenly yelled into Mays face.
"How am I supposed to know, Lee!" yelled May.
Lee groaned,
"I don't need you anyway!" said Lee as she ran down the stairs, "I'm gonna deal wit this myself, and when I get back, both of ya are gonna get it." yelled Lee as she slammed the front door of the trailer shut.
May quickly grabbed her coat and ran down the stairs. She exited through the front door in pursuit of her sister.
Meanwhile, The Eds, Kevin and Rolf were in the lane preparing for their assault on Double Dee under the cover of darkness. Eddy, Kevin and Rolf were all wearing black sweaters, attempting to be stealth, while Ed dressed in his normal clothes, donning a pair of pantyhose over his head. Rolf had painted red war markings under his eyes that "represented the blood of all of his ancestors who vanquished in the battle of 1000 yams."
"Alright, now remember the plan." said Eddy, as he grinned, "Let's do it!"
The group of boys began walking towards the intersection of the lane and the cross street. Just as they reached the exit, Eddy bumped into an extremely angry Lee Kanker, forcing her to stumble slightly.
"You're lucky I was lookin' for ya." said Lee as she leaned into Eddys face, "Cause if anyone else bumped into me right now I'd have to smash their face in."
"What are ya doing here?" asked Eddy, "Why aren't you getting Marie?"
"You don't think I tried to?" said Lee, "That's why I'm here, May opened her big mouth, and now we got ourselves a runaway."
"What!" yelled Eddy.
At this point May had caught up and joined the group.
"Well go find her, and we'll go get Double Dee." said Eddy.
"Hey, you don't give the orders shrimp, you take em' from me!" yelled Lee.
Just as Eddy was about to retort, the whole group heard the sound of footsteps walking toward them. They turned around to see Double Dee and Marie walking down the cross street holding hands towards where they were standing. Marie had a serious, stern look on her face, while Double Dee was less than enthusiastic to be looking directly into Lee and Eddy's angry faces.
"Well, well, lookie here Eddy?" said Lee, "We didn't even have to track our lovebirds down. They came right to us."
Eddy was completely furious as he ran up to Double Dee.
"Double Dee, what are ya doin?" yelled Eddy, "Do ya realize that you're holdin' hands with Marie Kanker."
"I am quite aware of that Eddy," replied Double Dee nervously, "I am holdi….."
Double Dee attempted to continue his sentence before Marie placed her hand over his mouth.
"Alright, here's the deal." said Marie aggressively, "Me and Double Dee are dating."
The entire group of kids stood shocked at Marie's boldness, May couldn't help but smile and feel proud for Marie for her bravery.
"No shit Sherlock." yelled Eddy, "The question is how the hell did this happen."
"Double Dee has been cursed Eddy!" yelled Ed.
"I don't care how it happened, or why it happened," said Lee, "I'm just here to make sure it doesn't happen anymore."
"And it's going to continue happening whether you like it or not Lee!" shouted Marie at Lee.
"Double Dee, come on man." said Eddy, "She's a Kanker."
"And just what is it you got to say about us Kankers, buddy boy!" yelled Lee as she got in Eddy's face.
"What I'm trying to say, is to keep you're stupid sleazy sister away from my best friend, he's too good for her!" yelled Eddy.
"Oh yeah, you men are all the same, as far as I'm concerned, Marie is too good for him!" yelled Lee. " The rest of the kids watched as Eddy and Lee bickered.
"Uh oh, looks like we got a domestic issue here Rolf." said Kevin, bumping Rolf in the elbow after which he and Rolf laughed.
"Come on Marie, we're outta here. I'm not gonna let you fall for this guy only for him to hurt ya!" yelled Lee.
"He's not gonna hurt me!" yelled Marie, "I trust him, Lee!"
"Oh hell no!" yelled Lee, "That tears it Marie, this stops here."
"I never asked for your approval Lee!" yelled Marie, snarling at her sister.
"Marie, don't push me!" yelled Lee.
"I don't have time for this!" said Marie.
At that moment, Marie grabbed Double Dee in a hug, and kissed him on the lips while embracing him passionately, marking the first time that the couple had kissed in public, and the first time Double Dee had willingly kissed a girl in public.
Marie leaned into Double Dee and whispered.
"I have to go get some beauty sleep now cutie. I'll see you tomorrow in school, what do ya say we eat lunch together tomorrow?"
"I would like nothing more Marie." said Double Dee.
Marie smiled and kissed Double Dee on the. The couple said goodnight to each other after which Marie began walking down the cross street towards the trailer park. Double Dee began making his way back to his house. The rest of the crowd stood shocked in silence.
"Where do ya think your goin' Marie?" said Lee.
"Where do ya think, I'm goin home!" said Marie. She did not turn around to speak to her sister as she kept walking. However, she did raise her hand into the air, her middle finger being the only finger that wasn't contracted.
"That finger's gonna be broken when I get home!" yelled Lee loudly down the street as Marie turned the corner to the construction site.
"Yo Sock Head where are ya goin', we ain't through with ya yet!" yelled Eddy angrily.
"Eddy," said Double Dee as he turned around, "I believe that we had discussed what has been intended to be discussed. Marie has made it perfectly clear already that we are in a relationship and really enjoy each other's company. I can only hope that as my friend, you will be happy that I have found a girl who truly likes me for who I am."
Double Dee paused before continuing on his way.
"I'll see you gentleman tomorrow in school." he said as he rounded the corner to the cul-de-sac.
"Be that way then, it's no skin off my nose if you're dating a Kanker!" yelled Eddy.
"Come on boys, let's go there's no getting through to this guy!"
Eddy turned to Lee.
"Nice plan!" he yelled, "They just totally blew us off!"
"Hey don't blame me midget man, blame this bucked tooth sister I have!" shouted Lee pointing to May.
"Shut up Lee!" said May, "Don't be mad that your stupid plan failed. Anyway, I'm going home too!"
May turned away from Lee, folded her arms, and stuck her nose in the air as she began walking toward the trailer park.
"You can run but you can't hide Bucky !" yelled Lee.
Lee waited for May to turn the corner before she turned to Eddy. She leaned into his face.
"Tell them all to leave, I need to talk to ya alone." said Lee.
"Why should I listen to you, you just made things worse." said Eddy.
Lee turned to the group of kids.
"ALL OF YOU GO HOME NOW!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, frightening all of the kids, and especially Eddy who was still standing directly in front of her. The kids obliged, and began walking toward the cul-de-sac.
"Good luck Eddy." said Kevin laughing, "You're gonna need it!"
"I always have to do everything myself around here." mumbled Lee to herself.
Eddy was in quite a vulnerable state right now. He was alone, at night with Lee; she could easily overpower him and do whatever she wanted with him. Fortunately for Eddy, that was currently not on her mind, as she had more important issues to worry about.
"Alright shrimp, I got an even better plan to get them two away from each other." said Lee.
"Oh really, what's your genius plan now." said Eddy.
"We're gonna let them be together." said Lee snickering.
"Wow that's great, must have taken ya all night to come up with that." replied Eddy.
"Just stop those big lips from flabbing and listen to me for five minutes. Jesus it's like that big mouth never shuts." said Lee .
Eddy silenced himself from making a comeback as it would only back up Lee's previous statement about him.
"Alright squirt, we're gonna play into them. Let them play the Hanky Panky for a few days. What would you say if I told ya that in a few days, something happened that caused their relationship to go down the toilet. Ya know, something that happened completely by coincidence" said Lee as she lifted a tuft of hair out of her left eye, and winked at Eddy.
Eddy caught on to what Lee was getting at. "Oh I get ya!" said Eddy grinning. Lee snickered back with him. "So whatdya have in mind?" asked Eddy.
Lee and Eddy continued their talk for around fifteen minutes, brainstorming ideas for their sinister plot. As Double Dee tucked himself back into his bed, still shaken up from the incident, he couldn't help but feel like a huge burden was lifted off of his chest. He laid in his bed staring up at the ceiling, hoping that by some stroke of luck, his friends would find it in their heart to cease harassing him and Marie. Little did he know that the eldest Kanker sister and his best friend Eddy were currently concocting a sinister plan to attempt to turn the happy couple against each other.