The Anybodies by N. E. Bode Read Free Book Online Page B

really, anywhere. Not that it would be of much use. It was written in a certain code only your mother could decipher.” The car got really quiet then. Even the windshield wiper froze as if holding its breath.
    â€œOr you,” the Bone said.
    â€œWhat?” Fern said.
    Marty went on, “Now that we know about you, well, the idea is that maybe you’ll be able to decode it. Your mother figured it out when she was your age, and then she could write that way. She even wrote coded grocery lists, sometimes out of habit.” He sighed. “The book has more secrets. Many, many more.”
    â€œAnd we don’t want the Miser to get his hands on it,” the Bone said.
    â€œYou needed me so you came and got me! That’s the only reason! Because you think I’ll be able to decode some book, some lost book!” Fern was angry now, more confused than ever.
    â€œNo, Fern,” the Bone said. “I came and got you because you’re my daughter and, for better or for worse, you should know me.”
    The rain was letting up. Fern could have told themthat she did have some powers. Hadn’t she once gotten a book to cough up bunches and bunches of crickets? That wasn’t exactly being an Anybody, but it was something, wasn’t it? Hadn’t she once turned snow into scraps of paper that asked her: Things aren’t always what they seem, are they? Yes, she had, and it was true. Anyway, maybe it was nice to be needed, Fern thought, although she wasn’t sure she could help at all. She gazed out the front windshield and noticed there was no rearview mirror. “Isn’t it dangerous to drive without a rearview mirror?” she asked.
    â€œI prefer to look into the future! I prefer to see what’s coming. Why look back, Fern? In life, I mean. It’s a waste of time. I never look back. Do I, Marty?”
    Marty stared at the Bone but didn’t answer.
    The Bone squinted out onto the dark road. He seemed distant suddenly. He said, “I can still smell her lilac perfume. Your mother always smelled of the sweetest lilacs.”

2
THE BAD HYPNOTIST
    THE BONE STOPPED IN FRONT OF A TRAILER IN Twin Oaks Park to drop Marty off. Marty’s wife was hunkered in the small metal doorway. She was a tall woman, so tall she had to stick her neck out, ducking her head down to fit in the small frame of the door. She was wearing a yellow bathrobe, tied too tightly at her middle, and pink spongy hair curlers. Her chin was set in a menacing scowl.
    â€œBy the way,” Marty said to the Bone. “You owe me money.”
    â€œWe weren’t talking about money, were we?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen how can it be ‘by the way’? It can’t be, canit?” the Bone asked.
    â€œI think it’s an expression to say ‘by the way,’” Marty explained, a little defensive. “People say it all the time, even when something isn’t ‘by the way.’”
    â€œYes, but it should be reserved for when something is ‘by the way.’ Don’t you think?” the Bone said, heatedly. “I mean, what would happen if there was no clear communication? We may as well all speak gibberish. Do you want us all to speak gibberish?”
    Marty had to admit that no, he didn’t want everyone speaking gibberish. And so, Fern noticed with a bit of pride, the whole issue of the Bone owing Marty money disappeared.
    Marty looked at his wife. He mumbled, “Wish me luck,” and then he hopped out of the car. The Nerf football halves under one arm, he spread the other wide open and called to his wife. “What are you doing awake? You need your beauty sleep.” She didn’t move; her glare only tightened on him. “Not that you need your beauty sleep. I mean, you’re always beautiful…”
    â€œWhat’s amatter with you?” Marty’s wife started in. “I don’t like that Bone character. I told you a