The Suicide Motor Club by Christopher Buehlman Read Free Book Online Page B

yards. After they finished the .38 rounds, then backed up and burned a box of .22 long rifles with her Winchester, they meandered over to a sunny break in the trees where a creek could be heard. Riley sat down next to his daughter on a massive oak stump gray with age and weather. “We’ve been polishing this old man with our butts since Ike was in office, haven’t we?”
    â€œYep.”
    They shared warm beer and the deviled ham sandwiches Patsy had made for them, cutting off the crusts with great care and pride. Patsy never came to Boot Hill; she hated loud noises.
    Riley rolled a cigarette from a pouch on his belt and fixed Judith with a long look.
    â€œI just don’t see it, you a nun. I know you’re hurtin’ and you’ve got hurtin’ still to do, but it just seems like runnin’ to me. What about Patsy?”
    â€œWhat about her?”
    â€œShe’d be in seventh heaven if you moved back. Your old room needs a paint job, but I’m sure we could tackle that together. You could just get off the plane in Cincinnati Tuesday, pack up what you need, and drive on back. We could be right here plinkin’ next week.”
    â€œI’ve got my own life to live, Dad.”
    â€œReckon we all do.”
    â€œAnyway, are we talking about Patsy or you?”
    She took a long swig of her Pabst and watched him sort out what he wanted to say next.
    â€œThey said no, right?”
    â€œThey haven’t answered. But I think they might say no.”
    â€œThey say no, you gonna find another one?”
    She looked down. She didn’t tell him about the other cloistered order in Detroit she had written to.
    â€œI don’t know. I’m still hoping about this one. I mean, I
felt
it and it felt right.”
    â€œGuess the Lord speaks to some. Me he ain’t never had a conversation with, least not in clear words. Maybe holdin’ you the first time he was tellin’ me somethin’. Maybe seein’ your mom and her friend at that park, he was sayin’,
You pick careful now which one of them pretty gals you tip your hat to
, and I guess I did. Maybe I heard him growlin’ when the
Missouri
opened up her big guns, man I never got used to that. But nothin’ like a, what’s the word,
calling
.”
    Judith looked at her dad’s forearms, the fuzzy blue-green anchor tattooed on one, the cross and swallows on the other.
    â€œYou believe in evil, Dad?”
    â€œI’ve seen evil deeds done. That what you mean?”
    â€œI mean like the devil.”
    â€œThat’s a tricky one.”
    â€œMom believes in the devil.”
    â€œOh, sure she does, I know it.”
    â€œSo if there’s evil, there’s got to be good, right?”
    â€œI saw some things on the islands. I just don’t know if there’s enough good to balance them things, least not on earth. But I never saw nobody with horns and a tail. Just big white men and little yellow men doin’ the worst things they could think of to each other. Then the lucky ones goin’ home to their wives and tryin’ to teach their kids not to kill birds just because.”
    He mussed her hair when he said that.
    She looked out at nothing for a long moment.
    Then she said, “No.”
    â€œNo what?”
    â€œI guess I just won’t be a nun.”

8
    Dear Mrs. Lamb,
    Upon review of your application and after careful discussion of your situation, I am happy to tell you that you have been accepted as a postulant at the Our Lady of the Gleaning monastery.
    Orientation will be Friday, September 8 at nine A.M. Please bring no more than you will absolutely need, as living space is shared and clutter is not permitted. Dungarees or other work clothes and one set of ordinary clothes are recommended, and sufficient underthings to last one week between launderings. Your habit will be provided, as will all kitchen goods, linens, towels, et cetera. Up to five books are