Kyle Kohler Fiction THAT SHORT QUIET LULL Perhaps it was that short quiet lull between night

and day. Kafka The Good Doctors car, a shiny white BMW straight out of heaven, was parked outside the diner. To the left stood a gas station closed for the night. The yellow, ominous letters standing atop the diner, and the lights inside, provided the only existing light. There were no clouds but still there remained not one star in the night sky. In fact, it was as though the stars had ceased to exist altogether. But this was far from unusual. Because almost twenty miles down the winding road, past hills that appeared like pimples upon the landscape, stood the monolith of modern civilization: Cenotaph City. As they drew nearer, most travelers, unfamiliar to the immensity of its presence, often wondered if a star had landed on earth. Its glow was often mistaken for a searchlight scanning the heavens for God, as if to answer the question of His existence. And as Fate would have it, the good doctor, his wife, and their two wary passengers were stopping at the diner for a bite to eat before entering that same city. It had been a long trip, and it was only because of the good doctors kindness that the two youths were his passengers, after their car had supposedly broken down. With Jesus in his eyes, he put the car into park and said to his fellow travelers, All right, guys, with a wistful smile he looked at his wife, Im starving. You guys hungry? In his rearview mirror he witnessed the answer to his question. The two youths did not move, instead remaining hunched together, as they had for the past hour. Their faces were thin, appearing almost to the point of starvation. They were waiting for the other to take charge. Finally the girl, with a devilish light in her

eyes, responded, Oh but, sir, you and your wife have done so much for us already, I mean with your stopping to help us, and your giving us a ride when all you had to do was. Dont think for a moment that the two of youve caused my wife and I any trouble, it was merely the good thing to do, the Christian thing to do. He offered her the smile she had come to admire, and her mouth closed as she tentatively listened. I feel as if God made our meeting so. I dont know why, but.oh well, never mind all of that. How about it, Chance, you hungry? Chance began shaking his head, but stopped when Dani elbowed him in the side. He was starving. In fact, he had been on his way to grab a bite to eat when she called him. There wasnt any time to eat now, he thought, thinking of Dean Nobody. He looked at her, and in her electric blue eyes he could see that a new plan was taking shape. To the good doctor, he replied, Why yes, sir, but I have money, so you dont have to pay. With his right hand, he squeezed Danis thigh, catching her off guard. But if youd like the two of us to join you, Id Oh, nonsense. Ill pay for it. Itll be my way of saying thank you. But, sir. The Good Doctors hand stymied the progress of Chances sentence. It sat on the edge of his tongue until it could wait no longer. It is we who should be thanking you. There was a sense of guilt in Chances voice, but the good doctor, the gentleman that he was, thought nothing of it. Dont you worry, Chance. If it werent for the two of you, I mightve fallen asleep at the wheel, He glanced at his wife. Ive got this habit of doing that. Believe meask her. He had hoped that she might turn around, but could draw no such response from his wife of thirty-five years. Instead, she sat lifelessly facing forward. Concealed by the shadows was a look of impending doom etched into the wrinkles of her face, scattered along the corners of her eyes. Occasionally, she would offer the necessary phrase to validate her husbands lavish stories of his youth hitchhiking and

sleeping on endless fields of grass and flowers. But other than that, she had spent most of the trip staring forward into the vastness of the road. There was this feeling within her, one that she could not name, that had dampened her famously outgoing personality. And it only grew worse whenever she could feel the eyes of the petite blonde knifing into the back of her head. The way the girl had looked at her, right after seeing her for the first time, spoke miles of her original intentions, or so thought the good doctors wife. She also hated the boys empathy, which caught her whenever she turned around. It made her sick to her stomach. But now she sat looking forward, biting the end of her fingernail, lost. Then Dani, the blonde, asked, Before we go inside, can I please get my purse out of the trunk? I left it in there, and I dreadfully hate to go inside of anywhere without it. She spoke in a real genteel manner. Her face flashed real sweet, and her eyes like honey. The good doctor merely cocked his head and responded, Why, of course, Dani, and pushed the button to release the trunk. Thank you, sir, she said with a smile. She had her bag thrown over her shoulder by the time Chance was out to meet her. Dont worry, honey, she whispered, everythings here. What are you gonna do? With a wink, she answered, Dont worry about it. Chance had every reason to worry. The fact that she had done what she did left him with few options. He watched her purse as she skipped around the car, wondering just what was in it. As he followed her he noticed a payphone standing adjacent to the diners open door. He thought of it as he walked into the small building whose air tasted of cigarettes and black coffee. The scene in front of him reminded him of all those long, wasted nights spent with Dean Nobody. The two of them used to hang out in a place not unlike this hunky dory establishment. That is, before Dean

made his way to Cenotaph City and began making a name for himself. It was in the last few months of their association that Dani came into his life. She seemed like a dream come true at first, but now he wasnt so sure. The girl was capable of anything. This she had proven several hours earlier, and now the whole world ceased to make any sense to him. He watched her now, curiously, his eyes mostly on her bag, pondering over what her next action might be. The waitress standing behind the counter glanced up from her magazine at all four of them and sighed. It had already been a long night for her, but she knew it was only going to get longer thus, the nature of the night shift. So she stood up and sighed again and began the routine of pulling out the necessary silverware while meditating upon what they might order. She had a talent for knowing what people wanted. Where do you guys want to sit? asked the Good Doctor with his arm around his wifes waist. There was a proud smile on his face, one that made him appear as though he was watching his own children. And perhaps, in his heart, that was how he felt about Chance Paradise and Dani California. Over here! Dani shouted much to the dismay of the somber faced man and woman sitting in the far off corner. Chance noticed them just as they veered their eyes in his direction. They were meaning to make him feel uncomfortable, but the eye liner around their eyes made it kind of hard to take them seriously. When he brought his attention back to Dani, she was spinning around on one of the counter seats with the innocent air of someone not capable of evil. He sat next to her and she stopped spinning. What do you think? she asked with a large smile across her face. Chance said nothing. Unconcerned, she averted her attention to the good doctor. I cant think of any better place to sit, he said with another admirable smile. Boy, do I love sitting at the counter, brings back memories.

The good doctor drifted into a story before being interrupted by the waitress who, in the light, could be seen to be wearing too much lipstick. Chance wanted to be sick. All he could remember was what she said in the car, before the good doctor and his wife pulled up behind them. What are you gonna do? he asked, his eyes wide. Dont worry about it, she had said blowing him a kiss. The excitement fluttering in her eyes as she stepped out into the open and approached the man who seems to have now adopted them. Her arms were behind her back, holding the purse that held the most beautiful thing she had ever held in her hands. It was a beautiful thing the gun. Chance turned in his seat and watched her. She skipped towards the other car. Her face was blank. The other car had turned off its headlights and someone was getting out. An older man, somewhere in his forties, walked over to her. She kept her distance. Hello, said the Good Doctor. Are you okay? Surprised by his genteel kindness, Dani stammered: Yes.sir. Me and my brother are fine, but unfortunately the same cant be said about our car. Would you like me to take a look at it? Dani was about to say yes when she noticed a face staring at her. She peered ahead until the face of the Good Doctors wife emerged from the darkness. Miss. Dani snapped, Oh no, sir! I meanmy boyfriend already took a look at it. Our belt-thing broke. Oh thats too bad. The Good Doctor noticed the girl was staring at his car. He turned to let her know everything was okay. When he looked ahead at Dani he smiled. Even though that moment had passed without any incident, he still had reason to worry.

Dani California was hardly the sweet girl she had made herself out to be. That was apparent to him now. Danis elbow startled him. In a daze, he stared ahead, swallowing the gob of spit in his mouth. To draw his attention, Dani tapped the counter in front of him. What do you wanna eat? she asked. What? he hadnt been listening. Oh sorryI dont know. I havent looked at the menu yet. To the waitress, he asked, Can you come back to me? She nodded without looking and proceeded to call out the order to the cook who burst out the back room like he had a higher purpose. Dont forget to order something, Chance, the good doctor said. I wont, sir, Chance responded while lifting up a menu. I just forgot where I was for a second, thats all. Dani smiled, He does that all the time, Oliver. And for the first time since he pulled up behind Chances car, someone referred to the doctor by his first name. His wife seemed hurt by this, but he didnt seem to notice. Please dont forget. Id hate for you to go hungry. I wont sir, Chance reiterated, though, he knew he wasnt hungry. The words on the menu appeared to him like an indecipherable language. But for the sake of the doctor, he continued

looking at the menu. And while pretending he could hear the sound of Olivers wife laughing. Oliver had said something to her that Chance didnt hear, but that didnt matter as much as the openness of her personality now that they were in a public place. Chance took this as his cue to ease up a little, to watch the scenery and not worry so damn much. He was taking it so easy that when Dani said she needed to use the ladies room, he didnt think much about it. Instead he stood up as well, not minding the secret look in her eyes, and told the others he was going to use the payphone.

Ill be back in a minute, he said. Im just gonna call my friend and have him meet us here. I dont want to bother you guys any further. Oliver said, as he watched him exit, Sure thing, Chance. Do you know what you want yet? Im still not sure. But Ill have it figured out by the time I get back. The good doctor nodded in response. Outside, the air had suddenly grown cool. Chance hugged himself until remembering to call his friend. He pulled out a sheet of paper in his pocket, put in two quarters, and dialed the number on the sheet. After two rings, a lethargic voice uttered. Hello? It was female. Is Dean there? Chance asked, prepared for this. He sure is, said the girl followed by a slow shuffle of movement. Chance could almost see her face in his mind, Might I ask whos calling? Tell him its the Magic School Bus, hell know who I am. Sure thing, baby cakes, whatever the good doctor orders. Chance waited as the girl yelled for Dean to come to the goddamn phone. He suspected that this was Kool Thing, Deans current girlfriend, the one he had told Chance so much about. Greatly impressed by her courtliness, Chance wanted to call her a wonderful girl but stopped short. Her voice appeared again after a minute: Im sorry, Deans on the shitter. Can I take a message, Mr. Bus? Yeah, can you tell him that Chance Paradise called from Orions Diner, the one outside town on Highway X? He gave her the time to write whatever he had said down, or to commit it to memory. Okay. What else? We need a ride into town. Me and Dani, that is.

Okay. Where will you be staying? I dont know. I havent figured that out yet. Dinosaur. I will give him your message, sir. And if he needs to contact you, hell know where to reach you. Thanks, Kool Thing. No. Im sorry. I dont know you. You dont know me. Only my friends get to call me that. Please forgive me. Okay. So what is your name? Kathryn Frost you sordid little shit. I said Im sorry Dont worry about it. I dont mean anything by what I say. Okay. Are we done? I guess. Good. Thank you, sir, and have a nice day. She hung up the phone and Chance followed suit. Dean sure knows how to pick them, he mumbled to himself. He lingered by the phone for a long minute. Leaves in the nearby trees, which loomed over everything in sight, began to shake vividly in the wind, stopping. After this, the world grew quiet. And as the leaves drifted away silently in the distant breeze, so did his mind. They were so close, he said to himself as he glanced at the city standing like a monument in the distance. To celebrate he sang, Im coming homemommato SwanDriiiiive! And after coughing, he blinked

repeatedly and wondered how long it was going to take Dean to get to the diner. My life just keeps on getting better and better before it gets worse, he thought after he turned around and faced the large, exposed front window of the diner. After a moment, his jaw attempted to reach the center of the earth before halting its progress with a shout. Dani, what the hell are you doing?! She could not hear him through the glass. He repeated himself several times, but she did not respond. Instead, her eyes lay transfixed upon the gun in her hands, as if hypnotized by its power. Even Chance found himself marveling at its beauty. After all, the gun was a beautiful thing. So beautiful, in fact, that the entire world was awaiting its next move. But even that would have to wait. Dani, honey, Oliver, the good doctor, said compassionately. Whats wrong? You dont need to do this. The gun was pointing at him. Once Chance realized this he gasped as the guns spell was lifted his from his eyes. Listen to me, Dani. Chance, Dani said forcefully before her voice cracked, you love me right? You know I do. Then you understand why I have to do this, right? Yes, he lied. No one can know we were here. He nodded. She saw him and continued: Im gonna have to kill everyone. He nodded again, warily. Dani, please, said the good doctors wife. We only wanted to help you! I know! And Im sorry! Then dont kill us!

I dont have a choice! Oliver, the good doctor, was going to say something, but another voice spoke up, loud and full of confidence, only slightly a pitch higher than John Waynes. Everyone has a choice, little lady, said the man from the far corner. Danis voice stumbled from her surprise. You dont know anything about me. And I dont care to know anything about you, he said, standing up. He walked out until he was standing ten to twelve feet directly in line with Dani. This caused her to take a step back. But that doesnt mean youre any more right in doing what youre doing. Ill shoot you, Danis eyes flared wide open with anxiety. Ill shoot you if you take another step. Go ahead, he lifted up his shirt to reveal the bullet proof vest underneath. I can take it. I dont care. Ill shoot you in the head if you take another step. The man turned silent. Chance crept into the diner, holding out a hand towards Dani. Give me the gun Dani. What? her eyes wrestled between Chance and the man inching towards her. Im not giving you the gun! I cant. Dani please! Deans on his way right now. He lied, since he had no idea. He is? Yeah. Hell be here before you know it. Really? Id never lie to you. She dwelled on these words, breathing a sigh of relief. She lowered the gun and turned to face him. Chance was amazed by the power Deans name held in Danis mind. He reminded himself to thank Dean later. As Dani began to hand Chance the gun, the diner grew calm.

Taking the gun, Chance suggested, Lets go outside. Dani nodded and began hugging her stomach. She leaned against him as he led her outside. Everyone in the diner stood motionlessly watching them exit through the glass doors. Not one of them breathed until they were outside. The good doctor and his wife hugged one another, the good doctor calmly assuring his wife that everything would be okay. The waitress and the cook looked at one another without saying anything. The man returned to his seat, grunting. No one made any attempt or had any volition to call the police. They saw no point in potentially ruining a currently good situation. As he and his wife sat back down the good doctor wrestled with not knowing anything about the two young sitting on the diners steps. A part of him felt that it was better not to know, but the other could not agree. As she was leaning her head on Chances shoulder, Dani said, I need a cigarette. Her voice trembled, almost cracking against the strain of the realization of what she had almost done. He leaned his head against hers. My cigarettes are in your purse. Oh, she mumbled. Can you get them out for me? Of course. Chance put a cigarette in her mouth and lit it. Afterwards, she sat up and dragged the longest drag of her short, sixteen-year-old life. When she exhaled she pulled her head back to sigh at the sky. Why arent there any stars outthe sky doesnt look cloudy Youll get used to it, he yawned. You really dont have a choice anymore. She dragged again, this time much shorter than before. Yeah, I guess not. As if realizing it for the first time, she stared at Chance in disbelief, her eyes incredulously wide and penetrating. Holy shit! Did I seriously almost do what I think I did? You mean kill everyone?

Yeah, dumbass, what else would I mean? It doesnt matter. Nothing does. A pause. Well, yes, Dani, you almost killed everyone. Holding the cigarette to her mouth, she smiled, Damn, that wouldve been pretty cool. I mean, I wouldve spared your life, butwow! I dont think you couldve done it. What do you mean? I killed my dad? Well Staring at him as if she had just shared an obvious fact and he was too stupid to realize it, she reiterated: I KILLED MY FATHER. I know, I saw the body. Yeah, and if I could do that what makes you think that I couldnt kill those people, people I dont even know. Your dad was an asshole. Before inhaling, she agreed, True facts. Putting the cigarette out, she asked, So when is Dean getting here? I dont know. Well, he better hurry up or else Im going to take that gun from you and kill everyone. Holding the gun away from her, Chance shook his head. No youre not. Whatev, man. I can get that gun from you, you know, she said while making a futile attempt at reaching for the gun before sitting back down. Never gonna happen.

Bullshit. There are ways, Dude, believe me. You dont wanna know. Chance was still holding the gun out of her reach when the headlights of an incoming car blinded him. He hid the gun behind his back, gripping it tightly with both hands, while the car pulled into the parking space directly in from of him. The driver did not immediately turn off the lights. Instead he poked his head out of his window and said, Hey, you guys ready to go? Dani shot up and over to the car, exclaiming wildly, Dean! Chance was slower to get up. Before taking a step forward he stuck the gun in the back of his pants and immediately tried forgetting about it.