Dance For The Devil (2 page)

Skeeter adjusted fairly well. Like his father, Skeeter was self-sufficient, and at the tender age of twelve, he was past needing his mother to tuck him in at night and read him a bedtime story. Still, Skeeter carried his mom’s picture wherever he went and sometimes ended up in Jake’s bed, his gangly preteen body seeking comfort in a manner he hadn’t needed since the age of five.

Amy was another story. Her grades plummeted immediately and she became sullen and withdrawn. At fifteen, Amy was experiencing the full hormonal surges of teenage angst, and the defection of her mother left her despondent. She blamed Jake.

Jake knew this was a fair assessment. It was
his
fault that he worked long hours and neglected the relationship with his wife. The fact that the relationship was ill-fated from the start was a moot point. He could also be blamed for being an absentee father. He rarely made it to school events and didn’t know the names of his children’s friends. In the beginning he tried but Elizabeth grew tense with him in attendance, and he soon chose the easy way out. His job always gave him a viable excuse, and the Montclaire family rolled – if not happily, then steadily – along.

Or so he had thought.

Now he knew the truth. Two children were a handful, at best. They offered more challenge than any computer program could, probably because children weren’t always rational and they certainly weren’t logical. Jake was learning how to be a parent but he couldn’t seem to locate the user manual.

Jake ran into Gil Vandercamp only a month after Elizabeth’s departure. Jake was at a trade show representing his company and Gil strode up and clapped him on the back. Although it had been almost twenty years since college, Jake recognized Gil immediately. Gil’s dark hair was now silver, yet Gil remained the distinctive and fit individual he had been in his youth. Gil was as charismatic as ever and the two men arranged to meet for dinner,
to catch up for old time’s sake.

After dinner, Gil dropped the bombshell. Running into Jake was no accident. Gil had travelled from Victoria expressly to see his old school chum, and the trade fair seemed a good oppo
rtunity. “I read the piece on you in The Globe and Mail,” explained Gil, “about the work you did on the heliocentric program. The graphics are incredible. I could use someone like you on my team. Interested in a job?”

Jake wasn’t sure he understood, so Gil leaned forward, his steely eyes bright and engaging. “Heard of Marvelworks?”

“Sure, who hasn’t? Marvelworks is a small company that designs video games.”

Gil’s eyes sparkled and when he talked, he moved his hands expansively. Gil Vandercamp was an entertainer. “Small – for now. We’re going to be number one, or we’ll die trying. Marvelworks is innovative, totally fresh. We rely on cutting edge technology and brilliant graphics. We could really use someone like you.”

The idea held some appeal. However, Jake was cautious and he could foresee some of the same pitfalls his present job held. “Why me, Gil? I’m too old for this game, you need a youngster. Someone who can work twenty hours a day and exist on Velveeta and Pepsi. Someone who has no other objective than to make you rich.”

“I’m already rich,” Gil said, shaking his head. “We’ve got youngsters up the whazoo. We need experience. Someone to harness their creative energy and guide it. Look, everyone’s doing video games but they’re the same old tired concept. Either war games, or sport games, or some fuzzy little guy doing spinballs all over the screen. I want to develop something different – more interactive, more educational. Parents are shelling out between forty and a hundred bucks a pop for these games – let’s give them value.

“Kids like to blow things up, right? Fine, we’ll incorporate that with a bit of math. Or spelling. Hell, I don’t know, that’s where you come in, Jake. Let them be a superhero, let them conquer the world or each other, but let them
think
while they’re doing it. Capische?”

“Yeah, I capische.” Jake nodded his head. “It’s intriguing, Gil, I have to admit that. But the logistics –”

“I know, we’re based in British Columbia, in Victoria, so you’ll have to relocate. What’s the big deal? You leave this shitty climate behind and move to Lotusland. Move the missus and the kiddies to paradise. Victoria’s safe, you know, none of that gang shit you have happening here. I’ll fix you up in a great house – beautiful, right on the ocean. I know the perfect place, it’s an absolute steal. Half the price it was five years ago – you’d be making the investment of a lifetime. Real estate is a dream compared to Toronto. I’ll get you a castle for the same price as a Bloor Street townhouse.”

They exchanged cards and Jake promised he’d think about it.

Think about it, he did. He could think of little else. He brought the idea up with the kids. “It has to be a family decision. I won’t take the job unless you guys want me to. I think it might be a good thing for us, though.”

Jake swept his hands through d
ark hair, sending it in awkward tufts. When he glanced up and caught his mirrored reflection, it gave him pause. Not the physical appearance, with the unruly waves threatening to topple from his forehead and obscure his eyes, forever giving him the appearance of a mad scientist, nor the many sports-souvenirs incurred over the years. The quirkily bent nose, broken twice, never managing to heal straight. Or the thin jaw-line scar, a memento from an opponent’s high stick during a friendly game of ice hockey – where his opponent, a mild-mannered underling from Jake’s company had been so visibly upset that Jake ended up comforting him, alternately clapping him on the back while mopping up the steady flow of blood.

His imperfections were evidence of his active lifestyle, a face unworthy of classical perfection yet nevertheless managing to garner admiring female gl
ances. Strong, capable features which Jake paid scant regard; too busy
living
to concede vanity.

So
, it was with surprise that he noticed his eyes, the warm-brown orbs fairly bursting with excitement and interest. It had been a long time since he’d seen that expression.

He became aware that his children were watching him, expressions inscrutable, brows furrowed. He cleared his throat and continued. “Definitely a family decision, guys. But think about it, okay? It might be a good thing for us, a chance to start over. New town, new house, wait... I have some photos. See? Mr. Vandercamp says this place is incredible, even has a swimming pool. That’d be cool, eh, Skeet? And Amy, there’s a home theater. You could watch Vampire Diaries on the big screen. Location is good too, close to schools and work, so I
wouldn’t have to commute anymore. Did you know that Victoria hardly gets any snow? Gil said the daffodils are already blooming. Can you believe that? It’s only February for god sake! Plus, I know this is a bit early for you guys to think about, but the University of Victoria is terrific, one of the best schools in the country. They have a great fine arts program, Amy.” He realized he was overselling it, so he withdrew and let them talk by themselves.

“It does look pretty cool, Amy,” Skeeter said, looking at the photo. “Imagine having our own swimming pool. I could do cannonballs whenever I wanted.”

Amy shrugged. “You’d get bored pretty soon.”

“Maybe. I wonder if it has a diving board and a slide?”

“You’d have to leave your friends behind, you know,” Amy pointed out.

“Yeah.” Skeeter was quiet for a moment. “So would you.”

“I don’t have any friends.”

“Maybe the kids are nicer there. And they wouldn’t know about Mom. You know, about Mom living with another woman.” Skeeter’s face turned red.

“Yeah. Although they’d probably find out. Everyone always finds out things like that.”

“They wouldn’t if we didn’t tell them. I wouldn’t say anything. And I know Dad wouldn’t say anything. I don’t think he likes that fact that Mom’s living with another woman.”

“It’s his fault.”

“Amy.” Skeeter’s face fell.

“Sorry. I’m just being a jerk. What do you want to do?”

“Well,” Skeeter thought for a long time. “I think Dad wants to go. He looked really happy when he was talking about it, his eyes went all sparkly. It might be kind of neat. If we don’t
like it, we could always come back.”

“I suppose. Let’s make that a condition, okay? If it doesn’t work out we can come home again.”

Skeeter looked at the picture again. “Okay. You know, Victoria is closer to California. Closer to Mom. It’ll make it easier for her to visit us.”

“Yeah, right.” Amy ruffled his hair. The dumb kid was so naive, but she didn’t have the heart to burst his bubble. Mom wasn’t coming back for a visit. Not ever.

It took a month to pack up the house, and by the end of March, they were on their way.

**

Between classes, Amy found Jason Vandercamp waiting by her locker. “Hey,” he said softly, smiling. His lips were soft and sweet, and Amy tingled as she remembered last night’s kiss.

“Hi.”

“I had a good time last night.”

“Me too.”

“Did you get into trouble? I mean, for being late?”

“No,
of course not. I can handle my dad.”

“Really? I thought you were just a
baby
.” But his voice was teasing, light.

“I’m fifteen.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better? You’re still jail bait, and I’m still a cradle robber.”

“You’re only sixteen, not exactly an old geezer.”

“A whole year older than you.”

“Actually, Gramps, its only ten months. Your birthday’s
in July, right?”

Jason continued to smile and leaned a little closer.
“You’ve been checking up on me? Hmm. Intriguing.”

Amy was lost for words. She
had
been checking up on him. She felt her cheeks grow red.

“That’s cool, because I’ve been checking up on you, too. I hear you like heavy metal?”

Amy shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. “It’s okay.”

“What to go see Stampin’ Feet
? They’re playing at The Cove.”

“Isn’t that a nightclub? We’ll never get in. We’ll get I.D.’d for sure.”

He lowered his voice. “No worries, I’ve got connections. My dad knows the owner. I go all the time.”

“Wow. I mean, sounds
great. What time?”

“Friday at seven? We’ll grab a burger first. Alex and Elise will come, and maybe a few of the others. You know, the usual group.”

The usual group. Amy felt like pinching herself. She was part of a group! And not just any group, the
popular
group. And Jason really did like her, she hadn’t just imagined it last night. Jason was asking her out. Officially. On a date.

The bell rang and Jason flashed her one last grin. “Seven o’clock. Later.” He swaggered off, books hanging carelessly under one arm, exuding the lazy confidence of one who has always know his place in life.

A mousy girl named Janet Grey, who sat beside Amy in several classes, and who had tentatively made several friendly overtures which Amy had vaguely rebuffed, came and stood beside her. “Wow. Wasn’t that Jason Vandercamp? Isn’t he the most gorgeous creature you’ve ever seen?”

“Yeah, he is,” Amy responded, flashing Janet a smile.

Janet almost stepped back in surprise. To see Amy smile was a first; to see her smile so beautifully was a double shock. “What did he want?”

“Me,” Amy said, her disbelief apparent. “He wanted
me
. He asked me on a date.”

“Wow.” Janet whistled, studying Amy appraisingly. Who would have figured? Amy Montclaire was certainly pretty enough, in a grungy way, but always so sullen. Maybe that was the look the guys were going for. But Jason Vandercamp? He was one of the most handsome, popular guys in the school. And, he was older. Why pick Amy when he could have any girl he wanted?

“Yeah,” Amy repeated, “wow.” Things were definitely looking up.

Her elation lasted throu
gh the ruined soufflé in Family Studies, past a confrontation with the gym teacher, and deflated only upon receiving a D-minus on her algebra quiz. Dad would kill her. Worse yet, he’d give her the ‘
I’m really disappointed’
speech, which included a long passage about failing to live up to her potential, and how math had been his best subject.

Being fifteen really sucked.

**

Gil Vandercamp popped into Jake’s office just as Jake was getting ready to leave. “Ha! Caught you in the act! Knocking off early?”

Jake slipped his jacket on. “Yeah, thought I’d surprise the kids by actually eating dinner with them tonight. I did some soul searching this morning and realized that even though I’ve changed jobs and cities, I’m still a beastly workaholic. It’s a strain on the kids. A nice little scene with Amy in the wee hours of the morning hammered that fact home.”

Gil laughed. “I hear she was with my good-for-nothing brat. Should I speak to him?”

Jake smiled. Jason was a good kid and they both knew it. “No, Amy would hate me. Well, hate me more than she already does.”