Pumpkin Eater. Jeffrey Round

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      “That’s right.” Domingo smiled. “The women came later.”

      Donny turned to Dan. “How old were you when you first had sex with another man?”

      “Twelve.”

      “And he was older, yes? I seem to recall something you told me about your youthful proclivities.”

      “Yes, he was probably in his thirties.”

      “And was it willing on your part?”

      “Totally. I went after him.”

      “So who does that make a pervert, you or him?”

      Dan shrugged. “Neither, in my estimation. I knew what I wanted and I knew where and how to get it.”

      “Exactly!” Donny exclaimed. “So why should Michael Jackson be treated any differently? Or Darryl Hillary or anyone else? If we lived in Holland, where the age of consent is twelve, none of this would matter.

       Your client’s brother could have been ninety years old, and the worst he’d have to contend with would be societal opinion, which is often harsh, but seldom murderous. Why are we letting the wrong people set these legal parameters?”

      “Well, the law is a set of conventions that changes over time,” Domingo said. “But we shouldn’t underestimate a young person’s sexual urges.”

      “I draw the line at child prostitution, though,” Trevor said.

      “So do I,” Donny agreed. “Money has no conscience. It’s one of the reasons I agreed to rescue Lester when Dan brought him here last year. No kid should be forced to have sex with someone just to avoid his parents. End of story.”

      A moment of silence descended on the room. The conversation had circled back around to its beginning.

      “Come on out here and see my view,” Donny said to Trevor, who took the hint and followed him onto the balcony.

      Dan and Domingo sat in silence for a moment.

      “That poor man,” Domingo said. “Your client, I mean.”

      “Yes, it’s sad,” Dan agreed.

      She looked off in the distance, her eyes misty and diffuse. “It’s not over yet,” she said. “For you, I mean. But you know that already, don’t you?”

      Dan turned slowly to look at her. He shook his head. “No, I don’t know anything like that. He’s dead. What else is there to say? The police may have more questions to ask me, but as far as I’m concerned my part in it is over.”

      She smiled sadly, as though she knew him to be a pathetic liar. “No. It’s got a long way to go and you’re going to get wrapped up in it. You can feel it,” she said then shook her head. “Sorry. I know you hate it when I do this. Let’s not go there.”

      They soon heard Donny and Trevor returning. Domingo stood abruptly.

      “Donny?”

      “Yes, ma’am?”

      “It’s been a great pleasure, as always. Don’t worry about the boy. Sunshine after rain, that sort of thing. He’ll be fine. He’s going to make you very proud of him.” She shook her head as though she’d spoken out of turn.

       She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “Never mind my nonsense. I don’t know what I’m saying half the time.” She turned to Dan. “And Daniel, you are still a delight. One of the kind and caring folk who make this world a better place to live. Please — let’s keep in touch. But remember, it’s not over yet. You need to be prepared for it.” Another kiss. “Say a very warm ‘hello’ to Ked for me. I hope he remembers his Auntie Domingo.”

      “I’m sure he does. I’ll tell him you sent greetings.”

      She paused before taking Trevor’s hands, staring into his eyes. “Dear, dear Trevor — thank you for bringing some peace to this man’s heart,” she said, nodding in Dan’s direction. “Please be good to him.”

      Trevor nodded. “I intend to.”

      She smiled ambiguously then turned to Donny. He walked her to the door then returned to the sitting room. For a moment, no one spoke.

      “Well, that was a blast from the past,” Dan said at last. “She still makes the grandest exits this side of Buckingham Palace.”

      “She wanted to see you,” Donny said with a hint of apology in his voice. “I’m sure you’ll forgive me for inviting her in time.”

      Dan smiled slightly. “It’s all right. It was overdue.”

      “She means well,” Donny said, still in apology mode.

      “I know.”

      “Another drink?”

      Dan shook his head. “I’m good.”

      Trevor was looking from one to the other of them. “Will someone please let me in on the secret here?”

      Dan shrugged. “Domingo interferes with things. She used to, anyway.”

      “‘Interferes’?” Donny said ironically.

      “What things?” Trevor asked.

      Donny sighed. “She does this ‘seeing’ thing where she goes off in a sort of trance and says whatever comes into her mind. Sort of like a vision or a prophecy.”

      “It’s creepy,” Dan said.

      Trevor looked at the two of them. “Is it real?”

      “Real?” Donny repeated.

      Trevor nodded. “Does it have validity? The things she says? There was someone on Mayne Island who could do that.”

      Dan just shook his head. “Who cares? It’s creepy and invasive.”

      Donny nodded thoughtfully. “It often has an eerie sort of insight or validity, but not always at the time. More often with hindsight. The problem is — or Dan’s problem with it is — she does it without being asked. She just holds your hand and looks into your eyes and lets fly.”

      Trevor turned to Dan. “Is that what she meant when she said ‘it’s not over yet’?”

      Dan made an irritated noise. “Who knows? It just bugs me when she does it.” He turned and went out onto the balcony.

      Donny looked at Trevor. “The man doesn’t like it. What can I say?”

      Trevor smiled. “It’s okay. I’ve seen his stubborn side. What do you think?”

      Donny smirked. “About Domingo? I think that there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than you can shake a damned stick at, so why get uptight about it?”

      Trevor СКАЧАТЬ