Alternate Ending to Bone Gap

I created an alternate ending to one of my favourite books as a project in English class, and I thought I'd leave it here

What they had heard: Finn O’Sullivan had seen the kidnapper lurking around Charlie Valentine’s house and had followed him to his lair, where he had found Roza.

Or something like that.

But the kidnapper had found him, and threatened to kill them both.

Or something like that.

So Roza broke a mirror and fought with her kidnapper. She was injured, but she and Finn got away with the help of a dog the size of a horse.

Or something like that.

The details were fuzzy, which just made the story that much more fun to tell. Jonas Apple had an all-points bulletin out on the suspect, but Roza said that the man wouldn’t be kidnapping anyone else ever again. The people believed her, because she had a way of saying things that just sounded true. Perhaps it was the Polish accent.

Plus she made such excellent cookies.

Roza brought hundreds of these cookies and trays of golobki to the Chat ‘n’ Chew. They sat alongside Mel Willis’s honey clusters and piles of sandwiches and vats of chili and dozens of bean and tuna and macaroni casseroles on the counter. Halloween wouldn’t arrive for months, but the people of Bone Gap were throwing a costume party. Masks mandatory.

The highlight of the evening was the game. Everyone was supposed to guess the identity of the other guests without anyone removing their masks. When a person guessed correctly, Jonas Apple would slap a bee sticker on him or her. Whoever was wearing the most stickers at the end of the night won a prize.

Finn O´Sullivan was covered in bees. He recognized Miguel Cordero (his ghost costume couldn't hide the long and muscular arms peeking out from under the sheet). Amber Hass was easy to identify (her pirate costume couldn´t hide the fact that she was hanging from Miguel´s big arm). The Rude boys were even easier (nothing could hide those bowlegs). He recognized sweet Mel Willis (her honey gave her away even in her devil costume). Charlie Valentine, who wore just a brown paper bag, was guessed correctly by everyone (he had a chicken cradled like a baby, and a dozen great-grandchildren who followed him like a brood of chicks).

The people of Bone Gap were amazed, especially considering Finn´s ´condition´. Wasn´t that so strange? And didn´t it explain so much? Finn´s own face was painted black and white - a crescent moon on one side, the other side dark as night. Moonface, as if they would ever use a name like that again! The people of Bone Gap called Finn a lot of things these days, but mostly they called him brave.

Finn was going in for his third round of honey clusters when Jonas Apple sidled up next to him. “How are you feeling, Finn?”

“The scrapes on my legs are healing, but they still itch like crazy. My head is feeling alright.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear that,” said Jonas. Finn looked him up and down discreetly and appreciated the irony of his costume. He was also dressed up in black and white, but for different reasons. He was dressed like an old-time prisoner, complete with a ball and chain around one foot. His shirt and pants were painted with black and white stripes. “I wish we could catch that son of a b***h.”

Then Jonas Apple did something that sheriffs didn’t do. He said sorry. “I want to apologize, Finn, on behalf of the whole town. You saw him take Roza, and we didn’t believe you. We thought you were lying for her. We thought she wanted to leave. We thought-”

“I know,” Finn interrupted. He had heard this spiel from nearly everyone in town, and he was tired of sorry.

Jonas pulled at his striped shirt as if the collar was pinching him. He was about to say something, maybe about how he felt guilty for not listening or not seeing or not doing whatever it was he thought he should have done.

“How’s Linus?” Finn asked.

Jonas Apple smiled broadly, as if grateful for the change of subject that he was too sorry to do. “He’s great. He’s just great. I would have brought him, but I don’t think he would have appreciated the party.”

“Cats usually don’t,” said Finn. Ever since Finn had given Jonas one of Calamity Jane’s kittens, the sheriff was miraculously freed from his tragic allergies. Mel and Petey had taken another, the largest kitten they named Beehop, otherwise known as The Cat That Sleeps In The Lane With The Dog. The other four kittens - Priscilla, Cornstalk, Chick, and Charlie Valentine - had moved into the barn with the horse and the goat. The mice were now busily dying of despair. Calamity Jane spent every night sleeping on Finn’s bed and had never seemed happier. Rus the dog hopped from bed to bed, because he was a glutton for love.

But… weren’t we all? Everyone wants someone to love them, care for them, put them first. Lots of us are scared to admit it. That day was different. Everybody was happy, open, sharing, loving, caring, putting others first. Jonas Apple was dancing with Mel Willis. Miguel Cordero and Petey Willis were caught making out in the girls’ washroom. Charlie Valentine stuffed his face with cookies and fed some to his favourite chicken, and even his great-grandchildren, who he never cared much for until today. Mrs. Lonogan pushed her prize-winning Persian, Fabian, around in a baby carriage, Rus the Beast enthusiastically licking the poor cat’s pouting face. The room was abuzz with excited and encouraging chatter about Derek Rude coming out to his family and that his date was a dark-haired boy that bore a slight resemblance to Finn O’Sullivan.

Though the party was to celebrate Roza’s return, she and Sean sat quietly in a back corner, smiling wide and sharing stories in soft, loving voices. If one were to look closely, they would have seen that Roza was doing most of the talking while Sean leaned in to listen. The not-quite-healed scar on Roza’s cheek was a rosy curve like an extra smile.

The party eventually spilled out into the slightly cooler air. Finn walked a little farther than the others, till the voices of the people of Bone Gap washed over him the way they always tended to do.

“I used to think that boy was nuttier than a honey cluster.”

“Please, you’re the one nuttier than a honey cluster.”

“I always knew he was onto something.”

“Jonas should have listened.”

“We all should have listened.”

“Hey! How many cookies have you had? Leave some for the rest of us!”

“Where’s Priscilla Willis at?”

“Funny looking girl.”

“I’d call her… unique.”

“You would not.”

“Would too!”

“Finn would.”

“He would.”

“She not here?”

Sean stood next to Finn, arms crossed across his huge chest, making him look all the more like a superhero. Not to mention the Captain America mask he had on. Figures.

“Not yet,” said Finn.

Sean replied, “Nice party.”

“Mm-hmm…”

“Got a lot of fans now.”

“You always did.”

Sean chuckled, a deep rumbling sound. “I meant you. You should have heard the Rude brothers going on and on about you.”

Finn sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Don’t you say it too. Derek’s boyfriend looks nothing like me.”

“How would you know?” The question was not judging, not condescending. Just curious.

“He walks like his pants are too tight and his shoes are too big.”

“That’s because they are.” There was that chuckle again. “Derek’s happy though. Doubt he’ll beat you up anymore.”

“Actually, I think he’s the one who always held back.”

Sean hesitated. A deep inhale through his nose, let out slowly through his mouth, weight shifting from foot to foot, his left hand rubbing at the back of his neck. Sean looked nervous. Sean didn’t get nervous. That was like seeing royalty pass gas. It didn’t seem right.

“Listen, Finn, I-I know I said it already, but-”

“Stop.”

“I was a jerk.”

“You were. Let me warn you, if you and Roza break up, I’m siding with her.”

“She's leaving for Poland, you know. Leaving next month. Her grandma is probably worried sick about her.”

“She'll come back. That's what she does. Jonas will help with the immigration status. No one would deport a kidnapping victim.”

“Hmm…” That was all he said. Finn didn't think he had heard him. Anyone looking at Sean would think he was deep in thought about something serious. Finn knew better.

“You love her,” Finn stated.

Sean didn't answer. He didn't need to. Finn could see it on his face: the almost-not-there grin, the relaxed shoulders, the unusual twinkle in his eyes. It was obvious.

Neither of them saw Roza until she was thrusting a plate of cookies in their faces. “Eat.”

The two brothers eyed the cookes.

“You eat,” she insisted.

Finn and Sean each took one. Finn said, “What are these called again?”

“Kolaczki,” she said. Before either of them could bite into them, Roza said, “You eat cookie, must write me in Poland. Is rule.”

“Is that so?” Finn said. He popped the cookie in his mouth and licked his fingers. “Delicious.”

“Pomegranate filling is secret. Recipe my own,” Roza said.

“I'll remember that.

“I remember always what you do.” Roza kissed his cheek. “And what you do,” she said to Sean, and kissed him longer. Then she laughed. “You do different things. Silly things. I like silly, different things.”

Finn, who had never seen, and didn't want to see, his brother cry, saw Sean blush the shade of the pomegranate filling.

“No more gush,” said Roza. “I be back with more cookies.”

The brothers watched her go. They watched her as she passed Petey and Amber Hass, who were coming their way. Petey was dressed in her usual t-shirt, cutoffs, and cowboy boots, but for the sake of the party she had added shimmery bee wings and a matching mask that covered the top half of her face.

Amber on the other hand had really gone all out. She was wearing bright blue cutoffs, a neon pink tank top, a bow tie of all colours, lime green converse, and had painted her eyelids and lips to match her bow tie. Even her usually chocolate hair had been died a colourful rainbow. Finn thought to himself that she made a really cute clown.

The girls grinned at the brothers as they stopped in front of them, though they were more directed towards Finn.

Sean nudged Finn discreetly. “Well, I'll leave you three alone. I'm going to find the beauty that made these cookies.”

Sean gave Finn a final smile before he walked away, humming to himself.

“Sean O’Sullivan is humming to himself,” said Petey. “I never thought I'd see the day.”

Finn shrugged. “He's been doing that a lot lately.”

“I don't blame him. I feel the same way. Miguel asked me out.” Petey giggled. Actually giggled. Petey Willis didn't giggle.

Amber sighed jokingly. “She's been like that all day. It's sweet and scary.” To that Petey rolled her eyes and walked away, no doubt off to find her new honey, Miguel. Finn and Amber stared after her, not used to seeing the usually spiky Petey Willis act…. like a girl. The two turned back to each other and smiled awkwardly. “Do you… Uh… Do you want to…” Amber fumbled for words.

Finn smiled his moony smile and said, “Sure. I'll pick you up tomorrow night at seven. You okay with riding the mare?” Finn didn't ever get his answer, as Amber stood up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his. “I'll see you at seven.” She grinned at him before sauntering away. Finn wondered if her hips had always swayed that much.

Charlie Valentine was watching the encounter between the kids, hoping wistfully that they would be okay. As grumpy as he presented himself, he was really just full of goo. He was gooey. And he knew it. He didn't want others to know it.

But one man did. And it scared Charlie more than anything else. “Speak of the devil…” He muttered under his breath as he saw the average, forgettable man with the blue-nothing eyes coming towards him, absolutely invisible to anyone else. To anyone who wasn't looking for him.

“Hello, old man.” He addressed Charlie with something that looked like a mix between a sneer and a smirk. Charlie merely nodded in response. He refused to give the man anything else.

“Have you been keeping our little secret, Charlie? Do you remember what happens if you don't?” He took a too-casual step forward, his head bent low. “You don't want Roza hurt do you? Or the others?” His tone was teasing, threatening. It made Charlie want to run away.

“Come now, old man. Now isn't the time to be scared. You caused this. Her capture. Her return. It's all on your shoulders.” Another slow step closer. “Rejoice while you can. You don't have much time left.”

And with a final sneering smirk, he walked away. Charlie watched long enough until he simply faded into nothing. His heart was pounding against his rib cage. It was an angry bird trying to escape it cage. Charlie Valentine was terrified.

His lips would stay sealed. They had to.

Author's Note

This isn't my typical writing style, I tried my hardest to copy the way the original author wrote and described characters. I know it doesn't make sense unless you've read the book. For anyone that wants to, it's called Bone Gap.