Page 49 of Something New

"I don't know either," I said. "I don't know him at all yet. It's amazing, but I'm not sure if I'll wear it. I'd rather be dressing up as a Nintendo character with you and E."

"I know. Dad had that fire going earlier, and it's nice out there. You can see the tunnel more now since the leaves are off of the trees. You can almost see the house from the firepit. I can catch glimpses of the blue."

"You're kidding. It's been too long since I've been out there. I still haven't seen a fire in the pit."

"It's going to be gigantic tomorrow night. My dad had a bunch of firewood from fallen trees that he had harvested and cut when they first moved. He's got one going now as a rehearsal, and he's already talking about getting it started tomorrow morning so that it can be really cooking when everyone comes over. He's all pumped. They've been out there all day making plans and deciding where they want people to park. Some of their friends from Wake Forrest are coming over tonight to help them decorate."

"What about your sisters? I know Jenny's going, but what about Molly and Sara?"

"Molly's working, but Jenny and Sara are coming. Sara was going to try to pull together some Super Mario costume, but she might just put on one of Jenny's cheerleader uniforms and call it a day."

"You could just come here, and she can be Luigi," I said.

"Do you want me to go there? I would if I could get a ticket to that thing. You were showing me that invitation he sent you. It was 3-D."

I laughed because it was a complicated, layered invitation that was impossible to duplicate. Nick Butler had sent me one for a souvenir, and I had shown it to John-Michael before I left for Miami.

"If an invitation is the only thing keeping you from coming here tomorrow night, then I can handle that."

"I just assumed I was letting you do your work, but if you would ever need me to or want me to go there, Sadie, all you have to do is say the word."

"Is it even possible for you to get to Miami before 9pm tomorrow night?"

"How far is it?"

"The flight was only like two hours. I don't know how far it is to drive."

"Twelve hours. I just searched it."

"I can't ask you to do that," I said.

"Yes, you can, but I don't want you to feel like you need to have me there. I trust you. If you want to wear that dress, it's fine."

"I know you trust me. I just want you here. I wish you were coming here."

"I will come."

"Who would watch E?"

"Mom."

"You would miss Halloween with him."

"He would understand."

"Would he?" I asked.

"Yes. Are you being serious? Do you want me to go?"

"Yes. A hundred percent. I obviously have to work, so I would be busy for a lot of the party, but yes, John-Michael, I would give anything to have you at this house tomorrow. I would buy your plane ticket."

"Would I wear normal clothes? Could I get away with that?"

"No. But I heard some people talking about the servers wearing all black with plain black masks, like Zorro. I think I saw some of uniforms in the kitchen. That would be easy enough to blend in. I could leave your name at the door, no problem. I've met some of the staff, and I could let them know that I'm expecting an assistant for the party. I would definitely take care of getting you in if you came to Miami. This house is in Fort Lauderdale."

"If you want me to, I will," he said.

I felt a whooshing sensation when he said that. I didn't feel that I was in danger without him, but the thought of him coming gave me a sudden inner peace. I was only going to be away from him for three days, and yet the thought of him coming tomorrow gave me the most tangible sense of relief.

---