by Lizzie Vega
Iris interrupted, “I saw a couple of my stylists at the booth over there. I’m gonna go chat with them. I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t be too long, I’m buying first round,” Parker crooned.
Michael seemed preoccupied with something and excused himself from the group, “I’m going to get some air, be right back.”
Katie and Samantha watched him leave. Sam turned to Parker, “Do you think he is having a good time?”
“Absolutely. Probably a little tired from all the late nights working on costumes. Ladies,” he said dramatically as he passed by, “wait right here please. I shall return.”
“Oh, I can’t wait, Parker,” said Katie as she batted her eyelashes at him sarcastically. Aside to Sam she whispered, “I’ll bet he’s got the whole room scoped out.”
Surprisingly, he returned after a couple of minutes with a tray of drinks. “Here we go, as promised.” He presented the tray to the girls.
“Two drinks for each of us, Parker?” Katie questioned, “What are your intentions tonight.”
Parker pursed him lips, “Hmm, not what you think, lovely, sexy, sand person. Although it did cross my mind.” He looked at Katie with a sincerity that made her pause. Each was given a first drink. He took one of the smaller glasses and poured it straight down his throat, “Ah, a magic elixir. Excellent!”
He then handed a second smaller drink to Samantha, “Hang on Parker,” Samantha protested, “I don’t need two drinks, I know my limit.”
“Who says it’s for you? It’s for Michael. Try it, see what you think.” Sam looked and Katie and then at the glass in her hand. She took a very hesitant small sip.
“Parker, how did you..?”
“Hold on a minute,” Katie grabbed a smaller glass, “Let me try.”
Katie tried the drink and looked right at Parker, “How did you know about this.” Parker just shrugged and smiled at Sam, “If I’ve heard the story once, I’ve heard it a hundred times.” He pointed toward the door, “Go, Sam, take it to him. He wants it to happen, I’m pretty sure you do, too.”
Katie turned Samantha toward her, “Wait a minute,” and she put the hood up on Sam’s costume and rolled back the front edge to show off her face, grabbed a section of her hair and pulled it forward, “There, all set, you look great! Go,” and she spun her around and launched her toward the doorway and turned back to Parker,
“I owe you an apology, that was an incredibly un-jerk like thing to do for her.”
“No problem, I did it for Michael too,” and he stole a drink off a tray as a server walked by and raised it toward Katie. “Plus, the evening is still young, plenty of time for me to be a jerk again.”
Chapter 24
Sam approached the bench quietly, with all of the other costumed participants milling around, Michael didn’t notice her. She watched him for a second, she recognized the familiar checked-out stare. It was something she did regularly herself. The music from the auditorium could be heard out in the courtyard, Michael absently tapped his fingers to the beat.
She played over the events of the last few days in her head and some very old memories. Sam smiled and stepped toward him.
“Would you like some company?” she asked.
He turned and looked at her with a brief look of annoyance, but as the recognition of her voice set in, his smile broadened and any fear she may have had approaching him vanished.
“Of course, Sam, please sit down,” and he scooted over a little to make room for her.
“I brought you a refreshment,” she said but she began to laugh nervously as she gave it to him, hand shaking. “I’m sorry, I got really nervous all of a sudden.” But she stayed close to him on the bench.
He took the glass from her, “It’s Ok, Sam. It’s just me.” And he took a sip.
At first it was just a cool respite from the warm evening, but a second later, the sweet, tart sensation of the lemonade summoned a wave of memories. He understood immediately and smiled at her, “Wow, this really holds up over the years, doesn’t it? Thank you.” For a moment he was back in the sixth grade.
Sam brought down the hood of her costume and fluffed her hair, comfortable again, “I didn’t interrupt you, did I? You’re recharging?”
“Of course not. That’s a good word for it. The party is great, but I needed to sort of detach myself a little, then I’ll be good to go.”
Sam smiled, “I do the same thing. We introverts need to stick together.” They laughed at the irony. “Sometimes people think I’m rude but I’m just gearing up for the next round.”
“I know that exact feeling,” Michael took another sip of his lemonade and turned toward her, “You really look nice tonight, Sam. All three of you do, but you especially.” He knew he was blushing, but for once, he didn’t care.
“You can thank Iris for the concept, she had an amazing stash of costumes. If it were up to Katie, we would have been far more provocative, “and she looked down and adjusted the newly tailored silt up the side of her robe. There was healthy part of her thigh showing from the high cut alteration. “Yep, too much,” and she tugged on the robe to cover herself.
Michael shook his head looking into her eye briefly, but said nothing. He caught himself mulling a Parker-like comment, but he knew she wouldn’t appreciate it. He suddenly felt very comfortable being himself. He shifted toward her and put his arm on the back of the bench. His hand brushed lightly against her shoulder. He just smiled, “Are you having a good time?”
“I really am, Michael,” she pointed above his head, “Hey, look over there, seems appropriate doesn’t it?”
Michael squinted up into the night sky. Even with the lights of the city he could easily make out the three stars of Orion’s belt. He let out a long breath, “Well, there it is, isn’t it? Yeah, appropriate timing, I would say.” Samantha detected a sudden anxiousness in his voice. “Does it scare you a little? The lightning and the weirdness?”
“It does, to be honest, Sam. I’ve gotten advice from someone that knows a little about it and he said not to be afraid.”
Samantha leaned toward him, “Can I ask who is it is? I can keep a secret.”
“I’m sure you can, Sam.” He related the story of the old shopkeeper and told her about what he had told him. “It’s quite magical, isn’t it,” he asked.
“Yes, it is Michael, very much so. As long as you are safe.” Her eyes twinkled as she said it. “I know this is all a big secret, but I think I know someone else that can help you with the magic side of this project. If that’s ok with you.”
“That’s probably a good idea, Sam,” he replied. “When this all got started, Parker and I joked around about what was happening and why, but now, it’s getting bigger than we thought. Honestly, I only have weird theories to dwell on, so anything that would clear the haze would be appreciated,” he calmly looked into her eyes, “and you’ll be there, right?”
His question inferred far more than just being around to assist on their little fantasy project.
Samantha hesitated slightly before she answered, something in his words sounded familiar and she froze. She looked at him carefully. He was the same Michael she had always known, but tonight, he seemed different. He was comfortable and he seemed calm. She could feel it, everything seemed perfect.
So she answered him,“Always.”
For a few moments, neither one of them said anything, it didn’t feel awkward at all.
Michael took a final sip of his lemonade then he stood and reached out his hand to her, “Come dance with me.”
She reached for his hand and then stood beside him, “I’d love to.”
They walked back into the hall, hand in hand. Their friends had dispersed into the dancing throng and so no one paid any attention to the new couple. Michael was relieved that Parker hadn’t seen them yet as they made their way into the building.
It was an odd sight as they walked toward the dancers, it looked like a perverse prom night with all the costumes. Michae
l called to Sam over the din of the pulsating music, “I hope you have steel toe shoes on, I’m a lousy dancer.”
She laughed and moved closer to him, “No pressure, I’m sure you’ll do fine.”
They worked their way into the middle of the group. The party had taken on more of a rave feel and the dancing had devolved into more of a rhythmic jumping. Between the dazzling light show and throbbing bass, Michael got right into the music but he never let go of Samantha’s hand. Michael became aware of a couple of revelers getting a little out of control not far from where they dancing. He tugged on Sam’s hand to pull her a little further from the flailing dancers. Something made him look back just as the Boba Fett character spun his unsteady partner violently around in a circle.
Michael saw her coming and quickly put his arm around Samantha, lifting her off the floor. He spun her several steps away from the potential collision and held her in his arms. He looked back at the disturbance and then looked at Sam. He hadn’t let go of her, nor had she tried to get away.
“Aren’t you smooth! Thanks for the rescue.” Sam put her arms around his neck and drew him close. They were almost nose to nose.
“You’re welcome, that could have been unpleasant.” He didn’t let go of her and she looked into his eyes, then at his full lips, her body pressed up against his. She leaned into him and nodded her head, “This is nice.”
Michael looked at her. It suddenly wasn’t about the costume party or the crowd, he didn’t feel drained or anxious. He was supposed to be here. And she was supposed to be with him. He leaned in to kiss her.
A hand grabbed him by the shoulder, “Michael!” Parker’s clearly inebriated voice thundered behind him. Startled he let go of Sam.
“Hey, look at you two.” Parker was dancing and had maneuvered himself over to his friends. The expression on Michael’s face went from surprise to a grimace.
“Parker, such a surprise,” and he tilted his head away as if to direct his friend anywhere but where he was. Parker looked at the two of them and, in spite of his condition, realized the situation. ‘Pardonnez-moi,” and he backed away dramatically, but not before he gave Michael an overly dramatic thumbs up. “Woo-hoo,” he hollered and then swirled back into the gyrating crowd.
Michael turned back to Sam, not sure what the reaction would be. “I’m sorry. He’s, well he’s...”
Sam just grinned, “Not an introvert?”
She laughed and surprised Michael by again stepping toward him and putting her arms around him, bringing them face to face. “Now,” she said, “where were we?”
He drew her body against his and kissed her gently on the lips, as if testing both the softness of her lips and level of his courage. She returned the first kiss equally. To her, it was like the first kiss might have been in the sixth grade, tentative, nervous, chaste. It was perfect.
He ramped up on the second one. She could feel the strength in his arms as he held her. She explored the warmth of his lips and felt the sensation flow gently through her body. As loud as the music was, in her head it was quiet. No internal dialogue that would second guess every move she made. She smiled to herself when she wondered if Michael could feel her heart beating. He had, much to her delight, cleared her haze, as well.
He drew back and looked at her. “I have wanted to do that for a long time,” he said as he swept a few strands of her hair off her face.
“I’m happy to hear that Michael, I have wanted it for a long time,” she put her head on his shoulder, nuzzled into his neck and closed her eyes. Spell or not, this was beginning to feel natural. Like it was meant to be.
Their moment was again interrupted by a familiar voice, “Well, well, isn’t this nice.” It was Katie and she was beaming. “This is a good look for both of you,” but she stopped herself, “I’m sorry if I interrupted.” She looked mildly embarrassed and looked apologetically at the couple. “I’ll go. In fact, I, um, have to go,” she said haltingly, and she pointed to the foyer, “to the bathroom, yeah…there,” and she turned to leave.
Samantha laughed, “Katie, no, it’s ok,” and she looked at Michael. “In fact, I should maybe as well,” she kissed him on the cheek, “I’ll be right back.”
“No problem,” he said, “Meet me over at the concessions area, I’ll buy you a lemonade. You too, Katie,” he grinned as she watched Katie throw her arm around Sam and herd her toward the ladies’ room. Katie looked back at him and winked, “I won’t keep her long.” Michael watched the two walk away in their sand people costumes and laughed to himself. This was like a long overdue dream.
Chapter 26
“Damn costume,” Samantha laughed as she came out of the bathroom stall.
Katie was already out and waiting for her, “Hey, think of it as a really loose prom dress, if you catch my drift.” She winked suggestively.
“Jeez, Katie. All I did was kiss him. Don’t get ahead of yourself, please.” Sam protested but she added, “I could tell he enjoyed kissing me though,” she clamped her hand over her mouth in embarrassment.
Katie just laughed, “Oh my, Sam,” her eyes widened, “I’m really happy for you. Did he seem different to you, in any other way?” but Sam knew to what her friend was referring.
“Not at first,” Sam responded. “He just seemed his regular normal nice self, although he was calm and collected. We talked about being introverts. It was so sweet to connect with him like that.”
Katie smiled, she was so happy for Sam, but she narrowed her eyes at one point, “You said, not at first, what happened?”
“Maybe it’s nothing, but at one point, Michael started talking about, um, a project that he and Parker are working on. It’s something he is really into and, he looked right at me and said some of the same exact words that Iris used in the spell she cast on him.” Samantha just shook her head at Katie, “Coincidence, right?”
Katie regarded her friend, “Sure, a coincidence, maybe, but with Iris,” she shrugged, “maybe not.”
“Speaking of Iris, where is she?” Samantha scanned the building’s upper level, “I need to talk to her about something important. When did you see her last?”
Katie just smiled, “She’s down on the dance floor. We just need to look for the biggest concentration of guys out there. They will all be staring at her.”
True to Katie’s prediction, they found her easily. As warm as the auditorium was, Iris had taken down the top part of her robe and tied the arms of it around her waist. As she gyrated to the pounding music, she had, indeed, drawn a small crowd of admirers. She danced with her eyes closed and wove herself around to the beat. She was in a world of her own. Her skin tight top and supple twisting movements had drawn a small crowd. It didn’t appear she was dancing with anyone; she was just enjoying the moment.
As the two girls approached in their matching attire, glances were quickly exchanged among the spectators hoping this was going to get even better. “Are you going to join her?” a Cowboy Bebop clad young man called out to them, “That would be really hot.”
Katie just glared at him, “Not tonight, Spike, your loss,” she bellowed over the music.
“Iris, got a minute?” Iris stopped swirling and turned around to greet her friends, her face was wrinkled up in a big smile, a sheen of sweat covered her forehead, “Hey!” and she motioned for them to join her in her reverie.
“No, Iris. Sam has news and needs to talk to you.” They both stood there with expectant smiles on their faces. There was no way she could say no. “Awesome,” Iris walked out her growing circle of gawkers and put her arms around the two women. “Let’s get some air.”
They had barely made it out the auditorium before Sam threw her arms around Iris and gave her a big hug. She was grinning from ear to ear.
Iris stepped back, “Let me guess…Michael?”
Sam laughed and related the story as she had to Katie. Iris just looked at Sam with a self-satisfied expression on her face, “Well there ya go. Nicely done.”
“I know, right?
” she responded, “He just seemed so receptive to me, I couldn’t believe how comfortable I felt around him. Not awkward at all. Thank you, Iris, so much.” Iris just stood and listened, an amusing smile on her face.
Samantha continued, her enthusiasm was contagious, “I was just shocked when he said ‘Clear the haze’, I just about wet myself,” she laughed.
“No,” Katie corrected her, “that was later on the dance floor.” The three of them convulsed in laughter. “Jesus, Katie, I can’t believe you said that.” She had turned beet red but she was still laughing.
“Well, if she hadn’t,” Iris joined in, “I certainly would have. Good for both of you. It’s amazing what can happen when you nudge good things into motion. She put her hands on her hips with a satisfied sigh. “It looks like my job here is done,”
“Well,” Sam looked around them to see if anyone was within earshot, “maybe not, I also found out where the blue lightning is coming from. You guys can keep a secret, right?”
Sam told them about seeing the map in the boys’ apartment and then hearing about the sequence of unexplained events that followed with the metal pieces from the antique shop. She tried to explain from her scientific point of view.
As fascinating and outlandish as it sounded, Iris began to look uncomfortable as the story continued. “Sam, I need to talk to Michael, and quickly. Judging by the lightning the other night, my guess is they are in way over their heads.”
“Ok, he’s over by the concessions,” Sam said. “I think I should talk to him first, I just sort of blabbed this to you without him knowing. I don’t want him to be mad at me, especially after tonight.”
Iris understood then looked at Katie, “We’ll say nothing, of course. He needs to understand that I don’t want to get in the way. I just want to help keep them safe, ok?”
Katie agreed, “Let’s go find him. Sam and I will hang back when you talk to him.”
They followed her to the concessions area. Michael was standing there with two more glasses of lemonade and smiled broadly when Samantha approached him. She turned back to ensure that Katie and Iris had taken up a position well away from the impending conversation.
