SPARKS 18

“No need to come to the studio. See you at home. Dawn”
*Damn it. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand this is not good*
We get back around 6 and I see Howard sitting by the porch. His bag by his feet. The kids run toward him “uncle Howard!” Emily jumps on his lap “we had so much fun! But Zach is gross. He found a warm and wanted me to eat it. I started screaming and Bea came and saved me. I don’t like him. Maybe to make sure he doesn’t do it again you should come too. He’s scared of giants. Are you coming with us tomorrow? Please?”
He caresses her hair but looks at me “I can’t honey. I’m going to stay with uncle Mark for a few days. But I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon I guess”
*Supermagiccrap*
“Daniel take your sister inside please, I need to have a word with Howard”. They disappear behind the door. I’m standing by him now, he hasn’t moved. It is sort of funny the way I’m towering over him. He brushes his palm against mine, electricity passes between his body and mine. “She threw me out. She warned me but I couldn’t help it” and smiles faintly.
I look into his eyes and sigh “it’s not your fault. I guess we’re all going to the mattresses”
?
“It’s the Godfather honey”
“You called me honey”
“I better go inside, don’t want to piss her off more than she is already”
“If you need help I’ll come and get you”
“I’ll be fine”
“Will I see you tomorrow?”
“I doubt it. But we’ll be in Salina in 36 hours”
“I’ll miss you”
I kiss his cheek “this is such a mess” and step inside following the kids.

Dawn is waiting for me in the corridor. We exchange a very weak smile. I look at her; she nods and follows me to my room. I sit on the bed, she takes the chair.
“I have nothing against you”
“I know, and I’m sorry, for everything. This is going to become a real mess. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen’
“You can still avoid it”
“No I can’t”
“He has a family”
“I want one”
“You know what it means right?”
“Yes I do”
“You’re coming along just because I don’t want to fight with my husband. We could have been friends”
“Yes we could have”
She stands up and walks to the door “I’ll come up with a good explanation for the kids”
“Thanks”


The next day I leave Daniel at football practice and take Emily along to find a costume for the masquerade. Julie and Tricia are already there, waiting for us. I find her a little mermaid dress to try on and she starts singing ‘Under the Sea’ and dancing around the room. I smile looking at her “isn’t she precious?”
“Whatever” Julie answers me. “Oh Oh, I think I found what we’re looking for” and she shows me a sexy nurse outfit.
“How did you know? That’s a dream coming true, but unfortunately it has to be the character of a movie” and I laugh
“Are you telling me you’ve never heard of the blockbuster ‘Nurse Betty and the naughty patient’?”
“Shush! There’s a child in here!”
“She’s too busy with her Disney fantasy to pay attention to us”
Tricia comes from behind a pile of clothing “What about Mary Poppins? He would know you thought of him”
“SupercalifragilisticexpialidociousNO”
Julie sits on a chair “we need to think. Brainstorming time ladies. We need something that says I want you, but you want me more. I’m hot but innocent…wild but modest…. dark but funny”
“Someone with multiple personalities?”
“Shush! I’m trying to think”
“Bea what would you like to wear?”
“I don’t know, I hate these things. Everything’s fine as long as it doesn’t come from Eastern Europe”
“I got it! Chewbacca! You wouldn’t have to worry about shaving ever again! Brilliant!”
I hit my head against the wall while they’re in a roll
“Angel”
“No, wrong message”
“Vampire”
“Oh nooooo…she would not leave up to the expectations” and winks.
I look at them with my hands on my hips “For you information I can …”
“What? You can what? Please spell it out for us”
I throw my arms up in the air “I hate you, both of you!”
They laugh at me when Emily gets closer and says “Tinkerbelle”
Julie looks at her like she’s witnessing a miracle “What did you just say?”
“Tinkerbelle” and she smiles.
She takes her into her arms and starts spinning; Emily laughs “You are a genius Mrs. Barlow. It’s perfect!”
“Yes it is” Tricia adds “let’s face it, she is vindictive – and we all know what you did to Paolo, the way you shared his bedtime activities with every single citizen of Florence – she is desperately in love with Peter” coughs “Howard. But she tries to hide her romantic feelings for him.”
“I’ve heard nothing romantic related coming from her filthy mouth lately” Julie says.
“Shush! But he’s too busy with his Lost Boys and let’s not forget about stupid Wendy. Lack of attention that pushes our poor fairy on the verge of a nervous breakdown.” And she just points at me, the way stewardess show passengers the emergency exits before take off “And last but not least, she can hold only one feeling at a time. That is you my friend”
“I don’t think it is such a great idea” I try to say in a very low voice but I guess a decision has already been made.
“What are the odds he’ll show up as Peter Pan?”
“Tight green pants…”
“The two of you can stop right there, no way he can be Peter Pan. He said he’s going for something big” I look at Tricia, I know the wicked light in her eyes, I see Emily who’s paying attention to every word we say and I almost yell “don’t even think about saying it missy!”
“Yes ma’m!’ and laughs “Since we won’t see you before you leave we bought you a little farewell present” and she hands me a bag.
“For me? Me love surprises!” I open it and I see the most beautiful light blue dress I’ve ever seen.
I’m stunned “isn’t it the one I wanted to buy …”
“Yes it is. We told you. We are going to the mattresses!”
“Thank you girls!”
“And it’s not over, there’s something else, keep looking”
I do and I take a piece of white lycra out “a fabric sample?” I ask them.
“What do we have to do with you? What! It’s a bikini”
“For Barbie?”
“It’s for you”
“I cannot wear it”
“Yes, you can and you will and you will be grateful!”
“Freaks”