“Hey, Adam. Good to see you again.”
“It’s Original Shadow Daddy to you,” the kid beside him says. He’s on the small side, wearing thick glasses and a Pikachu T-shirt.
“Right. Hey … Shadow Man. Where’s Chewy?”
“Back in the cabin. He’s fine. You know how that diva feels about rain.”
“Why is Cricket at her house?”
“We can’t find the boxes of mini popsicle sticks to make the Pokémon puppets,” the kid informs me. “She thinks they’re somewhere in her pantry. I offered to help, but she said no.”
A cursory glance at the kid’s glue-covered fingertips tells me why. “Thanks for the tip.”
“Are you a new counselor?” he asks.
“No,” Adam interrupts. “He’s just passing through.”
The kid looks up at Adam. “Why don’t you like him?”
“Because he’s a brooding villain,” I reply, giving Adam an easy out. “He doesn’t like anybody.”
“That’s not true,” the kid objects. “He’s my best friend at camp. We’re going on a hike later to look for Ewoks.”
“Sounds fun.” I clap Adam’s shoulder. “Good luck.”
“For what it’s worth, I was rooting for you two,” Adam says in a low voice.
Me too, I think. “I appreciate that.”
“The path to the house picks up after the cafeteria. It’ll take you right to the front door.”
“Thanks.”
I continue past the cabins and the cafeteria until I locate the stone path. The house is exactly as I imagined it, right down to the white picket fence. It’s warm and welcoming, and I immediately want to kick off my shoes and enjoy a tall glass of lemonade on the porch. Given our current status, I’d be lucky if she doesn’t toss the lemonade in my face.
I leap over the single porch step, releasing some of my nervous energy, and arrive at the front door. The mat beneath my feet features Darth Vader’s head with ‘Welcome to the Dark Side’ written beside it. I can’t help but smile. This house may have been in her family for generations, but Cricket’s fingerprints are all over it.
I ring the bell and wait, using the opportunity to wipe the sweat from my palms onto my jeans. As much as I want to share bodily fluids with her, this isn’t how I want to start.
The door flies open and Cricket stares back at me. Her hair is in a messy bun, accentuating her elf ears, and she’s wearing her Nerdy By Nature T-shirt. Affection floods my system at the sight of it; I’m moved by how much I love the existence of that ridiculous top.
“Mr. Thorpe. I didn’t expect to see you again.” Her gaze lowers to my attire. “You’re wearing jeans. I thought you suffered from a denim allergy.”
“Only Monday through Friday.”
The corner of her mouth quirks when her gaze reaches my shoes. “Couldn’t bring yourself to swap those Gucci loafers for Converse though, huh?”
I wiggle my toes inside the shoes. “I’m comfortable in these.”
“And we know how important your comfort is to you.”
I let the jab pass uncontested. “May I come in? There’s a matter I’d like to discuss with you.”
She peers past me. “I don’t see any law enforcement. Does that mean you aren’t here to seize my land?”
“I am most definitely not here to do that.”
She studies me, uncertain. “How do I know that’s not a lie so I’ll invite you in?”
