Chapter 20

 

 

A spinner ignited and spun in a swirl of green sparks. Then the fuse lit a red one, followed by a yellow spinner. With nails through their center, they buzzed, sending sparks raining down on other fireworks igniting below.

Firecrackers went off like gunfire, crackling and exploding. A mortar detonated, sending a ball into the sky that erupted into a sphere of blue. Then a tank went off, firing screaming lights from the end of a wire.

A box of fireworks set on a shelf went off, showering the sign in sparks and light. Another mortar went off and then they all ignited in quick succession, filling the sky with bursts of light. More light erupted, the fireworks detonating in a sequence that flooded the lawn and street in light.

Cars slowed and drivers gawked from their windows, one narrowly avoided being struck by the car behind. People appeared in nearby buildings and stared at the blinding display of light and sound, the placement allowing those in the street a full view of the letters inscribed in lights.

“It’s a message!” Marta cried, her voice barely audible over the shrieking fireworks.

More explosions appeared on the barrier, the lights gradually shaping into words. Every firework had been intentionally placed so as to contribute to the message, collectively forming an invitation in sparks and fire.

BE MY DATE 4 THE 4TH?

The question mark appeared in sparklers that ignited several mortars at once. They ignited together, bursting and exploding in a vivid tapestry of colors against the velvet backdrop of the night sky. Cars had stopped completely, their drivers and passengers audibly praising the unexpected celebration. Someone began to clap and it spread, until drivers, passengers, individuals in the store across the street, and patrons from Marta’s restaurant were all outside, applauding the invite.

Kate stood in the midst, her heart bursting like the fireworks in the heavens. She realized his invitation had come late because of the effort required to make the board and link the fuses so they would go off in order. He’d planned it all. For her.

Although he’d planned with such detail before, she sensed an intention that had been absent on prior dates, as if he wanted her to know she mattered to him. He wanted to make tomorrow night special. Her assumption was mirrored by her roommates.

“It’s about time,” Ember breathed.

“You think he’s ready?” Kate breathed, watching the fireworks gradually sputter into darkness and silence, their message delivered in their brief life.

“If he did this,” Brittney said, “he’s ready.”

“Are you?” Marta asked.

Kate’s smile almost broke her cheeks, causing her roommates to laugh and nod, all agreeing that Reed was finally ready to move forward. Reed, ever the romantic showman, was bringing their game to a brilliant, explosive close.

The last spinner died on the sign and the crowd reluctantly moved on, the drivers answering the honks from those who hadn’t witnessed the display. They drove away, casting lingering looks back as if hoping to see more. Kate watched the final firework sputter and darken, her smile as bright as the invitation.

Three individuals appeared and stripped the fireworks from the sign, dropping them into buckets of water. All wore masks that covered their faces but Kate recognized one as Jackson. She thought one was Reed but she couldn’t be sure. In remarkably short order they’d disposed of the spent fireworks and removed the sign.

Kate remained in place until the sign had been loaded onto Jackson’s truck and driven away. Then her roommates finally dragged her back into the restaurant to eat, the meal dominated by speculation as to what Reed had planned.

Throughout the conversation Kate struggled to keep her anticipation from spilling into movement, and she fidgeted constantly. Her relationship with Reed felt old and seasoned, yet they had never once held hands or kissed. Despite the lack of intimacy she recalled every accidental touch, the brushing of his hand against hers, the lightning sparking in her body . . .

“I can’t believe you haven’t slept with him,” Ember said.

Kate focused on Ember. “That’s not our relationship.”

“He hasn’t even kissed you?” Marta’s mother asked, returning with a dessert.

“I hope to remedy that tomorrow night,” Kate said, and flushed like a teenage girl.

Her comment drew a round of teasing, and then Marta asked, “Do you think he’ll want more than a kiss?”

Kate shook her head. “One wall at a time.”

“A romantic man is a passionate man,” Marta’s mother said, drawing a gasp from Marta.

“Mother!”

She shrugged. “It’s worth the wait.” Then she turned to care for a couple that had just walked in.

Mortified, Marta shook her head. “This whole thing has drawn out a side of my mother I never knew.”

“She’s letting you date who you want, now,” Brittney pointed out.

“True,” Marta said. “But I’ve learned things about my parent’s relationship that I can’t un-know.” She shuddered, eliciting a round of laughter.

“We should go,” Ember said. “We need to start picking out Kate’s outfit for tomorrow night.”

“No jeans and a shirt?” Kate asked.

Ember cast her a scathing look. “The bigger the date, the more important the outfit. Honestly, how have you made it this far without us?”

Kate smiled, too excited to argue. “I couldn’t have.”

Ember pulled out her wallet. Although Marta’s mother insisted no check, they always left a generous tip. Kate added cash to the pile and they departed, each pausing to embrace the large woman.

“Take care of the man you love,” Marta’s mother said.

“I don’t love him,” Kate said nervously.

Maria winked. “And my enchiladas are not the best in the city.”

“They are the best in the city,” Brittney said.

“Exactly,” the woman said.

Uncertain how to respond, Kate said, “Thank you for dinner.”

“I look forward to hearing about your date,” Maria said over her shoulder, already heading to refill drinks for a table of seven.

They walked out into the parking lot and piled into Ember’s jeep. As they drove home, Kate wondered if Marta’s mother was right. Did she love him? They hadn’t even kissed, so how could she love him?

She swallowed and nervously pushed the thought aside, unwilling to explore it until she knew Reed’s intentions. They entered their house like an invading army, intent on vanquishing their closets. In minutes clothes were scattered across the living room and hanging over chairs, the remains of outfits deemed unworthy.

Kate dressed and undressed, trading clothes so they could be inspected, admired, and criticized by the blondes. The task would have been tedious, but she floated through the whirlwind of cloth on a cloud of euphoria.

Ultimately an outfit was selected and she stood before the full mirror in Ember’s room, admiring the view. The jeans were Ember’s, discarded and returned a dozen times until paired with Kate’s own green top. The short sleeves had artistic cutouts that revealed a hint of her shoulders while the outfit hugged her torso and tied at her waist. It was a touch revealing yet reserved, a tease that enticed.

Marta had contributed a tasseled band that wrapped around her waist and accentuated her hips. Brittney, loathe to go without donating something to the ensemble, had contributed the earrings, small emerald studs that glittered in the light, a perfect pairing with her shirt and eyes.

“You look stunning,” Ember said.

The other girls crowed with delight and Kate stared at herself, delighted with the results and grateful they had not tried to change her choice in shoes. They had insisted on her dark sneakers, the coloring allowing the focus to be on the green.

“You think he’ll kiss me?” Kate asked, voicing her doubt.

“He’d be crazy not to,” Marta said.

“He’d be stupid not to,” Ember corrected.

Kate smiled at the stunning image in the mirror, wondering about tomorrow night. She felt fear and excitement, worry and hope, all blending into a cacophony of emotions that dried her throat and clogged her voice. But it was anticipation that came out on top.

“Looks like I’m ready,” she said with a smile.