Judith screamed and tugged on Rick's hand. He tightened his grip, shaking his head. "We're almost there. See? No need for that." He pointed with his other hand, toward the playground. "Look, Judy!"

She squealed, jumping up and down. Rick sighed and rubbed his face. Behind him, Rick heard Carl laugh. He narrowed his eyes and turned, seeing Carl with his nose in his phone. "Put that away. It's family time."

Carl shoved his phone in his pocket and crossed his arms over his chest. To Rick's surprise, he didn't shoot back a comment. Rick turned back around and lead Judith through the picnic area, the swing sets in sight, and Judith's eyes grew wide.

There seemed to be a birthday party. Around one of the picnic tables, there was a crowd of people, and bags and plates of food laid on the surface. Decorations were taped to the table, blowing in the slight breeze. That wasn't what caught Rick's attention. It was the audience of children and adults near the park's small stage, not far from the picnic area. The stage was decorated as well, dark curtains, feathers, and a "happy birthday" banner across the stage's edge. Standing in the center, with arms outstretched, was a magician.

The man had a cape and a mask, but that was the extent of his magician persona. There was no wand or cane or any sort of stick in his hands, and no hat on top of his head. He was wearing ordinary street clothes beneath his cape. If Rick was a betting man, he'd say the guy was probably the cheapest they could find. Poor kid.

"Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages—"

"—Dad, Judith's about to tear your arm off." Rick turned his head, glancing at Carl, and then at Judith, who was yanking on his arm, trying to pull him to the playground.

"I need a volunteer from the audience!"

Rick let go of Judith's hand and rolled his shoulder. "You take her. I'll be over in a minute."

Carl gave him a look but held Judith's hand all the same. He took off with a bit of a run, Judith the very image of pure joy as she ran alongside her brother. Rick watched them for a moment before spinning on his heel, taking a few steps closer to the crowd. He stayed near the back, not wanting to mix in with the actual party. He doubted that he'd be called out for slipping in, though.

"No one? No one wants to be the brave little volunteer?" The magician tossed his arm out, cape moving, and gestured to the crowd. He wiggled his fingers. When he received only blank stares and hushed whispers, he frowned, arms dropping. "I'm gonna get someone up on this stage." He walked to the edge, narrowing his eyes behind the mask. His hands on his knees, he leaned forward. "Now, let me see here…"

Rick smiled, lifting a hand to rub his face and hide it. He didn't pity the kid who was dragged on—

"You back there, with the sky-blue eyes!" Rick froze, almost on instinct, and lowered his hand. He looked up, eyes widening, and caught the gaze of the magician. Dark eyes met his, and he smiled, laughing. He straightened up and threw his arms out again. "Yes, I'm talking to you. Get up here on stage and I'll do a trick or two." Rick's cheeks burned as he watched the man wink.

He rubbed the back of his neck and hung his head. Rick reluctantly made his way through the audience, some kids clapping and cheering as he passed. This was embarrassing. Why did he get picked, and why did he think hanging around was a good idea? Rick walked around the stage and climbed up the stairs. He stood next to the magician, setting his hands on his hips.

"Hi," he said, voice low and a bit gravelly. "What's my lovely volunteer's name?"

"Rick. And you are?"

"The Fabulous Mr. Peacock." He winked again, smiled, and turned back to the crowd. "Before your very eyes, I'm going to make Rick here"—he pointed—"disappear!" The kids clapped and shouted some more. Rick guessed the man could do anything and they would go crazy.

Peacock faced Rick and walked toward him. "Drag that curtain over here, gorgeous," he mumbled. "When I start, just, uh, step behind the curtain and stand on that X down there."

Rick cocked an eyebrow and glanced down, trying not to make it obvious. "A trapdoor? Kinda cheap." He took a step back.

"Just you wait, Rick." Peacock faced the audience again, leaving Rick to drag the curtain to the center of the stage, in front of the X on the floor. "Are you kiddos ready?!"

Rick stood in front of the curtain, fingers flexing at his sides. He looked ahead, narrowing his eyes against the sun. Carl and Judith were running around on the playground. It didn't look like they knew their father was about to make a fool of himself on stage. He blinked and stared at Peacock, just as the kids gave another roar of laughter and cheers.

Peacock did a spin and moved toward Rick. He leaned in, grinning. "Your kids out there, Rick?" he whispered.

"Kids?"

"Well, I'm assuming you have kids. Why else would you be at this fucking party?"

Rick shook his head and looked ahead. "They're… on the playground."

Peacock laughed, hand to his chest. "Did you tell them bye? Say you loved 'em?" Rick furrowed his brow and stared. Peacock shook his head in an exaggerated gesture, mocking disappointment. "That's a damn shame. Let's hope I don't fuck up."

Rick screwed up his face and stepped forward. "Excuse me—"

Peacock faced the crowd and laughed. "Everybody say bye to Rick!" He threw his arm back and shoved on Rick's chest, making him stumble through the curtain.

Rick managed to catch himself before he fell on his ass. He cursed underneath his breath and looked down, staring at the X. Was it supposed to spring open, or? The cheering and giggling seemed to fade from his hearing. Everything was fuzzy, muffled, and Rick watched as the black X spun, once, twice, three times, and then grew. Rick widened his eyes and stepped back. It didn't matter; the X was getting bigger and the floor was disappearing, and Rick dropped.

He wasn't under the stage. Rick didn't think he was even standing on anything. He kicked out his legs, but nothing solid was in his proximity. It was cold and a bit claustrophobic, and Rick wrapped his arms around himself. It was dark, and he couldn't see or hear fucking anything, and this was the worst trick in the whole goddamn world.

Rick breathed in. He felt his chest tighten. Where the hell was he? He was panicking, and his eyes stung. Was it the lack of air? Was he lacking air? What the fuck.

Suddenly, he propelled forward. Rick gasped as a bright light greeted him. He landed on something solid but not very sturdy, and he slipped, reaching and feeling the rough bark of a tree. Tree? Goddamn, he was back in the park, up in a tree. Rick clung to the trunk and tried to adjust his position on the limb. Leaves shook and a few branches snapped off.

"Look! There he is!"

Rick made sure he had a good grip on the tree before he stretched out an arm, pushing back branches and leaves and squinting at the party ahead. He had managed to get in a tree near the picnic area. The parents who were sitting at the table even seemed surprised to see him there.

The kids "oohed" and "aahed", and Rick gave a small wave. He looked at the stage, where Peacock stood with a shit-eating grin on his face. The curtain was pushed aside, and the floor seemed very intact.

Rick was still a bit shaky as he carefully climbed down. Once on solid, solid ground—thank God—Peacock had made his way over to Rick, the smile still on his face. "Pretty cheap trick, huh?"

"What the hell did you do to me?" Rick hissed, starting toward him. He kept his voice low, knowing there were a few pairs of lingering eyes.

Peacock paused, brows furrowed and a small frown on his face. He had one of his hands up, hovering awkwardly like he was about to touch Rick. Slowly, he lowered it. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about. You guessed it. Fucking trapdoor." Peacock stepped back, distancing himself. Soon, the smile and wink returned. "See ya later, Rick. Thanks for volunteering." Peacock twisted around, cape obnoxiously whipping along with him.

Rick stood there, getting that tight feeling in his chest again. He looked away, down, and wiped his palms on his jeans. He turned away and went to the playground.

They stayed at the park for twenty more minutes. Judith begged for a milkshake, and Rick wasn't about to tell her no. As they left, they went through the back gates. The dairy bar was a short walk away. It was still a nice day, all things considering.

"Shitty magician, right?"

Rick paused, Carl and Judith leaving him behind. He looked over his shoulder, catching the attention of a man leaning against the fence. Despite the heat, he had on a leather jacket. Sunglasses were perched on his face, and an unlit cigarette was behind his ear. The man's voice was familiar. Rick blinked once, twice. "You have kids at the party?"

"Nope."

Silence lingered between them: Rick not knowing how to respond and the man not caring to do anything but smile. Rick gestured. "Can't smoke that in the park."

"I'm not gonna fucking smoke it. I care about our youth." The man scoffed and slipped his sunglasses off, resting them on the top of his head. Dark, tired eyes met his, and Rick smiled.

"Do you always hang out after your shows, seeing if people really do think you're as shitty as you are?"

Peacock laughed. "Rick! That is way too hurtful. Apologize."

"No."

"Dad, come on!" Carl shouted from down the road. He held Judith's hand, keeping her close as she tried to run off.

"Give me a minute!" Rick yelled back. He looked at Peacock, who seemed endlessly entertained. "Tell me how you did that trick. I don't think it was just a trapdoor."

He raised an eyebrow. "Really, now? And what do you think it was?"

Rick hesitated. "I… I don't know. It didn't feel… right, like anything I've ever felt."

Peacock pushed off the fence, straightening up. His sunglasses slid from his head, going down his face, and he lifted to catch them. They were properly back on his face, a smile on his lips. "A good magician never reveals his secrets, Ricky boy. Now skedaddle. Your kids are waiting." He wet his lips and shrugged loosely. "Call me sometime. Or text. Whatever you fucking want. I'm flexible." If he didn't have sunglasses on, Rick figured he would have winked.

Rick shook his head. "I don't have your number."

"Sure you do," Peacock said, walking backward. "You have a fucking pocket on that shirt, don't you?" He laughed and turned away, taking the cigarette from behind his ear.

Rick turned away, too, and walked out of the park, setting a quick pace as he knew Carl and Judith were waiting. He lifted his hand and tucked fingers into his shirt pocket. Rick felt a slip of paper, and as he took it out and glanced, he found there was a phone number written down. He pushed it back in the pocket and focused on breathing.

Judith latched onto him when he caught up. They fell back into their walk, and Carl folded his arms over his chest. "Who was that guy?"

"I don't know," Rick answered, the most honest thing he had ever said. "He needed directions or something. Wasn't important."

Carl was quiet for a moment, probably weighing the pros and cons to poking more into Rick's story. Finally, "Judith told me she wanted a strawberry milkshake."

"I think that could work."