At the Calisto household, things weren't so laid back.  "Mom!  Dad!" Trey called.  "I've invited Allora to dinner.  Is that okay?"

Trey's dad, Mr. Calisto, smiled the same goofy grin that Trey had.  "That's nice.  I've always told you that you needed more friends other than Drake."

"Drake is a fine friend," Mrs. Calisto defended.  "But that's nice that you have made some new ones.  Now, I need your help, Trey."

Trey's mom pointed to a large bucket with various cleaning supplies.  "You know how Grandma gets after she eats, and I want the bathroom to be especially clean for her.  So here, clean it out before you put your suit on."

Trey sighed obediently and trudged off the bathroom.  "Okay, mom."

She then turned to her husband, "And you," she began as she picked up a large shovel.  "I can't have your mother thinking we're dirty, so go clean up after the dog."

"But, Ann!"

"Go."

*****

When Allora was finally satisfied with her outfit and had reached the Calisto's house, Trey's grandparents were just pulling in the driveway.  Feeling slightly bold, Allora walked over to them as they exited their Oldsmobile, to introduce herself.

"Hello, I'm Allora Colleen, Trey's friend.  He invited me to dinner with you."

Trey's grandpa smiled sweetly.  "Allora! Trey's told me so much about you!  You play hockey with him, right?  He said you are a very good player."

Trey's grandma looked over Allora skeptically.  "Democrat or Republican?"

Allora took a step back.  "Uh, Democrat."

"Trey's parents are Republican," she said sternly.  "We'll get along great."  With that, his grandma shoved her purse in Allora's hands.  "Carry, please."

Allora nodded and the three walked over to the front door. 

"Nana! Grandpop!" Trey shouted as he embraced his grandparents.  He looked up.  "Allora!  You made it."

"Of course… why…"

"Okay everyone," Mrs. Calisto informed, "dinner's on the table.  Trey, honey, show Allora where to sit, Bob, escort your parents to the table."

The Calisto family plus one Allora Colleen seated themselves at their large oak dining room table.  Food was served and soon conversation began.  "So, Allora, what do you think about President-"

"How are you at school?" Grandpop interrupted, staring at his wife intensely.

"I'm a high honors student," Allora replied shyly.

"A hockey star and an honor student, very impressive, young lady," Grandpop answered.

"This is quite some young woman, you've got here son," Trey's dad beamed.

Allora began to sweat profoundly as she looked over at a blushing Trey.  What is he telling them? 

"She really is quite a woman," Nana agreed.  "Come over here, honey."

Allora obediently left her chair and walked over to Trey's grandmother.  "Yes?"

"Wait, now," Nana instructed, "Let me look you over.  Twirl a bit, would you?"

Allora shrugged and twirled.  Everyone would have to agree that Allora did look extra nice this evening.  She wore a bright turquoise blouse that set off her eyes and pleated black Capris that Brystol had bought for her over the summer when she had gone Capri crazy. 

"Now how old are you?" Nana asked intently.

"Fifteen, ma'am."

"Oh, ma'am, is it?  I like that."  She looked at her husband.  "You should try that sometime."  She turned back to Allora.  "Fifteen, huh?"

"Mom," Mr. Calisto laughed, "Let the girl sit down."

"Wait!  I'm checking her out!  I haven't really gotten a good chance."  Nana looked at Allora up and down again, then turned to her family.  "Now this is one healthy girl.  Girls nowadays starve themselves, trying to be all thin and twig-like.  But not this girl.  She knows how to take of herself."

Allora couldn't believe this.  Never had she thought her evening would turn out like this.

"See girls, today," Nana continued.  "Think that by being a size one will make them more attractive and make guys like them.  But, let's face the facts.  What men really want are the goods."  Nana pointed to Allora. "And this girl's got them."

"Uhh…" Allora muttered, with a deep magenta burning through her cheeks.

"Don't be shy, be happy with what you've got, and honey, you've got it," Nana commanded with a slap to Allora's behind.

"Dear that's enough," Grandpop choked.

"Okay, okay," Nana sighed as she got up and turned to Allora.  "Now would you be so kind as to help me to the pot?"

Allora cringed.  "Sure.  I'd be more than happy to."

As the night dragged on, Allora continued to be the center of attention at Trey's house.  His grandmother, he felt, had some scheme in the making.  And she didn't reveal it until eight-thirty, about five minutes before she was leaving to stay at the Marriott in town.

"Now," she began, "I'm sure everyone knows that Trey is supposed to be in his cousin, Hannah's, wedding.  Well, Julie, his third cousin, had to drop out of the wedding party because, well she's pregnant after all.  So, we needed someone to fill in her place.  And your cousin, Hannah, thought she'd leave that up to you, Trey, to find someone."   Nana placed a loving arm around Allora.  "And I think this young lady would make a fine addition to our family – I mean party."

Trey cringed.  He knew what Allora must be thinking about him at that moment as five pairs of eyes fell upon her once again that night.  She smiled sweetly.  "I'd love to be in the wedding if that's okay with you, Trey," she replied.

Trey's eyes widened.  "Uh, yeah, sure," he managed to mumble.

"Well, now.  That's settled," Nana confirmed.  "So Grandpop and I will be off.  Bye family, we'll see you tomorrow.  Nice meeting you Allora."

Sighs of relief filled the room as Nana and Grandpop pulled out of the driveway.  Mr. and Mrs. Calisto walked into the kitchen, leaving Allora and Trey alone in the family room.  Should I apologize or make an excuse?  Ugh!  Allora must hate me!

"I have to go," Allora stated flatly.

"Wait!" Trey exclaimed, jumping in front of her.  "Let me explain.  You see…"

"There's a Chemistry test tomorrow and I really have to study," she declared in the same manner as before.  "I'll see you tomorrow, Trey," she said, walking out the door quickly.

"At least let me walk you home," Trey offered, sounding hurt.

Allora turned around sighed. "Okay, I suppose."

Trey grinned happily and ran over to Allora.  "Cool."

"So," she began as the two walked to Allora's house, "How do you feel about being on the hockey team?"

Trey stopped abruptly.  "Allora, don't try to fool me.  I know you're upset about what happened tonight."

Allora shrugged.  "Maybe a little.  But don't worry-"

"I will worry, Allora," Trey interrupted.  "Look I don't know what you're thinking about me right now, and I'm not quite sure that I really want to know.  But please, believe me when I say, that I had no idea this was going to happen.  I swear it."

       "If I had known I would be ambushed by your relatives to go to your cousin Hannah's wedding tonight, I would not have come."

       "I feel horrible, I really do," Trey whined.

       "I would if I were you," Allora replied icily.  "And how did they know so much about me?"

       Trey became a deep shade of red.  "I may have mentioned you a few times."

       "You think?" Allora said sarcastically.  "You know Trey, I'm all too aware of your infatuation with me, and until now I didn't think too much of it.  But now…"

       "Allora, please.  I'm not stalking you or anything."

       "I never said that.  But, just take a clue.  I don't have feelings for you."

       By now they had reached Allora's house.  "You're not going to tell anyone, are you?" Trey asked meekly.

       "Tell anyone what?"

       "About tonight.  My Nana, all of it."

       Allora thought for a second.  "It's really no one's business, is it?"

       "And us?  Are we okay?  Still friends and everything?"

       Allora looked away.  "Honestly Trey, I don't know if we were ever friends at all."

       She walked up the stone path to her house.  Trey stared at her blankly.

*****

Morrigan woke up in her bed a few hours later.  She felt like she had been sleeping forever.  Her head pounded with pain and she felt like she had run a marathon.  She rolled over to discover Lydia, the yellow Faerie, sitting on her nightstand.  Morrigan nearly jumped out of bed.  Well, she would have if she could move.  Lydia smiled at her.

       "Why are you here?" Morrigan asked.

       "I've been nursing you since you conjured The Drowning Faerie.  You nearly died.  If I hadn't stopped her…" Lydia looked away.

       "You saved me?"

       Lydia nodded.

       "Then you aren't bad?"

       "Of course not!  Why would you think that?"

       Morrigan cleared her throat.  "What would you think if you were thrown into this at such an alarming rate?  People don't exactly meet Faeries everyday.  You have to look at this from our perspective.  And I must admit.  Some of the others have talked…"

       "I see," Lydia answered in a hurt tone.

       "But, I believe you.  And I know the others will come around."

Lydia seemed to lighten at this remark, but she was still depressed.  "I will come within the next few days to your room at this time to speak to all of you.  I trust you'll speak to them?  Tell them I am not evil?"

       "Of course."

       "Thank you.  I will leave then."  Lydia flew to the open window.

       "Wait!  Please stay.  Please.  I can't be alone right now.  Just stay until I fall asleep."

       Lydia looked out the window as if something was calling her.  She turned to Morrigan. "Of course I will stay with you," Lydia said, flying over to the nightstand.

       Morrigan smiled.  "Thanks a lot."

       Lydia flattened a washcloth Morrigan used for painting her nails.  "I think I shall take a nap as well."