Chapter 4

In a parking lot at a romantic restaurant Ben parked the van. After turning off the engine Ben noticed Drew looking at her watch.

"Drew, we just got here and already you are looking at your watch." said Ben.

"Ben, it has been several hours since I called home and left a message for Casey to call me. I'm getting really worried that something is wrong."

"Casey and Jeffery are out and just lost track of time that's all."

"How can you not being worried about this?"

"Drew, if I thought for a second that Casey and Jeffery were in trouble then you and I would be on the road home, but I don't believe there is anything to be concern about. I think Jeffery had talked Casey in going to a park or an arcade or even a movie. I can even list several other places they might be if you like me to continue."

Drew grinned, "No, I don't want your list."

"Drew, Jeffery's bedtime is at nine o'clock, so I'm sure Casey will return home around that time. If we don't hear from them at that time then I will agree to return home."

"Nine o'clock is still three and half hours away."

"Drew, even if there was something wrong, which I don't believe there is, the police would not even consider Casey and Jeffery being missing until they have been missing for twenty-four hours."

"Okay, you win, but if we don't hear from Casey by nine o'clock I want us to return home."

"We will. Now I would like to go inside the restaurant and enjoy a romantic dinner with my beautiful wife."

Drew smiled and said, "You are trying your best to get my mind off of Casey and Jeffery."

"Although I haven't been successful at it, I'm not giving up trying."

Ben opened his door. Drew then opened her door.

In the dining room at the Gordon residence, everyone was sitting at the table talking and enjoying the dinner Beverly had made. A table-leaf was inserted in the table so everyone was able to sit at the table. Before finishing their meal, Andy's cell phone sounded.

Casey was taking a drink of her soda when Andy looked at the number and said, "This guy at 555-3287 is persistent"

Casey choked on her drink and started coughing.

Andy didn't answer the phone.

As Casey was patting her chest Beverly asked, "Are you okay, Dear?"

"I'm fine, thanks. Andy did you say 555-3287?"

"That's right. Do you recognize that number?"

"That number belongs to a friend of mine name Bruce. Andy, can I borrow your phone? I want to call him to see what is going on."

Andy handed Casey the phone and said, "Find out how he got my number also."

"I will," said Casey. She then dialed Bruce's number.

Bruce looked at the number before answering. When he answered he asked, "Is this Andy by chance."

"No Bruce, you are talking to Casey. How do you know Andy?"

"Casey, thank God it's you. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. What is going on and again how do you know Andy?"

"I don't know Andy."

"Then how did you get this number?"

"Derrick and I were worried that something happen to you and Jeffery, so we went to your house to see if things were all right. We then found a crumbled note in the waste basket on your porch with Andy's number on it."

"Bruce, before I get upset with you for snooping around my house and rummaging through the waste basket on my porch, do you want to explain why you were doing it?"

"As I said, Derrick and I were worried that something was wrong."

"What gave you the idea that something was wrong with me and Jeffery?"

"Well, about five hours ago Drew called my mom and had her go by your house to see what was going on because you were not answering the phone."

"Okay, I will give Drew a call to find out how this worrying got started."

"Casey, I only snooped around because I thought you were in trouble."

"Thanks for your concern, but I'm fine."

"So are we good."

"Bruce, we are good. Just don't call this number again. Bye."

"Casey wait, don't hang up," exclaimed Bruce.

"What?"

"Derrick had given you an idol and he shouldn't have. It was not his to give you and I need it back."

"I will return it when I can. Oh, you can also tell Derrick that this act just supports what I thought about him."

"I will certainly tell him, bye."

Casey hung up the phone.

"Your friend Bruce got my number from your waste basket," said Andy.

"He did. For some reason everyone got the idea that Jeffery and I were in some kind of trouble because we were not home. Andy, do you mine if I call my stepmother Drew. I think she is the one who got all the worrying started."

"I don't mind at all."

Casey dialed the number.

At the restaurant Ben and Drew were eating desert when Drew's phone rang. Drew picked up on the third ring. "Hello."

"Hi Drew, it's Casey."

"Casey, finally you called. I have been worried about you. Are you and Jeffery okay?"

"Jeffery and I are just fine. Why would you think different?"

"I just had a nagging feeling that something wasn't quite right. So where have you been?"

"Jeffery and I have been spending the day with Jeffery's teacher, Andy Gordon. In fact Jeffery and I are at Andy's grandparents' house at the moment. There are two others here too, but you wouldn't know them."

Eve spoke up loud enough for Drew to hear, "Casey, Drew knows me. Tell her Eve says hi."

Casey shook her head and lipped gestured, "Eve, no."

Everyone looked at Casey in a curious manner.

"Casey, did I just hear Eve?"

Ben looked at Drew in a worried manner.

Casey slightly cringed and said, "Yes you did. Eve came to town on some business. Jeffery and I ran into her as she was preparing to leave town. She decided to postpone in leaving town to spend some time with us."

Jeffery had a confused expression on his face.

Drew looked at Ben and said, "That is very interesting."

"Drew, how's your anniversary get-a-way going so far?"

"A lot of today was spent worrying about you and Jeffery."

"Well as you can see you had nothing to worry about."

"With Eve back in town how can you say that I had nothing to worry about?"

"Drew, when you get home tomorrow you will see that nothing had happen so you can stopped worrying."

"I will stop worrying when Eve is back in her own town. I'm also seriously thinking about going home tonight."

"Drew, everything is under control, so you don't need to cut your anniversary-weekend short."

"All right, I will trust you. Can you put Jeffery on the phone for a minute?"

"Of course." Casey looked at Jeffery and said, "Jeffery, your mom wants to talk to you." Jeffery got up and walked over to Casey. Before Casey gave Jeffery the phone she whispered in his ear, "Don't volunteer the information, but if your mom asks we met Eve today at the park. Eve did not sleep at the house last night and Eve is not sleeping there tonight. Okay?'

In a normal volume voice Jeffery asked, "Is this one of the times it is…"

Casey covered Jeffery's mouth with her free hand and whispered, "Yes." She then handed Jeffery the phone.

Jeffery put the phone to his ear and said, "Hi mom. What are you and dad doing?"

"We are finishing desert. Are you having fun?"

"I'm having lots of fun. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon have a large background gym with swings and two large slides. Oh and Andy taught me how to play ping-pong. Can I get a ping-pong table?"

"We can talk about it when your dad and I get home. So how are you and Eve getting along?"

"Eve is great. She is so much fun to be around."

"That was the popular belief about eight years ago too. Are you missing me at all?"

"I miss you." Jeffery then said in a worried voice, "You are coming home tomorrow?"

Drew grinned and said, "Yes Sweetie, I will be home tomorrow. Let me talk to Casey again."

Jeffery handed Casey the phone and said, "Mom wants to talk to you."

Casey put the phone to her ear and said, "Yes Drew."

"I decided that I'm overreacting to Eve being back in town."

"So you're not cutting your weekend short?"

"No; you should expect your dad and I to be home sometime tomorrow afternoon."

"Okay, I will see you and dad then. Bye."

"Bye."

As Casey was handing the phone to Andy, Eve asked, "Casey, why didn't you want to say hi to Drew for me."

"Drew is extremely jealous of you."

"Why is Drew jealous?"

"When you entered my and my dad's life about eight years ago Drew and my dad were only business partners; however, Drew wanted to be more, but my dad was still mourning over my mom's passing. For six months before you came Drew did everything she could think of to get my dad out of his shell; then you came along and within three days you did something that she couldn't do in six months."

"What did I do?"

"You help me and my dad to accept my mother's death. You helped us to enjoy life again and for that Drew is jealous of you."

"I didn't know."

"Now that you do know you should not expect a warm welcome from Drew if you are still in town when she gets home."

Jeffery lightly patted Casey's arm and asked, "What did you mean that mom wanted to be more?"

"She wanted to be Dad's wife and your mom."

"She is already that."

"Eight and half years ago she wasn't. Back then she was just Dad's co-worker."

"So mom got what she wanted."

"That's right and I'm extremely happy that she did."

"Why are you happy?"

Casey grinned and said, "Because if she didn't get what she wanted, then I wouldn't have you as a brother."

Jeffery gave Casey a hug.

Beverly stood up and said, "There is apple pie and ice-cream if anyone wants desert."

Jeffery ended the hug and asked, "Casey, can I have some ice-cream?"

"Of course you can."

Andy stood up and asked, "Casey, do you want any pie?"

"Oh, no thanks. I'm full from dinner."

"Jeffery, if you come with me I will get you some ice-cream," said Andy.

"Okay," said Jeffery.

"So do you want it in a bowl or on a cone?"

As Andy and Jeffery were leaving the room Allen said, "Chloe, I've been meaning to ask you about your oil pan."

"Oh the people at the garage finally fixed it right after the third try," said Chloe.

"After the trouble you had of getting your oil pan fix, I hope you are not planning to do that stunt again," said Allen.

"I actually learn my lesson about driving off road and through shrubs. For now on I'm sticking to the smooth road."

Casey asked, "What kind of car do you have?"

"I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee. In fact it is the exact model like what Andy has, but mine is blue."

"Did you and Andy get your Jeeps together?"

"No, Andy purchased his a week before I got mine. I was with him though when he test-drove his. I fell in love with his Jeep, so I had to get one for myself."

Andy, Jeffery and Beverly were returning to the dining room with pie and ice-cream.

Allen asked, "Chloe, how has your Jeep been driving since you got it fix?"

"I haven't had anymore trouble from it. Andy, how has your Jeep been running?"

Andy sat his pie down on the table and took his seat. He then said, "My Jeep is running great. Yesterday I did have to change a flat tire, but other…" Andy stopped in mid-sentence and looked at Casey. "Oh God."

Casey saw the expression on Andy's face and asked, "Andy, did you take Jeffery, Eve and me almost fifty miles from our house without a spare tire?"

"Casey, I totally forgot about having a flat yesterday. I swear I'm normally not this irresponsible."

Jeffery asked, "What is going on?"

"Nothing at the moment," said Casey. "However, on our way home Andy will be praying that we won't get a flat tire, and if we do get a flat tire, I'm afraid Andy won't be your teacher anymore."

"Why won't he?" asked Jeffery.

"Because I will strangle him if he gets us stranded."

Jeffery looked at Andy and said, "She tells me that all the time, but she never does it. She might raspberry your stomach though."

Allen, Beverly, Chloe and Andy were amused by Jeffery's statement. Eve was confused by the statement.

Casey was surprised and exclaimed, "Jeffery Michael, don't tell people that." Casey saw on Andy's face that he was about to comment on what Jeffery had said. "Andy, don't you dare say what you are thinking."

"I didn't say a word."

"And don't."

In an amused manner Andy asked, "Or what? You will strangle me. Oh wait, according to…"

"All right, that's enough."

Chloe spoke up, "Andy, I was going to make a suggestion, but you might rather get strangled by Casey."

Casey looked at Chloe and said, "Cute, and not at all helpful."

"I do have a suggestion though," said Chloe.

"Another razzing comment?"

"No-no, I have a serious suggestion."

In a skeptical manner Casey said, "Okay, I'm listening."

"Andy can take my spare tire for the time being, so if Andy does get a flat he has a spare tire to replace the flat with."

"We can't do that; that would leave you without a spare tire."

"Casey, I live only five miles from here and if I get a flat with no spare I have several people I can call for help. You, Andy, Jeffery and Eve live forty-five miles away and if you get a flat, you are stranded until Andy can get someone from the roadside assistant there to help. So what do you say?"

"It's Andy's Jeep, so he should be the one to say yes to your proposition."

In an amused manner, Andy said, "Casey, I kind of like Chloe's first suggestion to be strangled by you."

"I doubt that because there won't be any raspberry involved when I do it."

"Then in that case I will take the spare tire."

"A wise choice," said Casey.

Andy stood up. He then gestured to the door and said, "Chloe, we should go and get the tire now."

"Why don't you just wait until you and everyone are ready to leave?" asked Chloe. "Besides you have a slice of pie you haven't touched yet."

Andy looked at Casey and said, "With my luck I would forget to get it and I don't want to do that. As for my pie, I'll eat it when I come back in."

"Okay, let's go."

As Andy and Chloe were walking out of the dining room Eve stood up, walked over to Casey and asked, "Casey, what was so funning about a raspberry?"

Casey explained what the amusement was about.

Outside at the vehicles Andy and Chloe walked up to Chloe's Jeep. Andy then asked, "So Chloe, what do you think of Casey?"

"She is a likable person."

"I think so too."

"So ask her out."

"I would love to, but it is not all that simple with Casey."

"She has a boyfriend, doesn't she?"

"No, actually according to Eve, Casey is through with dating. Apparently Casey's past boyfriends were jerks and she is tired of dating jerks. Do you have any suggestions for me that would help to prove to Casey that I'm not a jerk?"

In an amused manner Chloe said, "In other words you want to fool Casey."

"You're real funny tonight."

"Well on a more serous note, try to find out what her favorite flowers are and send her a dozen or more. You have a good singing voice, so try serenading her, or you can find out what Casey thinks is a romantic gesture and do that."

"To find out about Casey's favorite flower or to find out what she thinks would be a romantic gesture I would have to hint around when I talk to Casey and Casey isn't stupid. She will know exactly what I'm doing if I would start hinting around."

"Then don't find out from Casey."

"And who am I supposed to find out from?"

"Casey used your phone when she called her stepmother."

"Right and what reason would I tell them for wanting the information?"

"Make up a reason."

Chloe noticed an expression on Andy's face as if he had an idea. Andy took his phone off of his belt and said, "Actually I don't need to make up a reason. I will tell Casey's father exactly why I want the information."

As Andy was pressing the send button Chloe said, "I have to hear this."

In the restaurant parking lot, Ben and Drew were walking up to the van when Drew's cell phone rang. Drew reached for the phone as Ben was opening his door to get in.

Drew recognized the number from last time. She answered, "Hi Casey."

"Mrs. Stuart, it's Andy Gordon. We met during the teacher and parent conference."

As Drew was opening her door to the van she said, "Yes, I remember. Is there anything wrong, Mr. Gordon?"

"You can call me Andy, and no there is nothing wrong. I was hoping to talk to your husband for a minute if I can."

"Okay, one second." Drew got into the van. As Drew was handing Ben the phone she said, "Ben, Andy Gordon wants to talk to you."

Ben put the phone to his ear and said, "Mr. Gordon, how can I help you?"

"You can call me Andy. The reason why I'm calling is going to sound a bit old fashion. I also believe it is supposed to be done in person and not over the phone."

In a confused manner Ben said, "Okay, you definitely got me curious to why you want to talk to me."

"Mr. Gordon, I'm calling you to ask your permission to ask Casey out."

"Andy, Casey is a grown woman and if she would like to date you then you do not need my permission."

"Actually, I believe I do, because I also want your help with something and if you won't give me your permission then I seriously doubt that you will help me."

"In what way do you need my help?"

"I would like to make a romantic gesture towards Casey, but I don't know what she considers to be a romantic gesture."

"I now understand why you are approaching me in this manner, but Casey doesn't share things like that with me. Andy, hold on a second." Ben looked at Drew and asked, "Drew, has Casey ever talk to you about what she considered to be romantic?"

With a curious expression on her face Drew said, "About two years ago, we had talked one night about romantic fantasies."

Ben got back on the phone and said, "Andy, I'm going to let you talk to Drew. I believe she can help you out more than I can." Ben held out the phone for Drew to take. "Drew, Andy wants to make a romantic gesture towards Casey and he is asking us for suggestions."

As Drew was taking the phone she said, "Oh, now things are making sense." Drew put the phone to her ear. "Andy, I guess the first things you need to know is Casey's favorite color is pink."

"Mrs. Stuart, what is Casey's favorite flower?"

"Casey has never mentioned to what her favorite flower is; however, I believe you would be safe with either yellow, red or pink roses." Drew continued giving Andy a list of what Casey liked. She also told Andy what Casey's romantic fantasy was.

Inside the house Casey, Eve, Allen and Beverly were sitting around the dinning room table and having a conversation.

Jeffery finished a second bowl of ice-cream. He then walked up to Casey and asked, "Can I have another bowl?"

"You had two bowls already, so you definitely don't need anymore ice-cream tonight," said Casey.

"Why not?"

"Because you'll make yourself sick if you eat anymore and I don't think Andy wants you getting sick in his Jeep." Casey then looked at her watch and said, "Speaking of Andy, he and Chloe have been gone for a while. I wonder what's taking them so long."

"Should I go out and check?" asked Jeffery.

"You don't need to go out there. They'll be back in when they get done with whatever they are doing."

As Jeffery was retaking his seat, Andy and Chloe walked back into the dining room.

As Andy was walking in he said, "Okay, we now have a spare tire in case we get a flat."

"I feel a lot better knowing that," said Casey. Andy sat down and took a bite of his pie. "Andy, after you eat your pie we should be thinking about leaving. I would like to get home before it gets too late."

Andy swallowed the bite he had and said, "I thought of something I needed to do before tomorrow anyway, so we can leave right after I finish eating."

Casey noticed a slight grin on Chloe's face. She ignored Chloe's expression and said, "That sounds good."

Beverly stood up and said, "Jeffery, I really enjoyed you, Casey and Eve visiting, and I really would like a hug from you before you leave."

Jeffery hesitated for a second. He then stood up and said, "Okay." Jeffery walked up and gave Beverly a hug.

When the hug ended Casey said, "Jeffery, you should use the bathroom before we go."

"I don't have to go right now."

"You never have to go before you get in the car, but each time we go on a long trip you start saying how you have to go after ten minutes. Even on the ride here Andy had to stop at a gas station so you could go. This time you're going to use bathroom before we leave if you need to or not."

"Okay, I'll go," said Jeffery. He then walked away.

Minutes later Beverly, Allen and Chloe were walking Casey, Andy, Eve and Jeffery to the Jeep.

Jeffery gave Beverly another hug. He then got into the backseat on the passenger's side of Andy's Jeep.

Casey opened the front passenger door and said, "Mr. and Mrs. Gordon, it was a pleasure meeting you."

Beverly stepped up to Casey and said, "You are not too big for a hug, Dear."

"Oh… of course," said Casey.

Casey gave Beverly a hug and then got into the Jeep. Eve and Andy also gave Beverly a hug before getting into the Jeep. After Andy started the Jeep he preceded to leave.

Thirty minutes later while going down the highway Jeffery tapped Casey on the shoulder. When Casey looked Jeffery said, "I have to go number two."

Casey slightly shook her head and said, "Of course you do. We are about halfway home, so can you hold it?"

"Casey, I need to go bad."

Andy looked at Casey and said, "The next exit with a gas station is about two miles up the road. I will stop there."

"Thanks," said Casey.

Minutes later as Andy was approaching a parking spot next to the entrance to the building of the gas station, he saw a Saint Bernard in one of the cars. Casey saw the dog too and was about to say something when Andy drove past the parking spot. Casey kept quiet and looked at Andy in a curious manner as he turned into the next available parking spot, six spots away from the entrance.

After parking Andy saw the expression on Casey's face. He then asked, "What's wrong?"

"You parked way over here, instead of the parking at the spot next to the door."

"I park here because there is a Saint Bernard in one of the cars next to the door. I will admit my memory is not all that good, but I do remember you telling me that Jeffery is scared of large dogs and…"

Casey smiled in a delightful manner and said, "And you were being considerate to Jeffery."

Andy smiled. He then said, "Yeah. Well I will walk with Jeffery, so he won't be alone when he walks past the dog."

Jeffery asked in a worried manner "I have to walk past a large dog?"

Casey looked back at Jeffery and said, "The dog is in the car and can't get out. Andy will also walk with you, okay?"

"Okay."

Andy opened his door and said, "Jeffery, let's go?"

As Jeffery was opening his door Casey reached into her purse and said, "Andy, wait." Casey pulled out a five-dollar bill and held it out for Andy to take. "Get me a twenty ounce Pepsi. Eve, do you want anything to drink?"

Andy was taking the money as Eve said, "I'll take a fruit punch."

Jeffery tapped Casey on the shoulder and asked, "Can I get a soda?"

"Yes, and this will be your last soda for tonight."

After Andy and Jeffery got out, Casey watched them as they walked away.

Eve scooted to the edge of her seat and said, "Casey, you seem to like Andy. Do you think he's jerk?"

"He doesn't seem like a jerk, but I also dated Derrick for ten months before I found out that he was a jerk. It also took me two years to discover that Stephen was a jerk."

"Who's Stephen?"

"Stephen was a guy I dated before Derrick. I went to his work to surprise him one day, but I was the one who got the surprise when I found him and a woman named Melissa together."

"Casey, Andy really likes you and I believe you like him," said Eve. Casey looked at Eve in a curious manner. "You should give Andy a chance."

"Eve, if I would give Andy a chance and he turns out to be another jerk then… well I don't think I can handle that. In fact, I know I wouldn't be able to handle it."

"Casey, if Andy is not a jerk and you don't give him a chance then you will be passing up the one person that can make you happy and to help to fulfill your desires."

"Well I believe in enchanting endings, so if Andy is my Prince Charming then a magical moment between us will take place. Until I feel that moment between us I won't be dating him."

"What kind of magical moment?"

"I don't know, but I will know when it happens."

"Casey, yesterday you had mentioned that you dated three guys that turned out to be jerks. Who is the third guy?"

"His name is Brad. Brad was more incompetent than he was a jerk."

"What do you mean?"

"If Brad was driving tonight, he would have parked next to the car with the Saint Bernard. Brad also wouldn't have understood the big deal of not having a spare tire while driving forty-five miles."

Inside the gas station Jeffery was leaving the men's room and saw Andy at the cooler getting the sodas.

Andy saw Jeffery walking up and asked, "Do you feel any better?"

"I feel a lot better," said Jeffery.

Andy shut the cooler and asked, "Jeffery, will you, Casey and Eve be going to church tomorrow?"

Jeffery shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know."

"Have you and Casey gone to church before?"

"I remember going to a wedding that was in a church."

"Since you normally don't go to church, I'm going to assume you won't be going tomorrow. Jeffery, do you know what time Casey gets up in the mornings."

"I know she is up before I am. Mom calls her an early bird."

Andy thought for a second. He then asked, "Jeffery, what time do you get up?"

"Casey, woke me up at eight o'clock today so we were able to get to the book store when it opened up. Most of the time Casey wakes me up about nine. Why do you want to know when I get up?"

"If Casey will agree I want to take you, Casey and Eve to breakfast in the morning."

"Will you take us to eat pancakes?"

"Sure, I know where there is a great pancake house."

"I will go to the Jeep and tell Casey that you will be taking us for pancakes tomorrow."

"Jeffery, we will go out together."

A few minutes later Andy and Jeffery were returning to the Jeep.

Jeffery and Andy opened their doors and as Jeffery was getting in, he said, "Casey, Andy is taking us for pancakes tomorrow."

Casey had a confused expression on her face.

Andy got in, handed Casey her soda and said, "Jeffery, I need to ask Casey first if she even would like to go." Andy then handed Eve her fruit punch.

"Casey, can we go with Andy tomorrow for pancakes," asked Jeffery.

Casey put her hand up as if to motion Jeffery to stop. She then said, "Jeffery, hold on a second."

"Okay," said Jeffery.

Casey looked at Andy in a serious manner and said, "Andy, you have to start talking to me first in private before you start mentioning anything to Jeffery about backyard gyms or taking us to get pancakes."

"I'm sorry, I wasn't meaning to create any problems," said Andy.

"I know you weren't doing it deliberately, but Jeffery is a typical kid. He wants everything he sees and if you offer to take him to places like restaurants, amusement parks or theaters he will jump on your offer with overbearing enthusiasm."

"You made your point and I will for now on speak to you first in private before saying anything to Jeffery."

"Thank you."

"Casey, what is your answer about going for pancakes tomorrow?"

Jeffery pulled himself forward while using Casey's seat and said, "Please can we go. Please, Casey. I love pancakes."

"Okay, we can go."

"Casey, what time should I pick everyone up?" asked Andy.

Casey looked at Andy and said, "Jeffery, Eve and I will be ready at nine in the morning. You can come by the house then."

"I will be there at nine." Andy started the Jeep.

At the cabin, Drew and Ben were laying in bed under the covers. Drew was deep in thought while Ben was trying to be romantic.

Ben realized Drew was concentrating on a thought and stopped what he was doing. He then said, "Drew, you heard from Casey and yet you're still uptight."

"I'm sorry; I just can't get the thought of Eve being back out of my mind. I'm also still angry with you for not telling me that Phyllis told you about Eve."

"You are right; I should have told you. I only kept it from you because I know how you feel about Eve. Casey and Jeffery are fine though."

In an unconvincing tone Drew said, "I know they're fine."

Ben heard the tone and asked, "But?"

"But I want to head home as soon as we wake up in the morning."

"All right; as soon as we wake up in the morning we will head home. If we leave at eight in the morning we should get home by eleven o'clock."

"Thank you for not attempting to talk me out of leaving early."

"I can see that you are really bothered by this."

Minutes later, at the Stuart's residence, Andy dropped off Casey, Jeffery and Eve. Andy watched them as they entered the house and when he saw the front door closing he drove off. He then went directly to his Cousin Michelle's house.

Michelle looked at Andy in a curious manner when she opened the door. She then said, "Andy, hi; come on in."

Andy walked in and asked, "Michelle, is Maxwell here?"

"He's in taking a bath. Andy, it's late in the evening to be coming over for a social visit. Is there anything you need?"

"Actually I would like to recruit yours and Maxell's help me."

"What kind of help?"

"There is a woman that I like very much; however, because of past relationships this woman is looking at all men as jerks. I think I can prove to her that I'm not a jerk if I can play out a romantic fantasy she has."

"What is her romantic fantasy?"

"The romantic ending of a fairytale is what her romantic fantasy is."

"How exactly are you going to play out a romantic ending of a fairytale?"

"I have a plan, and I will need your artistic ability and the custom Maxell wore last year to that Halloween party; I'm hoping he still has it."

"We both still have our costumes." Andy heard tiny footsteps approaching and when he turned to look he saw Alicia, a four-year-old girl, walking into the room while carrying an Eve doll. Michelle turned to look. She then asked, "Alicia, are you okay, sweetie?"

"I heard a strange voice," said Alicia.

"Sweetie, you heard Andy," said Michelle. "Andy came here to visit."

"Hi Alicia; did you have a nice birthday?"

Alicia nodded and said, "Uh-huh." She held up the Eve doll. "Look what I got."

"Wow, did you get that yesterday?" asked Andy.

Alicia just nodded her head.

"Sweetie, take your Eve doll and go back to bed," said Michelle.

"'Night," said Alicia.

"Goodnight," said Andy.

As Alicia was walking back into the other room, Michelle looked at Andy and said, "Andy, tell me about this plan you have."