Chapter 5

Sunday 9:30 A.M. Casey, Andy, Eve and Jeffery walked into a pancake house, sat at a table and placed their order. Just before the food arrived Andy's cousin Michelle entered the restaurant and walked up to Andy's table. When Michelle walked up she looked at Andy in a concern manner.

When Andy saw Michelle, he said, "Michelle, hi. Oh Michelle, I want you to meat Casey, her brother Jeffery and Eve. Everyone, meet my cousin Michelle."

Both Eve and Jeffery said, "Hi Michelle."

Casey waived and said "Hi, it's nice to meet you."

"Likewise," said Michelle. "Andy, I'm surprised to see you here."

"What do you mean?"

"I just drove past your house and I saw fire trucks and police cars around your house."

"What? Are you sure they were at my house?"

"From what I was able to see it certainly looked that way."

When Andy looked at Casey, Casey said, "You don't have to say that we are leaving."

"Casey, I need to leave, but there is no reason for you, Eve and Jeffery to leave," said Andy.

"Perhaps the fact that you drove us here is the reason for us to leave too. If you leave without us we will be stranded here."

Andy took out his keys and said, "Casey, I will leave you my keys to my Jeep and I will ride with Michelle back to my house."

Casey looked at Andy in a curious manner. She then said, "You don't mind me driving your Jeep."

Andy handed Casey his keys and said, "I don't mind at all. After I find out what is happening at my house, Michelle can drive me back to your house, so I can get my vehicle." Andy saw the waitress approaching with a tray of pancakes. "The food is here anyway." Casey turned to look. "So enjoy the food and I will meet you at your house."

"All right," said Casey.

As Andy and Michelle were leaving the waitress was putting the food on the table.

When the waitress placed a plate of pancakes in front of Eve, Eve said in a delightful manner, "This food looks great."

"Pancakes are great," said Jeffery.

When the waitress was done placing the food on the table the waitress said, "Enjoy your meal."

"Thanks," said Casey.

Twenty minutes later Casey, Jeffery and Eve were walking up to the Jeep. Eve saw a flat tire on the Jeep. She then pointed and said, "Casey, look."

Casey cringed and said, "This is great."

"Casey, how is this great?" asked Eve.

"I was being sarcastic. This is not great at all. Well, I changed a flat tire on my car, so how hard can it be to change one on a Jeep."

Casey went and got the spare, the jack and the tire tool out of the Jeep. As Casey was putting the parking brake on a man walked up.

As Casey was getting out of the Jeep the man said, "I see you have a flat tire. Can I be any assistance?"

"Thanks for the offer, but I have everything under control," said Casey. Casey then picked up the tire tool.

"You are planning to change the tire by yourself?"

"That is my plan. Now if you excuse me, I have a flat tire to change." Casey bent down to loosen the lug nuts.

As Casey was loosing the first nut, the man said, "Lady, you don't have the jack under the vehicle and you are already started to take off the lug nuts."

Without stopping what she was doing, Casey said, "For your information I'm not taking off the lug nuts. I'm loosening the lug nuts. When I get each nut where they can be turn without applying heavy pressure then I will put the Jeep on the jack."

"Miss, the lug nuts might be on extremely tight. If you allow me I can loosen them for you. In fact I can change the tire for you."

Casey slightly groaned while trying to loosen the second lug nut. When the lug nut finally moved she said, "I have everything under control, so I don't need any help." She then went to the third lug nut.

"Miss, I really believe that you should stop and let me do it before you get hurt."

Casey looked at the man and said, "I don't know who you are, but my patience with you are just about gone. If you don't leave now, I will be getting my cell phone out and calling the police."

"Lady, there is no need to be like that. I'm just trying to help."

"I have repeatedly indicated to you that I don't need your help. Now are you going to go about your business or do I have to call the police?"

"Okay, I'm gone. Good luck with changing your tire."

As the man was walking away Casey loosed the next lug nut.

After the last lug nut was loosened Casey jacked up the Jeep. Within fifteen minutes the tire was changed, the lug nuts were tightened and the tire tools along with the flat tire were in the vehicle. After Casey, Jeffery and Eve got in, Casey drove off.

Minutes later Casey was pulling into her driveway.

After entering the house Casey went to the bathroom to wash up. As she was washing her hands Jeffery knocked on the bathroom door and said, "Casey, what is in the backyard?"

Casey opened the door and as she was drying her hands with a towel she asked, "What do you mean what's in the backyard?"

"There is a curtain hung up out there. It looks like the school's auditorium." Casey looked at Jeffery in a curious manner. She then walked to a window that overlooked the backyard. Jeffery stood beside Casey as she looked out. "See, I told you there was something out there."

"Jeffery, you are to stay in here. I'm going to see what that is."

As Casey was walking out the back door, Ben was parking the van behind Casey's car.

"It looks like Casey has company," said Ben.

"It's probably Eve's vehicle," said Drew.

"Well, we'll find out soon enough."

In the backyard two curtains was strung across the yard that divided the yard into three sections. Casey walked up and felt the first curtain. She then walked around the curtain and saw on a large cardboard a life size drawing of a witch. An apple was inside a small basket that was affixed to the witch's hand. A thought bubble was drawn next to the witch's head that read, "Have a juicy red apple."

As Casey was taking the apple she said in a normal voice, "What is going on?" Casey looked at the apple closely and saw that the word 'poison' was written on the backside of the apple. She then saw a note in the basket. She picked it up and read it.

The note read, "Please walk pass the second curtain."

Casey cautiously walked passed the second curtain. She had a stunned expression on her face when she saw Andy on top of a white horse, dressed as if he was Prince Charming and holding a ukulele in his hands. Twelve pink roses were sticking out of a saddle bag. When Casey walked into Andy's view he started to play the ukulele and singing a romantic song.

Inside the house Drew and Ben walked into the kitchen and saw Jeffery and Eve looking out the kitchen window at the backyard.

Drew stepped up and said, "Hello, Eve."

Eve turned and said, "Hi Drew, hi Ben. It's nice to see you again."

In the backyard Andy had finished the song and got off of the horse. He then picked up the roses, handed them out for Casey to take and said, "Casey, I know you think of all men as jerks at the present time, but I was hoping you would give me a chance before giving up on men."

Casey hesitantly took the flowers and said, "Andy, I won't be able to handle it if I gave you a chance and you turn out to be a jerk."

"Casey, if you give me a chance I can prove to you that I'm not a jerk. Please give me that chance?"

Casey looked at Andy in a skeptical manner. She then handed the roses back to Andy and said, "Andy, what you did was sweet, but I can't. I'm sorry. I just can't."

As Casey was turning away from Andy, Andy said, "Casey, wait."

Casey faced Andy and as she was backing away she said, "Andy, you seem like a nice guy and that is how I want to remember you by. Goodbye Andy."

"Casey, I will respect your decision about you not dating me; however, I think I found something of yours I would like to return to you."

Casey stopped backing up and asked, "What did you find?"

Andy placed the roses back into the saddle bag. He then pulled a charm necklace out of his pocket, held it up and said, "I found this." Casey couldn't see what Andy had and stepped closer for a better look. "I found it in this yard and I figured it was yours." Casey had an amazed expression on her face when she saw what it was. Tears filled Casey's eyes as she took the necklace. "Are you okay?"

Casey said as tears ran down her cheeks, "I am now." She then gave Andy a tight hug. "Thank you for finding this."

"So the necklace is yours."

Casey ended the hug, wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "It is; my mom gave me this necklace just before she died. When she gave it to me she told me that this charm was magical. She said as long as I'm wearing this charm she would always be with me. That jerk Brad caused me to lose it when we started dating. I searched for a week before accepting that I lost it." As tears continued to flow down Casey's cheeks Andy went to wipe the tears. Casey took hold of Andy's hand and smiled. "Thank you for returning my necklace."

Andy hesitated for a second. He then leaned towards Casey to give her a kiss. Casey allowed the kiss.

Inside the house, Eve abruptly stopped talking for a second. She then looked at Ben and said, "Ben, I'm glad I was able to see you, but it's time for me to return home."

Drew looked at Eve in a curious manner and said, "Eve, you shouldn't have come here in the first place."

Jeffery stepped up to Eve and said, "You have to leave now?"

"I'm afraid so. Casey doesn't need me anymore."

"What do you mean Casey doesn't need you anymore?" asked Drew.

Before Eve was able to answer, Eve shrunk down and turned back into the Eve doll.

Drew watched in a stunned manner and let out a loud scream.

In the yard Andy and Casey heard the scream and ended their kiss.

Casey looked at Andy in a curious manner and said, "That sounded like Drew screaming." Casey took hold of Andy's hand and started to lead him towards the house. "We need to go and find out what that scream was."

Seconds later Casey and Andy were rushing through the back door. No one was in the kitchen, so they continued into the living room. Drew was unconscious on the couch. Ben and Jeffery were at her side. Jeffery was holding the Eve doll.

When Casey saw them she asked, "Dad, when did you and Drew get home?"

"I'm afraid we got home in time to watch Eve shrink to a doll," said Ben. "Drew screamed and then fainted. Casey, before Drew comes to can you let me in on what happened."

"Derrick had given me a magical African artifact. That artifact brought Eve back to life." Casey turned to Andy and said, "Oh Andy, I will need that artifact back, so I can give it to Bruce."

"Okay, if you give me my keys, I will go get it now."

"The artifact can wait, what you need to do now is get rid of the horse that is running loose in the backyard."

Jeffery grinned and asked, "There's a horse in our backyard? Where did the horse come from?"

Casey looked at Andy in a curious manner and said, "That is actually a good question. Where did the horse come from?"

"Michelle's husband Maxwell provided me the horse and this outfit I'm wearing."

"Maxwell doesn't go around wearing that outfit while riding the horse does he?" asked Casey.

"Oh no. This outfit is his last year's Halloween custom and the horse is a police horse. Maxwell is a cop."

Jeffery patted Ben's arm and asked, "Dad, can I go out and see the horse."

Ben noticed Drew regaining consciousness and said, "Hold on a second, Jeffery."

Drew opened her eyes and when she saw Ben she asked, "Ben, what happen?"

"You fainted," said Ben. "How do you feel?"

As Drew was sitting up she saw Jeffery holding the Eve doll. She then exclaimed, "Get that… that thing out of my sight. I never want to see that thing or another Eve doll again."

Casey walked in front of Drew and said, "Drew, it's okay. Eve is really a doll."

"How is that possible?" asked Drew.

"Drew, the night you gave me the Eve doll I was trying to cast a magical spell that would bring my mom back to life. The spell went wrong and I brought the Eve doll to life instead."

"Ben, did you know about Eve?"

"I learn of Eve being a doll just before she turned back into a doll," said Ben.

"All this time you knew about Eve being a doll and you didn't tell me."

"Would you have believe me if I would have told you?"

Drew thought for a second. She then shook her head and said, "No. No I wouldn't have. Casey, did you cast another spell?"

Casey shook her head and said, "No. Derrick had given me a magical African artifact. Apparently the artifact was able to fulfill the inner desire of the person that possessed the artifact."

"Your inner desire was to bring Eve back to life?" asked Drew.

"Drew, I know you don't want to hear this, but eight years ago Eve helped me through an extremely difficult time in my life. In fact I wouldn't have gotten through it if it wasn't for Eve. When I broke up with Derrick I came into another point in my life that I needed the same kind of help I got eight years ago. I don't believe my inner desire was to bring Eve back to life. I believe it was the help she was able to give me."

Drew stood up and said, "Eve final words were 'Casey doesn't need me anymore.' Casey, I am so sorry."

Casey looked at Drew in a curious manner and asked, "Why are you sorry?"

"I saw that you were going through a difficult time and I done nothing to help. I honestly thought all you needed was time."

"Drew, it's okay. Even I didn't realize as to how much of a difficult time I was having."

"Casey, what made Eve change back into a doll?" asked Drew.

"I felt the magical moment I was looking for." Casey held up her necklace and looked at Andy. "The thing I cherished the most in my life was lost five years ago. A few minutes ago and on top of a white horse my Prince Charming returned it to me." Casey held out the necklace for Andy to take. "Please put it around my neck."

Andy grinned. He then took the necklace and said, "It will be my pleasure."

Drew looked at the necklace and asked, "Is that the same necklace that you frantically search for, for an entire week?"

As Andy was fastening the necklace around Casey's neck, Casey said, "It is. Andy found it out in the backyard."

Ben stepped closer to Casey and said, "Congratulations, sweetie. I know how much that necklace means to you."

"Thanks," said Casey.

Jeffery patted Ben on his arm and asked, "Can we go out and see the horse now?"

Ben looked at Andy and asked, "Andy, is it okay if I take Jeffery out to see the horse?"

"Go ahead," said Andy. "I will also call Maxell to come and get the horse." Ben, Drew and Jeffery walked out of the living room. Andy looked at Casey. "Casey, is my door locked?"

Casey thought for a second. She then shook her head and said, "No, it's not. Andy, if you are going to the Jeep for your cell phone, you don't need to." Casey pointed to a phone. "You can use that phone."

"I don't know Maxwell's number. It's stored in my cell phone though."

"Okay," said Casey. Andy took one step. "Oh Andy, wait a second." Andy stopped and faced Casey. "I need to tell you that you had another flat tire, so you really need to get those two tires fixed tomorrow."

"Casey, you didn't exactly have a flat tire."

Casey looked at Andy in a curious manner and asked, "What do you mean?"

"I wasn't sure how fast you were going to eat your food, so I let the air out of the tire to delay you."

Casey looked at Andy in a serious manner and said, "I can't believe you would do that to me. I will get your keys for you and when you leave, don't you ever come near me again."

In a surprised manner Andy said "Casey, wait. I did that so I had time to setup everything in your back yard. I just wanted to delay you for a short time."

"I thought you were a nice guy. Eve even thought you were a nice guy; however, you are nothing but another jerk."

"Casey, it was the tire from my Jeep that I let the air out of. I don't see what the big deal is."

"You don't see what the big deal is," Casey mocked. "The big deal is that I had to change a flat tire because you wanted to delay me."

In a surprised manner Andy asked, "You changed the flat tire?"

"Yes, I changed the flat tire."

"A man didn't approach you to offer to change your tire?"

Casey looked at Andy in a curious manner and said, "A man did come up to me who was persistently irritating. I told him to leave or I was calling the police. How did you know someone approached me?"

"Casey, I had arranged for a friend of mine to approach you and offer to change the flat tire. You weren't supposed to do anything."

"Andy, to me that man was a complete stranger. I was not about to let him change the tire."

"Casey, I am very sorry. I really thought that you would allow him to help you. If I would have known that you wouldn't then I wouldn't have done it." Andy took hold of Casey's hand. "Casey, I promise that I will never do anything like that to you again. Will you forgive me?"

"How can I be sure that you won't do that again?"

"Casey, I wouldn't have done it this time if I had any idea that you were going to change the tire yourself. Again I am very sorry. Please forgive me."

Casey looked at Andy in a skeptical manner for a moment. She then let out a sigh and said, "I will never forgive you if you ever do anything like that to me again."

"Does that mean you are forgiving me this time?"

"I hope I don't regret that decision, but yes," said Casey. In a slow manner Andy leaned towards Casey to give her a kiss. Casey allowed the kiss. Casey ended the kiss and looked at Andy in a curious manner. "Out of curiosity, where did you get the idea for dressing up as Prince Charming?"

Andy looked at Casey in an uncertain manner and said, "Answering that question might put me in hot water again with you?"

"Why would you be in hot water?"

"Well, I didn't think you would react the way you did to the news of me letting the air out of the tire."

"Andy, I thought you dressing up as Prince Charming and singing me a song while sitting on a white horse was sweet. I'm just curious of where you got the idea."

Andy reluctantly said, "After Chloe and I went out to get the tire, I called Drew to find out what you considered to be a romantic gesture. Once I found out that you think certain fairytale endings were romantic, I went to Michelle's house and recruited her help to create the theme."

"Why Michelle?"

"She is a high school art teacher and the scene coordinator for the high school plays. Casey, I did this because I helplessly fell for you the night we met." Casey gave Andy a hug and then a passionate kiss. When the kiss ended Andy said, "I take it you are not mad at me."

"I still think what you did was sweet. Well you have better get your phone and call Maxwell so he can come and get the horse."

"I will be back in a minute."

"When you come back in I will be in the back yard with everyone else."

Andy grinned. He then turned to walk away. Casey turned the opposite direction and started to walk towards the back door.