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Me: What’s yourfavorite movie?
The conversation died after her reply, but that was okay. I slipped out of my shirt and shoes, grabbed Jack, and dove into the pool with the kids, letting them practice diving and offering exorbitant bribes if they were able to touch the bottom of the pool or retrieve small objects like colored rings.
The next day while sitting in a meeting about the new plans Ever After Sweets had for the upcoming year, I texted Ella again.
Me: Truth or dare?
Ella: Truth
Me: What’s the worst food you’ve ever tasted?
She answered—and then, though she didn’t reciprocate, she didn’t tell me to stop, either.
The last two weeks of October passed the same way. I texted her every single day, and every day she picked Truth, answering my questions and never returning with any of her own.
On Halloween, I texted again but changed it up this time.
Me: Trick or treat?
Ella: Not truth or dare?
Me: Isn’t it kind of the same thing? I could bring you a treat.
I had plenty of those on hand. She could have her pick.
Ella: I’ll pass, thanks.
I wasn’t going to let this moment pass me by. She’d talked to me. I had to do what I could with that.
I texted her a picture of me in my costume, which was Shaggy from Scooby Doo. Gemma was Daphne. Little Jack was Fred, Ike was Scooby Doo, and Gemma’s daughter was Velma. The kids had bombarded me, and it was a great picture of us laughing together.
Ella: Who are you with?
Me: My sister and her kids. Her husband had to work, so I offered to help take them around.
Ella: And you dressed up to match?
Me: Sure, why not?
Then a wave of courage swept over me, and I added?—
Me: You should come. I’ll pick you up?
Ella: I don’t have a costume. I wouldn’t fit in.
Me: I don’t care.
I really didn’t. She could come wearing anything—or nothing, though that would make thingsfar more interesting. I just wanted her here. I almost suggested she wear something brown to be a Scooby Snack when her reply came through:
Ella: You have fun without me.
I was tempted to give in, to track her down, but I didn’t want to ruin this streak. She was so skittish and reserved—and she wastalking to me.I couldn’t mess that up.
Usually, women melted at my charms, but she didn’t, and I wanted to know why. What made her so different? So careful?
November passed in the same manner. It was back to the usual Truth or Dare questions.
Me: Are you listening to Christmas music now or do you wait until after Thanksgiving?
