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Lula bought our tickets and got a map and a schedule of events.
“This is bigger than I expected,” Grandma said. “It’s like you don’t know where to go and there’s people smashed in everywhere.”
She was right about the people. They were packed in the cavernous building like sardines in a can. They were taking selfies, buying franchise junk, and rushing off to panel discussions and autograph sessions.
“I see Thor,” Grandma said, “but I don’t think he’s the real one.”
“Now that we’re here, I want to get horns like Loki,” Lula said.
“We’re supposed to be looking for Benji,” I said.
“Yeah, but I’m one of those multitaskers,” Lula said. “I can shop with one eye and look out with the other. The map they gave us makes it easy to find the Loki stuff.”
“I want a cape like Doctor Strange,” Grandma said. “How much do you think one of them would cost?”
“It wouldn’t cost anything,” Lula said. “We got an expense account. We’re on official business relating to Carpenter Beedle.”
“You’re a good office manager,” Grandma said. “You know how to take charge.”
“You bet your ass,” Lula said. “And you notice I’m even willing to do fieldwork like going on this trip.”
“According to the map, the Avengers section is next to the food court,” Grandma said. “I wouldn’t mind grabbing something for lunch.”
We joined the tide of conventioneers moving toward food, swept along cheek by jowl with Darth Vader, Bart Simpson, some hobbits, and a bunch of lowly Muggles.
By three o’clock Grandma had a red cape, and Lula was wearing Loki horns. We’d managed to get into the room that was hosting the Aquaman panel, and we were all on the lookout for Benji. I was in the very back of the room because I wanted to see everyone leaving. Grandma and Lula were in the second row. They wanted to see Aquaman. As it turned out it was an Aquaman stand-in, but they wanted to see him all the same.
After forty minutes of Aquaman lore I still hadn’t caught sight of Benji. The event came to a close. We all applauded. Everyone stampeded to the door. And there he was. Benji. Wearing a T-shirt and jeans. No horns. No cape. Not carrying an Aquaman trident.Part of the horde trying to get to the next event. I stood on my seat and waved at Lula and Grandma, pointing to the door, mouthing,Benji!
Lula waved back and lowered her horns to get through the crush of people. I jumped off my seat and shoved my way to the door.
“So sorry,” I said. “Excuse me. Emergency.”
I made it out of the room, and I saw Benji turn toward the food court. There were a lot of people between us, and I was doing my best to weave my way through them. I lost visual on Benji and my fear was that he’d turned into one of the side aisles without my realizing it. The food court was just ahead. It was a wide-open space filled with tables and I would have a better shot at finding him there.
I finally broke out of the crowd and was able to scan the area. I saw Benji a good distance in front of me, making his way to an exit that led to more exhibits. There was a commotion going on behind me. Raised voices, a couple shrieks, and a woman yelled, “Crazy horned bitch.”
Benji turned to see what was going on and spotted me. For a beat he froze, deer in headlights, and then he was off and running. I ran after him, dodging people carrying drinks and burgers, skirting tables. I reached the exit and heard more noise behind me. I took a quick glance back and cringed when I saw Lula on the floor with another woman. In an instant Lula was on her feet and running.
“I’m coming,” Lula yelled. “I got your back.”
Grandma was a short distance behind Lula. “Me too,” she yelled. “Don’t let the little bugger get away!”
I left the food court and lost Benji. He’d been swallowed up by the crowd. I stopped to catch my breath and Lula and Grandma caught up to me. Lula had what looked like a chocolate milkshake down the front of her and some French fries stuck in her cleavage.
“These people don’t know enough to get out of the way,” Lula said. “Anybody could see I was on the chase. There’s a bunch of dumb people here.”
“She might have gored someone,” Grandma said. “We should watch the news tonight.”
I hurried Grandma and Lula through the main hall, to the building’s entrance. “We can hang here and watch the doors,” I said. “Maybe we can catch him leaving.”
“Is this the only way out?” Lula asked.
“I’m sure there are lots of other ways out,” I said. “Vendors and employees would use other doors, but this is the one available to fans. You watch for Benji. I’m going to canvass hotels to see if he’s staying around here.”
I called my mom and told her we were still in Atlantic City and wouldn’t be home for dinner. I called Morelli next. We have a standing date for Friday night. Usually, he eats dinner with me at my parents’ house and then we spend the night together.
“I’m in Atlantic City,” I said. “I’m going to miss dinner, but I’ll see you later.”
