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Chapter 19
"I can't believe we have to cancel the end of the
summer party at the Youth Center. The kids are going to be so disappointed, Luis! They’ve worked really hard on
this party, they've made tons of decorations, they're making costumes at home, they've helped pick the food and
the music, everything!"
Luis shook his head dismally. "I wish there was another way Jay. Really I do. I suppose we could always see
if there is a hall we could rent but that‘ll cost money that we don‘t have."
"What about the beach? Or, Lighthouse Park? Some place public that we wouldn't have to rent." Jay suggested.
"We could do that" Luis agreed hesitantly, "But with the rainy weather we’ve been having this summer,
there is a very good chance it’ll rain that night. That’ll be worse for the kids than canceling it now. I’m just
glad I can use the Book Cafe as a gathering point at least" Luis remarked. "Buzzy will just have to get
that bus of his on the road again so we can take the kids on field trips for the next few weeks."
"Luis, is there a chance that the roof will be fixed before the dance?" Jay asked. "And why does
Buzzy have a bus?"
"Yeah, there’s always a chance Jay" Luis told her "and Buzzy’s bus is a VW bus. A 1970 VW bus to
be exact."
"You’re not serious?" Jay said.
"Damn straight" Luis said adamantly. "That bus is in better shape than Miss Crane’s $80,000 car.
He only uses it when we need it for the Youth Center or for an occasional trip in the summer. I bet he took his
son to that game in Boston in that bus. Anyway, as I was saying, I can‘t think of anything else we can do at this
point except pray the workmen get the roof finished before the dance."
"Too bad we can’t have the party this Saturday night" Jay remarked. "They did say that Monday was
the day you have to close the Youth Center, didn’t they?"
Luis immediately perked up. "Why can’t we have the dance this weekend?" Luis asked. "Jay, how much
work have you and Sheridan actually done on this dance?"
"Lots actually" Jay replied.
"Well, let‘s do it then" Luis grinned. "I know it’ll be rather hectic for all of us tomorrow, but
I’m sure Sam will give me the day off to help. Mama will help too if I ask her."
"Nothing like working under pressure. This will give us what, a day and half, to pull this party together?"
Jay remarked. "What the heck, Luis, I’m game if you are."
"Do you think Sheridan will be up for the task?" Luis asked. "I wouldn’t want her to break a nail
by working a few extra hours tomorrow or working on a Saturday."
"Don’t worry about Sheridan. I'm sure she’ll be more than happy to help. In fact, I think she’s as excited
about this party as the kids are." Jay said. "Luis, you’d be amazed how much Sheridan knows about Spain!
When she described her time in Spain, I actually felt like I was right there with her. The other day she was telling
me how she has one favorite place she loves going back to that she says is the most incredible place she’s ever
been. The people there taught her all about their local customs. She also told me that during the times she spent
in this one place was when she learned how to decorate for local fiestas."
"Well, she may know a lot about Spain through a Crane’s eyes, but I somehow don’t believe she knows the first
thing about how the "real" people of Spain live" Luis sneered. "If you want to read how the
real people live, go read KC’s Spain post again on the travel board. Remember how well she captured life in the
small villages?"
"What did you say?" Jay asked. Something Luis just said caused her to get a very strange feeling. She
couldn’t believe she hadn’t thought of it before.
"I said go read KC’s post on Spain. I’ve never read anything like it in my life and if I remember correctly
you enjoyed it as well" Luis repeated.
"Yeah, I’ll do that Luis" Jay answered. "I‘ll go read KCGirl‘s post on Spain later tonight."
‘Is it possible? Do I dare even think it? Is that
why the things Sheridan said about Spain sounded so familiar to me?’
"That’s good Jay" Luis said. "Maybe you should have Sheridan read it too. After all if she’s going
to help you get this party together on such short notice then she needs to know how real people view Spain."
Jay barely heard anything that Luis was saying to her. She was wracking her brain to remember different pieces
of information Luis had mentioned to her about KC. She couldn’t remember if Luis had actually told her KC lived
in Paris.
"Luis, did you say KC lived in Paris before moving back to the States?" Jay asked trying to get her jumbled
thoughts straight in her head.
"That’s right" Luis answered. "She’s lived there most of her life. I imagine that’s why she spent
so much time in Spain. It’s pretty close."
"That makes sense" Jay said deep in thought. She then remembered an email she’d received from Luis shortly
after KC had contacted Luis after her breakup. She remembered Luis was beside himself with worry when he hadn’t
heard from her and how relieved he was when she contacted him. ‘I
just heard from her and you’ll never believe where she is? Spain. She needed to get away after her break up with
JL and she went to visit some friends there.’
"Tell me again why KC left Paris and came back to the US." Jay muttered. "I mean about her boyfriend."
"Her fiancé" Luis corrected. "She followed him one night and found out he was cheating on
her. He was actually married and his wife was pregnant. I swear if I ever got my hands on that slime JL, I‘d knock
his lights out. Talk about a first class jerk."
Think Jay! What was it Sheridan said to me the other
day?’ Jay asked herself. ‘Truthfully, I was engaged to be married and found out my fiancé was a first class
jerk. I broke things off with him and decided it was time for a change. I’d lived in Paris most of my life, but
it never truly was home to me.’ Jay stared at Luis
as he rambled on but couldn’t hear a word he was saying. I
don’t believe this. This is impossible. KCGirl and Sheridan Crane. It all has to be a huge coincidence, doesn’t
it?
"Jay, did you hear me?" Luis asked giving her a funny look. "You look like you’re a million miles
away."
"What’s that Luis?" Jay asked coming out of her trance.
"Nothing Jay" Luis answered. "Dinner’s here though."
Chad arrived with their sandwiches interrupting Jay’s line of questioning. She couldn’t get rid of the nagging
feeling that Luis was soon going to get the biggest surprise of his life.
Sheridan’s mood couldn’t be brighter when she signed into the chat room. Godis and BabyShuis weren’t there yet,
but there were a few other people chatting about a trip to Australia. Sheridan said hello to the people in the
room, but didn’t respond much as her thoughts were too consumed with what the weekend would bring. Sitting there
with a faraway smile on her face, Sheridan jumped when she heard her phone ring.
"Hello" She answered.
"Sheridan, it’s Jay"
"Hi Jay, how are you?"
"I’m fine Sheridan and I’m really sorry to bother you but I have some news I think you should hear tonight,
rather than tomorrow."
"It’s nothing bad I hope?" Sheridan asked, fear creeping into her voice.
"No, it's nothing like that" Jay said with a slight chuckle. "I just wanted to tell you that the
dance has been moved up to this Saturday night."
"This Saturday?" Sheridan asked in surprise. "I thought this was supposed to be an end of summer
dance? Why the sudden change in time?"
"It’s a long story Sheridan" Jay started to explain, "but basically the Youth Center building will
be closed for a couple of weeks starting on Monday morning for roof repairs."
"Let me guess, Officer Lopez Fitzgerald huffed and puffed and tried to blow the Youth Center down?" Sheridan
said mockingly.
Jay smiled at her comment. "Not exactly. It seems the Youth Center was slated for a new roof in September
anyway, but due to all the rain they've had this summer and the fact that this is supposed to be a bad hurricane
season, the building commission decided to move its date up and they want the roof replaced ASAP."
"Are we going to be able to get this party together with this little time?" Sheridan asked.
"I told Luis how much work we've already done and seems to think we can pull it off, even on short notice,
if we all work together" Jay answered.
"Oh" Sheridan groaned. "That means RoboCop will be there tomorrow doesn’t it?"
"Yes, Luis will be there. So will Pilar and Buzzy and I'm sure we'll be dragging in more volunteers too."
"I’m not going to let him spoil anything Jay, including my mood. I’ll be there tomorrow and I’m sure we’ll
be able to do this."
"Great Sheridan" Jay grinned. "I’ll see you tomorrow then."
Sheridan hung the phone up and realized what had just happened. She was now going to be busy all day Friday and
Saturday. "Oh no Pezz!" She said. "Sunday, we can meet Sunday!" She decided. She quickly got
another email off to Pezz informing him of her change of plans.
Well, as I told you, Sheridan’s willing to do whatever
she can to help get this party done by Saturday night."
"Just so long as she and I can do it in different rooms" Luis responded.
Jay rolled her eyes. "Luis, now that we’ve finished dinner, why don’t you go talk to Chad and see if he’s
available Saturday night. I’m just going to play around here a little. Maybe I’ll check out that post of KC’s.
I know I enjoyed it at the time, but truthfully I don’t remember the details."
"Sure thing Jay" Luis said as he started to get up. He stopped just as he was about to look for Chad.
"I just remembered something" Luis frowned. "I was supposed to meet KC this weekend."
"So, you’ll just meet her Sunday instead of Friday or Saturday, no big deal" Jay answered.
"Yeah, Sunday. That’ll be ok. Let me email her real quick and then it’ll be all yours, I promise." Luis
went to his mailbox once again and found another email from KC.
Hi Pezz,
I know you’re busy so I’ll make this quick. I just had some news and I’m not going to be able to meet you Friday
or Saturday. Would Sunday be ok? Normally I wouldn’t let anything interfere with our meeting, but what came up
is important. I’ll tell you all about it when we meet.
Let me know if Sunday is a good day? Also what time and where. You’re the winner so you pick the place.
Until then Pezz,
KC
"Ha! Talk about luck!" Luis said excitedly.
"What is it?" Jay asked.
"KC had something come up and she can’t make it until Sunday either."
"That is lucky" Jay said. ‘Or maybe it’s
just another coincidence? This is getting weirder by the minute.’
Luis left to find Chad and Jay went directly to the travel message board. She had to go back several pages to find
what she was looking for, but she finally found it on page 7. "I’m glad this board doesn’t move too fast"
Jay said as she waited for KC’s post to load.
Jay read the post several times, allowing the information to sink in. The title itself should have been enough
of a clue Costa de Marbella, a Summer Paradise. "I think that’s where Sheridan said she spent a summer once"
Jay thought, trying to remember what Sheridan had told her.
"I did spend one trip to Spain in such a resort,
but the best times I’ve had there were spent in Costa de Marbella with a host family. I spent a summer there once
with that family and it was wonderful. Marianna, my host took me to all the local festivals and all the people
from the village help plan the fiesta, decorate it and cook all the food. I’m a culinary disaster, so I spent most
of my time helping with the decorating."
"I don’t believe this" Jay said to herself. "I’m seeing it, but I still can’t believe it. I’m going
to have to ask Miss Crane a few questions to find out for sure" Jay told herself. Or maybe... I wonder..."
Jay clicked on the icon for the chat room. Knowing that PezzMan was occupied for the evening there was a chance
KCGirl might be chatting with her friends. She hoped KC would be there and maybe she could pick up a piece of information
that would confirm her suspicions.
Jay signed into the chat room and was delighted to see KCGirl was there. The chat was currently about someone’s
trip to Australia, but from what Jay could see, KC wasn’t participating. After her greeting to the others, Jay
just sat back and waited.
After a short time, Jay’s patience was rewarded when she saw KCGirl post a message.
[KCGirl]
Hi everyone!
"I think I’m going to pretend this is Sheridan and
see if the words match up with the person I know" Jay said as the chat began.
[BabyShuis]
KC! Sweetie, how are you? I was getting worried there for a minute.
[Godis] No kidding girl, what kept you?
[KCGirl] Sorry, I had to send a quick email.
"A quick email, huh? Perfect timing KC, or should
I say Sheridan?"
[Godis]
Yeah, yeah, we know what’s going on, don’t we Baby? ;-)
[BabyShuis] LOL! We sure do Godis, she can’t fool us.
[Katy4IU] KCGirl! Long time no see! How have you been? Still engaged to that French
guy?
"French guy? OK, that’s both KC and Sheridan who were
both engaged to Frenchmen."
[KCGirl]
Hi Katy! No, he was a real jerk.
"And they were both jerks" Jay remarked. It was
looking more and more like she was right.
[LibertyGal]
Hi KC, nice to see you again.
[Katy4IU] Sorry to hear that.
[KCGirl] Hi LG. Nice to see you too. What’s new around here?
[Godis] Oh no you don’t KC! We’ve been chatting for awhile. We want to know what’s
going on with you?
[BabyShuis] Yes, tell us how it feels to be back in the States after spending so much
time in Paris.
"Clue 3, they both lived in Paris"
[Katy4IU]
You moved back to the States? Good deal, when?
[LibertyGal] Moved to the States? Good choice. Where?
"Good question LibertyGal! Come on KC, spill it! Tell
us moved to Harmony."
[KCGirl]
Boy, you guys are certainly filled with questions tonight! LOL.
[KCGirl] I moved back last week, to the town I was born in. It’s a little place off
the coast of Maine, not many people have heard of it.
"That description fits Harmony, all right. So KCGirl
and Sheridan Crane lived in Paris at the same time and both very recently moved back to the towns they were born
in on the Coast of Maine?"
[Godis]
I want to know if you’ve met any REAL men since you’ve been home?
"Now there is a question I’d like to hear the answer
to as well. I wonder if he’s going to turn out to be a jerk? Ha"
[BabyShuis]
Real men? I want to hear more about her cyber boyfriend!
[Katy4IU] Ooh, KC, it has been a long time. Are you holding out on us? LOL
[BabyShuis] Come on KC spill it! What was that guy’s name? Godis, you know the one who
wrote to us when KC went to Spain?
[LibertyGal] This sounds serious KC.
[Godis] PezzHead wasn’t it? LOL
Jay shook her head and smiled. She knew Luis had heard
many different variations of his nickname.
[KCGirl]
Funny Godis, very funny.
[Katy4IU] ROTFLOL!!!
[BabyShuis] LOL
[KCGirl] His name is PezzMan FYI.
[Godis] PezzMan, that’s right! I’m only teasing you know. Hey, I still want to know
if you’ve met any "in the flesh" hunks?
[KCGirl] Look, I’ve only met one "real" man since I’ve been home and although
he is quite handsome and has a body to die for, he’s the most arrogant, pig headed macho jerk I’ve ever met.
"It seems to me, I’ve heard almost those exact words
come out of Sheridan's mouth when referring to Luis. Another coincidence perhaps?" Jay said with a wicked
grin.
[BabyShuis]
KC, it sure sounds like love to me! LOL. You’d better watch out or PezzMan will get jealous.
[KCGirl] Pezz has absolutely nothing to get jealous about. I wouldn’t give that macho
jerk the time of day if I didn’t have to work for him. Besides, Pezz and I are meeting Sunday for the first time.
"How many clues is this now? I think I've lost count.
What I wouldn't give to be at this meeting between KC and Pezz. Oh man, If I'm right about this, they are both
going to be in for the biggest surprise of their lives."
[Onica’sMom has just entered the chat room]
[Onica’sMom] Hi guys! What’s happening?
[BabyShuis] Hi OM
[Godis] Welcome OM, Where have you been?
[LibertyGal] KC, are you sure it’s safe?
[Katy4IU] Welcome OM
[KCGirl] Hi OM
[KCGirl] LibertyGal- I trust him. He’s not like anyone I’ve ever met.
[Godis] Maybe she should take a bunch of Pezz dispensers with her and she can shoot
candy at him if he turns out to be a whacko.
[Katy4IU] Godis, good one!
[BabyShuis] Come on gals! LG is right. KC needs to be careful!
[Godis] You’re right. I just can’t help myself. Sorry! :(
[KCGirl] I truly appreciate all of your concern, but I think I’ll be fine. Besides,
I’m sure we’ll be meeting in a public place.
[KCGirl] Godis, thanks for the idea! I think Pezz and I will use Pezz dispensers
to recognize each other.
"I’ll have to remember to ask Sheridan how they’ll
know each other. That should confirm it for me."
[Onica’sMom]
Hey! What am I missing here?
[Godis] Glad I could help ;) So, which dispensers will you use?
[LibertyGal] KC is meeting someone she met online.
[BabyShuis] How about Superman and Wonderwoman?
[Onica’sMom] You go girl! Woo Hoo! Who is this man?
[Katy4IU] KC, why not take someone with you? Just until you know it’s safe?
[KCGirl] Good idea Baby! I like that!
[LibertyGal] I agree with Katy. Take someone with you.
[Godis] His name is PezzMan and KC and he have been emailing each other for awhile
now.
[KCGirl] I think I know someone who will come with me. She warned me to be careful
too. Thanks for the concern guys.
"Hmm, I wonder if she’s talking about me?"
[BabyShuis]
Don’t forget about the IM sessions. I think KC mentioned one lasting 6 hours?
[Onica’sMom] Have you seen his picture? I bet he’s a hunk!
[Katy4IU] 6 hour IM session? Wow!
[LibertyGal] Good choice KC. We’ll want all the details after you meet :-)
[Godis] KC, I still want to know about this "real" man you’ve met. Why
is he a macho jerk? How can he be so hot and a macho jerk at the same time?
[KCGirl] No, I haven’t seen his picture but I know he has dark hair and eyes.
"So does Luis KC, or should I say Sheridan."
[KCGirl]
Godis, trust me-- it’s possible. He was really nice when we met, but for some reason he decided to take all his
frustrations out on me. He has some ridiculous vendetta against my family and he’s using me for target practice.
If you don’t mind, I’d rather not talk about him anymore.
"There’s no way this can be a coincidence too! No
way, no how, this has to be Sheridan. It has to be!"
[Godis]
Sorry KC. Hey, soon PezzMan will be a "real" in the flesh man too, right? Maybe you can get him to whip
that guy’s sorry butt!
[KCGirl] Listen girls, I have to run. I have a very busy day tomorrow and I have
the feeling I’m going to need all my strength to deal with my pigheaded boss.
[BabyShuis] Good luck sweetie! We want to hear all about your meeting with Pezz! Please
email as soon as you can?
[LibertyGal] I need to run as well. Time to start the homework brigade at my house. Good
Luck KC and be safe. Looking forward to hearing about your meeting.
[Katy4IU] Good Luck KC! Can’t wait to hear the details! :-)
[Onica’sMom] Night KCGirl! Go get your man! :)
[Godis] Good luck KC! I hope he turns out to be the most gorgeous guy on the East
Coast! LOL. Don’t forget to email or IM me after you meet!
[KCGirl] Good night everyone! Thanks and I’ll let you all know how things turn out.
I can’t wait! :)
[LibertyGal has left the chatroom]
[KCGirl has left the chatroom]
Jay decided to leave herself in the chat room for awhile
longer while she checked her own email. When she was finished, she went back to the chat room and signed out. Luis
was on his way back with a huge grin plastered to his face.
"Chad’s in for Saturday. He’s even willing to help out tomorrow afternoon if we need him" Luis said.
"Great!" Jay said with a small smile. Luis, I think we should cut our night short. I want to get some
extra sleep tonight since it looks like we're going to have very busy days tomorrow and Saturday."
"You’re right" Luis responded. "Jay, just one thing, I want to tell you again how much I appreciate
what you’ve done at the Youth Center. I mean, I’m sure there are other things you’d rather be doing with your spare
time and it really means a lot having you help me out like this. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you."
"Don't worry about it Luis, I knew what I was getting into when I volunteered to help out. I never expected
you to pay me." Jay answered. "You know how much I like working with kids. And while you thought you
were dumping Sheridan on me, I've really enjoyed getting to know her. She's been great to work with, the kids love
her and we've had a lot of fun. But ...... now that you've brought it up, I like the idea that you owe me one.
Yeah, you owe me a big one and I'll be holding it over your head until I decide to call it in."
"That sounds rather ominous Jay" Luis grinned. "Should I be worried?"
"Worried? Yeah, you should be shaking in your boots" Jay laughed. "I don't have any idea yet, what
it's going to cost you, but I'll let you know when I decide what I want."
"I have no doubt about that Jay" Luis chuckled. "No doubt at all, now lets go home."
Luis and Jay left the Book Cafe to go home and get some rest. Tomorrow and Saturday would be extremely busy as
Saturday night would be the dance they’d worked so hard to pull together. Luis, however was thinking past the dance
towards his meeting Sunday with KC and how wonderful it would be. Jay was also thinking about his meeting with
KC, but she was worried it would turn into WWIII. She decided she needed to find out for sure if KC was Sheridan
and then came the hard part. Convincing Sheridan that macho jerk Luis was as wonderful in "real life"
as his cyber alter ego PezzMan and convincing Luis that Sheridan Crane was just as worthy of his heart as KCGirl,
who apparently already had it.
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