"Happy birthday, punkin," Mike said, shouldering me out of the way and leaning in to kiss Tess on the cheek. "Never, ever scare us like that again."
"I promise. Scared myself a little too," she admitted, leaning her head back against the seat and closing her eyes.
"Okay, let's get her home," I said. "We'll see you there."
"You bet you will," Mike said.
Ruby bit her lip. "Tess, I'm so sorry, but I have to stop downtown and do a couple of mayor things. If you're sure you're okay … it's just, it's my duty to the people of Dead End, under the circumstances, and we're not quite done with the senior citizens evacuation plan, and—"
"Go," Tess said, opening her eyes and smiling at her aunt. "I'm so proud of you for doing all this for everyone in this crisis. You're the best mayor Dead End has ever had since Lorraine."
Tears trembled in Ruby's lashes, but she leaned in and gave Tess a quick hug and then hugged me, too.
"You take care of my niece," she ordered, and I gave her my best salute.
"Yes, ma'am. Come over as soon as you can. There will be plenty of food."
"And CAKE?" Shelley started dancing. "I love CAKE!"
"All the cake you can eat," I promised.
Tess fell asleep on the drive. By the time we got to her house, I'd forgotten about our phone call earlier, so I was completely unprepared for the sight of a pixie riding Lou the cat across the top of the back of the couch.
Tess simply said, "Hi, Frazzle," and headed back toward the kitchen. I heard her opening the fridge, and then I heard her gasp. I ran back through the house, the cat and pixie hot on my heels, and skidded to a stop when I realized why she'd gasped.
She wasn't in danger.
There was no threat.
She was staring out her back window, a bottle of water forgotten in one hand, her mouth hanging open. She slowly turned her head and stared at me.
"Jack?"
"Yes?"
"Why is there a pool in my backyard?"
"Well—"
"Anin-ground pool, filled with water and ready to use, in my backyard?"
"It's—"
"A pool that wasn't therejust a few hours ago?"
Now all three of them were staring at me: Tess, the pixie, and even Lou.
"Um, happy birthday?"
34
Tess
Ihad a pool.
In my backyard.
A full-blown, Olympic-sized, fully complete and filledpool.
